Innovate Cambridge Summit 2026

The Innovate Cambridge Summit 2026 will bring together more than 500 leaders from across research, industry, investment, government and the wider innovation ecosystem to explore the next phase of innovation-led growth for Cambridge and the UK.

Taking place at the Guildhall, Cambridge on 21 October 2026, the event will provide an update on progress across the Innovate Cambridge initiative while setting out future ambitions for one of the world’s leading innovation ecosystems.

The Summit has become a platform for announcements from government, industry and academia, as well as a forum for shaping progress and future direction – exploring what good growth looks like in practice and showcasing how Cambridge technologies will drive the UK economy and change the world.

We will provide an update on progress and delivery, examine the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of the UK innovation economy, from scaling breakthrough companies and attracting investment to building stronger partnerships between cities, regions and institutions.

This years themes include:

• Start, scale and stay: making Cambridge and the UK attractive for companies to scale and grow
• Powering UK growth: the role of partnerships between cities and clusters
• Delivering good growth: what works in practice and future ambition

Confirmed speakers:

• Jason Pontin – General Partner, DCVC
• Pascal Levensohn – Chairman, Cambridge Innovation Hub Global Advisory Board, University of Cambridge
• Prof. Deborah Prentice – Vice-Chancellor, University of Cambridge
• Prof. Sir John Aston – Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, University of Cambridge
• Mayor Paul Bristow – Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough
• Peter Freeman – Chair, Cambridge Growth Company
• Debbie Toms – Chief of Staff, CuspAI
• Sara Allen – Executive Director, The Cambridge Pledge
• Faye Holland – Director, Cambridge x Manchester Partnership
• Roland Sinker – Chair, Inclusive Innovation and Growth Review
• More to be announced shortly….

Last year’s Summit reached capacity within hours, reflecting the growing momentum and interest surrounding Cambridge’s role in the future of innovation. Early registration is encouraged.