The UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund (UKI2S) has received a £37m boost to help it invest in UK-based research start-ups.
UKI2S is an investment fund backed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), among other public bodies.
The consortium was established to support UK-based research and innovation organisations at seed stages and beyond.
It is especially interested in research intended to progress sustainable growth, improve the health and security of society and provide economic benefits.
Andrew Muir, investment director at Future Planet Capital Group and fund principal for UKI2S, said: “The fund has a strong track record of generating impact from publicly funded science and research hubs across the UK.
“The fund’s expansion will help drive innovation with our partners, across research campuses and from synthetic biology industry, in addition to accelerating the development of high growth potential businesses in defence and security, fusion and exploiting the UK’s knowledge assets.”
Key areas of focus for the funding will be synthetic biology, knowledge assets, fusion energy, defence and security and public research hubs.
