OXFORD’S 6th INNOVATION FUND OPENS

Parkwalk has launched the University of Oxford Innovation Fund VI (UOIF VI), the sixth fund in a decade long partnership with Oxford University Innovation (OUI).

The new fund will once again invest in companies seeking to commercialise discoveries made at the University of Oxford and the broader University of Oxford technology cluster, enabling investors to support the introduction of innovative technologies and benefit from incentives provided under the UK’s Enterprise Investment Scheme.

Previous University of Oxford Innovation funds, which have attracted support partly from the alumni community, have provided financial backing to 25 early-stage science and tech-based businesses, such as Brainomix Opsydia and Mind Foundry.

Brainomix is a specialist in AI-powered imaging of biomarkers, which is revolutionising the time-sensitive treatment of strokes, while Mind Foundry is a developer of advanced machine learning algorithms and recently closed an £18 million Series C funding.

The launch of UOIF VI follows a recent report by investment consultancy Beauhurst naming the University of Oxford as the leading academic institution in the UK for generating spinout companies.

OUI, the University of Oxford’s technology transfer office, has now helped to create over 300 companies responsible for raising more than £6billion in external investment since 2010. Last year alone saw the inception of 15 new spinout companies, raising over £953 million in fields as varied as optical neural networks and algorithms for quantum computers.

The University now has nearly 5,000 patents under management, and the pipeline of investment opportunities remains strong, with seven companies spun out in 2023 so far. 

Parkwalk backs world-changing technologies emerging from the UK’s leading universities and research institutions. With £500 million of assets under management, the company has invested in over 160 companies across its own funds, including those it manages for the University of Oxford. 

Adam Workman, Head of Investments and New Ventures at OUI says, ‘With the partnership between Oxford University Innovation and Parkwalk Advisors nearing ten years it’s great to see the launch of UOIF VI. There is an exciting pipeline of investment opportunities from the vibrant Oxford ecosystem for UOIF VI to invest in.’

Parkwalk CEO Moray Wright says,

‘In a time where we are facing global challenges, from inflation to concerns over food and water security, visionary science and technology companies are the key to finding solutions to improve our future. We know from experience that the University of Oxford is buzzing with entrepreneurial thinkers who push boundaries and transform industries. But for great ideas to become great industries, early-stage businesses need a helping hand. Our University of Oxford Innovation Funds offer a unique opportunity to back the technology of the future.’