Fifteen years of discovery, impact and growth
VenturesEstablished in 2008 through the kindness and generosity of its donors, the University of Cambridge Discovery Fund was created to support the development of scientific discoveries with the potential to transform our world.
Since making its first investment in 2009, the fund has focused on the earliest and riskiest stages of company creation, helping turn blue‑skies research into investable ventures with real‑world impact.
Over the last 15 years, the Discovery Fund has grown into a powerful evergreen investment vehicle, reinvesting returns to support new generations of University‑linked companies. Through early conviction and patient capital, the fund has helped establish exceptional startups that are now shaping global industries, driving employment and enabling positive societal change.
This report looks back on the Discovery Fund’s journey from 2010 to 2025, highlighting the companies supported, the returns generated and the impact created for the University of Cambridge and wider society.
