Leaps initiative Cambridge start-ups opens London tech launchpad, Cambridge 2026

Key Points

• Leaps is a new initiative from Cambridge Enterprise, the University of Cambridge’s innovation arm, launched on June 03, 2026
• London is the first landing spot, recognised as Europe’s top-performing city in AI, fintech and life sciences according to Dealroom’s Global Tech Ecosystem report
• The London Leap will accommodate three Cambridge start-ups embedded within the London ecosystem
• Global partners include Phoenix Court, Balderton Capital, and the BioInnovation Institute Foundation (BII)
• Companies will be selected on a competitive basis by Leaps partners and an advisory board of investors and serial entrepreneurs
• Cambridge ranks behind only the Bay Area and Boston for innovation output per capita in the Ecosystem Index
• The initiative aims to address global challenges including climate health, human health and quantum computing
• Jim Glasheen serves as Cambridge Enterprise’s Chief Executive Officer since November 2024
• Notable Cambridge deep tech companies include Wayve, Healx, Darktrace, Raspberry Pi, Nyobolt and CuspAI
• London attracts international capital and has a reputation for sustained unicorn creation

Cambridge(Cambridge Tribune)June 04, 2026 – Leaps, a new initiative from the University’s innovation arm, Cambridge Enterprise, will embed Cambridge-based companies in tech clusters around the world, giving their founders access to new markets, talent and investment. London is the first of these landing spots, having been recognised in Dealroom’s annual Global Tech Ecosystem report as Europe’s top-performing city in AI, fintech and life sciences, and fourth globally.

How Does the London Leap Program Work for Cambridge Start-ups?

The initiative has been launched in collaboration with global partners Phoenix Court, Balderton Capital and the BioInnovation Institute Foundation (BII). With space for three companies, the London Leap will allow Cambridge start-ups to be embedded within the London ecosystem, which attracts not only international capital, but has a reputation for sustained unicorn creation. Companies will be invited to apply and chosen on a competitive basis by the Leaps’ partners and an advisory board formed by investors and serial entrepreneurs with a global presence.

As reported by Cambridge Enterprise in their official news release, the aim is to boost Cambridge-born companies, translating the world-renowned research at the University of Cambridge into new ventures that are capable of addressing some of our most pressing global challenges, such as climate health, human health and quantum computing.

Why Did Cambridge Enterprise Choose London as the First Global Landing Spot?

“Companies cannot grow and scale in isolation,” said Jim Glasheen, Cambridge Enterprise’s Chief Executive Officer, as reported by the University of Cambridge. “London is a globally connected hub. Our partners can help our companies become a ‘local’ within these complementary innovation ecosystems, creating the meaningful connections that allow companies to grow. London is only the beginning, as we identify new ecosystems in different locations and continue to build on a global proposition of Leaps”.

According to tech.eu, backed by leading investors and ecosystem builders, Leaps aims to help Cambridge-founded companies scale faster by connecting them with complementary global innovation hubs.

What Do Investment Partners Say About the Cambridge Leaps Program?

“Cambridge continues to be one of the most exciting ecosystems for deep tech, producing companies such as Wayve, Healx and Darktrace,” said Suranga Chandratillake, General Partner at Balderton, as reported by the University of Cambridge. “The next generation of ambitious founders deserves the support to match that ambition. This is why we’re delighted to partner with Cambridge Enterprise through Leaps, enabling the connections that are such a critical part of building a successful tech business”.

Julia Hawkins, General Partner at Phoenix Court, added:

“Cambridge has long produced some of the world’s most ambitious deep tech companies, from pioneers like Raspberry Pi to breakthrough businesses such as Nyobolt and CuspAI. The opportunity now is to help more of these companies connect earlier with global markets, talent and customers. London is one of the few ecosystems in the world with the density of operators, investors and international networks to help accelerate that journey”.

“We are excited to support the London Leaps initiative and help strengthen the bridge between Cambridge and other leading innovation ecosystems,” said Jen Nielsen, CEO at BioInnovation Institute, as reported by Cambridge Enterprise. “At BII, we are passionate about turning outstanding scientific research into commercially viable companies, and Cambridge represents one of the world’s foremost hubs for scientific excellence, entrepreneurial talent and breakthrough innovation”.

How Does Cambridge Rank Globally for Innovation Output?

