They join The University of Leicester, Coventry University, Birmingham City University and Staffordshire University as investors in Mercia Technologies, which floated on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) on 18th December 2014.
The six are among the nine UK universities and research centres with which Mercia Technologies has collaborative relationships. They provide a consistent pipeline of quality spin-out and early-stage investment opportunities making up to 50% of the investments made by the FCA authorised and wholly owned subsidiary of Mercia Technologies, Mercia Fund Management Ltd.
Dr Mark Payton, Chief Executive of Mercia Technologies, said: “It is pleasing to note that six of our university partners are now Mercia shareholders, a strong sign of their belief in our investment proposition.”
Dr James Wilkie, Director of Research & Innovation Services at the University of Birmingham and CEO of Alta Innovations Ltd, its technology transfer company, said “The University of Birmingham was one of the founding members of the original Mercia investment fund in 2007 and taking a shareholding in Mercia Technologies PLC continues our deep relationship with one of the UK’s leading early stage fund management teams.”
Caroline Quest, Director of Enterprise and Development at The University of Leicester said “we are backing Mercia Technologies as a leading partner in driving the commercialisation of its intellectual property. The University has a strong pipeline of technologies and will benefit greatly from Mercia’s experience and expertise in commercialisation.“
While operating nationally, the Mercia investment team have a particular focus on the Midlands and the North and now moving into Scotland, where they believe there are exciting investment opportunities, failing to attract the expertise and investment capital necessary to scale the business proposition.