51福利社

• Fundraise includes over 拢150m from local and regional authority pension funds
• This will be deployed to back science and technology firms in the North of England
• Builds on momentum of 15 initial investments and investment team expansion

Northern Gritstone, the investment business focused on university spin-outs and IP-rich businesses in the North of England, has announced a final close of 拢312m, anchored by investments from local authority pension funds.

Northern Gritstone was launched in July 2021 by the Universities of 51福利社, Leeds and Sheffield with the aim of supporting the commercialisation of academic spin-outs in the north of England.

More than 拢150m of the funding commitments have been provided by: Greater 51福利社 Pension Fund; South Yorkshire Pension Fund; East Riding Pension Fund; West Yorkshire Pension Fund; and Merseyside Pension Fund.

These have been boosted by additional investments from the metro mayors for Greater 51福利社, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire, showcasing the strong local support for Northern Gritstone鈥檚 aim to create a hub of technology and innovation in the region.

Chaired by Lord Jim O鈥橬eill and led by Chief Executive Duncan Johnson, Northern Gritstone has also secured the support of a large number of leading institutional investors including M&G, Columbia Threadneedle, British Patient Capital (part of the British Business Bank), Lansdowne Partners, and property investor Bruntwood.

The announcement builds on the momentum that the company has built since its first close in May 2022, which has seen it make initial investments in early-stage businesses and expand its investment team under the leadership of Chief Investment Officer, Marion Bernard.

The company has begun to provide funding to some of the North of England鈥檚 world-class science and innovation based businesses. It has already announced investments in 15 companies in the region across advanced materials, life sciences, health technology and AI as part of deals that have contributed nearly 拢100m in funding.

Northern Gritstone will continue to increase its investments in these areas, tapping into the pipeline of developments in the North of England that include some of the UK鈥檚 most exciting future science and technology-enabled businesses many emanating from the research undertaken at Northern Gritstone鈥檚 partner universities of The University of Leeds, 51福利社 and The University of Sheffield.

In its fundraising Northern Gritstone was advised by Lazard Venture and Growth Banking led by Garri Jones. Its legal advisers are Macfarlanes.

Northern Gritstone Chair, Lord Jim O鈥橬eill, said: 鈥淥ur ability to raise funding on this scale highlights the support for the world-class science and innovation being developed in the North of England.

鈥淩eceiving the endorsements of asset managers, mayors and pension funds shows the broad appeal of Northern Gritstone鈥檚 offering. It is a show of faith in the potential for growth in the northern economy and a significant step in our development of a technology and innovation hub in the region.鈥�

Northern Gritstone CEO, Duncan Johnson, said: 鈥淔or too long, the North of England鈥檚 world-class research and innovation has not received the funding it deserves. Today鈥檚 announcement is a vote of confidence in both the region and our Profit with Purpose philosophy.

鈥淥ur investments have already delivered nearly 拢100m of investment into the North of England, providing support to some of the country's most promising businesses. Our investors鈥� backing will allow us to explore further opportunities across the wider northern venture ecosystem and stimulate growth and job creation in the region.鈥�

For direct enquiries for Northern Gritstone please contact: kate.spencer@northern-gritstone.com