UCL among London universities supporting social venture startups

London skyline - iStock - mitchell panayis UCL has joined an innovative coalition of London universities and partners to generate a critical mass of new social ventures big enough to raise a permanent self-sustaining fund that will back university social ventures emerging across the capital. The London Social Venture Fund is led by UCL and Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) and will launch this autumn. The initiative will lay the foundations for a self-sustaining social venture fund, providing early funding for new London startups pursuing a social goal. The initiative aims to tackle a bind: a dedicated fund cannot exist without a substantial pipeline, but a pipeline will not emerge without a fund. Dr Steven Schooling, UCL Business (UCLB) director of engineering and physical sciences, said: "We're delighted to collaborate with other London Universities and partners to see this important initiative get off the ground. "UCLB is proud to have pioneered technology transfer for university social ventures. Our social ventures have made real impact on causes as diverse as improving sustainable farming practices in developing countries, helping promote healthy eating to under-5s, and even creating paint from coal mine waste.