UI Global

What UI Global does

UI Global (legal name: UI Global Inc., DBA: University Innovations Global) is a global innovation consultancy and venture studio founded in 2021 and headquartered in the greater New York area as a registered Benefit Corporation. The company operates across 17+ countries and 6 continents through a distributed network of regional directors, expert advisors, and associates, delivering services to four primary customer segments: universities and their technology transfer offices, international corporations seeking external R&D partners, startups and spinouts, and regional/national ecosystem development organizations. Its offering is structured around three flagship support channels — UI Connect (a university-industry collaboration platform with TTO capacity-building tooling), UI Strategies (ecosystem analysis, impact assessment, and strategic planning), and UI SouthVation (regional programs in the Global South aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals, focused on food, beverage, health, and wellbeing using indigenous ingredients and local R&D).

The company's product surface spans UI Impact Venture Studio (services plus capital-for-equity from concept through Series A), UI Lab to Market (university commercialization services led by a Registered Technology Transfer Professional), UI Lift Virtual Accelerator (a five-week intensive program), UI Learn (coaching and Design Thinking training), and UI Conversations (expert-led webinars). Core partnerships include universities such as MIT, University of Strathclyde, Tshwane University of Technology, University of Queensland, UMass Boston, University of Eastern Finland, and JKUAT, plus ecosystem organizations including Edinburgh Innovations, SANBio, PharmaConnect Africa, Global Foodnet, and the Australian Institute for Commercialisation. UI Global does not publicly disclose pricing; revenue is generated through bespoke consultancy engagements, accelerator program fees, training and coaching contracts, and equity arrangements within the venture studio, with no external private equity or venture capital rounds disclosed to date.

Name

UI Global

Legal name

UI Global Inc.

Website

https://ui-global.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

UI Global is a 2021-founded, US-headquartered Benefit Corporation operating as a global innovation consultancy and venture studio, providing IP commercialization, venture acceleration, and ecosystem development services to universities, corporations, startups, and regional development agencies across 17+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices18 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional Services & Consultancy: UI Global delivers enterprise growth services including ecosystem analysis and planning, impact assessment, business development, strategic planning, IP commercialization, and customized program delivery. Revenue is generated through consultancy engagements and bespoke coaching programs.
2. Venture Studio – Services and Capital for Equity: UI Impact Venture Studio provides services and capital for equity in early-stage ventures, operating between concept and Series A. This creates a blended revenue model combining fee-for-service with equity upside.
3. Accelerator Programs: UI Lift Virtual Accelerator provides structured startup acceleration programs. Programs are delivered to cohorts of startups sourced internationally, with services embedded in virtually every UI product.
4. Training and Capacity Building: UI Learn delivers coaching and specialist mentoring services including Design Thinking, Future Skills, IP Commercialization, and Innovation & Risk programs, either standalone or embedded in broader engagements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

UI Global is an innovation consultancy and venture studio that helps universities commercialize intellectual property, connects corporations with university research partners, and supports early-stage startups through accelerator programs and venture studio services. It operates three primary support channels (UI Connect, UI Strategies, UI SouthVation) and delivers enterprise growth services through its Impact Venture Studio, operating between concept and Series A stages with services and capital for equity.

Product overview

UI Global operates as a multi-product innovation services company with three primary support channels: UI Connect (university-industry collaboration platform), UI Strategies (ecosystem analysis and planning), and UI Southvation (Global South regional programs). The company delivers enterprise growth services through its Impact Venture Studio, which creates and scales new businesses between concept and Series A stage. Supporting programs include UI Lab to Market for university commercialization, UI Lift virtual accelerator, and UI Design Thinking/Bespoke Training. The offering combines Capital Coaching & Consultancy with IP Commercialization and Ecosystem Development services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UI Connect: Platform facilitating global partnerships between universities and industries for collaboration, innovation and new business opportunities
• UI Strategies
• UI Southvation
• UI Lift
• UI Impact Venture Studio
• UI Lab to Market
• UI Learn
• UI Conversations

