Founders at the University of Cambridge
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    No.1

    science ecosystem in Europe

    No.1

    in global rankings of the number of university alum founders who have raised >£10M per inhabitant
    Dealroom 2023

    Accelerating impactful journeys for brilliant minds

    Do you have a groundbreaking start-up idea that could change the world? Are you passionate about taking your research or idea to the next level? At Founders at the University of Cambridge, we specialise in supporting founders like you on your journey from formation to entrepreneurial success. We have many years’ experience of starting IP-rich and knowledge intensive tech companies and recognise that every startup is unique.  

    Introducing our first programme: The Founders at the University of Cambridge Start Accelerator. Learn what the first cohort discovered o their journey:

    Register your interest
    Cohort 1.0 completed the Start accelerator in May. Register your interest in our next programmes coming later in 2024.

    The Start Accelerator

    We offer:

    • £40k guaranteed up front investment with a possible £80k after 12 weeks
    • No programme fee
    • No equity until you raise from other investors
    • 50+ hours intensive mentorship with your handpicked Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR)
    • Dedicated support from 30+ additional mentors, partners and investors
    • Access to Cambridge Enterprise’s 100+ list of co-investors with curated intros where appropriate
    • Free office space at ideaSpace West for 3 months, and discounted space for an additional 3 months
    • Access to up to 100+ world class experts from the Founders at the University of Cambridge Community
    • Priority access to lab space at the Babraham Research Campus after 12 weeks

     

    In addition, we provide a dedicated approach in ensuring you have the resources and guidance to turn your startup into an investible company, focusing on five core areas:

    YOU

    YOU

    We’re here for you. Drawing from the experience of founders who have navigated the startup journey, and industry leaders picked from global University of Cambridge alumni, we will guide you through the personal growth and business challenges that lie ahead.


    We’re here for you. Drawing from the experience of founders who have navigated the startup journey, and industry leaders picked from global University of Cambridge alumni, we will guide you through the personal growth and business challenges that lie ahead.





    YOUR TEAM

    YOUR TEAM

    We’re here for you and your team. Building the right team is critical for your success. We will use the power of the University of Cambridge networks to help you assemble a talented and motivated team with a particular focus on bringing in the right commercial talent to drive your startup’s growth.


    We’re here for you and your team. Building the right team is critical for your success. We will use the power of the University of Cambridge networks to help you assemble a talented and motivated team with a particular focus on bringing in the right commercial talent to drive your startup’s growth.





    MARKET DISCOVERY & TECHNOLOGY

    MARKET DISCOVERY & TECHNOLOGY

    Make your market work. We will work with you to interrogate your market assumptions, build out and execute your market strategy, connect and communicate effectively with relevant customers, and refine your technology to land development partners, proof of concepts, pilots or contracts.


    Make your market work. We will work with you to interrogate your market assumptions, build out and execute your market strategy, connect and communicate effectively with relevant customers, and refine your technology to land development partners, proof of concepts, pilots or contracts.





    CAPITAL

    CAPITAL

    Money Matters. We invest £40k into every selected company, with a possible £80k invested at demo day based on a SAFE agreement. We won’t charge you programme fees as you pitch your business to our substantial network of >100 co-investors for follow-on funding. You will also receive dedicated support on grant applications where applicable.


    Money Matters. We invest £40k into every selected company, with a possible £80k invested at demo day based on a SAFE agreement. We won’t charge you programme fees as you pitch your business to our substantial network of >100 co-investors for follow-on funding. You will also receive dedicated support on grant applications where applicable.





    COMMUNITY & RESOURCES

    COMMUNITY & RESOURCES

    Core to Founders at the University of Cambridge is our community. We have built a world class, diverse, peer community of University of Cambridge alumni and non-alumni championing game-changing technologies. Join the programme and you join this community for life. In addition, we know how environment shapes your productivity, therefore we also offer three months free office space with an additional three months at a discounted rate for you and your team to work on your business.

     

     


    Core to Founders at the University of Cambridge is our community. We have built a world class, diverse, peer community of University of Cambridge alumni and non-alumni championing game-changing technologies. Join the programme and you join this community for life. In addition, we know how environment shapes your productivity, therefore we also offer three months free office space with an additional three months at a discounted rate for you and your team to work on your business.

