October 18-20 | Tucson, AZ

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Cambridge University’s Enterprise Fund makes first seed investments

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October 18-20, 2023 / Tucson, AZ
The annual summit for research institution gap fund and accelerator programs, including proof of concept programs, startup accelerators, and university venture funds

The Story

Cambridge University’s Enterprise Fund has made its first investments, in Cambridge CMOS Sensors, Inotec AMD, and DefiniGEN.

The fund was launched in May and closed in September and combines a seed scheme with EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme).

CMOS Sensors, based on research from the university’s engineering department, is involved in nanosensors which require very little power and can be made at very low cost.

Inotec is a spin out from the materials science & metallurgy department and specialises in the treatment of chronic wounds.

A growing number of people, especially the elderly, suffer painful, debilitating wounds for five years or more. The treatment currently consumes up to 5% of total healthcare budgets.

The new method of treatment is based on a combination of fuel cell technology developed by Prof Derek Fray and a novel system for distributing oxygen over a chronic wound. The oxygen generator is the size of a smartphone, and is battery powered.

DefiniGEN can generate stem cells by reprogramming cells from patients’ skin. These are then used  for testing new therapies.

Jonathan Milner, founder and boss of online antibodies company Abcam, world leader in the field, has joined forces with other business angels in Cambridge and formed a syndicate with the Enterprise Fund to back DefiniGEN.

The seed scheme was announced in the Budget earlier this year as part of the government’s strategy for stimulating growth. It allows individuals to invest in new companies and in doing so benefit from generous tax incentives.

Cambridge is the first university to have its own seed fund, and the first to combine it with EIS. The fund is managed by London-based Parkwalk Advisors.

Source: Cambridge News: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Business/Business-News/Universitys-seed-fund-makes-first-investments-16112012.htm

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