Beyond the cutting edge: Why CPI Enterprises represents the next stage of CPI’s evolution

Part of that evolution involved the launch of CPI Enterprises in 2019. 

The venture capital and investor engagement arm of CPI, our goal is to leverage CPI’s world-class technical expertise, facilities and network to stimulate impactful investment into early-stage deep tech companies. 

That, on the surface, might seem like a strange move for an innovation catalyst like CPI. But for us, this is an innovative approach that follows the same principles that fuelled the launch of CPI all those years ago – to help innovators turn their ideas into a commercial reality. 

A unique approach to innovation

CPI was founded to support the growth and development of innovative companies, to help them bridge the so-called ​“valley of death” and translate innovative ideas from academia through to commercial reality. 

Our world-class technical expertise, facilities, and support are key to achieving this goal. But there’s another crucial component: investment.

Access to private investment is the lifeblood of many of these early-stage companies, so in many ways, CPI Enterprises is the natural evolution of CPI’s overall mission. It’s also truly unique. Though there are other innovation centres and Catapults designed to support early-stage companies, CPI is the only organisation that can invest directly into the companies it supports.

And it works.

To date, we’ve made 13 deep tech investments, including one successful exit. Our active portfolio spans multiple sectors and stages of development. But they all have one thing in common – and that’s a relationship with CPI so that we can support and be a part of their journey to commercialisation. 

Informed by expertise, driven by passion

At the beating heart of CPI Enterprises is an experienced investment team who have additional deep tech sector expertise. These are people who have been handpicked to deliver impactful investments. 

Like the scientists, technical, and support staff who work in other areas of CPI, they’re leading experts in their field. But the other thing they share with their colleagues is that same passion to foster innovation and support companies that are working to tackle some of the biggest challenges our society faces. 

That passion is what drove our work with Nuformix, a pharmaceutical development company targeting unmet needs in fibrosis and oncology via drug repurposing. Alongside the traditional support that CPI offered to help Nuformix’s management team bring their idea to life, CPI Enterprises worked to execute a number of strategic initiatives including its listing on the London Stock Exchange. In 2022, we realised our investment in the company, achieving a 14.3x return on investment. 

We’re also working with Qualus, a cleantech start-up that’s revolutionising the sustainability of leather production; BiologIC Technologies, an early-stage biomanufacturing business with the world’s first biocomputer; and DEScycle, a deep tech disruptor that’s changing the face of the $63 billion e‑waste industry.

For every one of the businesses we work with, we’re more than just an investor, we’re partners. We sit on boards, share our expertise and passion for their purpose, and help to facilitate access to the wider CPI ecosystem. It’s all part of our mission to drive growth and help more deep tech startups reach commercialisation. But more than that, it’s about following our heartfelt belief in what these companies are trying to achieve. 

Looking ahead

Though our little corner of the innovation ecosystem has only been in existence for a small proportion of CPI’s 20 years, you can expect us to play a big part in the next two decades of the organisation’s existence. 

Private investment is incentivised by public investment, and we don’t underestimate the vital role that we can play in supporting the growth of the UK’s economy, which goes hand-in-hand with enabling groundbreaking healthcare and sustainability innovations.

We’ve achieved so much in a short space of time, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. We have big plans for the future, continuing to support innovative companies and expanding our reach so that we can help more people make their ideas a reality. 

Here’s to the next 20 years!