Transatlantic comparison of research funding and spin-offs created

Universities in the US invest more than double the amount in research for each spin-off company created than those in the UK, according to data submitted by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to an inquiry on university-industry links.

An analysis of total research resources spent in institutions found that US universities invested almost £60 million for each of the 606 spin-off companies formed in 2010-11. By contrast, UK universities invested less than £24 million for each of the 268 companies formed during the same period.

However, the level of spending per patent produced was similar in the two countries at about £8.5 million, according to the written submission to the House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills committee inquiry.

holly.else@tsleducation.com