Founders at the University of Cambridge
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GUIDE BRILLIANT MINDS THROUGH GROUNDBREAKING JOURNEYS.

A WORLD-CLASS GLOBAL
NETWORK WORKING TO INSPIRE
THE NEXT GENERATION OF
ENTREPRENEURIAL TALENT

Founders at the University of Cambridge Community is a diverse network of next generation change makers. University-led innovation has a pivotal role to play in society’s response to the complex challenges facing humanity. With future-focused change as a priority, Founders at the University of Cambridge is the new strategic initiative to support, fund and accelerate spin-outs and start-ups from the University.

WHY?

Positively impact the next generation of Cambridge University linked entrepreneurs. Every member of the Founders at the University of Cambridge Community will bring something unique to this global network through their journey, experience and expertise. With your involvement, Founders at the University of Cambridge will use all of Cambridge’s expertise to accelerate the impact of world changing technology. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an exceptional global community and be able to positively impact the next generation of new ventures.

WHAT?

A world-class diverse peer community, championing game-changing technologies and new ventures. The cornerstone of the Founders at the University of Cambridge initiative is the Community: an inspirational global network of alumni, specialists and Cambridge experts from the local ecosystem who have created their own innovation-focused ventures or been critical to the success of others. Through this community we will ensure that future founders get to learn from those that have walked the path before them and that community members gain opportunities from being part of this network, outlined below.

HOW?

Maximum value with minimum time commitment. There will be different ways to engage; ensuring everyone gets value add with minimal time commitment is front of mind. Opportunities will exist for both in-person and online engagement. As with any engaged community we want to shape the offering based on your feedback and input.

Community
Opportunities

GIVE BACK AND MAKE AN IMPACT

By getting involved with the Founders at the University of Cambridge Programme, you have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the next generation of academic entrepreneurs. Your guidance can shape their success stories and unlock their potential.

ACCESS MEANINGFUL INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Supporting brilliant academic entrepreneurs opens up opportunities to invest or get involved in exciting new ventures.

GAIN EXPOSURE AND RECOGNITION

Being part of the Founders at the University of Cambridge Community can enhance your professional visibility. Become an influential figure in the academic and entrepreneurship ecosystem through your contribution.

STAY ON TRENDS

Supporting academic founders provides you with the opportunity to remain current on emerging trends, gain access to cutting-edge research, and be part of groundbreaking innovations, allowing for a collective and immediate influence on the world.

NETWORK AND COLLABORATE GLOBALLY

Be part of a global community and connect with ambitious academic founders, investors, and industry experts to extend your professional network and shape the future.

Our expert community share our commitment to nurturing innovation and empowering visionary founders:  

