University of Bristol spin-out companies generate higher average returns on investment than those of any other UK university, a new study has found.
The University Spin-out Report revealed that over 20 years the average UK spin-out generates around double the original capital raised. 
But Bristol’s spin-outs average 285%, putting the university top of the league table.
The report, by intellectual property (IP) and research and development tax credit specialists GovGrant, highlights some of Bristol’s success stories – including the remarkable achievement of its most successful spin-out of the last decade, Ziylo, which is valued at £616.6m and was acquired by global healthcare company Novo Nordisk in 2018.
Marty Reid, pictured, director of SETsquared Bristol, the university’s world-leading incubator for high-growth tech businesses, said: “It is great to see the recognition this report gives to Bristol’s entrepreneurial and research talent, from biotech to data science and quantum technologies.
“This success hasn’t come overnight, and so many teams across the University are instrumental to providing tailored support to ensure our ventures have the best chance to scale.
“What’s exciting is that from the inside this only feels like the beginning, with big plans currently underway to deliver a significant step change in innovation and enterprise for both the University and the wider city-region innovation ecosystem.”
GovGrant said its report celebrated the UK’s “proud history of innovation”. It is based on analysis of just under 1,000 UK spinout companies, a sample that comprises £19.08billion of capital invested, 4,489 deals and 1,907 investors.
The top 10 most successful universities for spin-out success includes Bristol, Oxford, Imperial, UCL, Cambridge and Dundee.
The pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industry has eight of the 10 highest-valued spinout companies to come from UK universities in the last decade.
Adam Simmonds, investment research analyst at GovGrant, said: “This report highlights the huge value to the economy of UK universities, as well as their incredible depth of creativity and talent.
“It’s no surprise to see pharmaceutical and biotech spinouts feature prominently: the UK is particularly renowned for innovation in these areas.
“You only need to look at the recent development of Covid-19 vaccines in the UK to see how accomplished we are in pharmaceutical innovation.
“The fact that the top investor in spinouts is a government agency – Innovate UK – shows you the immense faith placed in university research and development. But with 5 out of the top 10 investor groups being venture capital firms, you can also see that the private sector realises just how profitable spinouts can be.”
