Our collaborative approach
How we work with UCL academics, innovators and clinicians to bring research to market.
Collaboration sits at the heart of everything we do. Our Business Managers work closely with you to help your world‑class research make a real‑world difference.
We take the time to understand your research, its potential applications and your goals, working with you to explore the most appropriate route to impact.
Our approach
How we work with you
Transparently: From the beginning of the journey, we are clear about the possibilities appropriate for your research.
Confidentially: Our discussions are completely confidential, free and come without obligation.
Fairly: As co-creators of the USIT Guidelines and USIT for software, we take care to negotiate fair and balanced deals with academic founders.
Flexibly: Our breadth of services and deep expertise means we can offer assistance and advice on all aspects of commercialisation - from IP, to business planning, to pitching for investment.
Learn more about usUCL Ventures is your trusted, expert partner throughout the commercialisation journey and beyond.
You’ll have a dedicated team focused on understanding what matters most to you and your research.
Who we work with:
UCL staff, academics and researchers
All UCL staff, including those from partner hospitals and post-doctoral researchers, can use the services of UCL Ventures to commercialise their research.
PhD candidates
Doctoral candidates are usually referred on the recommendation of your department.
UCL students
Student entrepreneurship is supported by UCL Innovation and Enterprise
Working side-by-side with UCL researchers
From AI trailblazers like Satalia to billion‑pound gene therapy spinout ventures including Autolus, organisations we support have benefited from early, thoughtful conversations shaped around their needs.
Whether you choose to license your technology to an existing organisation, form a new spinout company, or pursue another pathway, we aim to minimise unnecessary burden, provide clear guidance, and ensure you remain informed and comfortable at every stage.
Common questions
Each department at UCL has a designated Business Manager - one of our commercialisation experts.
With STEM and entrepreneurial backgrounds, combined with commercial expertise, they are well-placed to understand your field of research and the potential commercial application.
Find out who your Business Manager is here.
This is a decision made with the advice of your Business Manager. Together, you will assess your goals, your idea, the broader context of your field and market needs to figure out the best way forward.
Yes of course. Your Business Manager might have advice on making your idea or invention more commercially attractive, or better support getting to market - but you are the expert in your research and remain in the driving seat.
Talk to an expert
Book an informal, no obligation conversation with a Business Manager who knows your research, to explore your idea and what could come next…
Book a meeting