Aashima Arora
Aashima Arora
Partner, LocalGlobe
Aashima Arora on LinkedIn
Aleksandra Pedraszewska
Aleksandra Pedraszewska
Co-founder, VividQ
Aleksandra Pedraszewska on LinkedIn
Amelia Armour
Amelia Armour
Partner, Amadeus
Amelia Armour on LinkedIn
Andy Phillipps
Andy Phillipps
Co-founder, Booking.com
Andy Phillipps on LinkedIn
Arianna Huffington
Arianna Huffington
Founder & CEO, Thrive
Arianna Huffington on LinkedIn
Byeronie Epstein
Byeronie Epstein
Co-founder & COO, Deep Medical Therapeutics
Byeronie Epstein on LinkedIn
Chad Edwards
Chad Edwards
Founder & CEO, CuspAI
Chad Edwards on LinkedIn
Carmen Palacios-Berraquero
Carmen Palacios-Berraquero
CEO, Nu Quantum
Carmen Palacios-Berraquero on LinkedIn
Catherine Breslin
Catherine Breslin
Founder, Kingfisher Labs
Catherine Breslin on LinkedIn
Catherine Elton
Catherine Elton
CEO, Qkine
Catherine Elton on LinkedIn
Clare Jones
Clare Jones
Chief Commercial Officer, what3words
Clare Jones on LinkedIn
Charlotte Salley
Charlotte Salley
Senior Content Manager, Morning Brew
Charlotte Salley on LinkedIn
Check Warner
Check Warner
Partner, Ada Ventures
Check Warner on LinkedIn
Chris Mairs (CBE)
Chris Mairs (CBE)
Director, Raspberry Pi
Chris Mairs (CBE) on LinkedIn
Chris Morton
Chris Morton
Founder, Lyst
Chris Morton on LinkedIn
Dapo Tomori
Dapo Tomori
Venture Advisor, Iaso Ventures
Dapo Tomori on LinkedIn
Debu Purkayastha
Debu Purkayastha
Managing Partner, 3rd Eye
Debu Purkayastha on LinkedIn
Ed Newton-Rex
Ed Newton-Rex
Scout, Andreessen Horowitz
Ed Newton-Rex on LinkedIn
Gaynor Fryers
Gaynor Fryers
Coach & Mentor, Cambridge Judge Business School
Gaynor Fryers on LinkedIn
Giorgia Longobardi
Giorgia Longobardi
Founder & CEO, Cambridge GaN Devices Limited
Giorgia Longobardi on LinkedIn
Hailey Eustace
Hailey Eustace
CEO, Commplicated
Hailey Eustace on LinkedIn
Hazel Moore (OBE)
Hazel Moore (OBE)
Chairman and co-founder, First Capital
Hazel Moore (OBE) on LinkedIn
Inès Holzbaur
Inès Holzbaur
Founder & Managing Partner, AmorChem
Inès Holzbaur on LinkedIn
Iris Good
Iris Good
Advisor, Martlet Capital
Iris Good on LinkedIn
Isabella Convertini
Isabella Convertini
Strategic Partnerships Consultant
Isabella Convertini on LinkedIn
Itxaso Araque Barriuso
Itxaso Araque Barriuso
Head of Startup Segment , Amazon
Itxaso Araque Barriuso on LinkedIn
James Cole
James Cole
Chief Innovation Officer, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)
James Cole on LinkedIn
James Thomas
James Thomas
Angel Investor
James Thomas on LinkedIn
Jane Dancer
Jane Dancer
Non Exec Chair, PharmEnable
Jane Dancer on LinkedIn
Jiahao Huang
Jiahao Huang
CoFounder and CFO, Nuclera
Jiahao Huang on LinkedIn
Joe White (MBE)
Joe White (MBE)
His Majesty's Tech Envoy to the United States, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Joe White (MBE) on LinkedIn
John Cassidy
John Cassidy
Partner, Kindred Capital VC
John Cassidy on LinkedIn
John Rainey
John Rainey
Operating Partner (Product), Gallos Technologies
John Rainey on LinkedIn
Jon Bradford
Jon Bradford
Managing Partner, Dynamo Ventures
Jon Bradford on LinkedIn
Julia Hawkins
Julia Hawkins
General Partner, Localglobe
Julia Hawkins on LinkedIn
Jurgen Van Gael
Jurgen Van Gael
European CTO, Stripe
Jurgen Van Gael on LinkedIn
Katy Wigdahl
Katy Wigdahl
CEO, Speechmatics
Katy Wigdahl on LinkedIn
Kelly Richdale
Kelly Richdale
Advisor, SandboxAQ & World Economic Forum
Kelly Richdale on LinkedIn
Kerry Baldwin
Kerry Baldwin
Co-founder & Managing Partner, IQ Capital
Kerry Baldwin on LinkedIn
Kevin McDonnell
Kevin McDonnell
CEO & Founder, Datalla Group
Kevin McDonnell on LinkedIn
Kevin Withane
Kevin Withane
Founder, DiversityX
Kevin Withane on LinkedIn
Kris Naudts
Kris Naudts
Chairman, Culture Trip
Kris Naudts on LinkedIn
Lauren Tack
Lauren Tack
Investor, Invigorate Ventures
Lauren Tack on LinkedIn
Ludo Chapman
Ludo Chapman
Chair, Zetta Genomics
Ludo Chapman on LinkedIn
Malcolm Burwell
Malcolm Burwell
Board Director, UltraConductive Copper Company Inc
Malcolm Burwell on LinkedIn
Mandeep Singh
Mandeep Singh
Founder, Trouva
Mandeep Singh on LinkedIn
Max Azaham
Max Azaham
Senior Director, Gartner
Max Azaham on LinkedIn
Maximilian Bock
Maximilian Bock
Co-founder & COO, Blang Blang
Maximilian Bock on LinkedIn
Mehryar Hamid
Mehryar Hamid
Head of E-Commerce CEE & MEA, Microsoft
Mehryar Hamid on LinkedIn
Miruna-Ioana Girtu
Miruna-Ioana Girtu
Partner, SyndicateRoom
