Oxford University Innovation has revealed it launched 37 new companies between April 2020 and March 2021, its best run yet.
Oxford University Innovation (OUI), the tech transfer subsidiary of University of Oxford, has announced it formed 37 new spinouts and startups between April 2020 and March 2021, marking its best 12-month period yet.
OUI’s portfolio raised a total of more than £423m during Q1 across 13 deals.
The institution also revealed the creation of a dozen new companies specifically in the first quarter of the year. These include eight spinouts as follows:
- Augmented Intelligence, which is working on analysis and decision making tools for marketing;
- Curacode, which is developing laser technology for high-security, low-cost authentication labels;
- Salience Labs, which is focusing on waveguides using photonic switching elements;
- Hare Analytics, which is working to understand human interaction and behaviours;
- Hydregen, which is developing hydrogenation reactions to replace metal catalyst reactions in pharma and chemical sectors;
- Aisentia, which is exploiting artificial intelligence to create CT angiograms from non-CT images;
- Oxford Green Innotech, which is converting ammonia waste into hydrogen suitable for use as a fuel; and
- OxVax, which is focusing on cancer vaccines.
The companies launched in Q1 also include three startups and a social enterprise:
- Ujji, which is building a personal development app;
- Viscera Technologies, which is looking to improve diagnosis of disease by breaking down barriers to testing;
- Vaxine, which is supporting doctors and the National Health Service in the deployment of covid vaccines; and
- Orbit RRI, a social enterprise jointly formed between Oxford and De Montford University working on responsible research and innovation in information and communications technologies.
Additionally, OUI announced Emilie Syed – previously working in the New Ventures and Investments team – as the new head of its incubator. Syed takes over from Cath Spence, who has herself been promoted to deputy head of physical sciences.
Chief operating officer Adam Stoten previously revealed to GUV on Talking Tech Transfer that he was stepping down to join pharmaceutical firm Evotec and expand its network of Bridge programmes internationally.
Similarly, Andrew Goff, head of consulting services, is also leaving OUI after 17 years with the office. He had previously been business liaison manager for the university itself and is one of the longest-serving employees at OUI.
