Universities have long been home to ground-breaking research, world-class talent, and ideas with the potential to reshape industries. Now, with fresh government backing for university spinouts, there’s a real opportunity to turn more of that innovation into thriving businesses that create jobs and drive local growth.
Although recent decisions on the Global Talent Fund sparked concern from Northern leaders, this new investment in spinouts offers a route to spotlight the region’s strengths and ensure more homegrown breakthroughs reach the market. With the right support, the North can lead the way in building the UK’s next generation of high-growth companies – proving that innovation knows no postcode.
In this blog we’ll be using our Industry Engine data to highlight some of the fastest growing university spinouts that have registered companies in the North and dig a bit deeper into the spinout companies up North.
But first…
What are university spinouts?
University spinouts are a unique breed of start-up, born not in a garage or co-working space but in lecture theatres and research labs.
They start when academics or research teams develop something with real commercial promise – anything from a breakthrough drug discovery to a new type of AI algorithm. Because these innovations are created using the university’s resources and funding, the intellectual property is usually tied to the institution.
To bring it to market, the university forms a separate company, often taking an equity stake in exchange for licensing the technology. The academic founders may stay involved, but professional management teams are usually brought in to scale the business. Unlike independent startups, which typically begin with a business idea and seek funding to build it, spinouts begin with deep, validated research and then build the business around it. This gives them a head start in credibility and innovation potential, though they still face the same challenges of funding, market adoption, and growth.
Some of the most successful tech companies began this way. Google was spun out of Stanford University, based on research by Larry Page and Sergey Brin into search engine algorithms. Oxford Nanopore Technologies emerged from the University of Oxford, commercialising DNA sequencing innovations. ARM holdings, a semiconductor giant, began as a collaboration between Acorn Computers and researchers at the University of Cambridge.
University spinouts up North: A broad look
To get the data on spinouts that have set up shop in the North, we’ve used our Industry Engine and put in the following filters into EXPLORE.
To get a look at the ‘North’ we’ve used the following Location filters: ITL regions, North West, North East and Yorkshire & Humber and for looking into spinouts we’ve selected the ‘Limit to university spinout companies’ in the growth tab.
The last thing we did was excluded any companies known to be ultimately foreign owned in the companies tab. Simple!
The stats
Across the 314 companies analysed, 4.1% are founded by women and 7% are women-led, with around 11.1% falling into either category. Women hold 9.7% of all directorships.
Collectively, these companies attract £1.61 billion in investment funding – averaging just over £5.1 million each – and generate an estimated £449 million in Gross Value Added, with an average turnover of £3.67 million among those reporting.
Innovate UK grants total £190 million, averaging £1.21 million per award, showing the scale of public funding flowing into the sector.
Company spotlights
Let’s look into some of the Northern spinout companies that have the highest amount of Innovate UK grant funding…
Linear composites limited
Linear Composites is a University of Bristol spinout established in November 2020 from the Bristol Composites Institute. The company is pioneering innovations in structural engineering – providing advanced composite solutions for applications ranging from suspension and support systems to windbreak structures and guard rails.
Since its founding, Linear Composites has been working to turn academic excellence into real-world applications, demonstrating how university research can directly address industry challenges.
They have an estimated growth percentage per year of +155%.
Nascent semiconductor limited
Nascent Semiconductor is a Durham University spin-out, launched to meet a growing demand for specialist electronics that perform in the most extreme environments.
Founded by Professor Alton Horsfall, the company builds on more than 20 years of research into wide-bandgap semiconductors, particularly silicon carbide (SiC), to deliver commercial solutions grounded in deep academic expertise.
Their offering includes off-the-shelf components, bespoke design consultancy, and training – serving sectors such as aerospace, defence, civil nuclear, energy, and space where conventional silicon electronics fall short. There estimated growth per year is +145%.
Newest Northern spinout companies
Let’s have a look at some of the newest Northern spinout companies. We’ve got these companies by sorting our existing list by ‘Incorporation date: Newest to Oldest’
ReNewFood Limited
A spinout from the University of Sheffield.
Founded in March 2024 and based at The Innovation Centre in Sheffield, ReNewFood operates as a private limited company focused on biotechnology and food innovation.
The company specialises in developing novel protein-based flavour ingredients, deliberately crafted for the plant-based and alternative protein markets. Using precision fermentation techniques, they aim to deliver better-tasting and healthier food options while reducing environmental impact and resource use.
Eterna Biologics Ltd
Registered in Manchester, Eterna Biologics is a University of Oxford spinout blending expertise in RNA biology, CRISPR engineering, single-cell genomics and experimental medicine. The company is developing the next generation of RNA-targeting therapeutics, specifically engineering CRISPR systems to address previously undruggable RNA mechanisms.
Founded from pioneering gene regulatory network research at Oxford’s MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Eterna is supported by BlueYard Capital and accelerator programs including Nucleate and Conception X.
Turning potential into progress
The North’s university spinouts are more than a handful of high-growth companies – they’re the seeds of tomorrow’s industries. From advanced materials to breakthrough biotech, these ventures are proof that world-class innovation isn’t confined to the Golden Triangle.
But to turn potential into progress, they need the right conditions to scale: targeted investment, strong regional networks, and data-led decision making that connects opportunity with capability.
That’s where real-time insight changes the game. By using The Data City’s Industry Engine, stakeholders can see exactly where spinouts are emerging, how they’re growing, and where support will make the most impact. With the right focus, the North can not only compete on the national stage – it can lead.
The data is clear: the talent, ideas, and ambition are already here. Now it’s time to back them, build around them, and watch them thrive.
Ready to see the North’s spinouts in real-time?
Explore the data, uncover the opportunities, and shape the future with The Data City’s Industry Engine.
Please note: The data from The Data City is accurate at the time the article was written but may change over time due to the dynamic, real-time nature of our data. For the latest insights, visit our platform.
