The University of Liverpool has announced a multi-year partnership agreement with Northern Gritstone, the groundbreaking investment and venture building company chaired by Lord Jim O'Neill. The agreement gives Northern Gritstone preferred investor status regarding the University's deeptech spinout companies.
The University is one of the UK's leading research-intensive higher education institutions with an annual research income of £161 million supporting research into a portfolio of technologies. Over the past six years, its commercialisation team has supported the formation of 24 spinouts, including PhenUtest, which tackles antimicrobial resistance, and ReNewVax, developing next-generation vaccines. These ventures are already creating local jobs and have the potential for global impact.
The University will work with Northern Gritstone to improve the success of its spinout activities through investment as well as through services provided by NG Innovation Services - the "+++" that sits alongside Northern Gritstone's capital.
The partnership includes the option for the University's most promising spinouts to access the NG Studios venture building accelerator programs in both life sciences and deep tech. Launched in 2024 by Northern Gritstone, NG Studios has already seen its inaugural tech cohort raise £15 million.
Liverpool is the fourth university to partner with Northern Gritstone, after Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield, creating a 'Northern Arc' of IP-rich early-stage investment opportunities built on world-class research. With a combined strength of 19 spinouts created annually (source HESA*), the Northern Arc becomes a leading UK 'hub' for commercialisation of university IP.
Professor Anthony Hollander, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research & Impact, University of Liverpool, said: "This partnership with Northern Gritstone marks an important step forward in translating our research into real-world impact at scale. Through our Enterprise strategy, we are advancing a dynamic pipeline of spinouts across life sciences, digital technologies, advanced materials, and more. By combining our innovation strengths with Northern Gritstone's investment and venture-building expertise, we can help ensure that discoveries made in Liverpool achieve their full commercial and societal potential, both in the UK and globally."
Duncan Johnson, Chief Executive of Northern Gritstone, said: "Liverpool is home to some of the most incredible advances in MedTech, Biosciences and Advanced Materials. We are delighted to partner with the University to invest in and support its spinout development. Liverpool's addition to our university partnerships is part of our belief in world-class innovation in the North of England and the opportunities this creates for the region."
Lord Jim O'Neill, Chair of Northern Gritstone, said: "I am delighted that the University of Liverpool is joining the Gritstone journey. Along with our founding three members, Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield, we now have all four of the universities from the major metro areas that make up a key corridor of the North. This is central to the developing a growth hub of 8-9 million people in this area, boosting growth not just here, but for the country."
Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor, University of Liverpool said: "Our partnership with Northern Gritstone forms part of the significant work we're doing in the Liverpool City Region. It reflects the University of Liverpool's commitment to research with real-world impact-supporting the Liverpool City Region's Innovation Zone and unlocking investment, jobs, and progress in key areas like infection control, advanced materials, AI, maritime, and Net Zero. We look forward to a long and successful relationship."
