11 Nov 2021

University Bridge Fund Wins “Fundraising of the Year” at the 2021 GUV Awards

University Bridge Fund Wins “Fundraising of the Year” at the 2021 GUV Awards

Dr. Helen McBreen accepting the Fundraising of the Year Award on behalf of the University Bridge Fund

Atlantic Bridge is pleased to share that the University Fund won “Fundraising of the Year” at the Global University Venturing Awards 2021 which took place on November 4th in London.

We have invested in more than 35 companies to date who have raised over €320m in financing. University Fund I has played a vital role in helping Ireland’s most promising innovators on their path to global success – an achievement that the University Fund II, launched earlier this year, is set to build upon. Focusing on deep tech, the University Fund II will continue the work done by its predecessor in applying an effective approach to start-ups and spinouts in Ireland.

Dr. Helen McBreen was present to accept the award on behalf of Atlantic Bridge.  “The Bridge model involves very high-touch, deep operational expertise being applied to the companies we invest in,” explained Helen. “We also connect those companies with our global investment teams located in London, California, Paris and Munich, and also with our partner fund in Beijing.” She added: “At Atlantic Bridge, we are committed to developing deep relationships and networks between our universities and investment and corporate partners creating a vital investment fund in the Irish ecosystem focused on commercialising our cutting edge deep-tech innovations.”

Fund II has received capital commitments from the European Investment Fund, Enterprise Ireland, Allied Irish Banks, and three Irish academic institutions, namely University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork.