The lack of early-stage investors has meant universities are having to follow on the help given to their start-ups.

The lack of early-stage investors has meant universities are having to follow on the help given to their start-ups.

Rick Silva, director of the University of Colorado Technology Transfer Office (UCTTO), said: "Private investment is waning for early stage investment. Universities have been pulled into the realm of technology maturation to fill a void in early stage investing."

Since 2004, UCTTO has deployed $11.5m to fund 139 projects, of which eight have become companies and 44 licensed or optioned…