Cambridge Network is thrilled to announce its participation in a multi-million-pound, three-year multi-partner programme with the UK Government’s new research funding agency Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA). As one of ARIA’s new Activation Partners in the agency’s Scalable Neural Interfaces opportunity space, this collaboration aims to rocket-boost progress on a new generation of neuro-technologies designed to treat conditions such as depression, dementia, chronic pain, epilepsy and injuries to the nervous system.
With neurological and mental health disorders impacting four out of five people in their lifetime, the urgency for cutting-edge solutions has never been greater. With advancing neurotechnology having the potential to offer revolutionary new treatments to address these disorders, the new programme is designed to attract the best minds in the neurotechnology space. It will offer a home for original thinkers to find funding, mentoring and space to test their ideas. It will scour the UK for innovators from any background with a highly ambitious concept for a technology that could transform brain health. Participants will be encouraged to push the boundaries of what is possible in brain health, to create life-changing, affordable and scalable solutions.
Cambridge Network’s role: a catalyst for collaboration
As a key Activation Partner, Cambridge Network will play a central role in facilitating collaboration, leveraging its extensive connections by bringing together multidisciplinary partners from academia, industry, and clinical fields. Encouraging knowledge exchange and a platform for radical thinkers to test and transform their ideas into tangible solutions.
John Gourd, CEO of Cambridge Network says: “This incredibly exciting project is founded on Cambridge’s strong track record of bringing organisations together to collaborate and tackle global-scale health challenges. We are excited by the opportunity to leverage Cambridge Network’s connections, both within the eco-system and elsewhere, to build a world-class network of partners and stakeholders.”
“As well as companies currently operating in the neurotechnology space, we are really keen to work with companies who either have technologies in other fields, that might be adaptable, or those who might want to break into the field.”
The three-year partnership is made up of two programmes:
The Fellowship Programme – a UK-wide offer for Blue Sky Fellows, who’ll receive mentorship from the best medical, scientific and business experts to rapidly test their ideas in Cambridge and potentially be offered accommodation at a Cambridge college.
Activator Fellows - a UK-wide offer to those who have already proved that their idea works yet need support to turn it into a business. Participants will be offered training in entrepreneurial skills including grant writing, IP management and clinical validation, so that their innovation can be made ready for investment.
The Ecosystem Programme – sets to create a vibrant, UK-wide neurotechnology community where leaders from business, science, engineering, academia and the NHS can meet, spark ideas and form collaborations. This will involve quarterly events in Cambridge, road trip events across the UK and access to the thriving online Cambridge network, Connect: Health Tech.
Cambridge Network is joined by a prestigious consortium of partners, including ARIA, The Milner Therapeutics Institute, The Maxwell Centre, The University of Cambridge Departments of Engineering and Psychiatry, Cambridge University Health Partners (CUHP), The Babraham Research Campus, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge Neuroscience, and Vellos.
The first networking events will be held in the coming weeks, but the search for ideas starts now. If you would like to hear more about the programme – please email enquiry@cambridgenetwork.co.uk
