FRONTIER IP, the Edinburgh-based company that helps universities and businesses commercialise and exploit their intellectual property, has signed its first deal with an overseas university.

The company will be helping the Universidade de Évora, Portugal’s second oldest university, with the spin-off and licensing activities emerging from its research programmes.

Frontier IP said Portugal had a strong research base in sustainable energy, food and agriculture, complimenting the company’s relationships with utility groups in the region – Energias de Portugal and Iberdrola.

Frontier IP will receive a share of the equity in each spin-off company created by the University, as well as a share in the licensing revenue it receives.