Oxford spinouts raise over £5bn in decade of investment

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 13:02 · Archive

University of Oxford spinouts have raised more than £5 billion since 2016, according to a new report by Parkwalk, the UK's most active investor in university spinouts, and research firm Beauhurst. The report highlights Oxford's position as a leader in driving investment into deeptech, life sciences and cleantech ventures.

In the first half of 2026 alone, UK university spinouts attracted £1.56 billion in investment, the second-highest half-year total in a decade and just below the record £1.58 billion raised in the first half of 2021. However, the report reveals a 68.3 per cent year-on-year drop in first-time investment, which fell to £47 million.

Moray Wright, CEO of Parkwalk, said: 'British deeptech is attracting capital at a scale we have rarely seen, and that is something to celebrate. But these figures carry a clear warning. First-time investment has fallen, and the companies vital to the future of the UK economy are struggling to raise their first round.' Parkwalk is calling on the government to stabilise and strengthen the Enterprise Investment Scheme, which it describes as 'one of the most effective tools the UK has for backing early-stage science'.

The report also notes that 86.1 per cent of capital raised in the first half of 2026 involved at least one international investor, the highest proportion in a decade. Nearly 80 per cent of spinout investment since 2016 has gone to the South East, East of England and London.

Oxford spinouts raise over £5bn in decade of investment — Image: Oxford Mail

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How it is being reported

Oxford spinouts raise more than £5bn in a decade of investmentThe figure comes from a new report by Parkwalk, the UK’s most active investor in university spinouts, and research firm Beauhurst.Oxford Mail · 25 Oct, 12:30
Oxford spinouts raise more than £5bn in a decade of investmentThe figure comes from a new report by Parkwalk, the UK’s most active investor in university spinouts, and research firm Beauhurst.Oxfordshire Guardian · 25 Oct, 12:30

In this story: University of Oxford · Parkwalk · Beauhurst · Moray Wright · South East · East of England · London

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