24th Apr 2006 07:02
Sigma Technology Group PLC24 April 2006 For Immediate Release 24 April 2006 SIGMA TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC ("Sigma" or the "Company") Heads of Agreement signed on 25 Year Partnership with the Robert Gordon University Sigma Technology Group plc, the investment management and corporate advisorygroup that currently focuses on three areas: specialist fund management,property and the commercialisation of university intellectual property (IP),today announces that it has signed Heads of Agreement for a long-termpartnership with the Robert Gordon University ("RGU" or the "University"). Thepartnership is being formed to maximise the commercial value of technologiesdeveloped by RGU. The partnership is in line with Sigma's strategy of deepeningand formalising relationships with the university sector. The University has three faculties: Design and Technology, Health and SocialCare and Aberdeen Business School. The partnership is planned to cover allthree faculties of RGU, areas of particular interest include the researchstrengths in Energy and the Environment and Health and Welfare. Under the Heads of Agreement, Sigma has agreed to help the University identifyand progress commercialisation opportunities. For these services, Sigma willreceive equity in spin-out companies supported at the time that the company isestablished and a share of licensing income. The partnership has a term of 25years. It is intended to establish a fund, to be managed by Sigma Technology ManagementLimited, for investment in RGU spin out companies. Graham Barnet, Sigma's Managing Director, commented, "We are very pleased to beentering into this wider partnership with the Robert Gordon University. We haveestablished an excellent working relationship with the University whosecommercial working approach, together with this partnership and a fund, willprovide an excellent platform for generating further value through spin-outcompanies and licensing." Prof Jim Penman (Vice Principal Research and Commercialisation) said "Thispartnership represents an outstanding opportunity for The Robert GordonUniversity and will assist with the future development of the economy. Itemphasises once again the University's focus on applicable research and ourlinks with industry and commerce." ENDS ContactSigma Technology Group plcGraham Barnet, Joint Managing Director 0131 220 9444 Buchanan CommunicationsDiane Stewart/Isabel Podda/Amy Rajendran 0207 466 5000 Notes to Editors About Sigma Technology Sigma Technology Group plc is an investment management and corporate advisorygroup. It currently focuses on three areas: specialist fund management, propertyand Universities. Sigma was founded in 1997 by Graham Barnet and Neil Crabb. It manages thirdparty funds as well as investing as principal alongside third party investorsthrough its investment in its venture capital funds; the Sigma TechnologyVenture Fund (the "Venture Fund"), the Sigma Innovation Fund (East of Scotland)(the "Innovation Fund") and the Sigma Sustainable Energies Fund ("SSEF"). Thesehave £29m of funds under management. Its property activities are through its subsidiary, Strategic InvestmentManagement Limited, which has raised funds of £122m since September 2002. The Robert Gordon University The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, is one of the oldest technologyinstitutes in the UK. It has a national and international reputation forexcellence in the provision of highly relevant professional education deliveringmore than 300 courses to approximately 12,000 full and part-time students. RGUcame top in an independent Times Higher Education Supplement survey of UKUniversities, with the highest income generated from business through commercialsales and consultancy, generating over £42 million in 5 years from this activityalone. For further information on the University, contact: Helen Mill Commercialisation DirectorThe Robert Gordon UniversityCREDOSchoolhillAberdeenAB10 1FR 01224 262023 www.rgu.ac.uk This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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