News / Tech
Bristol Uni ranked among top UK hubs for spinouts
Since being named Research University of the Year 2026 in the Daily Mail University Guide, the University of Bristol has received another top recognition in the area. This time for its spinouts.
According to the latest report highlighting the UK’s spinouts, the University of Bristol has been named the UK’s leading hub outside the “Golden Triangle”, which consists of London, Oxford and Cambridge, for spinout value creation.
The report indicates that the university spinouts are estimated at a combined value of £8.5bn since 2010.
Overall, the University of Bristol has supported 46 spinouts backed by venture capitalists (VCs).
The University of Bristol has been named the UK’s leading hub outside the “Golden Triangle” for spinouts – photo: Milan Perera
The newly published Spotlight on Spinouts 2026 report from the Royal Academy of Engineering ranks Bristol fourth in the UK and sixth in Europe for the value created by companies spun out from university research over the past 15 years.
University leaders believe the latest figures highlight its growing reputation as a “leading hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialisation”.
Dr Sophie Collet, the University of Bristol’s executive director for research, enterprise and innovation, said: “This recognition reflects the strength of our innovation ecosystem and entrepreneurial culture, which transforms world-leading research into real-world impact.
“Spinouts from the University of Bristol are addressing major global challenges while attracting significant investment.
The news comes just over three months away from the opening of the university’s £500m campus, Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, which will position itself as an innovation hub, being the home to OMX – Science Creates’ third incubator and Bristol Innovations Zone.
Collet continued: “The new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus and Bristol Innovations Zone will further strengthen our capability and that of the region to enable deep tech companies to grow, collaborate, and scale globally.”
Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus will be the new home of Bristol Innovations Zone – photo: Martin Booth
Some 15 spinouts have reached $10 million+ in funding, while the computer chip company Graphcore is valued at around $2.8bn, and PsiQuantum was valued at $7bn in June 2025.
The latter, which is now based in America, is one of the world’s most valuable quantum technology companies.
Another spinout which is grabbing the spotlight is iCOMAT, one of the leading manufacturers of advanced composite structures for the aerospace and automotive industries.
The Bristol-based company has a long affiliation with SETsquared incubator and its academic partners at the University of Bristol.
The Bristol spinout Graphcore, co-founded by Nigel Toon (pictured), received unicorn status – photo: Graphcore
Dr Manjari Chandran-Ramesh of the Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Committee said: “UK spinouts are central to translating frontier research into commercial impact, with a direct role in addressing some of society’s most pressing challenges.
“Over the past six years, the innovation landscape has evolved, and spinouts have remained on a clear trajectory of growth.
The Bristol-born spinout PsiQuantum, which is now based in America, is one of the world’s most valuable quantum technology companies – photo: PsiQuantum
“They are now more visible as a distinct and essential component of the UK’s innovation economy, warranting sustained attention from across the ecosystem.”
The University of Bristol is one of six universities of the SETsquared incubator partnership, which received a £300m spinout-focused funding vehicle. The package was unveiled by professor Patrick Vallance, minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation during Bristol Technology Festival in October 2024 at the City Hall.
The latest report indicates that the University of Bristol spinouts are estimated at a combined value of £8.5bn since 2010 – photo: Milan Perera
Main photo: iCOMAT
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