UK university spinouts attracted £1.56 billion of investment in the first half of 2026, but funding for new ventures collapsed by more than two-thirds, according to research published by IP Group PLC (LSE:IPO) and its fund management subsidiary Parkwalk. Investment climbed 38.2% from the second half of 2025 to its second-highest half-year level in a decade, approaching the £1.58 billion record set in 2021.
IP Group PLC (LSE:IPO) has invested £4 million in a £36 million funding round for portfolio company Microbiotica, backing the development of a potential new treatment for ulcerative colitis. The Series C financing, led by British Business Bank, will support the progression of Microbiotica's lead drug candidate, MB310, into Phase 2 clinical trials following encouraging early-stage results.
IP Group PLC (LSE:IPO) has led a £4 million funding round in Matter Machine, a University of Liverpool spin-out using artificial intelligence to accelerate the discovery of new materials. The oversubscribed pre-Series A financing also attracted backing from Northern Gritstone, Norrsken Evolve, LYVA Labs and other investors, with proceeds earmarked for expanding the company's team, developing its technology and building commercial partnerships.
| Capital Markets Industry | Financials Sector | - CEO | WSE Exchange | US7599372049 ISIN |
| US Country | - Employees | 12 Jun 2026 Last Dividend | - Last Split | - IPO Date |
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