Innovate Cambridge today announced that an initial 100 organisations have signed the Innovate Cambridge Charter to support, promote and enhance innovation in the Greater Cambridge ecosystem, and develop a set of ecosystem-wide initiatives that ensure Cambridge continues to compete effectively on the international stage in the future.
Cambridge Enterprise, Cambridge Innovation Capital, and the University of Cambridge launched Innovate Cambridge in September 2022 to create an inclusive vision for the future of Greater Cambridge and its innovation ecosystem that will be implemented over the next decade. To date local government, startups, universities, science parks and investors, have backed the charter, joining industry leaders, such as AstraZeneca, Microsoft, and Arm, with more signatories expected to sign soon.
Tabitha Goldstaub, CogX co-founder and UK Government advisor, has been appointed Innovate Cambridge’s Executive Director, alongside the Rt Hon. Lord Willetts, who has been appointed as the Chair of the initiative’s steering committee. Goldstaub and the former Minister for Universities and Science and Treasury official will be joined on Innovate Cambridge’s Steering Committee by Prof. Andy Neely, Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor: Enterprise and Business Relations at the University of Cambridge, local business executive Shaun Grady, AstraZeneca’s Senior Vice-President Business Development Operations, Prof. Yvonne Barnett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation for Anglia Ruskin University, Robert Pollock, Chief Executive of Cambridge City Council, and representatives from across the Greater Cambridge innovation ecosystem.
Innovate Cambridge’s founders, new steering committee and charter signatories will now begin to define an ambitious, inclusive vision for the greater Cambridge area. To secure the ecosystem’s future for the next generation and support the innovation coming out of its exceptional universities, thriving start-up ecosystem, vibrant entrepreneurial culture, rich angel, and venture investment network, leading medical campus, and the committed presence of globally leading businesses.