Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC) backs world-leading life sciences and technology companies linked to the Cambridge ecosystem. Founded by the University of Cambridge in 2013, it serves as a preferred investor for university spinouts and early-stage ventures, providing trusted, local capital. CIC is an exemplar of effective collaboration between universities and investors to support scaleup growth.

In the period from January 2017 to July 2024, CIC has supported 34 companies in 66 fundraisings of which 29 (46%) were follow-on investments. 

In 2024, Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC) remains a leading venture capital firm focused on supporting deep-tech and life sciences companies within the Cambridge ecosystem. CIC has made 91 investments to date, with notable 2024 deals including a $75 million investment in Riverlane, a quantum computing company working on error correction technology. CIC’s portfolio also includes companies like Secondmind and CMR Surgical, which recently raised $165 million to further develop its surgical robotics technology​

Nearly eight in ten (79%) of CIC’s investments are outside of London. CIC invests in disruptive, deep-tech businesses in sectors including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence, internet of things, quantum technologies, autonomous systems, therapeutics, medtech/diagnostics, digital health and genomics/proteomics.

Notable scaleups that CIC has supported include CMR Surgical, a leader in surgical robotics; Congenica, specialising in genomic diagnostics; Pragmatic Semiconductor, focused on flexible electronics; and Microbiotica, advancing microbiome therapeutics.

CIC continues to work closely with key stakeholders such as the Babraham Research Campus, endorsed by the ScaleUp Institute, to strengthen the innovation ecosystem. It manages Start Codon, launched in 2019 to support life sciences and healthcare ventures with investment, mentoring and lab access. CIC also co-founded and co-owns Deeptech Labs, a post-seed accelerator helping deep tech firms become Series A-ready. In partnership with Cambridge Enterprise and the University of Cambridge, CIC launched Innovate Cambridge, which now leads a 10-year vision to double the region’s innovation output, investment and unicorn pipeline.

Its team brings deep operational and sector expertise from backgrounds in entrepreneurship, science, investment and industry. It takes a hands-on approach, supporting portfolio companies with board participation, commercial planning, executive recruitment and scaleup execution.

Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC) website