Products and services

• UI Connect A platform that facilitates seamless collaboration between universities and small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for research and development projects. UI Connect builds global partnerships between universities and industries, supports TTO capacity, and connects university-sponsored innovations with funders, industry, and the wider community.
• UI Strategies Expert services in ecosystem analysis and planning, impact assessment, business development, strategic planning, and customized program delivery for innovation ecosystems and clients.
• UI SouthVation Bespoke regional programs and innovation support in the Global South. The program aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and focuses on new technologies in food, beverage, health, and wellbeing utilizing indigenous ingredients and local R&D.
• UI Impact Venture Studio A venture studio creating and scaling new businesses built on innovations, operating between concept and Series A. Provides a suite of goal-driven services to start-ups including services and capital for equity, addressing the gap in venture creation and acceleration.
• UI Lab to Market University commercialization services led by a Registered Technology Transfer Professional and UK Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence, supporting university KE & TT Offices, high-growth spinouts, and enterprise training.
• UI Lift Virtual Accelerator A virtual accelerator program providing five weeks of intensive support to early-stage companies. Most recent cohorts have included companies from Israel, South Africa, USA, and Canada. The program covers Design Thinking and Science Communication.
• UI Learn Coaching and specialist mentoring services delivered by UI Global team leaders, customized to client needs. Programs include Design Thinking, Future Skills, Commercializing IP, and Innovation and Risk, available as standalone offerings or embedded in broader engagements.
• UI Design Thinking and Bespoke Training Training programs delivered on 1:1 or group basis suited for early-stage start-ups and university spin-outs. Programs include Design Thinking, Business Canvas, Future Skills, and Innovation Communications and Risk.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40+ universities identified for a single global pharma/medtech client, narrowed to 8 final prospects with relevant expertise
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tshwane University of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUI Global partnered with Tshwane University of Technology's Entrepreneurship Programme on a seven-module Design Thinking course, supported by PharmaConnect Africa. This partnership is central to the SouthVation initiative focused on innovation in the Global South.
• Edinburgh InnovationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEdinburgh Innovations is the commercialization arm of the University of Edinburgh. Andrew Powell serves as one of three Global Senior International Industry Advisors to Edinburgh Innovations.
• Southern Africa Network for Biosciences (SanNBIO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUI Global worked alongside SanNBIO as part of the SouthVation initiative focused on Africa's neglected crops and indigenous foods contributing to UN SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
• PharmaConnect AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUI Global worked alongside PharmaConnect Africa as part of the SouthVation initiative, and PharmaConnect Africa also supported the Design Thinking program with Tshwane University of Technology.
• Global FoodnetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Foodnet brings together food innovators in Kenya, southern Africa, Peru, and Finland to develop foods from indigenous ingredients using indigenous knowledge. UI Global is a key partner in organizing Global Foodnet webinars and the SouthVation Challenge.
• University of Eastern FinlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Eastern Finland is a partner in Global Foodnet and SouthVation. Roseanna Avento is Global Development Manager at the University of Eastern Finland and is active in UI Global initiatives.
• Centre of Innovation for Andean Grains (CIINCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIINCA at Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina (Peru) is a Global Foodnet and SouthVation Challenge partner focused on indigenous food innovation in the Andean region.
• Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJKUAT is a Global Foodnet and SouthVation Challenge partner in Kenya, contributing to indigenous food innovation across Africa.
• Australian Institute for Commercialisation (AIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRob Geddes, Director – Australia at UI Global, is also Executive Director of the Australian Institute for Commercialisation. This dual role creates a strong strategic alignment between UI Global and AIC.
• MentorShopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBob Creighton, Founder & CEO of UI Global, also serves as Chairman of MentorShop, a co-located US and European business development consultancy.
