Northern Gritstone announces expansion into the United States

Image by Gordon Mak (UnSplash)

After five years since its inception, Northern Gritstone is now taking the next step to commercialise world-class research by building its international presence, starting with the United States’ Bay Area.

Access to deeper pools of US capital, talent and networks will allow Northern Gritstone to help its portfolio companies accelerate their commercialisation and scaling ambitions.

“We are beginning the process by hiring a venture partner who will serve as a key differentiator, creating a smoother transition for our portfolio,” said Gritstone CEO Duncan Johnson.

Duncan told The Times’ Senior Reporter Jess Jones “We want to get more US capital [...] it means you can grow quicker, because [the US is] better at procuring, and their risk appetite for [investing in] technology is higher. It allows us to recruit more talent into our businesses.

He added, “[UK companies] trade at a discount in the US [...] and capital is good at finding opportunities. But you've got to make the effort to go and make it easy for them.”

The venture partner will help build a genuine owned presence in the US, defining a new chapter for the company.

The full Times interview with Duncan can be found here [paywall] Investment Firm To Open San Francisco Office To Fund UK Start-Ups.