UK spinouts hit record £3.35bn – IP Group CEO on growth and opportunities

IP Group PLC (LSE:IPO) CEO Greg Smith talked with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion about the record-breaking year in 2024 for UK university spinouts and how IP Group is helping drive the next wave of innovation. Smith discussed new data from Parkwalk and Beauhurst showing that UK spinouts raised £3.35 billion in 2024, the highest level since 2021. Smith explained that Parkwalk, IP Group’s specialist EIS fund manager, acts as “the sourcing engine for IP Group,” deploying around £500 million in EIS capital into early-stage university ventures. He highlighted that strong global interest in deep tech — from AI to quantum computing and clean energy — is helping UK science turn into high-growth commercial opportunities. However, Smith also noted that scale-up funding remains a challenge, emphasising three key focus areas for strengthening the UK innovation ecosystem: capital, conditions and consumers. He stressed the need for more long-term domestic investment, supportive government policy, and early adoption of homegrown technologies within public services such as the NHS. Smith also shared examples of promising companies backed by IP Group, including Oxford Quantum Circuits, Quantum Motion, First Light Fusion and Oxa, which develops autonomous software for industrial applications. For more interviews like this, visit Proactive’s YouTube channel, give the video a like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for future content. #IPGroup #GregSmith #UKSpinouts #DeepTech #VentureCapital #AIInvestment #QuantumComputing #CleanEnergy #InnovationUK #ProactiveInvestors