Universities in Southampton identified as standouts for launching successful startups and spinoffs within the United Kingdom
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The University of Southampton, a hub of innovation and technological advancement, continues to make a significant impact on the UK economy, particularly in the AI and health technology sectors.
One standout example is Voda, a health tech startup founded by Jaron Soh and Dr. Kris Jack. Voda's AI-powered platform detects early signs of mental health issues and offers personalized support, seamlessly integrating with healthcare systems such as the NHS. The company has raised over £1.2 million from investors, including the UK government's Innovate UK program, highlighting its growing impact on the UK's mental health sector.
The University of Southampton is also actively supporting AI startup development through its Future Worlds accelerator program. In collaboration with Responsible AI UK and UCL’s Centre for Digital Innovation, it runs the AIR26 program, a six-month accelerator designed to help researchers commercialize AI technologies into promising startups.
The University's commitment to tech transfer and acceleration programs is not limited to AI. OhmSpace, a spinout company, is developing an electric thruster for long-distance spacecraft to land on Mars or far-off asteroids. OhmSpace, under the leadership of the RAEng Enterprise Fellowship recipient Dr Phil Wu, recently closed a €1.2m funding round, lead by Scientifica Venture Capital, and is now working with the British and European Space Agencies.
Another successful spinout is Absolar, founded by Dr Phil Wu, which uses AI and industry expertise to provide critical information for solar investment decisions.
The University of Southampton ranks among the country's top 20 for launching startups, according to the Royal Academy of Engineering report. The university's website team runs an information event about applying for the RAEng Enterprise Fellowship and what the program offers. The team supports researchers and students at any stage of the startup process, currently helping around 120 staff and students each year to turn their research into commercial businesses.
The commercial potential of pioneering research is maximized by enabling scientists and engineers to solve problems and build solutions, according to Ben Clark, the Director of the website's programme. The success of Southampton's spinouts, such as Voda, OhmSpace, and Absolar, is a testament to this approach.
In 2024, spinouts from UK universities secured £2.6b worth of funding, according to the Royal Academy of Engineering report. The University of Southampton's spinouts, including Aquark Technologies, which was the first UK company to be funded by the NATO Innovation Fund, contributed significantly to this total.
In summary, the University of Southampton's spinouts, such as Voda, OhmSpace, and Absolar, are making a substantial impact on the UK economy through their innovative solutions and commercial success. The university's commitment to tech transfer, acceleration programs like Future Worlds and AIR26, and collaboration on high-impact research projects further illustrate its role in nurturing emerging tech ventures and driving economic growth.
[1] [Link to Voda's website] [2] [Link to the AIR26 program] [3] [Link to the RAEng Enterprise Fellowship event] [4] [Link to the Royal Academy of Engineering report]
- The University of Southampton's health tech startup, Voda, with AI-powered mental health detection and support, has raised over £1.2 million in investment, including from Innovate UK.
- The Future Worlds accelerator program, run by the University, supports AI startup development and the AIR26 program specifically helps researchers commercialize AI technologies into startups.
- Another spinout, OhmSpace, recently secured €1.2m in funding for developing electric thrusters for spacecraft, with lead investment from Scientifica Venture Capital.
- Absolar, another successful spinout from the University, uses AI and industry expertise to provide critical information for solar investment decisions.
- The University of Southampton ranked among the top 20 for launching startups, according to the Royal Academy of Engineering report, and it supports researchers and students at every stage of the startup process.
- In 2024, UK university spinouts, including those from the University of Southampton like Voda, OhmSpace, and Absolar, secured £2.6b in funding, according to the Royal Academy of Engineering report.
- The University's spinouts, like Voda, OhmSpace, and Absolar, demonstrate the university's role in nurturing emerging tech ventures and driving economic growth through innovation, research, and commercialization in fields such as space, finance, technology, and education-and-self-development.
