Heriot-Watt has emerged as one of the most successful universities in the UK in creating 'spin-out' companies, along with Edinburgh, Strathclyde, Aberdeen and Glasgow universities.
The findings appear in a study conducted by PraxisUnico in collaboration with Young Company Finance magazine, which provides a detailed analysis of all spin-outs and start-up companies emerging from UK universities and research institutes since 2000.
Scottish universities lead the way
The report shows that Scottish universities are leading the way in this sector, producing 284 spin-outs since 2,000, with 29 spin-out and start-up companies being created between 2010 and 2012.
Heriot-Watt University formed its first spin-out in 1971 and has since gone on to create 35 spin-out companies, 70% of which are either trading or have successfully exited.