A startup using sunlight to digest plastics and another developing a smart neuro-fitness device are among the 11 businesses selected for the inaugural Start Accelerator programme from Founders at the University of Cambridge.
Founders at the University of Cambridge is an initiative at the university to support the growth of startups created by students. It is being led by Gerard Grech, who was the founding CEO of Tech Nation until it closed in January last year.
The first cohort of the group’s new accelerator programme – which will provide seed funding mentorship – covers topics including computer vision software, enhancing the electricity grid and improving air quality.
The full list of participating startups includes:
- AetoSense
- BioTryp Therapeutics
- BravelyCultured
- Cambridge Vision Tech
- Molyon
- Nanomation
- Protonera
- VOLTQUANT
- William Oak
- Xterna
“Cambridge is an ideas capital and as we enter the next wave of digital innovation the university is producing a new generation of venture scientists who are fully focused on solving the world’s biggest problems, with audacious world-leading innovation and research,” said Grech, who is the group’s managing director. .
“Selecting the first teams to join the inaugural Start Accelerator programme was a difficult task, but we are committed to supporting these teams to turn their science and research into practical reality.
Participating startups will receive funding from a £2m pool provided by the University of Cambridge and Parkwalk Advisors.
Each member of the Cambridge accelerator is guaranteed £40,000 up front, with the potential to secure £160,000 at the end of the 12-week programme.
“We’re really pleased to see such a varied cohort of entrepreneurs coming through the first Start Accelerator, which exemplifies the high-quality research and technology that is being produced by University of Cambridge and this new global programme,” said Parkwalk CEO Moray Wright.
“As the UK’s most active investor in university spinouts and having worked with Cambridge Enterprise for over 10 years, we look forward to supporting this set of founders as they scale.”
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