United Kingdom's top institutions spotlighted: Southampton ranks high for entrepreneurial ventures and spin-off companies
University of Southampton Fosters AI Startup Innovation
The University of Southampton is leading the charge in AI technology commercialization, as highlighted in a recent report by the Royal Academy of Engineering. The institution's proactive role in nurturing tech entrepreneurship is evident through its involvement in the AIR26 Bootcamp, a six-month accelerator program designed to help researchers across the UK transform AI-based technologies into successful startups.
Part of Future Worlds, the University's tech startup accelerator, this initiative offers a structured experience including a two-day intensive Bootcamp to evaluate and develop the commercial potential of AI innovations. Future Worlds collaborates with other institutions like Responsible AI UK and UCL Centre for Digital Innovation to foster responsible and scalable AI startup creation.
This commitment to fostering tech entrepreneurship is not limited to AI. For instance, Aquark Technologies, a tech company based in Southampton, specializes in creating portable and robust hardware for quantum sensing, quantum computing, and quantum communications. Aquark Technologies made history as the first UK company to be funded by the NATO Innovation Fund.
The University's efforts have not gone unnoticed. The institution has been named one of the best in the UK for spinout companies by the Royal Academy of Engineering report. In fact, spinouts from UK universities secured £2.6b worth of funding in 2024, with startups and spinouts working with the University of Southampton's Future Worlds raising more than £78m and creating nearly 400 jobs in the last five years.
One such success story is OhmSpace, a spinout company from the University of Southampton. OhmSpace, which leverages AI and industry expertise to provide critical information for solar investment decisions, was founded by Dr Phil Wu. The company has recently secured funding and is now working with the British and European Space Agencies. OhmSpace also successfully applied for a Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) Enterprise Fellowship.
The RAEng Enterprise Fellowship scheme is a twelve-month deeptech accelerator helping researchers and graduates turn cutting-edge engineering innovations into successful startups. Dr Alice Iles, Head of Tech Acceleration at Future Worlds, commented on the success of applications to the RAEng Enterprise Fellowship Scheme. Ben Clark, Director of Future Worlds, stated that the commercial potential of pioneering research in university labs is maximized by enabling scientists and engineers to problem-solve and build solutions.
For those interested in applying for the RAEng Enterprise Fellowship, Future Worlds is running an information event. Details can be found on their website. The University of Southampton continues to play a significant role in driving UK startup innovation, contributing to the broader national effort to build innovative, tech-driven startups that can address societal challenges and stimulate economic growth within the UK.
[1] Source: University of Southampton Press Release, 2025
Contact Details for Future Worlds
Website: www.soton.ac.uk/futureworlds Email: [email protected]/futureworlds Phone: +44 (0)23 8059 5000 Address: Future Worlds, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
- The University of Southampton is a pioneer in AI technology commercialization, as shown in a report by the Royal Academy of Engineering.
- The AIR26 Bootcamp, a six-month accelerator program, is part of the University's tech startup accelerator, Future Worlds, aiding researchers in transforming AI-based technologies into successful startups.
- Aquark Technologies, a Southampton-based tech company, specializes in quantum sensing, quantum computing, and quantum communications, becoming the first UK company to secure funding from the NATO Innovation Fund.
- The University of Southampton has been recognized as one of the UK's best institutions for spinout companies, with startups and spinouts from the University raising over £78m and generating nearly 400 jobs in the last five years.
- OhmSpace, a spinout company from the University of Southampton, leverages AI and industry expertise to provide critical information for solar investment decisions and recently secured funding, working with both the British and European Space Agencies.
- The RAEng Enterprise Fellowship scheme, a deeptech accelerator, helps researchers and graduates turn engineering innovations into successful startups, with the University of Southampton experiencing significant success in applications to this program.
- Interested applicants can find details for the RAEng Enterprise Fellowship information event on the Future Worlds website, as the University of Southampton continues to drive UK startup innovation, contributing to the national effort in building innovative, tech-driven startups.
