20

Startup support programmes

Cambridge’s climate innovation ecosystem fuels global impact by connecting visionary startups with world-class programmes, mentorship, and resources to scale solutions with purpose.

  1. Accelerate Cambridge
    Host
    Judge Business School
    Ecosystem companies supported
    7
    Access to
    • Business education/mentorship
    • Co-working space
    • Mentorship
    • Office spaces
    Summary
    The programme focuses on helping businesses develop products and distribute them.
    Website
    www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/entrepreneurship/programmes/accelerate-cambridge/programmes/
  2. Accelerate Cambridge- Pre-Accelerate
    Host
    Judge Business School
    Ecosystem companies supported
    1
    Access to
    • Business education/mentorship
    • Co-working space
    • Mentorship
    • Office spaces
    Summary
    The programme is for very early-stage businesses, focusing on product and IP development.
    Website
    www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/entrepreneurship/programmes/accelerate-cambridge/programmes/
  3. Accelerate Cambridge-Plus
    Host
    Judge Business School
    Ecosystem companies supported
    4
    Access to
    • Business education/mentorship
    • Co-working space
    • Mentorship
    • Office spaces
    Summary
    The programme focuses on helping businesses to take products to market and fundraising.
    Website
    www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/entrepreneurship/programmes/accelerate-cambridge/programmes/
  4. Allia Impact Accelerator
    Host
    Allia
    Ecosystem companies supported
    6
    Access to
    • Network
    • Finance
    • Network
    • Co-working space
    • Mentorship
    • Workshops
    Summary
    The programme is for late pre-seed or seed impact UK-based start-ups.
    Website
    www.allia.org.uk
  5. Aviation Impact Accelerator
    Host
    The Canopy at CISL
    Ecosystem companies supported
    1
    Access to
    • Network
    • Technical expertise/technical support
    • Corporate resources
    Summary
    The programme supports aviation stakeholders and innovators in developing evidence‑based tools and strategies for climate‑neutral flight.
    Website
    aiazero.org/
  6. Barn4 – Agritech Incubator
    Host
    NIAB
    Ecosystem companies supported
    6
    Access to
    • Office spaces
    • Workshops
    • Technical expertise/technical support
    • Network
    • Mentorship
    Summary
    The programme is for agritech start-ups and SMEs, focusing on supporting technology-driven agricultural innovation through access to research facilities, field trials, and industry networks.
    Website
    www.niab.com/barn4-agritech-incubator
  7. BRAN Investments Accelerator Challenge​
    Host
    Allia
    Ecosystem companies supported
    1
    Access to
    • Network
    • Finance
    • Mentorship
    • Workshops
    Summary
    The programme aims to support companies that are addressing issues that will have a positive impact on humanity and the environment.
    Website
    www.allia.org.uk
  8. Canopy Sustainability Accelerators
    Host
    The Canopy at CISL
    Ecosystem companies supported
    18
    Access to
    • Network
    • Mentorship
    • Workshops
    • Office spaces
    • Funding schemes
    Summary
    The programme aims to accelerate sustainability-led innovation by helping startups and SMEs develop and scale solutions that tackle critical environmental and social challenges.
    Website
    www.cisl.cam.ac.uk/innovation/accelerator-programmes-and-events
  9. Climate Accelerator
    Host
    Allia
    Ecosystem companies supported
    3
    Access to
    • Network
    • Business advice/mentorship
    • Mentorship
    • Workshops
    Summary
    The programme is for start-ups developing innovative climate technology that tackles climate change.
    Website
    www.allia.org.uk
  10. Deeptech Labs
    Host
    Deeptech Labs
    Ecosystem companies supported
    7
    Access to
    • Network
    • Finance
    • Mentorship
    • Workshops
    Summary
    The programme is designed for startups developing deeptech technologies.
    Website
    www.dtl.vc
  11. Founders Start 1.0 Accelerator
    Host
    Cambridge Enterprise, Founders at the University of Cambridge
    Ecosystem companies supported
    4
    Access to
    • Network
    • Finance
    • Mentorship
    • Office spaces
    • Workshops
    Summary
    The programme is for Cambridge University technology startups.
    Website
    www.founders.cam.ac.uk/founders/
  12. Illumina Accelerator Cambridge
    Host
    Illumina
    Ecosystem companies supported
    1
    Access to
    • Network
    • Finance
    • Business advice/mentorship
    • Mentorship
    • Office spaces
    • Technical expertise/technical support
    Summary
    The programme is for genomics-based startups and takes an 8% stake in each attendee company.
    Website
    www.illumina.com/science/accelerator.html
  13. Imagine IF!
    Host
    Innovation Forum
    Ecosystem companies supported
    1
    Access to
    • Mentorship
    • Workshops
    • Funding schemes
    Summary
    The programme is for early-stage, science-based ventures in life sciences and healthtech, aiming to accelerate the development of innovative healthcare solutions.
    Website
    www.inno-forum.org/accelerator-3/
  14. Impact55
    Host
    HCR Law
    Ecosystem companies supported
    1
    Access to
    • Legal advice
    • Mentorship
    • Business advice/mentorship
    • Capital awards
    Summary
    The programme aims to support East Anglian start-ups using technology to create a positive social or environmental change.
    Website
    www.hcrlaw.com/impact55/
  15. Impulse Program
    Host
    Maxwell Centre
    Ecosystem companies supported
    13
    Access to
    • Mentorship
    • Business advice/mentorship
    • Network
    • Workshops
    • Office spaces
    • Funding schemes
    Summary
    The programme supports researchers and innovators in technology and life sciences to commercialise their ideas through mentorship, business development, and access to Cambridge’s innovation networks.
    Website
    www.maxwell.cam.ac.uk/programmes/impulse
  16. Qi3 Accelerator Bootcamp
    Host
    Qi3 , ideaSpace
    Ecosystem companies supported
    1
    Access to
    • Funding schemes
    • Mentorship
    • Workshops
    Summary
    The programme is focussed on making businesses investment ready.
  17. Serious Impact Cambridge
    Host
    Allia
    Ecosystem companies supported
    6
    Access to
    • Network
    • Business education/mentorship
    • Office spaces
    • Workshops
    • Business advice/mentorship
    Summary
    The programme’s focus is on developing businesses that will bring jobs into to the local economy.
    Website
    www.allia.org.uk
  18. SuperCluster ClimAccelerator
    Host
    Cambridge Cleantech
    Ecosystem companies supported
    1
    Access to
    • Network
    • Mentorship
    • Business education/mentorship
    • Business advice/mentorship
    • Technical expertise/technical support
    • Funding schemes
    • Climate impact assessment
    Summary
    The programme aims to accelerate high-impact industrial decarbonisation startups, helping them develop and scale deep-tech solutions to reduce carbon emissions.
    Website
    www.climatetechsupercluster.com/supercluster-climaccelerator
  19. The Venture Launchpad
    Host
    Carbon13
    Ecosystem companies supported
    13
    Access to
    • Network
    • Finance
    • Mentorship
    • Workshops
    Summary
    This programme is designed for software or deep-tech/science-based companies that are working towards reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
    Website
    www.carbonthirteen.com/programmes/venture-launchpad/
  20. Venture Builder Cambridge
    Host
    Carbon13
    Ecosystem companies supported
    34
    Access to
    • Finance
    • Business advice/mentorship
    • Funding schemes
    • Mentorship
    • Stipend
    Summary
    The programme is for companies with an idea to reduce carbon emissions.
    Website
    www.carbonthirteen.com/programmes/venture-builder-cambridge/