Spin-out

Edinburgh Napier University has an impressive track record in creating innovative, growth-based spin-out companies. 

We do this by closely supporting our academics and researchers to convert their novel research into a commercially exploitable product or service. We actively support all ideas through a stage-gate panel process.

Leaders in Innovation

Edinburgh Napier University has been named a top 10 university in the UK and second in Scotland for generating spin-out companies. 

The 'Gateways to growth: Entrepreneurial Impact Report 2023'  report, produced by Octopus Ventures, explores and celebrates how UK universities are fuelling economic growth and solving society’s biggest challenges. The report has taken into account high-profile spin-outs from Edinburgh Napier in recent years, including many in the cyber arena, as well as emerging sectors of augmented reality and renewables. 

Supporting spin-outs at Edinburgh Napier University

A spinout is a vehicle for impact. It is a new company incorporated to exploit University owned IP and the associated IP Rights (IPR). Normally this is done with disruptive innovation to create a new market or because the technology is able to create multiple products. Creating a spin-out typically involves:

  • incorporation by the University
  • rights to the University IP
  • external investment (can be via shareholder arrangement or other)having the right team on board -both technically and commercially
  • having a product/service with a broad range of applications

Successful exploitation of the IP provides a financial return to both business and the University and the local economy through spin-out company creation.

Our experienced team at Edinburgh Napier University help with: 

  • Assessments of inventions and due diligence
  • Obtaining appropriate IP protection
  • Developing the most appropriate commercialisation strategy
  • Supporting the formation if spinouts
  • Marketing and promoting licencing opportunities
  • Networking and making connections with investors and funders
  • Negotiating Licensing deals with companies
Spotlight on Spin-out, Celtic Renewables
Case study: Spotlight on spin-out, Cyacomb & making the world a safer place
ENU spin-outs
Be part of our adventure

Our spin-outs may be of interest to you. If you are an accredited investor or you represent an investment group and have expertise in a particular field and are looking for an exciting opportunity, please do get in touch with us. There are also opportunities for you to offer your expertise to our entrepreneurial academics and researchers to help them get their ideas off the ground.

Further Guidance

For additional spin-out definition, please review the UK Government’s definition.

To read more about the success of spin-outs in the UK and why they are important to our national economy – please review the following publications: