The UK telco has 5,000 patents that could form the basis of new ventures.
BT is seeking to spin out software companies based on its own research and intellectual property through the hiring of a licensing and commercialisation principal.
The person hired for the role will be responsible for developing a software-focused research commercialisation strategy, which includes licensing IP and building ventures.
It signals the UK telecoms company’s increasing push to leverage its 5,000-strong portfolio of patents and patent applications around the world. The company’s research and development focuses on telecoms and networking software.
“Our research commercialisation team collaborates closely with our research department to explore and pursue all potential avenues to adoption for our innovations, both internally and through partnerships,” said the company in a statement.
A recent GCV survey found that corporate venturing building is a growing CEO priority at corporations, although most of the teams building ventures tend to be staffed by fewer by fewer than five people.
Telecommunications has been a sector that has seen weak startup fundraising activity. There have only been nine corporate-backed funding rounds so far in 2025, and none since June, according to GCV data.
Fernando Moncada Rivera
Fernando Moncada Rivera is a reporter at Global Corporate Venturing and also host of the CVC Unplugged podcast.
