Commercialisation and industrial partnerships

Our commercialisation service, Edinburgh Innovations, leads the University’s activities in industry engagement and business development, enterprise support for students and staff and the identification, management and commercialisation of University intellectual property.

By identifying opportunities and building partnerships, Edinburgh Innovations helps turn ideas into successful projects and thriving businesses that benefit the economy and society.

The University of Edinburgh was again ranked first in the world for ‘Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure’ by The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, which assess the performance of universities against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The University scored 100 out of 100 for its contribution to SDG9, ‘industry, innovation and infrastructure’, which includes its research, patents citing University research, research income from industry and a number of University spinouts. This top ranking reflects the University’s flourishing culture of innovation and is testament to its ongoing commitment to delivering positive change through research, education and partnerships. Notably, student startup MiAlgae was a finalist in the Earthshot prize for ideas that could repair our planet.

In 2024/25, Edinburgh Innovations helped to launch 64 startup and spinout companies founded by staff and students. One thousand academic staff are now working on innovation activity across the University, and in 2024/25 172 patents were filed and 62 licences were entered into by those involved. A total of £113 million was invested in University-associated companies across the year, including £11.8 million into staff spinouts.

Edinburgh Innovations supported the launch of the Innovation Career Pathway Ð a new route to career development for academics wishing to focus on commercialisation and engagement with industry. The pathway elevates innovation alongside traditional research metrics such as research output and teaching contributions, aiming to fulfil a commitment in the Research and Innovation Strategy 2030 to double the number of innovative-active academics. The pathway includes a new UK-first Competency Framework that sets out the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to support advancement.

A further four Innovation Fellows were appointed, bringing the total of innovation-focused, early-career academics to seven. EI also appointed Lizzie Withington to the newly-created position of Director of Venture Creation, to support the generation of more transformational spinouts.

Old College Capital (OCC), the University’s in-house venture investment fund, supports the University’s research, staff and students by investing in high-growth, early-stage businesses associated with the University, and follows a co-investment model by partnering with experienced private sector investors. Working closely with founders, investors, and the University representatives, OCC accelerates the journey of startups and spinouts that seek to make a positive impact on people and our planet. When a company exits, as biotechnology spinout Kynos Therapeutics did this year, OCC’s returns are reinvested into the University to support our most exciting emerging ideas and technologies.

University of Edinburgh Sport

We’ve made significant strides through strategic partnerships that have not only elevated our profile but expanded opportunities for all. From joining forces with the Scottish Action for Mental Health charity to pioneer exercise prescriptions for wellbeing, to deepening elite training pathways through extended partnerships with Scottish Rugby and Scottish Rowing, collaboration has driven real change. New partnerships with leading bodies Aquatics GB, Scottish Swimming, Basketball Scotland, Scottish FA, Netball Scotland and others underscore our leadership in the national sporting landscape. Commercially, the launch of an industry leading partnership with energy drink brand Grilla has further energised both competitive sport and wellbeing initiatives.