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
    Founders at the University of Cambridge, delivered by Cambridge Enterprise
    Ecosystem companies supported
    4
    Access to
    • Network
    • Finance
    • Mentorship
    • Office spaces
    • Workshops
    Summary
    This programme is for founders at the University of Cambridge, equipping them for growth through capital investment, multi-stage programmes, intensive mentoring, and access to a global community of experts.
    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/