Dr Tony Raven FInstP MIoD
BIO
Tony is a highly cited researcher, a successful serial entrepreneur and international leader in university research commercialisation, investment funds, and innovation ecosystems. He retired in 2021 after 10 years heading up Cambridge Enterprise, the research commercialisation arm of the University of Cambridge. He is currently Chairing Spinouts Denmark’s International Advisory Board, advising the UK Government on the Government Office for Technology Transfer and policy and practice in university knowledge exchange. He is a Visiting Fellow at Cambridge’s University Commercialisation and Innovation Policy Evidence Unit (UCI) and an adviser to the University of Tokyo IPC
At Cambridge, he created Cambridge Innovation Capital, a follow-on investment fund for university spinouts and Cambridge start-ups that now has over $1Bn of assets under management, and TenU, a partnership of the research commercialisation offices of Cambridge, Columbia, Edinburgh, Leuven, Manchester, MIT, Oxford, Stanford and UCL which is developing best practice, advising on policy, and developing future leaders. Under his leadership Cambridge spinouts increased 250%, spinout seed investment by the University by 750% and consultancy by 90% leading to four unicorn (>$1Bn valuation) companies. In 2021 Cambridge Enterprise was awarded Platinum level Best Employer in an independent survey of its employees.
Prior to Cambridge Tony was at Southampton University where he co-created the IP Group, and created the SETsquared university incubation partnership, that has supported over 5,000 companies raising £2.7Bn and employing 20,000 people. Before Southampton he was a serial entrepreneur with three start-ups which exited for a combined $1.5Bn and a highly cited researcher at Oxford and Osaka Universities. Tony is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and Member of the Institute of Directors.
“Tony’s advice is sought around the world, and he is immensely generous with his time. He is highly principled, a firm believer in the capacity of science and innovation to bring benefit to the world and dedicated to making this happen.”
Edward Benthall, Chairman, Cambridge Innovation Capital.
“Tony is deeply committed to the success of UK technology transfer. He clearly gives great service to the particular universities that employ him. However it is clear to all that Tony seeks to do service to the greater national good and to the profession that he exemplifies. This has made him an important counsellor on the national stage respected by all.”
Alice Frost, Director of Knowledge Exchange, Research England
“This unique and constantly-evolving offering of support, which includes the activities of organisations such as Cambridge Enterprise and Cambridge Innovation Capital (see section 2.2.1), enables the expertise and research emerging from within the University to be disseminated and applied, ensuring positive, widespread and long-lasting impact for society.”
The Economic Impact of the University of Cambridge London Economics, 2023
Chief Executive 2011-2021
Cambridge Enterprise supports Cambridge University staff and students in commercialising the outcomes of their research.
Cambridge Enterprise website
Founder
With over $1Bn of assets under management, Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC) backs world-leading life sciences and technology companies with an affiliation to Cambridge, Europe’s leading capital for innovation. As a preferred investor for the University of Cambridge, it has unparalleled access to investment opportunities in the ecosystem.
Tony created the model for CIC and gained Cambridge University approval. With his Chair, Edward Benthall, he raised the first investment round from leading UK institutions & ARM with the Cambridge University Endowment Fund as the largest shareholder. CIC has gone on to raise £500m with $1Bn of Assets Under Management.
CIC Website
Catalyst
TenU is an international collaboration formed to capture effective practices in research commercialisation, share these with governments and higher education communities.
TenU members are the technology transfer offices of the University of Cambridge, Columbia University, University of Edinburgh, Imperial College London, KU Leuven, University of Manchester, MIT, University of Oxford, Stanford University, and UCL.
Tony proposed the partnership bringing in the ten partners and raised grant funding from Research England to enable its operation and activities. Recently TenU has been awarded a further £4m including from Research England.
