Frontier IP explores Portugal more

UK-based commercialisation firm Frontier IP signed a partnership agreement with the UK Department for International Trade (DIT) on Thursday to strengthen its position in Portugal.

The partnership will give Frontier IP access to strategic support from the British Embassy in Lisbon, including regular meetings with DIT officials and the ambassador, Kirsty Hayes.

Frontier IP will also gain Portuguese contacts in the form of potential industry partners and decision makers key to the country’s government and economy.

The firm expects to announce its first Portugal-based spinout soon. It has two formal relationships in place, with Universidade de Nova de Lisboa’s Faculty of Science and Technology and Universidade de Évora, and is discussing additional agreements.

The firm views Portugal as a promising research base with successful businesses in areas including paper, cork and renewable energy. Its capital markets event at the British Ambassador’s residence in Lisbon was attended by more than 70 investors, government officials and academics.

The company’s portfolio value soared 49% year-on-year to hit $11.3m at the end of December 2017, a result attributed to its appreciated investments.

Frontier IP has tapped DIT’s assistance previously, having partnered aerospace technology manufacturer Israel Aerospace Industries as the result of a UK trade mission to Israel in 2016.

Hayes said: “We are very proud to witness Frontier IP’s growth in Portugal and the increasing number of projects they are working with and currently managing.

“Frontier IP plays a key role in stimulating a two-way flow of knowledge and brings a wealth of expertise into the commercialisation of IP, narrowing the gap between university research and successful commercial products.

“We now welcome Frontier IP as one of our strategic partners, which is also a recognition for DIT’s support to the company for the past two and a half years.”