Production process technology
| NATURE OF BUSINESS | Production process technology |
| STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT | Launch |
| AMOUNT REQUIRED | £90,000 (of a £150,000 package) |
| PREPARED TO HAVE MULTIPLE INVESTORS | Yes. Min £10k. Syndication could be facilitated. |
| EQUITY STAKE | Negotiable |
| INVESTOR PARTICIPATION | Part time or Non Exec |
| MANAGERIAL SKILLS SOUGHT | Chair or General Business Development |
| LOCATION | West Midlands |
This University spin out owns a patented process with applications in many manufacturing and processing sectors, mostly concerned with the production of high volume products, e.g. food and cosmetics. The products that its process creates will (as the company will explain) allow the company’s licensees to flexibly alter the characteristics of their products, and so open up new commercial opportunities and create significant competitive advantages.
Importantly the process itself is readily scaleable, thus giving licensees a fast transition from product development into large-scale industrial production. It can, for example, be used in polymers, coatings and catalysts. The company will not itself be a manufacturer. It has a considerable number of licensing opportunities with large multinationals in prospect, and the first (with a UK based company involving controlled release of nutrients) is expected in the near future. However, in the short term the company conservatively forecasts that its income will come from research contracts, several of which are already signed.
Through a continuing arrangement, the company minimises costs by utilising University resources and it will also benefit from ready access to experts in licensing and technology exploitation. Experienced business management has been brought in.
In return for a realistic share of the equity, investment of £90k is being sought which will attract an additional £60k of matched funding. This is to help fund the next stage of the company’s development, which involves taking on additional staff and lab space to increase the production of small batch samples and to carry out further joint application development programmes. This will lead to the creation of additional Intellectual Property and further assist international roll out. A profitable exit via trade sale is planned during Year 5, when annual profits are forecast to be £6.5m.
Further information: University of Warwick Science Park Limited on 024 7632 3114