Spin-outs, Reinvestment and Universities
I have just read this excellent article from Robert Gelb in today’s Scotsman:
In it he quotes:
“The other week, I heard a story about a leading university in Scotland’s response to a statement about equity. Wanting 20–40 per cent of a spinout company without any cash investment, they were told that Stanford often asked for 5–10 per cent at the most”.
If this is the case, I really do not understand it. The ideas and research is done within the heads of those who invent and discover new knowledge. The university is an enabler. It pays the bills and keeps the lights on. Without inventors, we have buildings and offices which will never produce anything. The ghosts of our research past will also diminish, and where the great work of the past will lead to nothing but the perception of a good reputation. New research teams will grow and flourish, while those stuck in the past will whither.
Research must thus be continually nourished, and shown that it has relevance and impact. If we do not support and incentivise those who create ideas and take them forward, and for the forthcoming CEO and CTO, we will never advance a culture of entrepreneurial spirit in…
