Parkwalk launches sixth fund to invest in companies seeking to commercialise discoveries made at University of Oxford
Fund manager Parkwalk revealed it has launched its sixth and latest investment fund in a decade long partnership with Oxford University Innovation (OUI) to accelerate the commercial success of breakthrough discoveries.
The fund will again back innovative companies bidding to commercialise discoveries made at the world-renowned university and the wider University of Oxford technology cluster.
University of Oxford Innovation Fund VI (UOIF VI) will join previous funds, which have provided financial backing to 25 early-stage businesses such as Brainomix - a specialist in AI-powered imaging of biomarkers, which is revolutionising the time-sensitive treatment of strokes. In addition, Mind Foundry, which develops advanced machine learning algorithms, and which recently closed an £18 million Series B funding.
Moray Wright, Parkwalk CEO, said: "We know from experience that the University of Oxford is buzzing with entrepreneurial thinkers and breakthrough innovations. But for great ideas to become great industries, early-stage businesses need a helping hand.
"That’s why we’re proud to have partnered with Oxford University Innovation for almost a decade.
"Together, we can help a new generation of high-potential companies to unlock the funds they need to grow, while providing opportunities for investors that not only benefit the bottom line but have a positive impact on the world around us."
OUI has helped to create over 300 companies, which have in turn raised 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.
OUI now has nearly 5,000 patents undermanagement and a strong pipeline of investment opportunities with seven companies spun out in 2023 so far.
Parkwalk, alongside parent company IP Group plc, invests in businesses creating solutions to real world challenges.
With £500 million of assets under management, it has invested in over 160 companies across its Parkwalk Opportunities and Knowledge Intensive EIS Funds, as well as the award-winning enterprise and innovation funds Parkwalk manages for the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford, Bristol and Imperial College.
The University of Oxford is the largest research-based university in the UK, with £828.8m of research income in the 2022 financial year.
It has held the number one spot in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for the last seven years and is a pioneer in research across a range of technology sectors.
