Old College Capital

Old College Capital (OCC) is the corporate venture arm of the University of Edinburgh, established in 2011. The firm functions as the university's venture investment fund, managing early-stage investment activities and shareholdings. Its primary mission is to support innovative ideas and technologies emerging from the University of Edinburgh, accelerating the journey of startups and spin-out companies that aim to make a positive impact on society and the planet. OCC operates with a long-term investment horizon, reinvesting its returns to foster the next generation of early-stage companies.

The firm focuses on providing growth and development finance to early and mid-stage spin-out and start-up companies, often participating in syndicated venture capital rounds. Old College Capital employs a co-investment model, partnering with experienced private sector investors. Their investment strategy includes pre-seed initiatives, such as 'OCC Launch' with typical investments of £20k-£50k, and 'OCC Ventures' for Seed to Series A rounds, with typical cheque sizes ranging from £150k to £250k. They also manage the University's founding shareholdings in spin-outs through 'OCC Equity'.

Old College Capital has a strong track record of investing in deep-tech sectors, including artificial intelligence, cleantech, agtech, biotechnology, medtech, therapeutics, semiconductors, and broader technology and life sciences. Notable investments include Carbogenics, a company in environmental services; MiAlgae, a circular economy business; Invizius, developing solutions for dialysis patients; Sunamp, a thermal energy storage company; and Bioliberty, a healthtech firm combining AI with soft-robotic wearable devices for physical rehabilitation.

The team at Old College Capital comprises experienced deep-tech, early-stage investment specialists dedicated to translating university research and innovation into impactful ventures. Andrea, a founding team member, brings over 30 years of investment and venture capital experience. The team works collaboratively with founders, investors, and the broader University ecosystem, leveraging strong relationships with over 150 investors to help University of Edinburgh companies secure the right funding and expertise to flourish.