Cambridge Forum announces Pitch My Idea: Accelerating the Future of AI and Health Innovation
The annual event will connect seven startups with investors.
Cambridge Forum, the global hub for innovation and knowledge exchange, has officially opened applications for Pitch My Idea: AI and Health - a morning of pitch sessions, keynote speeches, panels and networking. This curated opportunity, which connects seven lucky startups with investors, is scheduled for 11th September 2026 at the Cambridge Corn Exchange. Cambridge Forum will be uniting the UK's most promising pre-seed and seed-stage startups with a global network of investors on the second day of its annual event.
Cambridge is uniquely positioned as a powerhouse for this initiative, hosting over 5,500 knowledge-intensive businesses and boasting the world's highest concentration of academic entrepreneurs. Cambridge is a premier global deep-tech hub, boasting the highest concentration of tech unicorns per capita in Europe. Driven by university spinouts, over 26+ unicorns have emerged from the 'Cambridge Phenomenon', with 2024 seeing a record $2.3 billion in venture capital investment. Pitch My Idea is designed to capitalise on Cambridge's strong track record and ecosystem, offering seven selected entrepreneurs a prestigious platform to bridge the gap between innovation and capital.
More than just a pitch event, Pitch My Idea offers not only the opportunity for seven startups to present to a room full of investors and potential partners, but also a virtual platform for investors and startups to connect. Selected startup finalists will receive:
- Expert coaching and mentoring: Professional pitch training and tips for improvement from industry partners
- Virtual investor connectivity: Access to a bespoke online platform to engage with global investors digitally
- Zero participation fees: There is no charge for the finalists selected to pitch nor for investors
- Strategic visibility: High-level exposure through marketing communications and access to a global audience
- Complimentary tickets for Cambridge Forum: Tech for Good on Thursday, 10th September
Who Should Apply? We are seeking startups and spin-outs specialising in AI-driven healthcare solutions. Target sectors include clinical intelligence and diagnostics, therapeutics and life sciences, remote care and personal health, health systems and operations, health data infrastructure, governance and population and global health. Cambridge Forum is particularly interested in solutions that are ethical and have a significant and measurable positive impact on society. The organisation encourages applications from women founding teams and founders from diverse backgrounds.
Applications are now open, with 1st July 2026 being the final application deadline. Pitch coaching and mentoring sessions will be held on 11th and 19th August. The final pitch day at Cambridge Corn Exchange will be held on 11th September 2026.
"Whilst it's becoming common knowledge that AI has a profound disruptive potential in so many fields, health is perhaps the sector wherein it holds the greatest positive promise for humanity," said Dr Ehab Shanti, founder of Cambridge Forum. "Whether in robotics or diagnostics, or the discovery of new medicines and genetic mapping or the use of LLMS for patient empowerment, Cambridge Forum aims to shine the spotlight on some of the most cutting-edge AI and Health technology and to connect some of the most promising enterprises in Cambridge with global investors and institutions."
Health and AI startups are encouraged to download the application pack and apply here.