University of Manchester recognised for spinout best practice by Research England

The University of Manchester is proud to be included in the initial list of adopting institutions for the UK Government’s spinout best practices, as published today by Research England, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The recognition follows on from the publication of the Independent Review of University Spinout Companies in November 2023, which highlighted the pivotal role UK universities play in driving economic growth and societal impact through the commercialisation of intellectual property developed from university-based research.

The 2023 review outlined recommendations for building a world-leading innovation ecosystem in the UK. In response, The University of Manchester has committed to aligning its spinout practices with these recommendations, reinforcing its dedication to supporting innovation.

Luke Georghiou, Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at The University of Manchester, and the institution’s lead for innovation, said: “The University of Manchester has been and remains committed to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within our faculties and among our students. By adopting the recommendations from the Independent Review, we are aligning our practices with national goals to create a world-class innovation ecosystem.”

Catherine Headley, CEO of the University of Manchester Innovation Factory, added: “As the engine behind the University’s commercialisation efforts, the Innovation Factory is proud to adopt these recommendations. Our work in transforming groundbreaking research into successful spinout companies will be strengthened by the implementation of these recommendations and will help us accelerate the pathway from innovation discovery to economic, environmental and social impact.”

The University of Manchester Innovation Factory is the commercialisation arm of The University of Manchester, dedicated to transforming world-class research into commercial ventures that have a positive impact on society.

The Innovation Factory collaborates with academics, industry partners, and investors to develop and support spinout companies, license cutting-edge technologies and drive innovation across various sectors.

The UKRI announcement is available here.