More money for Cambridge

The Cambridge University Challenge Fund is joining forces with some of the UK's leading Venture Capitalist firms to provide greater commercial opportunities for the University's researchers.

The new entity, to be known as Cambridge Venture Partners, comprises the Challenge Fund together with the 3i Group, Amadeus Capital Partners, Avlar BioVentures, IDG Ventures, Porton Capital and TTP Ventures.

It is anticipated that early-stage businesses, set up to exploit University innovations in technology, will reap huge benefits, as will the Cambridge Venture Partners' players.

“We have many opportunities to make early investments with a range of promising research projects at the University, in order to help the teams develop their commercial potential,” explains Bill Matthews, fund manager at the University Challenge Fund.

“Bringing in additional funding via Cambridge Venture Partners will enable a business to develop more quickly and so realise its potential in a shorter time. Once the University’s investment has reached its maximum, the Partners would then have the opportunity to lead later investment rounds.”