Ithaka clients include more than 25 UK Universities, for example: Cambridge, Imperial College, Manchester; a range of growing companies (e.g. Ampika, Cambridge Research Biochemicals Creative Gene Technology, CrossGen, Haptogen, Psynova Neurotech, Smart Holograms, Theryte and Ziva Bioscience); investment funds (e.g. University of Cambridge Challenge Fund, NESTA, NVM Private Equity and YFM Private Equity); Regional Development Agencies (e.g One NorthEast, Scottish Enterprise) and other public sector bodies (e.g. The Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences, BioProcessUK, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and UK Medical Research Council). Eight companies have been founded and financed, and significant corporate deals have been executed. Ithaka has helped its clients raise over £20 million of funding.

Ithaka has a proven track record when dealing with young companies. Examples of our current successes are listed below.

		Ithaka case studies (pdf - 41Kb)
		Ithaka university spin out experience (pdf - 33Kb)

Early Stage Case Study

Assignment:

1. To carry out due diligence for a seed fund on a cancer therapeutics opportunity, Spear Therapeutics.

2. To develop a strategy and write a business plan for the company.

Results:
The due diligence identified complementary technology in a second academic organisation. A deal was negotiated to bring the two technologies together in the start-up company, a business plan completed and seed financing of £600,000 completed.

Duration:
Due diligence: 3 months.
Negotiating deal and writing business plan: 3 months.
Seed finance: 3 months.

Interim Management Case Study

Assignment:
Interim management and strategic direction for Smart Holograms. During the establishment of the business Paul Rodgers of Ithaka was initially the CEO and subsequently Chairman of the Board. Currently Paul is a non-executive director with particular responsibility for the company’s IP portfolio.

Results:
To date, the Company’s technology has attracted venture capital, government grants and industry funding of over £18 million in its core science base and business. Assignment of patents and an intellectual property pipeline agreement negotiated with the University
Full time CEO and Chairman recruited for next phase of company development.
First product scheduled for launch in 2008.

Duration:
48 months

University spinout company

Assignment:
Establishment and early fundraising for Psynova Neurotech, a new start-up from Cambridge University.

Results:
Ithaka drafted the business plan for the new spin-out Company, assisted setting up the Company and currently provides management services to the Company.

Paul Rodgers of Ithaka is Chairman of the Board and steered the Company through its first funding round.

The Company is now operational and has attracted £2.25 million from venture capital sources.

Duration:
Writing business plan: 3 months.
Company set up and first round fundraising: 9 months