Applications open for Innovation Alley at Cambridge Tech Week 2026

Applications are now open for Innovation Alley, the central exhibition of disruptive innovation at Cambridge Tech Week 2026. The two-day showcase will run at Cambridge’s Guildhall on Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 September 2026, bringing together a curated cohort of more than 80 startups, scaleups and established tech companies.

Organisers said the exhibition will span AI, MedTech, HealthTech, ClimateTech and advanced engineering, and is structured to prioritise conversation and interaction over passive display. The format, refined over previous years, is designed to enable meaningful connections with potential partners, investors and clients.

Sponsored by the University of East Anglia (UEA) and PEM, the space will feature up to 10 zones, including service providers and international exhibitors, reflecting the breadth of the technology ecosystem. Innovation Alley is open to companies across the deep tech spectrum that meet strict eligibility criteria.

Startups must have been established for less than five years, employ fewer than 25 staff, and be angel and/or seed funded. Scaleups must have secured at least Series A funding and have been revenue-generating for a minimum of three years. Meeting the criteria does not guarantee participation; all applications are subject to a selection process and entry is not automatic.

Confirmed startups that have been pre-selected as finalists will receive entry into the Pitch Competition, sponsored by Mills & Reeve and taking place on Wednesday as a central feature of Visionary Tech Day. The competition will be held on the main stage of the Corn Exchange, offering selected companies the chance to present to a focused global audience of investors and industry leaders.

Successful scaleups are automatically added to the longlist for the Pitch Competition unless they opt out during the application process. Applicants do not have to take part in Innovation Alley to enter the Pitch Competition.

“Innovation Alley is designed expressly for conversation, and intended for startups with a defined proposition and scaleups looking to build visibility and relationships,” said Dr Mike Short CBE FREng, Chair of the Cambridge Tech Week Steering Committee. “This is all about wanting to help tech companies meet the right people on their scale-up journey.” Previous participants highlighted the benefits of the format.

HutanBio, a ClimateTech company developing low-carbon biofuel for shipping and aviation, described last year’s exhibition as “a real buzz” with strong engagement and a diverse range of innovation. “It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase HutanBio within the Cambridge ecosystem and build meaningful connections,” said co-founder Dr John Archer, noting the company’s spotlight coverage from BBC Look East.

Kodiaq Technologies, a University of Cambridge spin-out working on organic electrolytes for long-duration energy storage and a finalist in last year’s Pitch Competition, called the platform “a fantastic opportunity to capture the attention of a broad audience of entrepreneurs, academics and industry professionals,” according to co-founder Oren Scherman.

Exhibition space is priced at £350 plus VAT for startups and £1,500 plus VAT for scaleups. Organisers said the application process is now open and integrated with the Pitch Competition for those who wish to be considered.