Cambridge Future Tech partners EnterpriseTECH and EnterpriseWOMEN

Cambridge Future Tech (CFT) is partnering EnterpriseTECH (and STAR) as well as EnterpriseWOMEN.

EnterpriseWOMEN is for female researchers in STEM who’d like to start a business, while EnterpriseTECH is an initiative for researchers looking to start a company. Around 80 per cent of people on the programme are Cambridge University PhD students and 20 per cent are from other universities or companies.

The collaboration brings additional funding and advanced resources to an academic environment, brings cutting-edge knowledge and ground-floor practices to the STEM-based PhD students and postdocs. It also fosters a rich ground for speeding up innovation and offering both parties early insights into potentially groundbreaking technologies.

Dr Ghina M Halabi, programme leader for EnterpriseTECH and EnterpriseWOMEN at Cambridge Judge Entrepreneurship Centre, said: “EnterpriseWOMEN is a programme informed by the past and designed for the future to help women entrepreneurs envision their business as the next big thing and claim ownership of their journey and success.”

The programme director for both ventures is Dr Rebecca Myers, head of entrepreneurial learning programmes & engagement, who said: "I see our collaboration with the Cambridge Future Tech as a powerful synergy that not only amplifies our educational capabilities but also accelerates the path from academic innovation to real-world application. Together, we are moulding the next generation of deep tech leaders and pioneering advancements that could reshape industries.

“One such example is Dr Liz Li, who has been through our programmes whilst a PhD student at the Engineering Department at the University of Cambridge, and who is now supported by CFT and her company Mimicrete that is developing a self-healing concrete for use in the construction industry.”

“I’m excited to announce a new partnership between Cambridge Judge Entrepreneurship Centre and Cambridge Future Tech,” said Owen Thompson, CEO at Cambridge Future Tech. “At Cambridge Future Tech, we recognise the immense potential of women-led ventures and the importance of diversity in the tech industry and beyond. Through this partnership, we are committing ourselves to actively support and nurture the next generation of female leaders and innovators, enabling them to access the resources, mentorship, and networks necessary to thrive in this competitive landscape.

“Investing in this initiative reflects our dedication to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where all entrepreneurs, regardless of gender, can thrive and succeed. We aim to not only enrich the entrepreneurial ecosystem but also pave the way for a more equitable and prosperous future."