Do you want to start a company or social venture?
With over 20 years’ experience in company creation, we have the expertise to help you start a company or social venture.
Whether you’re a student or academic, we can support you through direct investment as you build teams and raise the financing you need to develop products and services from your research.
Hear from the experts
Listen to the Ventures team guide you through the process of starting a company
Why start a company or social enterprise with us?
Over 20 years' experience
As we have been working with University members to help them create new companies for over 20 years, we have the expertise to give you the guidance and support you need to get started.
Access to investment
We are able to provide funding from the earliest stages of your business plan development through to early stage seed investment.
Once your company is ready for follow-on funding, we can introduce you to high quality investors, including our sister company Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC).
Build your network
We can give you access to industry experts, mentors and managers to help you develop your business plan to the point where it is ready for investment.
We offer support by:
- Advising on ‘translational’ or early stage funding to help you scope the commercial potential of your idea
- Providing early stage seed funding
- Guiding on business planning and strategy
- Matching a company with experienced experts and mentors who can help build strong, professional teams as the spin-out grows
- Managing the milestone payments generated by the underlying intellectual property (IP) licence fees and royalties
- Assisting with ongoing business management, including links to later stage investors
The process
1) Initial discussion
Once you’ve told us your idea for starting a company, we will get in touch to arrange an early discussion about its potential.
2) Assessment
Our thorough assessment process looks at the research underlying your business plan; due diligence on the associated IP; the market opportunity, including competitor analysis; and your commercial strategies.
3) Getting your idea investment-ready
A member of our Ventures team will work with you to develop your idea and get it ready for investment.
Have a business idea and ready to take the next step?
Complete our confidential idea disclosure form and we’ll contact you for an early, confidential discussion to explore your idea and its potential. We will then work with you to develop your business plan and guide you through the investment process.