Old College Capital (OCC), the University of Edinburgh’s £70 million venture investment fund, announced it is hiring a Head of Investment Operations.
OCC is part of Edinburgh Innovations (EI), the university’s commercialisation service.
Old College Capital manages Edinburgh’s early-stage investment activities and shareholdings and supports the ideas and tech emerging from the University.
Since creation in 2011, OCC has grown from making just a few investments a year to now supporting over 75 transactions annually.
It has a portfolio of over 100 companies, with assets under management of £70 million and ambitions to further scale its activity.
Over the last six years, Edinburgh Innovations has supported significant commercialisation growth at the university with an 90% increase in company launches and a 200% increase in “industrial and translational income.”
Old College Capital said: “The collective success of EI and OCC is a critical element of the University’s Research and Innovation Strategy 2030.
“The Strategy aligns research and innovation within three Missions: to shape the future of health and care; to harness the power of data, digital and AI for the public good; and to tackle the climate and environmental crisis.
“Our Mission focus is woven through our investment strategy, delivering our commitment to achieve income and regional, societal and economic impact.
“OCC’s combination of tradition and dynamism is unique. Whilst OCC co-invests at the earliest stages with the most exciting ideas, the University is also a signatory to the recommendations of the UK spinout review including adoption of the USIT guide and recommendations.
“Our whole system approach, from identification and development of translational ideas, protection of IP to investment from OCC, enables us to drive a pipeline of high growth spinouts to enhance long term investment returns.
“Being embedded within EI allows agile working with deal flow/pipeline development and collaboration with Venture Creation, Innovation Development and Licencing Teams is fundamental to the role.
“And we are not complacent. EI is undergoing a period of modernisation and growth. The Head of Investment role is a fantastic opportunity to drive positive change and be part of the exciting investment arm of the University of Edinburgh.
“We are looking for candidates who share our passion for early-stage businesses investment and technology to join our growing team. We are a fast-paced, collaborative and progressive team and are looking for dynamic, professional and driven candidates who want to help us shape our next phase of growth. If you think that’s you, we would love to hear from you.”