     

     





    The programme is 12 intensive weeks long, with an additional 12 weeks of lighter touch support if you need it. We expect teams to join us in person at the newly refurbished IdeaSpace at the Hauser Forum, the University’s Entrepreneurship Centre at least twice a week.

    APPLICATIONSOPEN
    APPLICATIONSSHUT
    COMPANY INTERVIEWS
    DAY ONE

    We begin by doing a deep dive into your company to assess how best to support you.

    DEMO DAY

    We’ll ensure you get to pitch your business to exactly the right people.

    ALUMNI PROGRAMME

    When formal support ends, you’ll remain in the Founders Community network.

    YOUR SUPPORTERS
    AT START

    We understand the value of learning from those who have been there and done it – that is where the incredible expertise of the Founders at the University of Cambridge Community comes in. Made up of University of Cambridge alumni and local Cambridge leaders they all understand what it takes to start and scale a University spin-out, either from a founder, investor or industry-expert perspective. At the heart of the community is a passion to support the next generation of entrepreneurs. The community is made up of exited founders, current founders, investors and industry experts. Through the programme you will be able to access this incredible network as Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, mentors and through direct introductions and networking events.

    Aashima Arora
    Aashima Arora
    Partner, LocalGlobe
    Aashima Arora on LinkedIn
    Carmen Palacios-Berraquero
    Carmen Palacios-Berraquero
    CEO, Nu Quantum
    Carmen Palacios-Berraquero on LinkedIn
    Check Warner
    Check Warner
    Partner, Ada Ventures
    Check Warner on LinkedIn
    Paul Forster
    Paul Forster
    Co-founder, Indeed.com
    Paul Forster on LinkedIn
    Rahul Vohra
    Rahul Vohra
    Founder, Superhuman
    Rahul Vohra on LinkedIn

    THE PROGRAMME
    AT A GLANCE

    Start 1.0. was completed in May and we will be opening applications to Start 2.0. later in 2024. In the meantime, watch the webinar to find out more about the application process, or register your interest in the next programme.

    WEEK 1:
    Orientation and Planning

    Deep Dive into your company’s market, technology, team and investment needs with the programme and EIR team, and dig into the support you need as a founder. We will personalise your programme accordingly.

    WEEK 2-3:
    MENTORSHIP

    Get feedback on your business, strategy and market and build out from 25+ handpicked experts from the Founders at the University of Cambridge community.

    WEEK 4:
    MARKET ENTRY

    Build your market entry plan with specific market specialists. Get guidance on the selling process, communication, researching and sizing, and adjusting your technology.

    WEEK 5-8:
    Market Execution and Team planning

    Engage with and sell to real customers and development partners and build and get access to talent networks with the help of the Founders at the University of Cambridge Community.

    WEEK 9:
    INVESTMENT

    Build your investment strategy: story, materials, financials and network.

    WEEK 10:
    INVESTOR FEEDBACK

    Get feedback on your investment strategy from 10+ angels and VCs.

    WEEK 11-12:
    DEMO DAY AND HIRING

    Get ready for Demo Day with communication and pitch specialists, and build plans for the next phase of your business, including a substantive hiring plan for the next 12 months.

    DEMO DAY

    Kick-off your fundraise by pitching your business in front of 100+ investors, as well as a pitch to University Seed Funds and Parkwalk for an additional £80k. 

    POST PROGRAMME

    Stay with us in ideaSpace as we support you to execute your fundraise and the next phase of the business.

    FAQ

    Who are we looking for?

    • You are developing a technology-based solution from University research or knowledge. This could be University licensed IP or IP developed independently.
    • You are ready to commit to growing your company. If spending time in your lab is necessary to do that, that’s ok.
    • One founder has attended Cambridge University in the last two years. We are looking for everyone from professors, to post-docs, to undergrads, to drop-outs.

     

    University of Cambridge Eligibility to the Start programme
    (In addition to above guidance) 
    Undergraduate X – as you’re expected to be full time on this programme
    Postgraduate – yes (if you left the University in the last 2 years)
    Researcher – yes if you can work on this full time
    Post Doc researcher – yes
    Dropout student – if you left the University in the last two years
    Alum of the University of Cambridge – if you left the University in the last two years. We will be extending this timeline in future.


    What technologies are we focused on?

    We are interested in most technology areas with the potential for high impact including DeepTech, New Materials, Sustainability, Digital Health and Life Sciences. 

    If you are working in Drug Discovery or Deep Therapeutics, we can’t take you on in this programme. Technology adjacent to those areas is eligible.



