UoN launches fund targeting start-up firms – Corporate News
University of Nairobi’s innovation centre, CD4lab, is calling on innovators to submit applications to be incubated. They will also be offered assistance to commercialise their products. The university launched the Africa Technology & Innovation Accelerator (AfTIA) in August. UoN is seeking applicants with innovative solutions around use of technology in finance, agriculture, education, governance and technology […]
A new Oregon-based seed fund to help startups is in the works
The Oregon Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network (RAIN) is partnering with Portland entrepreneur and investor Nitin Rai on a new regional seed fund in an effort to close the funding gap for startups around the state. Rai will oversee what will be a regional early-stage fund. While the fund will likely be larger, between $2 […]
Tax efficient fund launched for start-up university spin-outs
Technology investor Mercia Fund Management has launched its sixth tax-efficient fund which is focused on commercialising start-up spin-outs from universities across the Midlands, the North and Scotland. The University Growth Fund will combine the government’s Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS). It intends to encourage entrepreneurship across the UK’s universities to give […]
Philanthropy to Help Shape Australian Medical Research Fund
Federal Parliament has passed legislation to establish the Abbott Government’s landmark Medical Research Future Fund with an amendment that requires a newly formed Advisory Board to have expertise in philanthropy. Federal Treasurer, Joe Hockey said the establishment of the fund would significantly strengthen Australia’s standing as one of the global leaders in the field of […]
Carnegie Mellon University, GE Ventures team up to create $20M venture fund
Officials hope a new accelerator program and a $20 million venture fund started by Carnegie Mellon University and GE Ventures will draw the nation’s best advanced robotics firms to Pittsburgh and convince those already there to stay put. Carnegie Mellon’s National Robotics Engineering Center and GE Ventures, General Electric’s investment arm, have teamed up to […]
VentureOhio studying feasibility for statewide $100M fund of funds to invest in outside VC firms
Members of VentureOhio are studying the feasibility of forming a private “fund of funds” of $100 million or more to invest in venture capital groups and thus draw investor attention to Ohio startups. “Having a fund of funds in Ohio will be really important in our ecosystem,” VentureOhio Executive Director Falon Donohue told me. I […]
Early investors set up dedicated funds as start-up valuations surge
Venture Capital (VC) firms such as Nexus Venture Partners, Kalaari Capital and Blume Venture Advisors are setting up independent investment vehicles for the sole purpose of investing in their winners such as Snapdeal, promoted by Jasper Infotech Pvt. Ltd, and Simplilearn Solutions. The firms are finding this necessary, given the surging valuations of some start-ups […]
Cambridge University spin-out Reduse gets £500k to develop ‘unprinter’
A revolutionary ‘unprinter’ has moved a step closer to production thanks to a £500,000 cash injection. Cambridge University spin-out Reduse, which has developed the ‘unprinting’ technology to remove print from paper, allowing it to be reused. It has raised the seed investment from Cambridge Enterprise, the university’s commercialisation arm, and the University of Cambridge Enterprise […]
Swansea University launches innovation fund to speed up the journey from research to the shop floor
Swansea University has launched an Innovation Fund to speed up the commercialisation of its academic research. The Innovation Fund is the brain child of Dr Gerry Ronan, Head of Commercial Services at the University and will be overseen on a day to day basis by Dr Mark Bowman, Director of Arche Innovations Ltd. Dr Bowman […]
Washington’s Life Sciences Discovery Fund not dead yet, launches grant program
Earlier this year, lawmakers slashed from the budget a state fund for life sciences. Well now that fund may have been put on life support. The Life Sciences Discovery Fund had $2 million left in its treasury account after the Washington state Legislature approved a budget in June that revoked the rest of the LSDF’s […]