Spin-off Britain: fewer entrants but survivors last longer

Published on 14 June, the PraxisUnico Spinouts UK Survey 2012 shows data on the 890 spin-offs based on university intellectual property since 2000. It says there were just 43 new spin-offs in 2010-11, compared with a high of 108 in 2002-03.

A comparison of the number of spin-offs formed between 2002 and 2006 with figures for 2007 to 2011 shows that Scotland has more or less retained its high level of activity.

London and the East experienced the biggest drops, with the West Midlands and Humber regions also declining.

However, investment has continued at a steady rate and is increasingly focusing on larger projects through dedicated funds.

The data do not include start-ups - university-based businesses formed without any IP - and ongoing data collection means that figures for recent years may be understated.