With Cambridge ranked as one of the world’s top cities for innovation output per capita in the Ecosystem Index, behind only the Bay Area and Boston, the deep connection with London will connect two powerful and complementary ecosystems. The Cambridge Cluster is one of the most successful technology clusters in Europe, with more than 4,500 companies based in the region.

According to tech.eu, the initiative represents a London launchpad for the next generation of deeptech founders, helping selected founders access new markets, talent and investment in key geographical hotspots to enable their success.

What Types of Companies Will Benefit from the Leaps Initiative?

The programme focuses on deep tech companies, with Cambridge producing notable successes in AI, life sciences, and quantum computing sectors. The START 3.0 programme at the University of Cambridge accelerates the next generation of AI and DeepTech startups connected to the University.

Jim Glasheen discussed scaling Cambridge innovation and global investor outreach in a Cambridge Tech Podcast episode released on 8 July 2025, reflecting on his first six months as Chief Executive of Cambridge Enterprise since November 2024. His work includes establishing a Cambridge Enterprise office in London to bridge Cambridge innovation with capital, global talent and new partnerships.

When Can Cambridge Start-ups Apply for the London Leap Program?

Companies will be invited to apply and the selection process involves competitive evaluation by the Leaps partners and advisory board. The advisory board is formed by investors and serial entrepreneurs with a global presence who will evaluate applications.

Balderton Capital, one of Europe’s largest venture capital investors with over $2.2 billion under management, has announced closing its fifth European fund raising $305 million to invest in European technology start-ups. The firm has behind breakthrough successes such as Betfair, Lovefilm, MySQL, NaturalMotion and Yoox.

Background of the Leaps Initiative Development

The Leaps initiative represents a strategic expansion of Cambridge Enterprise’s global outreach efforts, building on the University of Cambridge’s 20-year impact in innovation and commercialisation. Dr Jim Glasheen was appointed as Chief Executive of Cambridge Enterprise in September 2024, succeeding Dr Diarmuid O’Brien who served as Chief Executive since August 2021.

Cambridge has long been recognised as a global innovation hub, producing what investors call “the Cambridge Phenomenon” – the UK’s leading regional tech capital with the highest proportion per capita of start-ups and scale-ups. The region has been described by investors as “the safest place to grow high risk businesses” due to its supportive environment for company growth.

The partnership with Phoenix Court represents a significant development, as LocalGlobe operates under the name Phoenix Court Group following their relocation to a property owned by Camden Council. Balderton Capital’s involvement brings decades of European technology investment experience, having raised $2.2 billion total funds for European technology start-ups.

The BioInnovation Institute Foundation’s participation strengthens the life sciences component of the programme, as BII specialises in turning outstanding scientific research into commercially viable companies.

How Will the Leaps Initiative Affect Cambridge-Based Start-up Founders?

The Leaps initiative will directly affect Cambridge-based start-up founders by providing them with structured access to London’s dynamic tech ecosystem, which Dealroom’s report identifies as Europe’s top performer in AI, fintech and life sciences. Founders selected for the London Leap will gain embedded presence within London’s tech cluster rather than operating remotely, creating meaningful local connections that enable scaling.

Cambridge founders will benefit from exposure to international capital flowing into London, which maintains a reputation for sustained unicorn creation. The competitive selection process means only three companies will initially benefit from the London programme, creating high刺激 for quality deep tech ventures.

Founders in climate health, human health and quantum computing sectors will find particular alignment with the programme’s focus on addressing pressing global challenges through commercialised university research. The advisory board’s composition of investors and serial entrepreneurs with global presence means selected founders will access mentorship from experienced operators who understand scaling challenges.

The initiative’s future expansion beyond London means Cambridge founders should view this as the beginning of global connectivity opportunities, with Glasheen indicating that new ecosystems will be identified in different locations. This positioning gives Cambridge founders first-mover advantage in accessing complementary innovation ecosystems before competitors from other UK regions.

For deep tech founders specifically, the programme addresses the critical need for earlier connection with global markets, talent and customers, which Julia Hawkins identified as the key opportunity for Cambridge’s ambitious deep tech companies. The programme structure of embedding companies within London rather than providing remote support addresses the fundamental challenge that companies cannot grow and scale in isolation, as Glasheen emphasised.

The competitive selection process creates pressure on Cambridge founders to demonstrate clear scaling potential and alignment with global market opportunities, potentially accelerating their preparation for international expansion. However, the limited three-company capacity means many qualified Cambridge start-ups will need to wait for programme expansion or alternative pathways to London market access.