Application Window Opens for Cambridge Tech Week’s 2026’s Innovation Showcase of Deeptech Startups and Scaleups

Innovation Alley 2026 will present a curated cohort of 80+ startups, scaleups and established tech companies across AI, MedTech, HealthTech, ClimateTech and advanced engineering - providing visibility within a credible environment and showcasing the breakthrough technologies to a national and international audience.

The ‘exhibition’ - which will be housed in Cambridge’s Guildhall for two days during Cambridge Tech Week (Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th September 2026) - is designed to prioritise conversation and interaction over passive display, offering a high-impact environment where founders can engage directly with potential partners, investors and clients. 

The format, refined over previous years, is intentionally structured to enable meaningful conversations and tangible outcomes. The exhibition space - sponsored by University of East Anglia (UEA) and PEM - will feature up to 10 different zones to include service providers as well as international exhibitors, fully celebrating the diversity of the technology ecosystem. 

Innovation Alley is open to companies across the deep tech spectrum that meet the 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 to apply. Scaleups must have secured at least Series A funding and have been revenue-generating for a minimum of three years. Please note that meeting these criteria does not guarantee participation. All applications are subject to a selection process, and entry is not automatic. 

All confirmed startups that have been pre-selected as finalists will receive entry into the Pitch Competition, sponsored by Mills & Reeve and held on the Wednesday as a central feature of Visionary Tech Day.

The Pitch Competition, which takes place on the main stage of the Corn Exchange, offers a further opportunity to present to a focused global audience of investors and industry leaders. Participation is integrated into the application process, ensuring strong visibility for selected companies. Successful scaleups are automatically added to the longlist for the Pitch Competition, unless the option is de-selected during the application process. Please note, you don’t have to take part in Innovation Alley to enter the Pitch Competition.

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

Hutanbio, a ClimateTech company with a low-carbon biofuel solution for the shipping and aviation industries, is one of the companies benefitting from exposure at last year’s exhibition. Co-founder, Dr John Archer said: “Innovation Alley 2025 had a real buzz, with excellent attendance, strong engagement and a diverse range of innovation on show. It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase HutanBio within the Cambridge ecosystem and build meaningful connections. The highlight for us was the spotlight coverage from BBC Look East.”

Kodiaq Technologies, a University of Cambridge spin-out pioneering organic electrolytes for long-duration energy storage, was one of the finalists in last year’s Pitch Competition. Co-founder, Oren Scherman added: “Pitching our technology at Innovation Alley was a fantastic opportunity to capture the attention of a broad audience of entrepreneurs, academics and industry professionals. It was a great platform for our early-stage company to build from.”

Exhibition space for Innovation Alley costs £350 plus vat for startups; £1500 +VAT for scaleups. For further information on how to apply, please visit: here.

All applications/nominations must be received by 5pm Monday 8 June 2026. Successful applications will be notified by Monday 6 July 2026.

Cambridge Tech Week 2026 will be taking place 14 -18 September 2026. This year’s theme - How Deep Tech Changes the World - will explore how breakthrough technologies move from discovery to real-world deployment, and address the challenges of scaling, adoption and global impact. 

The 2025 edition attracted thousands of attendees from across the global technology ecosystem with Innovation Alley’s live innovation showcase at the heart of the programme.

Earlybird tickets for Cambridge Tech Week 2026 are available here.