Strathclyde InspireTrack record

Strathclyde Inspire will drive transformational change in our support for innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialisation. We launch this next phase of activity from a position of strength. 

• 1978

  Creation of first University spin-out IBH, which is still trading today

• 1986

  Patent filed for anti-cancer therapeutic drug Leucovorin

• 1990

  Launch of Strathclyde University Incubator

• 1992

  Launch of Microlase Optical Systems – turnover now £50M+

• 1994

  Launch of Integrated Environmental Solutions – now largest spin-out employer

• 1998

  Launch of RSE Enterprise Fellowship Programme, Strathclyde has to date hosted 35 such Fellows; licensed Propess, a hydrogel cervical ripening product, to BTG

• 2000

  Hunter Foundation endowment funds Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship

• 2003

  Launch of Cascade Technologies, Strathclyde’s first major student spin-out

• 2005

  Launch of Strathclyde Entrepreneurial Network – which has now helped support the creation of over 220 start-ups

• 2006

  Spin-out Diagnostic Monitoring Systems wins Queens Award for Enterprise

• 2012

  Launch of Commercial Investment Policy, the first major investment by the University received by Smarter Grid Solutions

• 2013

  Opening of first Enterprise Hub on campus; the founder of Synaptec is awarded the Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Fellowship & the University is named Times Higher Education Entrepreneurial University of the Year

• 2014

  Sale of Cascade Technologies – largest exit achieved by a Strathclyde spin-out

• 2015

  Launch of Growth Advantage Programme (GAP); for third year in a row a Strathclyde student entrepreneur wins an award at Santander Universities Entrepreneurship Awards

• 2016

  Launch of Strathclyde Entrepreneurs Fund and sale of spin-out mLED

• 2017

  Strathclyde start-ups named in Forbes 30 under 30 Europe list for Retail & Ecommerce

• 2018

  Strathclyde alumnus and co-founder of MindMate recognised as “one to watch” in Forbes 30 under 30 European Social Entrepreneurs list

• 2019

  Strathclyde start-up Drinkly (now Shoply) named in Forbes top five early-stage Scottish start-ups to watch; Strathclyder-led businesses win £1.2M of funding from ScottishEDGE over a 3-years; the University of Strathclyde was Awarded Small Business Charter Award

• 2020

  Strathclyde investments into companies exceed £5M; more than 60 spin-outs formed; 10 Strathclyder-led businesses shortlisted in the BusinessCloud’s Scotland Tech 50

• November 2020

  Launch of Strathclyde Inspire