Global University Venturing

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology helps launch 100 spinouts a year. But the AI rush means it has to get them overseas quicker, says its tech transfer head.

Alastair Hick, who has spent almost the past two decades in commercialisation roles at Monash University, will take over from Peter Devine in December.

Advances in photonics technology will underpin next-generation computing, telecoms, aerospace and manufacturing. Here are nine spinouts that have emerged from university labs with VC backing.

VC investment in university spinouts from UK universities was at a record in 2024 but the pace of investment is slowing in 2025.

The university has partnered with the Hong Kong government and VC firm Gobi Partners for Gobi-Redbird Innovation Fund to take spinouts international.

Jaivel plans to back strategic startups at seed stage together with VC arm of Indian academic institution IIM Ahmedabad.

The store owner's corporate VC, Circle K Ventures, invested in technologies that could improve customer experience at its stores and forecourts.

The team expect to complete fundraising in early 2026.

The National University of Singapore is ramping up investments in its own spinouts as VC funding in south-east Asia for early stage companies falls to a decade low.

Kyoto University Innovation Capital is seeking external limited partners to join its new fund and opening offices abroad as its spinout portfolio companies seek access to global markets.

Bill Cann is a recent business graduate from the University of Manchester in the UK.