Welcome to Cambridge
Cambridge is one of the most exciting places in the world to start and grow ideas, from cutting-edge research to game-changing startups but it can feel overwhelming to know where to begin.
This guide is designed to get you connected quickly to the people, places, and opportunities that make innovation thrive here.
We’re independent, crowdsourced, and community-led so what you’ll find here comes from real people who live and work in Cambridge’s innovation scene.
Your First Week Checklist
Here are the essentials to get you up and running:
❑ Get oriented → Know your Cambridge Clusters
❑ Find a workbase → Co-working spaces & meeting venues
❑ Meet your community → Networks & meet-ups to join
❑ Learn the funding landscape → Investors & accelerators
❑ Find Innovator Support → Sector-specific support
❑ Learn how to get around → Moving around the city
Cambridge Clusters
Cambridge West Campus
Cambridge West is Cambridge University’s hub for physical sciences and engineering, bringing together departments such as physics, materials science, and computer science. It is a centre for frontier research in AI, quantum, and clean energy, and is increasingly home to commercial spin-outs translating academic breakthroughs into high-growth companies as well as hosting global tech research labs.
Biomedical Campus and Hospitals
The Cambridge Biomedical Campus is one of Europe’s leading health science clusters. Anchored by Addenbrooke’s and Royal Papworth Hospitals, it hosts world-class institutes such as the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, and major pharma players including AstraZeneca and GSK, driving global advances in life sciences and healthcare.
North Cambridge Cluster
The North Cambridge cluster brings together the Science Park, Cambridge Business Park, and St John’s Innovation Centre. It has become a focal point for technology and knowledge-intensive firms, ranging from AI and software companies to deep-tech and clean-tech scale-ups, supported by flexible space and strong links to investors.
Central Cambridge and Station Road
In central Cambridge, centuries of University research interweave with a fast-growing commercial ecosystem. The area around Station Road has become a magnet for professional services, venture capital, and scale-ups, while the historic colleges and labs continue to fuel discovery. Fast rail links to London and Stansted airport from Cambridge Central Station make this a good meeting spot for visitors from out of town.
Find a workbase
Where ever I lay my laptop is my home. Want to work surrounded by other people working in innovation in Cambridge. You’ll find a good starter workbase here until you find a place to settle.
City Co-working spaces
Regular co-working spaces if you want a more permanent base where you know you’ll always get a seat and a plug!
IdeaSpace City - the most central of three IdeaSpace’s in the city. Each office has attractive facilities, a vibrant community and a supportive working environment.
Co-working chains - We Work or Fora You know what you’re getting with these guys. Well located near the station for incoming meeting guests from London.
Innovation Community Spaces
These spaces are free to visit and work from and are based in innovation zones
Central/Station - The Glasshouse You need to be a registered member to use this space but it’s free to register on the website.
North Central - The Bradfield Centre at The Science Park a big indoor and outdoor space for working and great events.
West Cambridge - West Hub at West Cambridge Campus. If you’re working with the labs and institutes on this campus this is a great working base.
Good coffee shops for work
Some Cambridge cafes where if you were to do a quick survey, over half the customers are working on innovation businesses. Also good coffee we’re told.
Bould Brothers - Regents street
Hot Numbers - Gwydir Street
Fitzbillies - Trumpington Street
Stir - Chesterton or Biomedical Campus
Find your innovation community
Life Sciences
From bio-tech to med-tech, Cambridge is a global leader in life sciences. Join researchers, startups, and companies transforming health and biology at one of the thriving life sciences networks:
Technology
AI, software, deep tech, and engineering thrive here. Connect with Cambridge’s tech community to build the next generation of digital and hardware innovation.
Entrepreneurship & Impact
Cambridge is full of founders creating businesses, social enterprises, and creative ventures. If you’re building something new for profit or purpose start here.
Find funding
Cambridge is one of Europe’s most active funding ecosystems, shaped by its strength in science, technology, and healthcare. The city attracts billions in investment each year, particularly into biotech, AI, and clean energy ventures, with funding flows tightly linked to university research and spin-out activity.
Angels & Early-Stage Backers
Early-stage ventures benefit from a strong angel community. Groups such as Cambridge Angels and Cambridge Capital Group provide not just capital but mentoring and board-level expertise. This deep pool of experienced founders and investors makes Cambridge a fertile place to raise seed funding.
