Investment in UK university spinouts reached a record £3.35bn in 2024, marking a 44% rise on the previous year, according to new data from Parkwalk and Beauhurst. The figures highlight renewed investor confidence following a slowdown in 2023, with average equity investment climbing from £4.96m to £7.49m.
Life sciences remained the leading sector for capital raised, particularly in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, supported by continued interest in research commercialisation. Deep tech, AI, and data infrastructure firms also attracted significant backing, reflecting alignment with national innovation priorities.
Parkwalk emerged as the most active spinout investor during the year, completing 41 deals, or 54 when including transactions through its parent, IP Group.
The report points to a growing reliance on long-term capital and policy stability to sustain momentum in university-linked innovation. Analysts note that while the UK continues to demonstrate global strength in research translation, access to scale-up funding remains a decisive factor for future growth.
