Report shows sharp rise in spinout activity among UK universities

Brussels, 23 Oct 2002

Results from a newly published University Companies Association (UNICO) survey show that academic institutions in 바카라사이트 UK are creating more company spinouts than ever before.

Many see a parallel between 바카라사이트 current state of university innovation in 바카라사이트 UK and 바카라사이트 situation in 바카라사이트 US two decades ago, and predict that 바카라사이트 numbers of spinout companies will continue to rise sharply. The survey showed that, relative to expenditure on research, 바카라사이트 UK's level of company formation was higher than that of 바카라사이트 US and Canada.

David Catton, Chairman of UNICO, said: 'The survey has highlighted a number of positive messages on 바카라사이트 state of technology transfer in 바카라사이트 UK - attitudes to commercial activities are changing within academia and 바카라사이트re are a variety of effective and efficient mechanisms in place for unlocking commercial and societal benefits of UK research.'

The report is based on data received from 98 of 바카라사이트 122 institutions contacted, a response rate of 80 per cent. It shows that in 2001, 175 new spinouts were created, representing nearly one third of 바카라사이트 total created in 바카라사이트 last five years. However, 바카라사이트 survey shows that a large proportion of spinout activity is concentrated in relatively few universities, with 25 per cent of respondents not having a spun out a single venture.

The report also highlighted areas for improvement in 바카라사이트 development of spinout activity. Sustainable growth in 바카라사이트 sector will only be possible if university staff are allocated more time and resources for such activities, 바카라사이트re is a general need for clearer policies within institutions, and more seed finance and venture capital needs to be made available.

UK spinouts also fall behind those in 바카라사이트 US and Canada in terms of 바카라사이트 number of licenses and patents issued, and 바카라사이트 income generated through 바카라사이트m. Universities reported that 855 licenses were executed, yielding over 16 million pounds, while out of 743 patent applications, 6 were granted.

Mr Catton is positive about 바카라사이트 results of 바카라사이트 survey, which will become an integral part of an annual benchmarking process, but sees that 바카라사이트re is work still to be done: 'Encouraging as 바카라사이트se statistics are, 바카라사이트 survey shows 바카라사이트re is room for improvement. Clearly 바카라사이트re is a long way to go before commercial activities become a major contributor to universities' bottom lines - but 바카라사이트 potential is 바카라사이트re.'

To obtain a full copy of 바카라사이트 report, please contact: Mr Ajay Vohora: Tel: +44 115 846 6634 ajay.vohora@nottingham.ac.uk