Sigma does its first university deal

After last week’s news of a big property deal, Sigma Technology has followed up with its first university spin-out deal. It has set up a long-term partnership with the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, which came top of a Times Higher Education Supplement survey of UK universities for income generated from commercial sales and consultancy. Sigma will get equity in spin-offs it helps to commercialise. It will also be setting up a fund to invest in RGU spin-out companies.

The news is very positive for Sigma. Strangely, though, there is no mention of IP2IPO, with whom Sigma established a partnership deal a year ago to exploit the Scottish university scene. Sigma is to change its name to Sigma Capital, which is a better reflection of the breadth of its business. Up from the 21p at which they were tipped here in August last year to a current 26p, the shares remain a hold.