A new era for university innovation
The UK’s first comprehensive University Spin-Out Register has recently been published by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), in collaboration with Research England and the University Commercialisation and Innovation (UCI) Policy Evidence Unit.
This landmark register offers a publicly accessible, data-rich overview of over 1,000 spin-out companies emerging from UK universities. It aims to improve transparency, inform policy, and strengthen the UK’s innovation ecosystem by providing detailed insights into the lifecycle, funding, and performance of spin-outs.
A strategic tool for Edinburgh Napier
For researchers and enterprise leads at Edinburgh Napier, this register is more than just a dataset, it’s a strategic tool and powerful new resource to support innovation and enterprise. It can help:
- Benchmark our spin-out activity against national trends
- Identify successful models of commercialisation
- Support funding bids and partnership development.
- Inform institutional strategy around knowledge exchange and impact.
Commenting on the publication of this register, Fiona Mason, Head of Business Engagement and IP Commercialisation at Edinburgh Napier said:
“This is a fantastic piece of work and represents a major step forward for the sector. This richer dataset will really help us move beyond simplistic counts and start asking more meaningful questions, such as: what kind of value are these ventures creating? Who benefits? And how do we support a broader range of innovation pathways, not just those that fit the traditional spin-out mould?
“It’s a chance to reflect on how we can make our innovation ecosystem more inclusive, impactful, and aligned with the diverse strengths of our academic community.”
Edinburgh Napier’s spin-out success
This publication comes at a time when Edinburgh Napier is gaining national recognition for its entrepreneurial impact. The university is now ranked Top 10 in the UK and 2nd in Scotland for generating spin-out companies, a testament to the strength of its applied research and commitment to real-world impact.
Looking ahead
The register also reflects a broader shift toward evidence-based innovation policy, aligning with the goals of the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) and the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF).
You can explore the register and accompanying visioning report on the UKRI website.
Edinburgh Napier staff can learn more about the guidance and support available for developing your innovation, commercialising research, and potentially progressing towards spin-outs by visiting the Commercialisation pages on the ENU Intranet.