About Jon Rees and MitoRx Therapeutics: • MitoRx is a preclinical research stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class, orally available, mitochondrial protective therapeutics targeting rare neuromuscular disorders, rare metabolic disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. • Jon Rees has 16 years in industry including as a consultant for Takeda Pharma Rare Diseases division, CEO of leading biotech network OBN/BioTrinity, polycystic kidney disease patient charity trustee (PKD UK) and CEO of MitoRx Therapeutics. You recently completed your initial seed financing round. How did you appro ..read more

Andy Muir – Investment Director at UKI2S Alexander Leigh – Investment Director at UKI2S How does UKI2S approach valuation? We base our business model on the “power law” and estimate two out of ten early-stage investments will generate extraordinary financial return to cover the entire value of the fund. We focus on a valuation based on an upside exit scenario which could be generated by a sale to a financial buyer based on the multiple of expected revenues, or a lucrative strategic sale to a competitor, customer or supplier. A good return on our investment is essential because the profits we m ..read more

Insights from Richard Anderson, Managing Partner at Sciad Communications. About Richard: Managing Partner at Sciad Communications, a brand, digital and PR agency specialising in science, health and technology. 30+ years’ experience in communications and marketing strategy Direct experience of working at the most senior level with blue chips, SME’s, start-ups and public sector organisations What is your most crucial piece of advice to founders and entrepreneurs building a reputation for their businesses? Make brand building a core part of your strategy, begin at the earliest p ..read more

Out of academia and into business What is Mirico’s business? The main market that we are addressing relates to greenhouse gases because of the need to measure and monitor them to control emissions. Our main activity is helping companies to simply and accurately measure their greenhouse gas emissions. This includes oil and gas processing operations and landfill sites, and allowing companies to create effective measures to reduce emissions. What prompted you to found the company? We embarked on research that led to the technology used in Mirico because there was no real solution for detection o ..read more

Insights from Guy Levy-Yurista, PhD – CEO of Synthace. About Guy: CEO of Synthace, a company that UKI2S has been supporting since investing at seed stage, now post series C having recently raised $35m Israeli-American with a Physics PhD and a Wharton MBA with 20 years of experience in both start-up and Fortune 500 environments globally 7 startups experience with multiple successful liquidity events Specialises in commercialising advanced technologies in dynamic market environments What is the most important aspect in later stage funding? Demonstrating product-market fit and associated expon ..read more

Steve Bennington, CEO of Q5D, speaks to UKI2S about his journey in science ventures and engineering. • Prof Stephen Bennington founded and ran the hydrogen storage company Cella Energy for six years. He raised $10 million for Cella and prior to this, Stephen designed and built large scale scientific infrastructure, such as the neutron source for the UK, and is a visiting professor of Physics at University College London. • Q5D’s mission is to automate the manufacture and assembly of wiring looms and develop machinery for automotive and aerospace industries. You’ve had a broad range of experie ..read more