Breakthrough Ideas,
Comprehensive Support.
Validate and launch your Science and Tech ideas.
Since its launch in 2018, The Trinity Bradfield Prize has become the most popular Science and Tech competition at The University of Cambridge.
Across the six editions of the prize to date, 498 teams have applied, £125,000 in non-dilutive prize money has been awarded, and our impressive alumni have gone on to raise millions of pounds in venture and grant funding.
The Prize aims to encourage and assist young scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs at the University of Cambridge to start companies capable of translating their ideas, inventions, and discoveries into products. The judges are looking for the teams most likely to achieve these goals and the products most likely to impact their field.
The prize isn't simply a pitching contest. We want to deeply understand your science and technology. The judges weigh multiple factors, including team experience, research publications, intellectual property ownership, funding or licencing opportunities, business models, the market, the competition, and clarity of presentation.
Ongoing Support & Nurturing.
Unlike most start-up competitions, The Trinity Bradfield Prize is not over once the winners have been announced.
In addition to our cash prizes, all finalists have access to a range of hand-picked mentors with relevant expertise to help grow your idea and your company.
In addition, all finalists enjoy complimentary membership of Cambridge's leading Tech Hub, The Bradfield Centre. Located in the heart of Cambridge Science Park and home to more than 120 start-ups, you will rub shoulders with our resident entrepreneurs, gaining valuable connections and advice as you build your start-up. Enjoy our market-leading facilities, attend our events, and host your meetings in a professional, high-impact setting.
The competition is covered by local media, and the final is attended by key people in the Cambridge Tech and Science community. It is the ideal platform to gain exposure and meet investors, and many of our applicants go on to other support programs in the Cambridge ecosystem, like Founders at The University of Cambridge.
We are genuinely invested in your success, so much so, we invite our previous finalists to come back a year later to update the judges. The team that demonstrats the most progress towards commercialisation in the 12 months since appearing in the final can win an additional cash prize.
Something for everyone.
The competition is inclusive by design. We welcome applications from any individual or team with a member at The University of Cambridge, from any field of science or technology, at any Technology Readiness Level. We also encourage repeat applications.
Our chair of judges, Noble laureate Sir Greg Winter says "Like the original ethos of the Olympic Games, the most important thing is not winning but taking part. We believe that the exposure of young minds to the thrills of innovation will, over the course of their careers, help bridge fundamental science and business for the common good.”
In that spirit, every year, during the application window, we organise a series of entrepreneurship talks delivered by start-up founders and subject matter experts, which are open to anyone at The University of Cambridge - even if you haven't yet decided to enter the competition. These sessions cover key concepts like finding your first customers, intellectual property, pitching and founder stories.
Prizes & Benefits.
First Place
£10,000
Our first-place winner receives £10,000 non-dilutive prize money.
Runner Up
2 x £5,000
Two runner up prizes of £5,000 non-dilutive prize money are available. One of these prizes is donated by The Hellings family.
Mentoring & Introductions
All finalists have access to a range of hand-picked mentors with relevant expertise to help grow your idea and your company.
Angel Prize
£10,000
Open to all of the previous year's finalists, and awarded to the team demonstrating the most progress towards commercialisation.
Membership of The Bradfield Centre
All finalists enjoy complimentary membership of Cambridge's leading Tech Hub, The Bradfield Centre.
Coaching & Exposure
You will sharpen your pitch skills, and benefit from coverage in local media to help raise the profile of your team and your idea.
Impact.
Molly Haugen, CEO and Co-founder Aetosense
2021 Winner
"The financial part was great - with the prize money we were able to do more testing and optimization, but I think the biggest thing was actually just getting involved in the business space. I made great connections with people that I'm still in contact with. My advice is go for it. You need to just get your name out there and at least try. Do it for yourself and for your idea."