Cambridge Future Tech: Shortlisted for Best Tech Accelerator!

We’re beyond excited to share that Cambridge Future Tech (CFT) has been shortlisted for the Best Tech Accelerator in the 2024 UK Business Tech Awards! It’s a huge moment for us, recognising all the hard work and passion we’ve put into building innovative, world-changing DeepTech companies. Since 2020, we’ve been on a mission to turn incredible tech ideas into real businesses, working with top universities and researchers to bring game-changing inventions from the lab to the real world.

This nomination is a huge honour and a big win for our team. We’ve always believed in the power of DeepTech to tackle global challenges, and being recognised for it shows we’re on the right track.

Who we are and what we do

So, what’s Cambridge Future Tech all about? In short, we found DeepTech ventures. We’re a tech-first venture builder, meaning we partner with top scientists and engineers to turn cutting-edge research into businesses that solve big problems. Our goal is to take technology that could make a real impact—like reducing carbon emissions or developing new AI tools—and help turn it into something that can succeed in the commercial world. 

From day one, we roll up our sleeves and get involved as co-founders in every part of building a business, from shaping the idea to launching it in the market. This allows us to support founders from the birth of their companies through to their first substantial funding round. Our mission is simple yet bold: to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial, real-world applications, ensuring that revolutionary technologies don’t remain stuck in the lab but instead find their way into the marketplace, where they can make a real difference.

Award-nominated work: our impact

Our portfolio of early-stage ventures spans various sectors, from AI and biotech to sustainable materials and energy-efficient technologies. Here are some of the standout ventures that we co-created:

• Literal Labs: They’re creating energy-efficient AI systems that are up to 10,000 times more energy-efficient than what we use now, offering a game-changing solution to reduce the carbon footprint of data centres. Their technology has been piloted with major tech companies, showing substantial energy savings and operational efficiency.
• Mission Decisions: This company leverages AI and machine learning to provide data intelligence solutions for defence. It has secured multiple defence contracts, achieving £1.5m ARR without external funding. 
• SAIF Systems:  Make autonomous systems safe! The team is pioneering ethical autonomy in complex systems, focussed on dual-use technologies. SAIF received a £150k grant from the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) and have been selected to join the UK Space Agency-backed Mandala Space Ventures SoCal Accelerator. 
• Mimicrete: This venture specialises in self-healing concrete technology, which has been tested in infrastructure projects. Their technology extends the lifespan of concrete structures by automatically repairing cracks, reducing maintenance costs, and improving safety.

As the only early-stage venture builder in the DeepTech space, we foster long-term partnerships, prioritising societal and environmental impact alongside financial success. The impact of these ventures on the environment and industry is already huge, and we’re just getting started!

What it means to be shortlisted

Being shortlisted for the Best Tech Accelerator award is more than just recognition of our achievements—it’s a validation of our mission and approach to venture building. Our entire team is incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished in such a short time, and this nomination is a reflection of the hard work, innovation, and dedication that defines Cambridge Future Tech.

Our CEO Owen Thompson said: “When we started Cambridge Future Tech we wanted to do things differently – getting involved right from the start to help bring groundbreaking tech to life. This award nomination is a testament to the brilliant technical talent we work with and the incredible impact they’re capable of when given the right tools and support.

“We’re proud of the ventures we’ve co-founded and the impact they’re already making. To be recognised at this level alongside other industry leaders is truly humbling. We’re excited to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation in the years to come.”

What’s next for CFT?

We believe in our ventures: so much so that we will shortly be launching our own Venture Capital Fund. We’ll be investing in DeepTech at the very earliest stage, funding innovation as we continue to co-found eight new companies every year; each one working on tech that could change the world.

We’re also super committed to making the tech world more diverse and inclusive. Right now, 42% of our founders are women, and 58% come from diverse backgrounds. We’re all about giving opportunities to underrepresented groups and making sure that everyone, no matter their background, has a chance to make an impact in tech.

Wrapping up

Cambridge Future Tech being shortlisted for the Best Tech Accelerator award is a milestone in our journey. It’s a recognition of our innovative approach to venture building, our commitment to solving global challenges through technology, and the impact we’ve made in just a few short years. As we look to the future, we’re excited to continue working with brilliant technical talent, fostering groundbreaking technologies, and driving meaningful change.

Want to stay up to date with what we’re doing? Check out our website and follow us on social media:

• Website: Cambridge Future Tech
• LinkedIn: Cambridge Future Tech
• Twitter: @CamFutureTech