Cambridge is one of the most dynamic and innovative places in Europe today. The Cambridge Cluster - also known as Silicon Fen – is home to more than 5,000 companies, employing 68,000 people. Capitalising on this economic strength is undoubtedly a key part of how the country will keep pace with a rapidly changing global economy.
tech: scaling up
Cambridge is one of the most dynamic and innovative places in Europe today. The Cambridge Cluster - also known as Silicon Fen – is home to more than 5,000 companies, employing 68,000 people. Capitalising on this economic strength is undoubtedly a key part of how the country will keep pace with a rapidly changing global economy.
For an innovation ecosystem to thrive you need a virtuous circle between start-ups, scale-ups, and established businesses - Cambridge is one of the few places in the world that has achieved this
Miles Kirby, CEO
DeepTech.labs
For an innovation ecosystem to thrive you need a virtuous circle between start-ups, scale-ups, and established businesses - Cambridge is one of the few places in the world that has achieved this
Miles Kirby, CEO
DeepTech.labs
According to the annual Tech Nation report, Cambridge attracted £217m in VC investment in 2020, joining Oxford, Bristol and Edinburgh at the top for tech investment outside London.
Today, the region has become a key target for US tech giants seeking to buy top British talent, much of which has come to the region thanks to the University of Cambridge. University spinouts, which drag exciting new technology out of the university campus and into start-ups, have proven a vital route for investment. But the flow of students into the area has also been a major reason for Cambridge’s success.
Once the start-ups grow large enough, they become the perfect vehicles for Silicon Valley giants to buy to form a ready-made Cambridge outpost formed of local employees who don’t have to uproot their lives to the US.
Driving innovation with medical and health technology is a key strength of Cambridge alongside deep technology involving semiconductor ships and developing breakthrough hardware.
geospock.com
GeoSpock: the key to unlocking value from data
GeoSpock DB is the space-time analytics database that brings sensor data to life, harnessing trillions of data points to rapidly translate real-world complexity into valuable commercial insights.
Cambridge is a unique innovation hub, with a perfect combination of academic excellence and world-class science and technology – underpinned by a network of angel investors.
Steve Marsh, Founder and CEO
telensa.com
The global #1 in smart street lighting systems
Telensa PLANet® is the world’s most deployed smart streetlight solution, with a footprint of 2 million lights. Telensa’s Urban IQ system builds on the compelling business case for smart street lighting to provide cities and utilities with an open, low-cost platform to add multiple sensor applications. Telensa is based in Cambridge in the UK, and manufactures with Sony UK Tech in Pencoed, Wales. We also have regional operations in the USA and Australia.
riverlane.com
Riverlane unleashes the power of quantum computers
Riverlane builds ground-breaking software that transforms quantum computers from experimental technology into commercial products.
As a spin-out from the University, Riverlane have gained leverage from the world-class network of experts and support systems that make up the vibrant Cambridge ecosystem.
Dr Steve Brierley, CEO & Founder
kaodata.com
High performance computing at industrial scale
Kao Data operate an industrial scale data centre campus close to Cambridge. We provide a resilient, scalable and sustainable home for Cambridge’s high performance computing demands.
High performance computing underpins Cambridge’s science and research clusters. Our close proximity to this world-class research community is central to Kao Data’s continued growth and expansion.
Lee Myall, CEO
Highlight
- The impact for scale-ups in Cambridge is enormous. According to Cambridge Insights the Technology sector is key to the Cambridge Phenomenon with over 3000 companies employing 22,000 with a turnover in excess of £5 billion a year (2019-2020).
Cambridge ideas change the world is an oft used phrase, but it is especially true in deep tech. The worldwide impact of the self-sustaining Cambridge cluster has been transformational, amazing for a town of around 150,000 people. Starting in the 1970s the cluster has gone from strength to strength – with iconic businesses in chip design, devices, software, AI, wireless technology and more
Robert Driver, Head of UK5G
View Tech championsNotable recent highlights
Green Tech / Jet Zero
For the last 50 years the Whittle Laboratory, in the University of Cambridge, has been the world’s leading jet propulsion laboratory. This centre of excellence extends across the Cambridge ecosystem, as demonstrated by Faradair’s July 2020 announcement that it will move its headquarters to Cambridge to develop the world’s most environmentally friendly aeroplane. The Faradair Bioelectric Hybrid Aircraft is scheduled for its first maiden flight in 2023-24, and will enable quiet, green, regional air transport for all.
University’s expertise advises on West Cambridge Site trial of self-driving shuttle
Other needs for this sector
Cambridge& is here to help
A warm welcome to Cambridge&. We look forward to working with you in accessing the Greater Cambridge ecosystem, to support your plans for locating, partnering and/or scaling here. Cambridge is a safe place to do risky things – for the good of the world.
If you would like to discuss anything please send me a message through the form or give me a call on +44 (0) 7585 290733
Best wishes
Duncan
Duncan McCunn
CEO
Cambridge&