Imperial College now outranks Oxbridge – how to back its most promising spinouts

Imperial College London has just outstripped the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge in the QS World University Rankings – a prestigious league table of the world’s leading universities. After years of vying with Oxbridge, Imperial is now the highest-ranked university in the UK and Europe – bested worldwide only by MIT in the US.

Among the reasons for its ranking is Imperial’s world-leading research performance. 

What’s more, Imperial is building a strong track record translating that research into startup companies that drive innovation.

Important: The information on this website is for experienced investors. It is not advice, research, nor personal recommendation to invest. If you’re unsure, please seek advice. Investments are for the long term. These investments are high risk and illiquid: you could lose all the money you invest.


A proud history of successful spinouts and startups

Imperial College London was among the first UK universities to launch its own dedicated technology transfer office in 1986 – Imperial College Innovations (ICI) – to help identify and support promising inventions and discoveries that might be commercialised successfully. 

ICI has helped spin out hundreds of startups across sectors such as healthcare, renewable energy, decarbonisation, clean water and nutrition – areas of particular strength at Imperial. In the last five years alone, Imperial startups have attracted nearly £500 million in external capital and helped create over 1,300 new jobs. 

How might you invest in promising startups spun out from Imperial?

Spinouts from Imperial College are the sole investment focus of the Imperial College Enterprise Fund – a collaboration between Imperial College and specialist spinout investor Parkwalk Advisors. The EIS fund launched in 2020 and has since raised £3.5 million across its first two funds, investing £2.5 million in nine companies. The third iteration is now open – it will close on 28 June. 

The fund invests in companies founded by Imperial students, staff and alumni – innovative startups the manager deems could have great commercial potential. Previous examples include Charco Neurotech, whose wearable devices help improve symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, and OSSTEC, whose 3D-printed knee implant technology mimics natural bone structure, for more successful grafting.

Wealth Club is the only non-advised broker to offer the Imperial College Enterprise Fund III.

Investors should receive a portfolio of at least five EIS-qualifying early-stage, high-growth, research-intensive – and consequently high-risk – companies. EIS tax relief could help partly mitigate the significant risks. Tax rules can change and benefits depend on circumstances. 

Please be aware of the imminent deadline: the Imperial College Enterprise Fund III closes on Friday 28 June 2024. The minimum investment is £25,000 and you can apply online.

Read more and see how to apply

Wealth Club aims to make it easier for experienced investors to find information on – and apply for – investments. You should base your investment decision on the offer documents and ensure you have read and fully understand them before investing. The information on this webpage is a marketing communication. It is not advice or a personal or research recommendation to buy any of the investments mentioned, nor does it include any opinion as to the present or future value or price of these investments. It does not satisfy legal requirements promoting investment research independence and is thus not subject to prohibitions on dealing ahead of its dissemination.

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