Cambridge start-ups and scaleups raised a remarkable $2.3 billion in 2024 - nearly double 2023’s total, according to a recent report by Dealroom.
After crowning Infersens and Virilitas as winners in 2023 and 2024, the Innovation Alley Pitch Competition is back bigger than ever in 2025. This year, the stage is set for showcasing even more groundbreaking ideas from across the UK and around the world.
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.
This will be the only official pitch competition of the week, happening centre-stage during Wednesday’s Start-up to Scale up Day.
Anyone interested in pitching should apply here.
All nominations will be added to the longlist. The longlist will be shortlisted based on an agreed set of criteria – Innovation, Challenge, Influence, Viability, and Memorability. All entrants will also be assessed via Companies House (or equivalent) and tools such as Crunchbase.
The shortlist will then be judged by a pre-judging team of investment and start-up experts, who will then convene to agree the final five.
The Innovation Alley Pitching Competition is proudly sponsored by BDO and Mishcon de Reya.