    What stage of company is this for?

    The Start Programme is specifically for founders, teams and companies looking to get to a pre-seed or seed round of investment or secure grant funding in the next 12 months. Future programmes will support other company stages.



    Can solo founders apply?

    Yes – although we will be looking for evidence that you can build a complementary team around you quickly.



    What types of executive mentorship do you offer?

    We offer 50 hours from an Entrepreneur-in-Residence who are hand-picked according to your specific needs. Beyond that, we will provide 30 mentors to you during the programme for general feedback, specific knowledge on your markets and on other core company topics. This will include one-on-one sessions with experienced entrepreneurs, group workshops, and access to our network of industry experts as required. Finally, you will get support from Cambridge Enterprise as you prepare for investment. 



    How does access to the community work?

    The community is there for you if you join the programme and we want you to be an active part of it. Everyone in the community wants to engage with startups coming out of the University, but people’s time availability is limited. Within the programme, we will therefore be thoughtful about how we engage, when we engage, and what interaction is with each community member, but our aim is to get you the connections we need.

    Additionally, part of the Founders team is dedicated full-time to growing and curating that community, so it will become more valuable over time.



    What happens when the programme ends?

    After completing our programme, we will support you through your next phase, whether it be a fundraise, grant application or beyond. You can also stay in ideaSpace with us for three months, at a discounted rate.

    You are part of the Founders at the University of Cambridge community going forward.



    What if I have not yet raised any investment or funding?

    That’s fine. We will give you £40k investment at the start of the programme and will aim to get you investment-ready by the end of the programme.



    Are there any costs associated with the programme?

    We do not charge any participation fees. And there are no hidden fees.



    You say there's no participation fee, but are you taking equity in my business?

    The terms (outlined below) are identical to standard University equity funding. The University is funding the programme separately – so everything we are going to do is freely offered on top of the standard investment terms. There is no charge for our time, this is all about making your money go further.

    The University has consistently played a proactive role in supporting startups, and the introduction of this programme will further amplify that engagement. Our commitment to investing in your venture aligns us with your long-term success, a partnership we anticipate will prove advantageous throughout your entrepreneurial journey.



    What is a SAFE and how does the investment work at the start of the programme?

    The investment is based on a SAFE loan (Simple Agreement for Future Equity). In simple terms, we give you capital in exchange for the right to take equity in your company when you raise your next investment round, which we do at 20% discount to the round price.

    The University and Parkwalk Advisors will also have the right to invest in both the converting round and subsequent investment rounds. Additionally, there is no valuation cap – so whatever the price per share is in your next round is what we are pegged to, with the 20% discount. There is also no interest on the loan. these terms are market best practice and designed to be as founder friendly as possible.



    If I don't get selected, does that stop me from getting University funding completely?

    Not at all. The University is still making investments in companies as it always has. If you don’t get selected for the programme, and there are limited spaces, there is absolutely opportunity for investment from the University in future. Cambridge Enterprise’s door is always open.



    I am currently working with the Technology Transfer team at Cambridge Enterprise. Does applying to the programme change that?

    Working with other services in Cambridge Enterprise is complementary to the programme. We encourage you to carry on that process as normal as you complete an application and beyond. If you are not selected for the programme, and there are limited spaces, this will have no impact on your work with Cambridge Enterprise.



    Will you fund competitive companies?

    We will not fund two competitive companies in the same accelerator cohort. However, as the University has been making investments for over 20 years, it is possible that there will be some competitiveness within the overall portfolio.



    Do I have to relocate to Cambridge?

    We generally expect you to be in the Cambridge office twice a week. There may be additional events in Cambridge that are beneficial for your business. If this level of in-person attendance doesn’t work for you, then this programme isn’t for you.



    Can you help with a visa so I can relocate for the programme?

    Unfortunately, we can’t help with visas at this time. However, you may want to apply to the UK’s Global Talent visa which enables exceptionally talented individuals potentially like yourself to come to the UK to work for five years. More on other visa routes can be found here



    What if I need to change the answers to my application?

    Please get in touch at connect@founders.cam.ac.uk






    INTERESTED?

    Cohort 1.0 of Founders at the University of Cambridge Start Accelerator completed the programme in May. More programmes including the next Start cohort will be coming soon.

    If you’re interested in turning your startup into an  investible company, let us know by using the form below.

     

    Register your interest