UCLB CEO Anne Lane champions collaborative innovation in Times Higher Education op-ed

UCLB CEO Anne Lane has written a compelling opinion article in Times Higher Education, underscoring the critical role of collective support in driving the UK’s university spinout ecosystem to fuel economic growth.  

 

The long read piece, UK Ministers’ Growth Agenda Needs Collective Support for Spin-outs’ highlights UCL’s leadership in creating high-impact spinout companies and calls for a unified effort among universities, investors, local authorities, and funding bodies to strengthen the UK’s innovation landscape. 

Lane emphasises UCL’s remarkable track record, noting that the university ranks third in the UK for the number of spinouts created. Over the past five years, these companies have generated nearly 2,500 jobs and attracted more than £3bn in external investment.  

She attributes this success to UCL’s end-to-end support model, which fosters an entrepreneurial culture, protects intellectual property, provides early-stage Proof-of-Concept funding, and invests in high-growth businesses through UCL’s Technology Funds, established with venture capital partners.  

However, Lane stresses that to achieve the government’s ambitious growth agenda, the entire innovation ecosystem must collaborate more effectively. 

Read the full article here.