The University of Nottingham has launched six new spin-out businesses during the 2025\/26 financial year, marking its strongest annual performance for commercialising university research.<\/p>\n
The new ventures have emerged from research spanning engineering, health sciences, science and Nottingham University Business School, with applications ranging from healthcare diagnostics and data management to electrification, quantum technology and artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n
These latest additions take the university\u2019s active spin-out portfolio to 44 companies.<\/p>\n
Professor Jane Norman, president and vice-chancellor at the University of Nottingham said: “The creation of six new spin-out companies in a single year is a remarkable achievement and reflects the strength of our research, the ambition of our academics and the support available to transform ideas into real-world impact.<\/p>\n
“These companies are addressing some of society’s most pressing challenges, from improving healthcare outcomes and accelerating the transition to net zero, to advancing artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. We are incredibly proud of the researchers and teams behind them.”<\/p>\n
Two of the new businesses have been developed from the university\u2019s engineering research.<\/p>\n
One is commercialising megawatt-scale cryogenic electrical machines and drive systems for sustainable aviation, including potential applications in hydrogen-powered regional and narrow-body aircraft.<\/p>\n
The second is focused on high-performance actuation and motor-drive systems, combining electrical and electro-mechanical engineering expertise with aerospace certification experience and UK manufacturing capability.<\/p>\n
Healthcare technology is also represented through Shard Diagnostics, which is developing next-generation detection technologies for areas including oncology, infectious diseases and point-of-care testing.<\/p>\n
The business was founded by university alumni in 2024 and joined the university\u2019s investment portfolio in 2025. It is now working to expand its product range and commercialise technology originating from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.<\/p>\n
Another new venture, Qurae, is targeting the challenge of making healthcare data more usable. Working with NHS trusts, research groups and other organisations holding sensitive patient information, it provides data transformation, governance and standardisation services designed to make information suitable for AI research and operational improvement.<\/p>\n
Research into quantum technologies has also moved towards commercialisation through Contour Advanced Magnetic Design, which is developing expertise in controlling magnetic fields.<\/p>\n
The business is based on more than a decade of research backed by the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme, with potential applications across areas including space, navigation, defence, clean energy, healthcare and agri-tech.<\/p>\n
The sixth spin-out, MarketNous, has been developed from research at Nottingham University Business School.<\/p>\n
Its AI-powered platform is designed to help traders and investors assess market, behavioural and macroeconomic data when making investment decisions.<\/p>\n
Dr Sam Beatson, founder of MarketNous and Associate Professor at Nottingham University Business School, said: “Spinning out MarketNous has been an exciting opportunity to take years of research beyond the university and into the marketplace. We are also delighted to have been part of Innovate UK\u2019s ICURe Explore and Exploit programmes which provided valuable support to accelerate our commercial journey, develop the business and bring our technology closer to market.\u201d<\/p>\n
The university is also continuing to invest in businesses already within its spin-out portfolio.<\/p>\n
Through its wholly owned investment subsidiary, Nottingham Technology Ventures, it has made 19 investments in existing spin-outs, supporting businesses with scaling, fundraising and commercial development.<\/p>\n
A new Enterprise Investment Scheme fund is also being developed to provide additional backing for high-growth spin-outs and connect emerging businesses with investors.<\/p>\n
The university said its wider innovation infrastructure is designed to support researchers from early-stage discovery through to commercialisation, combining research expertise with investment, business support and investor engagement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
New ventures span healthcare, electrification, quantum technology and AI, taking the university\u2019s active spin-out portfolio to 44<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":266702,"featured_media":2107551,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[53262],"coauthors":[127717],"class_list":["post-2113839","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-news","tag-featured-story","tag-nottinghamshire"],"yoast_head":"\n