Five Groundbreaking Startups in Global Pitching Competition

From AI that trains surgeons, to cement made from demolition waste, Cambridge Tech Week has unveiled the five trailblazing finalists who will go head-to-head in its highly anticipated Innovation Alley Pitching Competition this September.

Whittled down from over 100 global entries and a shortlist of 47 companies, this year’s finalists represent the cutting edge of deep tech, sustainability, and AI:

• illumion – revolutionising battery R&D with patent-protected Charge Photometry technology.
• Cambridge Surgical Models – creating next-gen surgical training tools using lifelike artificial organs and AI-powered performance evaluation.
• Reclinker – decarbonising cement by producing new material alongside steel in electric arc furnaces, cutting demolition waste.
• Kodiaq Technologies – developing metal-free organic electrolytes for redox flow batteries, boosting ROI in energy storage.
• Sqwish – compressing and optimising AI prompts to streamline operations, enhance performance, and slash costs.

Each company was judged on Innovation, Challenge, Influence, Viability, and Memorability by an expert panel including Anne Dobree (Parkwalk Advisors), Christine Martin (Cambridge Enterprise), Emmi Nicholl (Cambridge Angels), Faye Holland (#21toWatch creator), and Paul Hughes (BDO) and Chris Keen (Mishcon de Reya) from the pitching events sponsoring companies.

“The calibre of entries was nothing short of extraordinary,” said Christine Martin, Cambridge Enterprise. “From deep tech to sustainability, the diversity and quality of ideas showcase why Cambridge remains one of the world’s most exciting innovation hubs. Choosing just five was incredibly tough.”

The finalists will pitch during Cambridge Tech Week’s Start-up to Scale up Day on Wednesday 17 September. Two prizes are up for grabs - one chosen by a new panel of heavyweight investors including Amy Weatherup (angel investor and exited founder), Isabelle O'Keeffe (Mercuri VC), Richard Lewis (Foresight Group), and Michael Jackson (VC and entrepreneur), and a second awarded by the audience for the best pitch.

The Innovation Alley Pitching Competition is sponsored by BDO and Mishcon de Reya, supported by Cambridge Management Consulting, and delivered by Cambridge Wireless.

Tickets and full event details are available at CambridgeTechWeek.co.uk.