SETsquared Leads Record UK Spin-Out Investment Push
Deal News | Mar 04, 2025 | SETsquared
In 2024, the SETsquared Partnership, comprising universities from Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, Southampton, and Surrey, demonstrated a substantial leap in their influence on the UK's spin-out market, securing £273 million in investments. This capital injection, double the previous year's figures, underscores the pivotal role these spin-outs play in transforming pioneering university research into viable market products across high-growth sectors such as health, life sciences, cleantech, and semiconductors. The funding, spread over 43 companies, notably includes significant sums for ventures like Naturbeads, Forefront RF, Curve Therapeutics, and others. Marty Reid, SETsquared’s Executive Director, emphasized the rise of these spin-outs as key innovation drivers and economic catalysts, ready to tackle global challenges like climate change and health adversities. Additionally, the partnership, in collaboration with deep tech investor Qantx and through programs like IMPACT-IP and SpinOutWest, aims to fortify the commercialization ecosystem, ease investment barriers, and cultivate new scientific entrepreneurial talents to scale technology ventures from research institutions to global markets.
Sectors
- Higher Education and Research
- Venture Capital and Private Equity
- Technology and Innovation
- Healthcare and Life Sciences
- Clean Technology
Geography
- United Kingdom – The article focuses on university spin-outs within the UK, particularly from regional partnerships in parts of southern England and Wales.
Industry
- Higher Education and Research – This sector is relevant due to the involvement of university spin-outs which are commercializing academic research.
- Venture Capital and Private Equity – The article discusses significant investments into spin-out companies, a key activity in the venture capital and private equity sector.
- Technology and Innovation – Technological advancements and innovation are central to the activities of the spin-out companies mentioned in the article.
- Healthcare and Life Sciences – Many of the spin-out companies focus on health and life sciences, addressing innovative solutions in these fields.
- Clean Technology – Cleantech solutions are highlighted as a sector attracting strong investor interest.
Financials
- 273 million – Total investment raised by SETsquared spin-outs in 2024, doubling the previous year's investment.
- 7.8 million – Investment raised by Naturbeads in 2024.
- 16 million – Investment raised by Forefront RF in 2024.
- 790k – Investment raised by nisien.ai in 2024.
- 3.7 million – Investment raised by Senisca in 2024.
- 40.5 million – Investment raised by Curve Therapeutics in 2024.
- 4 million – Investment raised by Silveray in 2024.
- 300 million – Value of the spin-out investment vehicle established by SETsquared and Qantx.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| SETsquared Partnership | Facilitator | Company | A partnership of universities fostering the commercialization of research through spin-outs. |
| Naturbeads | Spin-out Company | Company | University of Bath spin-out focusing on biodegradable alternatives to microplastics. |
| Forefront RF | Spin-out Company | Company | University of Bristol spin-out developing semiconductor solutions for IoT devices. |
| nisien.ai | Spin-out Company | Company | Cardiff University spin-out using AI to mitigate online conflict. |
| Senisca | Spin-out Company | Company | University of Exeter spin-out focusing on senotherapeutic interventions. |
| Curve Therapeutics | Spin-out Company | Company | University of Southampton spin-out developing cancer-focused pharmaceutical solutions. |
| Silveray | Spin-out Company | Company | University of Surrey spin-out creating innovative X-ray imaging solutions. |
| Qantx | Investor | Company | Deep tech investor collaborating with SETsquared to fund spin-outs. |