October 27, 2016

Today, London and Singapore-based Milltrust International announced the launch of the British Innovation Fund, a new initiative to direct much needed international and domestic institutional capital into the UK University originated venture sector to commercialize world-leading IP, with a strong focus on agri science and technology.

“Recent concerns have been voiced that BREXIT will jeopardize funding for the development and subsequent commercialisation of key science, patents and technologies coming out of the leading U.K. universities. The British Innovation Fund has been established in direct response to these concerns. The fund has already received the backing of a major UK Local Authority Pension Fund as well as a number of overseas sovereign wealth funds and institutions,” confirmed Simon Hopkins, CEO of Milltrust International, the investment manager.

The fund will be advised by an investment committee comprised of members of the Milltrust team, led by Griff Williams, CIO and co-founder of Milltrust Agricultural Investments, in conjunction with investment professionals from Future Planet Capital (FPC), a London-based investment advisor, focused on the new economy.

“We are delighted to have formed a unique collaboration with FPC for the British Innovation Fund, bringing to the table the significant experience of a team of professionals that complements our own skills and extends a deep reach into the universities with whom we are partnering,” said Mr. Williams.

The British Innovation Fund will invest into two major university ventures on launch but has identified total capacity of over £500m, which means the opportunity to increase its commitments will enable it to build a meaningful pool, and provide much-needed capital to these companies.

Douglas Hansen Luke, CEO of Future Planet Capital said, “We are delighted to support the British Innovation Fund. It is fortuitous to have found such a compatible set of skills in those shared by the combined forces of both Milltrust and FPC. This collaboration gives FPC a UK partnership which we can really rely on as the cornerstone for the British component of our international mandate.”