After crowning Infersens and Virilitas as winners in 2023 and 2024, the Innovation Alley Pitch Competition is back bigger than ever. This year, the stage is set for showcasing even more groundbreaking ideas from across the UK and around the world.

Michaela Eschbach, CEO of Cambridge Wireless, the organisation behind Cambridge Tech Week, said: “Cambridge startups and scaleups raised a remarkable $2.3 billion in 2024 – nearly double 2023’s total, according to a recent report by Dealroom. That puts us in a strong position. However, global visibility is still key, which is why we are welcoming applications from local, national, and international companies alike.”

With delegations already confirmed from across Europe as well as Latin America and China, Cambridge Tech Week is cementing its reputation as a global tech hub, open to innovation and collaboration.

The Innovation Alley Pitch Competition will be led by Faye Holland, creator of #21toWatch – a programme whose alumni have secured over half a billion in funding over seven years. Notably, CMR Surgical, one of the early #21toWatch stars, stands on its own with unicorn status.

Faye shared her vision for the event: “This year, we’re taking things up a notch. This will be the only official pitch competition of the week, happening centre-stage during Wednesday’s Start-up to Scale up Day. Our structured judging process will narrow down entries from a long list to a final five, who’ll pitch live to a globally significant judging panel.”

Faye added: “Previous entrants include standout names like Reclinker (University of Cambridge spin-out), HutanBio (UK-Malaysia), Antler Bio (Ireland-Cambridge), and Super-Sharp Space Systems (UK-Spain). If this year is anything like the last, we expect a flood of applications – so don’t wait.”

Applications are open now through 30th June. Finalists will be announced by 1st August 2025.

#CamTechWeek is supported by Cambridge Management Consulting and Powered by Cambridge Wireless.