• Asia BioBusiness Pte. Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAndrew Powell, Director – South East Asia at UI Global, is also CEO of Asia BioBusiness Pte. Ltd. in Singapore, specializing in the agriculture and food sectors with clients across private and public sectors.
• University of EdinburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAndrew Powell serves as Global Senior International Industry Advisor to Edinburgh Innovations, the commercialization arm of the University of Edinburgh. UI Global has worked with Edinburgh on spinout facilitation (e.g., PlusPEP and BiaGo Ltd).
• Do NorthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJared Reynolds, Expert Advisor Innovation – USA at UI Global, leads Do North, an organization supporting entrepreneurship and innovation in rural northern Vermont.
• 511 InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRobert Goodfellow, Director – University Partnerships at UI Global, is also Director of 511 Innovation, a UK specialist company supporting technology transfer, business development, knowledge exchange, and new business ventures.
• Smyrna LabsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElías Tefarikis, Expert Advisor Innovation – Central and South America at UI Global, is founder of Smyrna Labs, an innovation consulting firm specialized in innovation ecosystems and technology entrepreneurship.
• Capital Stack InvestorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEli Velasquez, Innovation & Investment Advisor at UI Global, is also founder & CEO of Capital Stack Investors, a global innovation and venture advisory firm.
• NewTalentsNowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDora Hormes, Expert Advisor Innovation – Europe at UI Global, is founder of NewTalentsNow, a consulting firm specializing in strategic academic partnerships for innovation and talent development.
• Kobe GlobalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoseanna Avento, active UI Global colleague, is Founder of Kobe Global working on the interface of sustainable community development, nature conservation, and indigenous knowledge.
• University of LiverpoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKashmir Gill, Expert Advisor Innovation – Canada at UI Global, serves as Council Member of the University of Liverpool, UK.
• Royal Society of EdinburghminorOthersListed among university and institutional partners. Robert Goodfellow is a UK Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• MassChallenge: Global nonprofit startup accelerator with programs in the US, UK, Switzerland, Israel, Mexico, and emerging markets. Direct overlap with UI Lift in virtual/international cohort design and equity-free accelerator model.
• Capital Factory: Texas-based innovation hub and accelerator serving startups and corporate innovation partners with mentorship, programs and events. Comparable in accelerator/services hybrid model and ecosystem-development focus.
• L Marks: UK corporate innovation accelerator that has run numerous sector-specific cohorts (retail, fintech, industry) with large enterprise partners. Closely comparable in accelerator/venture service design and enterprise GTM.
• Digital Catapult: UK government-backed technology and innovation accelerator that works with corporates, startups and academia to commercialise emerging tech. Comparable in operating accelerators, ecosystem programs and university-industry collaboration.
• NUMA (formerly Le Camping / NUMA Paris): Global startup accelerator and corporate innovation consultancy with hubs in Paris, Mexico City and multiple emerging markets. Comparable to UI Global in combining virtual/onsite accelerators, venture studio services, and corporate ecosystem programs across regions.
• Highline Beta: Toronto-based corporate venture studio that builds and funds startups alongside Fortune 500 partners. Comparable to UI Global's Impact Venture Studio model of services-plus-equity engagements with corporations and spinouts.
• Mind the Bridge: San Francisco- and Milan-based consultancy/think-tank that connects corporates with startups and runs international innovation programs (Open Innovation, Scaleup to Europe/US/UK). Closely mirrors UI Global's cross-border university-to-corporate bridge model and bespoke program delivery.

Emerging players

• Springboard Enterprises: US-based accelerator network for high-growth (often life-sciences and femtech) startups, with mentor and corporate connectivity. Partial overlap with UI Global's UI Lift cohort design and global mentor network model.

Broad incumbents

• MaRS Discovery District: Large Toronto innovation hub combining advisory services, accelerators, and policy advisory for startups and corporates. Comparable in mission and audience (universities, startups, corporates) but operates at significantly greater scale as a regional incumbent.
• Innovate UK (Catapult Network): UKRI's innovation arm running the Catapult Network of technology and innovation centers with academic and corporate partners. Adjacent reference point for UI Global's KE/TT and ecosystem-development mandate in the UK.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ui-global
• Xx.com/uisglobal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UI Global