Founders at the University of Cambridge
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    ACCELERATING POTENTIAL.

    WELCOME BACK

    START 2.0 is a pre-seed programme, accelerating a cohort of up to ten startups connected to the University, whose ideas and research have the potential to change the world – from solving climate change to finding cures to deadly diseases.

    Open to University of Cambridge founders – students, postdocs, faculty, dropouts and recent alumni (within 2 years).

    THE PROGRAMME
    AT A GLANCE

    START 2.0 applications open in October 2024. Pre-register your interest to get application and upcoming event updates.

    PRE-REGISTER NOW

    WEEKS 1 - 4:
    Strategic sprint

    Bolstered by expert-led mentoring sessions, companies will build strategic plans for marketing, finance, IP, and more, with regular feedback. With help to grow their network of operators, investors, and advisors, this stage will equip founders with everything they need to execute and build. 

    WEEKS 5 - 10:
    Customer sprint

    Companies will proceed to customer and partner conversations, resulting in understanding customer needs, validating their proposition, and securing LOIs or similar market proof points.  

    WEEKS 11 - 14:
    Investment sprint

    After fine-tuning their strategy and operational requirements, companies will build a fully-fledged pitch and test across our network of expert investors. Once perfected, companies will then have the opportunity to pitch both to Cambridge Enterprise Ventures and over 200 leading investors at Investor Day. 

    INVESTOR DAY

    Kick off your fundraise by pitching your business to more than 200 leading Angels, VCs and corporate investors at at our London Investor Day, as well as a final pitch to Cambridge Enterprise Ventures, with the opportunity of gaining an investment up to £160,000. 

    POST PROGRAMME

    Continued support is offered in ideaSpace, if desired, to help you execute your fundraise and the next phase of the business. 

    START 2.0:
    THE OFFERING

    We offer:

    • £40,000 guaranteed up front investment with up to £160k,000 further investment after 14 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 40+ additional mentors, partners and investors.
    • Access to Cambridge Enterprise Ventures’ 100+ list of co-investors with curated intros where appropriate.
    • Dedicated IP support from experienced technology transfer experts
    • 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 14 weeks.
    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.





    INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

    INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

    We’ll help you develop and manage your Intellectual Property. IP is a critical component of any deep tech business. We will leverage the extensive knowledge and experience of the University of Cambridge technology transfer office to help you understand and develop your IP strategy. If you are a university spinout, we will provide systematic guidance and expedite your readiness to approach licensing negotiations.


    We’ll help you develop and manage your Intellectual Property. IP is a critical component of any deep tech business. We will leverage the extensive knowledge and experience of the University of Cambridge technology transfer office to help you understand and develop your IP strategy. If you are a university spinout, we will provide systematic guidance and expedite your readiness to approach licensing negotiations.





    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 £40,000 into every selected company at the start of the programme. Up to a further £160,000 investment is available, dependent upon a successful pitch. 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 £40,000 into every selected company at the start of the programme. Up to a further £160,000 investment is available, dependent upon a successful pitch. 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 more than 180 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 more than 180 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 14 intensive weeks long. 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.

    Still unsure, why not get in touch?

    PRE-REGISTRATION
    APPLICATIONSOPEN
    APPLICATIONSSHUT
    INTERVIEWS
    DAY ONE
    INVESTOR DAY

    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.

    Within life sciences, we have a strong preference for HealthTech, MedTech, and tech-bio over biotech companies. If you are working in pure therapeutics, we can’t take you on in this programme. Companies with advanced computational approaches to drug development will be 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.



    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 40+ 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 through the Technology Development and Licensing  and Ventures’ teams 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 you 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 £40,000 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. 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 two to three days per 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



     

    Register your interest

      PRE-REGISTER
      FOR START 2.0

      Applications to START 2.0 open in October 2024. In the meantime, you can pre-register your interest in the next programme.

      PRE-REGISTER NOW

      MEET OUR START 2.0
      SPONSOR PARTNERS

      AstraZeneca brings deep industry knowledge and a commitment to encouraging innovation in life sciences and helping the next generation of entrepreneurs.

      Known for their cutting-edge research in the technology space, Hitachi is an essential partner on our journey.

      With a legacy of excellence in financial and legal services, KPMG adds a wealth of experience to our community, alongside a vast global client network.