ABOUT US
The partner of choice
— for Technology Entrepreneurs, Academics and Inventors based in the North of England.
Helping to develop their enterprises into world-class businesses, always with a focus on profit with purpose.
By backing founders and entrepreneurs to create the businesses of tomorrow from the world-class science that exists in the North of England today, Northern Gritstone seeks to deliver attractive returns to shareholders as well as helping catalyse the Northern tech ecosystem. This will enable our portfolio companies, as well as other early-stage technology businesses in the region, to fulfil their potential. Over time we will help create a Silicon Valley of the North.
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What we look for
We are focused on supporting visionary companies with strong intellectual property which have the ambition to positively change the world, particularly in the areas of deep technology and life sciences.
We have the patience, capital and resources to support companies from their early stages to later growth and seek to be long-term partners of the businesses we back.
When assessing new opportunities, we look for exceptional:
Teams
Technology
Business models that can deliver both profit and purpose
Market potential
—
What we look for
We are focused on supporting visionary companies with strong intellectual property which have the ambition to positively change the world, particularly in the areas of deep technology and life sciences.
We have the patience, capital and resources to support companies from their early stages to later growth and seek to be long-term partners of the businesses we back.
When assessing new opportunities, we look for exceptional:
Teams
Technology
Business models that can deliver both profit and purpose
Market potential
—
Founding universities
Northern Gritstone was established with the assistance of the Universities of Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield with the dual purpose of supporting the commercialisation of science and IP-rich businesses originating from these institutions alongside funding the development of similar businesses based across the North of England. All three of the founding universities are members of the prestigious Russell Group and feature in the top 100 universities globally (QS World University Rankings).
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The University of Manchester is a global institution, with a reputation for education and innovation. The University is at the heart of Manchester and is regarded as being amongst the world’s most ambitious universities.
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The University of Leeds, established in 1904, is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK. Leeds combines research excellence and innovation, transformative student education, and knowledge exchange.
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The University of Sheffield has a proud history of discovery, innovation and social change. In 1930, it pioneered the very first medical use of penicillin, while more recently researchers developed a lifesaving drug for the treatment of ovarian and breast cancer.
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Shareholders
Northern Gritstone is an independent business owned by its management team, a series of blue chip institutions, several of the largest local authority pension funds in the North of England as well as a number of high net worth individuals. Northern Gritstone’s founding university partners each have a small shareholding.
All our investors are committed to Northern Gritstone’s core philosophy of profit with purpose:
Delivering attractive returns to our shareholders at the same time as a wider positive, societal and economic impact, including supporting Levelling Up and high-skilled job creation in the North of England.
| Northern Gritstone 2023 Investor Day Highlights
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Governance
The Company recognises the importance of sound corporate governance. The Company operates the following governance committees:
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Responsible for the day-to-day running of the Company and the execution of its strategy.
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The Board has delegated authority for making all normal course investment, divestment and follow-on investment decisions in subsidiaries and other companies to the Investment Committee.
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Responsible for ensuring that the financial performance of the Company is appropriately reported and reviewed.
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Responsible for determining the Company’s policy on Executive remuneration.
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Responsible for designing and overseeing the Company’s Purpose & Impact strategy, providing specialist input and review as required.
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Responsible for reviewing the valuations of the Company’s subsidiaries and other investments on a half yearly basis (and otherwise on an exceptional basis).
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Reports and presentations
Latest Interim Report
Purpose & Impact Policy
Latest Annual Report
Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
