Companies focused on data, digital and “AI for good” made up the bulk of spin-puts from the University of Edinburgh over the past year.

New data on spin-outs has revealed that £56 million of a total £113m invested in university-associated companies went to spinouts – companies in which the university retains intellectual property.

Many of these were ‘deep tech’ companies, built on complex technology platforms grown from years of scientific research, using advanced therapeutics and biotechnology to tackle issues in healthcare.

Examples include Prothea Technologies, which began clinical trials last year for its technologies that aim to ‘see and treat’ lung cancer in one hospital visit; Concinnity Genetics, which launched with £3m for its gene control platform and Resolution Therapeutics, which dosed its first patient with a new cell therapy treatment for end-stage liver disease.

The report also highlights that 102 companies in the university’s in-house venture investment fund, Old College Capital, portfolio have so far created 1,236 jobs.

For the first time, Edinburgh Innovations classified its innovation activity by the university’s three core missions: to shape the future of health and care; tackle the climate and environmental crisis and harness data, digital and AI for good.

It found that 65% of staff and student companies formed this year were linked to the mission of data, digital and AI for good.

The UK consistently places third in the world for VC investment in deep tech, second only to the US and China, with sources such as the Royal Academy of Engineering finding Edinburgh ranks highest outside the Golden Triangle of Oxford, Cambridge and London for such investment. Dealroom reports that the UK leads Europe in generating value from spinouts.

Dr Andrea Taylor, CEO of Edinburgh Innovations, said: “It’s fantastic to see the university’s excellence in deep tech and AI, particularly in the healthcare sphere, underscored by this report.

“Spinouts are a direct route to impact, bringing investment, reputational gain and jobs. In the best cases, they create societal change on a global scale, from advances in renewable energy to curing disease.

“Along with our tech transfer colleagues at other universities we are calling for more UK investment and government support for spinouts, at proof-of-concept stage, for example. And, at Edinburgh, we are exploring ambitious ways to build on these innovation successes during the year to come.”

Vardy confirms investor summit

Peter Vardy, owner of the Peter Vardy Motor Group, CarMoney, and SilverBullet, has revealed further details of his leadership summit, The Calling, taking place in Glasgow on 2 October.

TV presenter Dan Walker will host the event which was announced last summer. He will be joined by speakers including New York Times bestselling author Jon Acuff and Dr Jo Salter, Britain’s first female fast-jet pilot.

Mr Vardy said: “Scotland has world-class talent and extraordinary achievements, yet we often lack a unified leadership culture that celebrates success and builds confidence.

“The Calling is funded by The Peter Vardy Foundation because I genuinely believe this is one of the best investments we can make; giving people the tools, insight and encouragement to lead well in whatever world they are in.

“We can take a long-term view, even if the impact is harder to quantify. If this conference inspires people to lead with more courage, compassion and clarity, then that is money well spent.”

“When the leader gets better, everybody around them wins,” Peter said.