Awards celebrated at gala event

A celebration of accomplishment in university tech transfer at the Global University Venturing (GUV) 2013 Summit saw Dr. Mike Lynch, founder of Invoke Capital, win the Personality of the Year Award with Susan Searle, chief executive of Imperial Innovations Group from 2002 to July 2013, pick up the Lifetime Achievement Award and Mike Raven and Richard Jennings from Cambridge Enterprise pick up their Unit of the Year award.

The full list of winners were:

1. Global University Venturing 2013 Investment of the Year    = Kite Pharma

2. Global University Venturing 2013 Exit of the Year  = Novaled

3. Global University Venturing 2013 University Venturing Unit of the Year = Cambridge Enterprise

4. Global University Venturing 2013 University Venturing Fund of the Year = Stanford-StartX Fund

5. Global University Venturing 2013 Personality of the Year = Michael Lynch, Invoke Capital

6. Global University Venturing 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award = Susan Searle

The awards were presented last night at the inaugural GUV Awards Summit at Baker Botts in London ahead of a gala dinner at the Royal Exchange.

The awards recognize their ongoing commitment to the development of academia’s impact on society through the creation and funding of student and faculty-led start-ups.

James Mawson, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Global Corporate Venturing and GUV, said:

“Congratulations to all the winners and, perhaps most importantly, the wonderful scientists and entrepreneurs who have helped make the world a better place. Universities and corporations are the two founts of almost all innovation. But, until recently, they have had limited impact in making sure more of these good ideas make their way into society through the power of the venture model. By bringing them together at our Global University Venturing Summit we have created an open space for innovation to flourish for these vital professionals.”

Mike Lynch presented the keynote address – see video interview here – and said:

“Invoke brings a radically different solution to unlocking the potential of fundamental European technology and has a unique management team with a deep understanding of advanced technology. By applying these skills and experience to the advances in science and mathematics emerging from European universities, we believe we can add significant value for investors and portfolio companies.  I am delighted to receive this award and for Invoke to be recognized for its genuinely innovative approach to creating real growth in the technology landscape.”

About

Global University Venturing is both a monthly magazine and website written for and about universities taking stakes in the spinout companies of staff and students. We help universities to share best practice and to connect with each other, with investors and with other useful parties in the innovation ecosystem. Our aim is to help improve the processes of bringing innovations from academia to the market and facilitate their integration into the business ecosystem.