Miruna-Ioana Girtu on LinkedIn
Nick Rimmer
Nick Rimmer
Director, Telegraph Materials
Nick Rimmer on LinkedIn
Nicky Dibben
Nicky Dibben
Marketing Consultant, Invention Marketing
Nicky Dibben on LinkedIn
Nigel Pitchford
Nigel Pitchford
Partner, Downing
Nigel Pitchford on LinkedIn
Nikhil Shah
Nikhil Shah
Founder, MixCloud
Nikhil Shah on LinkedIn
Niko Bonatsos
Niko Bonatsos
Managing Director, General Catalyst
Niko Bonatsos on LinkedIn
Nigel Toon
Nigel Toon
Founder & CEO, Graphcore
Nigel Toon on LinkedIn
Nima Mehdian
Nima Mehdian
CEO, DeepMake
Nima Mehdian on LinkedIn
Nirmesh Patel
Nirmesh Patel
Principle, The Venture Collective
Nirmesh Patel on LinkedIn
Oliver Lo
Oliver Lo
VP Marketing, Surge, Sequoia Capital
Oliver Lo on LinkedIn
Paddy Stobbs
Paddy Stobbs
Founder, Stackfix
Paddy Stobbs on LinkedIn
Pam Garside
Pam Garside
Chair, Cambridge Angels
Pam Garside on LinkedIn
Paul Bailey
Paul Bailey
Managing Director, Martlet Capital
Paul Bailey on LinkedIn
Paul Forster
Paul Forster
Co-founder, Indeed.com
Paul Forster on LinkedIn
Pete Hutton
Pete Hutton
Chairman, Xampla
Pete Hutton on LinkedIn
Priya Guha (MBE)
Priya Guha (MBE)
Venture Partner, Merian Ventures
Priya Guha (MBE) on LinkedIn
Raj Ganatra
Raj Ganatra
Strategy & Operations, YouTube / Google
Raj Ganatra on LinkedIn
Rahul Vohra
Rahul Vohra
Founder, Superhuman
Rahul Vohra on LinkedIn
Raoul-Gabriel Urma
Raoul-Gabriel Urma
Executive Chairman, Cambridge Spark
Raoul-Gabriel Urma on LinkedIn
Rebecca Simmons
Rebecca Simmons
COO, Riverlane
Rebecca Simmons on LinkedIn
Richard Green
Richard Green
Chairman, Nyobolt
Richard Green on LinkedIn
Rob Moffat
Rob Moffat
Partner, Balderton Capital
Rob Moffat on LinkedIn
Rosemary Francis
Rosemary Francis
Chief Scientist, Altair
Rosemary Francis on LinkedIn
Shailendra Vyakarnam
Shailendra Vyakarnam
Venture Partner, Embryo Ventures
Shailendra Vyakarnam on LinkedIn
Simon Hombersley
Simon Hombersley
Founder, Puntios
Simon Hombersley on LinkedIn
Sophie Adelman
Sophie Adelman
Co-founder & CEO, One Garden
Sophie Adelman on LinkedIn
Stan Boland
Stan Boland
CEO, FiveAI
Stan Boland on LinkedIn
Stephanie Richards
Stephanie Richards
Global Innovation Policy Specialist, 500 Global
Stephanie Richards on LinkedIn
Suhair Khan
Suhair Khan
Founder, OpenEnded
Suhair Khan on LinkedIn
Suranga Chandratillake
Suranga Chandratillake
General Partner, Balderton Capital
Suranga Chandratillake on LinkedIn
Tessa Clarke
Tessa Clarke
Co-founder & CEO, Olio
Tessa Clarke on LinkedIn
Ting Zhang
Ting Zhang
Founder & CEO, Crayfish.Io
Ting Zhang on LinkedIn
Tom Adeyoola
Tom Adeyoola
Chair, Spoke
Tom Adeyoola on LinkedIn
Tom Wilson
Tom Wilson
Partner, Seedcamp
Tom Wilson on LinkedIn
Vishal Chatrath
Vishal Chatrath
Founder & CEO, QuantrolOx
Vishal Chatrath on LinkedIn
Chris Coleridge
Chris Coleridge
Co-founder, Carbon13
Chris Coleridge on LinkedIn

WAYS TO
SUPPORT

MENTORS

Every Founder company will be paired with local or global Mentors who will guide, challenge and support the team throughout the Programme. Mentors will provide a wealth of experience, wisdom, and knowledge across the business, in-person if local or online if global. Mentors will have an ongoing light-touch relationship with companies on the Programme.

EXPERTS

Knowledge is power and the Founders Programme will have a time table of topic – specific sessions on key themes for spinning out and establishing a deep tech company. We are looking for amazing operators to share this real-life experience. Topics could include ensuring the correct product-market fit, industry insight, creating talent teams, the reality of commercialisation, diversity, and sustainability. Knowledge experts commit to a minimum of one in-person and/or drop-in session per programme.

CONNECTORS

Connections are key — our world class Founders at the University of Cambridge Community will bring huge potential for relevant introductions that could change the trajectory of Founders companies. Are you willing to open the door to your network where relevant?

CAN WE COUNT
YOU IN?

This is a unique opportunity to meet fellow founders, investors and experts in their fields, all with a Cambridge connection, and network in a meaningful way. Simply complete the following form and the Founders at the University of Cambridge team will contact you with more details and answer any questions you may have.

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