University and corporate spin‑offs are redefining how research moves from labs to market. As we look ahead to the innovation landscape, one question echoes across industries: where will the next wave of disruptive growth come from? Increasingly, the answer lies in spin-offs: dynamic companies born from university labs, research institutes, and corporate R&D that are now taking center stage in tech-driven transformation.
At Linknovate, we’ve tracked thousands of innovation signals across academia and industry to identify the 35 most promising university and corporate spin-offs set to watch in 2025. These ventures are more than startups — they are the commercial proof that groundbreaking science can leap from the lab into real-world impact.
But this report is more than a list. it’s a window into the engines of innovation, where R&D meets market readiness. What you’ll find inside:
- A curated selection of university spin-offs and corporate spin-outs making moves worldwide
- Key data surrounding R&D commercialization and tech transfer
- A deep dive into the lifecycle of university spinoffs and corporate spinouts
- Expert insights from leaders who’ve guided research into the market, including voices from SERGAS, Fundación General CSIC, and EFT.
Curious to see the future of innovation? Here’s a sneak peek of what’s ahead. For the full report, download it here.
Biotech Spin-offs
Biology meets deep tech in drug delivery, diagnostics, and synthetic systems.
- Diversa Technologies (Spain) – Lipid-based nanoparticle delivery platforms for pharmaceuticals and biotech.
- BiocSol (France) – Biocontrol agents that trigger plants’ immune responses — chemical-free crop protection.
- MatchBio (UK) – Advancing CAR-T therapies with better targeting, fewer relapses, and higher safety.
- Biomemory (France) – Building DNA data storage drives for high-density, sustainable information archiving.
- Oxford Nanopore Technologies (UK) – Nanopore-based sequencing for rapid DNA/RNA analysis — used in over 100 countries.
- NasasBiotech (Spain) – Liquid biopsy pioneers with “GlioHook” device to trap and irradiate residual tumor cells.
- Haleon (UK) – A GSK consumer healthcare spin-out, Haleon now leads globally in OTC health products and is investing $54M in US R&D facilities.
Health Tech Spin-Offs
Revolutionizing care through diagnostics, monitoring, and personalized treatment.
- Specifix (Belgium) – 3D imaging and AI planning software for orthopedic surgery, reducing operation time and improving recovery.
- Tethis (Italy) – Liquid biopsy platform using nano-coating tech to detect circulating tumor cells early.
- Massalia Therapeutics (France) – Tackling fibrosis and cancer via SANF-targeted therapies, spinning out of Marseille’s C2VN Institute.
- Nimble Diagnostics (Spain) – Non-invasive microwave tech for real-time monitoring of vascular stents.
- Hybrims (Spain) – This spin-off from CSIC is fusing PET and ultrasound imaging for more accurate cancer biopsies.
- Axithra (Belgium) – Raman-on-chip diagnostics to enable real-time therapeutic drug monitoring.
- AIMS Medical (Spain) – AI-assisted screening tools to improve diagnosis of age-related dysphagia, backed by a NEOTEC grant.
Quantum Spin-Offs
Quantum tech moves beyond the lab — into datacenters, encryption, and drug discovery.
- Equal1 (Ireland) – The world’s first silicon-based quantum server, purpose-built for data centers. Collaborating with Nvidia.
- g2-Zero (Spain) – A CSIC spin-off developing single-photon sources for quantum-secure communications, part of NATO’s DIANA accelerator.
- Kuano (UK) – Quantum simulations for enzyme-targeted drug design, reducing side effects and increasing precision.
Manufacturing Spin-Offs
Where industry 5.0 meets innovation — AI, automation, and sustainable materials.
- QNX (Canada) – A BlackBerry spin-off relaunching with a focus on mission-critical automotive software. Recently partnered with WeRide to power Level 4 autonomous platforms.
- RealSense (USA) – Spun out of Intel, RealSense is now free to pursue advanced 3D imaging and spatial computing technologies independently.
- YPlasma (Spain) – Developing advanced plasma actuators for thermal management, disinfection, and aerospace — already Catalonia’s 2024 Startup of the Year.
- Syensqo (Belgium) – A Solvay spin-out pushing sustainable high-performance materials for batteries, semiconductors, and aerospace.
- Honeywell (USA) – Preparing the Solstice Advanced Materials spin-off, focused on eco-friendly specialty chemicals and HFO technologies.
- Nanostine (Spain) – Commercializing ultra-pure metallic nanoparticles with applications across aerospace, energy storage, and nanomedicine.
Energy Spin-Offs
Electrifying the grid, capturing carbon, and scaling next-gen renewables.
- EnFoil (Belgium) – Ultra-flexible thin-film solar panels, powered by CIGS tech, ideal for logistics and off-grid applications.
- Nextracker (USA) – A solar tracking leader, now fully independent from Flex Ltd. following a $638M IPO.
- Proxima Fusion (Germany) – A Max Planck spin-off developing stellarator-based fusion plants with HTS magnets and AI-aided design.
- AtmosZero (USA) – CSU spin-off with its “Boiler 2.0” — a modular, zero-emission industrial steam generator.
- Mantel (USA) – MIT spin-out with molten borate-based carbon capture tech, targeting hard-to-decarbonize industries.
Areospace Spin-Offs
From batteries to nuclear, these spin-offs are redefining what’s possible in space.
- Lanzo Batteries (Spain) – CIDETEC spin-off developing high-energy lithium-ion battery packs for space — launching with UARX Space.
- Perpetual Atomics (UK) – University of Leicester spin-off creating next-gen radioisotope power systems for deep space exploration.
Final Thoughts: From Science to Scale
These top spin-offs to watch in 2025 embody the full arc of innovation — bold science, solid IP, strategic funding, and market fit. Whether redefining health diagnostics or building quantum hardware, each has translated research into scalable, real-world solutions.
Spin-offs are no longer side projects. They are the new frontier of tech transfer, where science and startup ambition meet to create tomorrow’s global leaders.
👉 Download the full report to see the full company list, insights, and emerging trends shaping 2025.
