UCL launches £50 million technology investment fund

UCL is today launching the UCL Technology Fund to invest £50 million in commercialising its world-leading research emerging over the next five years. The Fund will be used to support academics whose research has commercial potential, with funding for early stage proof of concept, licensing projects and new spinout companies. This is the first investment fund that UCL has launched to commercialise its multidisciplinary research and it will support innovations from academics in all areas of the university, including life sciences, engineering and information communication technology. The Fund will provide both financing and support to take projects through the whole development journey from proof of concept to commercialisation. It will build on the success of UCL's technology transfer company UCL Business (UCLB) in commercialising research from the university, by increasing the number of projects that can be supported and improving the financial return to the university. UCL is ranked number one for its research strength in the UK's recent Research Excellence Framework and has a long track record of developing thriving businesses through UCLB. UCLB has launched over 60 spin-out companies to commercialise intellectual property developed by UCL researchers.