Railpen calls for new UK Scale-Up fund to keep pace with best in Europe
Anna Rule, Director of Private Markets and Real Assets at Railpen, tells Business Weekly: “This will ensure a seamless ecosystem from startup to IPO and beyond and keep pace with competition from similar initiatives launching soon in the Eurozone.
“With our experience managing a £34 billion pension fund and our long-term investments in innovation businesses and the supporting real estate and infrastructure, we are well-positioned to support UK innovators in scaling sustainably.
“Through our partnership with Innovate Cambridge, we have already launched The Glasshouse, providing a gateway for company founders and investors to meet and access the city’s vibrant innovation ecosystem.”
Rule has also given the thumbs-up to a government announcement of a £500 million package for the Oxford-Cambridge Corridor and Europe’s Silicon Valley, as No 10 hopes the area will become. She says: “Railpen’s deep understanding stems from our strategic investments within the Golden Triangle, the renowned science, technology, and innovation hub encompassing Cambridge, Oxford, and London. This includes our investments into companies like CMR Surgical and Oxford Nanopore.
“And as one of the largest investors in the IP Group, which owns Parkwalk – the UK’s most active investor in university spinout companies – we are actively engaged with the technology and life sciences sectors in the UK. The Government’s £500m funding announcement to create ‘Europe’s Silicon Valley’ helps support the exciting future ahead for this region.
“For over a decade, we have recognised the immense potential of the Cambridge-Oxford corridor and have continuously invested in creating spaces where innovation can flourish. Our investments, which span real estate, infrastructure and innovation, have generated thousands of jobs.
“In Cambridge, we are establishing an ‘innovation cluster’ comprising 11 assets with a total of 1.9 million sq. ft. of high-quality space, designed to meet current and future occupier needs. These assets include sustainable, amenity-rich workspaces, innovation facilities, build-to-rent homes, and community spaces.
“Notable developments in this cluster include Botanic Place, a 325,000 sq ft office campus for landmark company headquarters, and Mill Yard, Cambridge city centre’s first mixed-use campus near Mill Road.
“The first phase of transformation is underway at the Cambridge Retail Park, with a focus on creating a space where people enjoy spending time and coming back to. This includes increasing biodiversity, a play area for children and securing relocations for major brands such as Starbucks at the gateway of the site. Additionally, the Beehive site development, pending a decision from the Secretary of State, is part of our ongoing commitment to fostering innovation.
“As a significant investor in the city, we are dedicated to creating environments where companies can connect, collaborate, and drive innovation and productivity.”
