Cambridge University spinouts to receive £100m boost from Cambridge Innovation Capital
New Entrepreneur in Residence program launched alongside investment to support early-stage commercialisation of academic research in deep tech and life sciences.
Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC), a UK-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage investment in deep tech and life sciences, has committed at least £100 million to support new companies emerging from the University of Cambridge.
The funding comes through CIC’s recently launched £250 million Fund III, which targets high-potential spinouts across the Cambridge ecosystem. The investment is intended to accelerate commercialization of university research through early-stage support.
“In 2024, the University of Cambridge created more spinout companies than any other university,” says Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Innovation at the University of Cambridge. “It has also produced the most unicorns of any European ecosystem and generates £23 billion in economic interest linked to research and commercialisation each year.”
New Entrepreneur in Residence program
Alongside the investment, CIC has announced an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) program to connect experienced deep tech and life sciences entrepreneurs with academic researchers. The initiative aims to match executives who have previously scaled technology businesses with promising university IP at an early stage.
The rolling cohort will include up to six entrepreneurs at a time. Companies developed through the program will be eligible to receive backing from CIC’s new fund.
“Cambridge is at the forefront of innovation in deep tech and life sciences,” says Andrew Williamson, Managing Partner at CIC. “Our new EIR programme will provide academics and researchers with access to the £100m we are committing to University of Cambridge spinouts as they continue to develop breakthrough technologies.”
Expanding university innovation support
The EIR initiative forms part of a broader strategy by the University of Cambridge to increase the volume and impact of spinouts. Cambridge Enterprise, the university’s innovation and commercialization service, has also launched a Founders program, a Technology Investment Fund, and committed an additional £30 million to the Cambridge Enterprise Ventures fund.
“We are determined to do even more, and faster, through initiatives such as the new EIR programme and by attracting investment into our spinout companies working with partners like Cambridge Innovation Capital,” adds Dr O’Brien.
