Working with us

We focus on the environmental and sustainability sector, which mirrors our expertise, supports momentum in the South West region, and reflects the strengths of the University. There are a number of different ways that we can work with you to develop your business.

If you are:

• An eco-commercial company in the region
• An entrepreneur seeking to build a business
• An investment group/fund/angel seeking to make de-risked investments
• A corporate looking to grow its business

then please come and talk to us.

UECE uses a comprehensive CoVentures approach that delivers the following matrix of support for companies:

Of particular note is our ability to help companies raise capital and find suitable channel (sales) partners. We apply fairly robust gateway criteria to our decision to support projects. UEC Enterprises will generally seek to support its companies by joining the board in a non-executive capacity. We can earn fees from these roles as well as taking small equity stakes in the companies we support.

In addition, we form our own companies when we believe there is a market segment or niche to exploit.

In exchange we seek board fees, success fees and / or some equity or options where our contribution makes this appropriate. We recognise the need for accruals, about cash flow issues and shareholder matters, and can work with pre-revenue businesses as well as successful trading companies.

Find out more about our CoVentures approach.

Investors

UECE Ltd works closely with its network of investors (funds, angels, strategic, and corporate) to prepare companies for investment and support the subsequent growth and development phases.

We help companies raise start-up, development and expansion capital through our network of angel VCs, Venture Capital Funds, and various corporate initiatives and grant (public sector) funding bodies. The CoVentures mechanism used involves a wrap-around of the business with a set of skills and services which are embedded in the company over a period of time

We have an extensive network of funders, but is always keen to work with new partners. The co-development process by its very nature de-risks investments – please contact us for more details of how we communicate and work with our investor base.

Corporations

UECE Ltd works with a number of leading corporations to help them develop their technology (primarily through Knowledge Transfer Partnership programs) and also in sourcing strategic companies and products from its portfolio of companies.

With a focus on the Environmental and Sustainable sector, we work particularly closely with power utility companies and regional, national and international corporations looking to grow their presence in this sector.

UECE’s relationships with these large organisations represent a crucial ingredient of our ability to introduce new companies and technologies to the market and replace risk funding with corporate support. We place particular emphasis on IP which can demonstrate a sustainable competitive advantage, and are keen to work with corporations who are looking to develop or purchase this.