Nottingham Technology Ventures Home Page

About us

Nottingham Technology Ventures Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Nottingham. Its role is to advise the University of Nottingham on the formation of spin-out companies and the management of its spin-out company portfolio.

We are proud to support a vibrant and growing portfolio of 44 active spin-out companies. These ventures span a diverse range of sectors – including life sciences, med tech, engineering, agritech, digital, fintech, and professional services, showcasing the real-world impact of the University of Nottingham’s leading research.

Our role at NTV is to help turn cutting-edge ideas into successful businesses. We support the creation of new companies and manage the university’s interests as a shareholder in the existing portfolio. Since our formation in 2017, we’ve helped launch over 30 new ventures, each contributing to innovation, job creation, and regional economic growth.

Investing for impact: University of Nottingham investment funds

The University of Nottingham believes in supporting its portfolio companies to translate impactful research into products that create societal and economic benefit.

To accelerate this journey, the university invests from two funds:

  • The Pathfinder Fund – a pre-seed/seed fund for companies at the earliest stages of growth and development
  • The Invention Fund – a co-investment fund for seed-stage companies that are raising syndicated funding rounds

Over the last five years, the university has invested, on average, close to £1m per annum. The funds are managed by Nottingham Technology Ventures, with investment decisions taken by the Spin-Out Investment Committee (SOIC).  SOIC members bring extensive experience in technology, business and investment.

Launching in the summer of 2026, the University of Nottingham Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) I Fund aims to provide a further source of capital for the spin-out portfolio. The fund will be managed by SyndicateRoom, with fundraising commencing in June 2026.

Our people

Dr George Rice

Director of NTV and Director of Knowledge Exchange and Business Engagement, University of Nottingham

Niall O’Loughlin

Director of NTV and Director of Research and KE Excellence and Strategy, University of Nottingham

Dr Alice MacGowan

Chief Executive Officer, Nottingham Technology Ventures

James Duncan

Life Sciences Executive, Nottingham Technology Ventures

Prof Tom Rodden

Pro-Vice Chancellor Research and Knowledge Exchange, University of Nottingham. Member of Spin-out Investment Committee

Prof Edward Lester

APVC Knowledge Exchange and Innovation, University of Nottingham. Member of Spin-out Investment Committee

Paul Channon

Member of Spin-out Investment Committee

Ray Harris

Member of Spin-out Investment Committee (external)

Spin-out company formation and development is the remit of the University’s Intellectual Property (IP) and business formation advisors based in our IP Commercialisation Office.

While the specifics of any company development may be unique, there are a number of common elements and the IP office has developed standard mechanisms and support structures to help with this process.

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