UK lab launches innovation company

Brussels, 15 May 2002

A new technology transfer company has been set up to commercialise research carried out at the UK's Central laboratory of the research councils (CLRC).

Central laboratory innovation and knowledge transfer Ltd., or CLIK, began operations on 2 April.

Dr Keith Winters, who is heading up the venture, said CLIK has an 'exciting future.'

'CLIK will provide CLRC with a range of technology transfer services,' he explained. 'The CLIK team has already begun working closely with CLRC technical staff to identify projects that show promise for licensing or possible spinout. These will be taken forward through venture capital and seed funding sources for further development and commercial exploitation.'

CLIK will have access to the Rainbow seed fund, a newly formed four million GBP (around six million euro) seed capital fund.

John Ellis, who represents CLRC on the Rainbow seed fund management team, said: 'Rainbow will be invaluable in bridging that all-important gap in seed funding for early stage innovation that shows commercial promise. For example, Rainbow may provide fast track funding to secure IP [intellectual property] rights, undertake market assessment and prototyping, or provide working capital for business creation.'

CLIK is partly supported by an award from a UK government scheme to stimulate technology transfer from public sector research establishments.

For further information, please consult the following web address: http://www.cclrc.ac.uk

CORDIS RTD-NEWS/© European Communities, 2001