Spin Outs and Start Ups

The Institute has experience of working with several spin-out companies – from offering technical support in the form of advice on IP protection, through to the provision of business skills required to successfully establish a new entrepreneurial business.

iSLI can increase a spin-out company's chances of success by creating a supportive environment for entrepreneurs during the formation of their company and the crucial early stages of business. Practical help includes facilities, support from the in-house design team including advice on design flows and creating design flows, and reviews of business plans or outline proposals.

Spin-out companies assisted include:

• A2E: Platforms, IP and services to accelerate the convergence of storage and high bandwidth networks. A2E sponsors an ISLI EngD research engineer.
• Verilab: Specialises in the functional verification of complex SoCs, ASICs and FPGAs, supplying verification services, methodology consultancy and training in the UK, Europe and the USA.
• CriticalBlue: Delivers a complete embedded systems solution offering a new implementation capability that fits within existing design flows and is based on existing languages. CriticalBlue sponsors an ISLI EngD research engineer.

iSLI also acts as the host organisation for Scottish Enterprise Fellows.

This programme, funded by SE and delivered by the Royal Society of Edinburgh, helps academic researchers develop spin-out companies, by providing a route to translating the excellence in Scottish research into new businesses and products. So far, 75% of Fellows involved in the programme have gone on to be involved in new ventures.

Fellows supported by iSLI include:

• Elonics: Semiconductor design consultancy specialising in developing AMS ICs to client requirements, either as standalone devices or as building blocks for further integration as part of an SoC methodology. Offers clients access to value-add IP in a range of applications, from precision low-power analogue power management and sensor interface technologies to high speed/RF for wireless, wired and optical communications systems. The technology is used in a range of products including portable consumer devices and optical networks.
• Dynamic Innovations: medical device company