Venture Capital
Several specialist VCs have grown out of Cambridge’s ecosystem, including Amadeus Capital Partners, IQ Capital, Parkwalk Advisors, and Martlet Capital. Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC), closely linked to the University, backs high-potential spin-outs and scale-ups. Larger London and international funds often join later rounds.
University & Institutional Funds
The University of Cambridge plays a central role in financing innovation through Cambridge Enterprise and its links with CIC. These entities provide commercialisation support, seed funding, and follow-on capital, ensuring research translation is well-supported from lab to market.
Public & Government Support
Founders can also access non-dilutive funding. Innovate UK grants, R&D tax credits, and targeted programmes from UKRI or the new ARIA agency support early-stage R&D and high-risk innovation. These are often used to de-risk technology before equity investment.
Corporate & Strategic Investors
Corporate backing is significant, especially in life sciences. AstraZeneca’s global HQ on the Biomedical Campus anchors a network of pharma collaborations, while tech spin-outs benefit from alumni networks linked to ARM and other Cambridge success stories.
A note on stages of growth
Funding in Cambridge is relatively abundant at pre-seed, seed, and Series A. Later-stage and growth capital are less plentiful locally, often requiring founders to look to London, the US, or Asia. Nevertheless, Cambridge has a strong record of scaling biotech companies to IPO, especially on NASDAQ and the LSE.
Find innovator support
University Innovation + Entrepeneur Support
IE Cambridge connects University of Cambridge students, postdocs, and researchers with entrepreneurship support in the form workshops, accelerators, competitions, events, investment, and workspace linking the university community to the wider innovation ecosystem.
Anglia Ruskin University Innovation and Business Support offers diverse business support including consultancy, knowledge exchange, funding access, graduate talent, and professional development for organisations to grow and innovate.
Tech + Science Innovator Support
Babraham Institute - Life science research institute focusing on healthy ageing and molecular biology.
BioData-Innovation Centre - Programmes supporting genomics, biodata startups advancing healthcare innovation.
Cambridge Neuroworks - Collaborative neurotechnology initiative accelerating breakthrough brain health solutions globally.
DeepTech Labs - Cambridge-based accelerator and VC fund investing solely in deep tech startups.
Business support
Accelerate Cambridge - Three-month accelerator providing coaching, mentoring, workspace, and entrepreneurship education.
Allia Future Business - Supporting small businesses to grow, and helping ventures create greater social and environmental innovation
Eagle labs - Workspace and business support hub owned by Barclays Bank in Cambridge this hub focuses on climate start ups
St Johns Innovation - Incubator space, mentoring, and business support for early-stage startups.
Getting around the innovation clusters
Central Cambridge & the Station Area
The historic city centre and Cambridge Station form the heart of the network.
Walking: Most colleges, museums, and city amenities are within 10–15 minutes on foot.
Cycling: The city centre has extensive cycle lanes and bike parking. A ride to West Cambridge or the Science Park usually takes 10–15 minutes.
Buses: Stagecoach runs frequent buses linking the station, city centre, and outlying clusters.
Trains: Cambridge Station connects directly to London King’s Cross (~50 min), London Liverpool Street (~1h15), and regional hubs.
More info: Cambridge City Council – cycling & walking,
North Cambridge Cluster
The Science Park and neighbouring Business Park host many of Cambridge’s biggest tech and biotech employers.
Cycling: Around 15 minutes from the city centre; dedicated paths run alongside Milton Road.
Busway: The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway stops at both the Science Park and Cambridge North station, linking them to St Ives, Trumpington, and Addenbrooke’s.
Train: Cambridge North station (opened 2017) has direct services to London, Ely, and Norwich.
Cambridge West Campus
Home to university departments (physics, computer science, engineering) and growing tech spin-outs.
Cycling: About 10 minutes from the city centre along Madingley Road; cycleways link directly to the station too.
Bus: The Universal (U) bus connects West Cambridge with the station and Addenbrooke’s via the city centre.
Park & Ride: Madingley Road Park & Ride is nearby, with regular buses into the city.
More info: Universal bus service
The Biomedical Campus & Hospitals
A rapidly growing cluster of hospitals, research institutes, and biotech companies.
Cycling: About 15 minutes from the city centre, with cycleways along Hills Road and the new Chisholm Trail linking through from north Cambridge.
Bus: Many services stop directly at the campus; the Guided Busway continues here after passing through the city.
Train (future): Cambridge South station is under construction on the campus and is expected to open in 2026, giving direct rail links to London and other hubs.
Park & Ride: Trumpington Park & Ride serves the site via frequent buses.
More info: Biomedical Campus travel info