AI Sciencepreneurship Bootcamp
AI Sciencepreneurship Bootcamp
ai@cam announces its second AI Sciencepreneurship Bootcamp, an immersive two-day programme that helps researchers translate AI for science ideas to practice through entrepreneurship.
Following the success of our first event in June 2025, ai@cam is launching the second edition of its AI Sciencepreneurship Bootcamp, an intensive two-day programme designed to help researchers transform breakthrough AI innovations in scientific research into real-world impact.
Running from 11-12 February 2026, this hands-on bootcamp will combine technical expertise in scientific applications of AI with entrepreneurial insights from Cambridge’s innovation ecosystem, supporting the next generation of science-based ventures.
Cambridge is home to over 5,500 knowledge-intensive businesses and the world’s highest concentration of academic entrepreneurs. AI could help supercharge scientific discovery and innovation, driving a new wave of breakthroughs in areas from healthcare, to genomics, to sustainable energy. However, researchers looking to translate their scientific AI innovations face challenges, from designing AI tools tailored for specific scientific domains to building product-ready solutions from laboratory innovations.
Our first bootcamp saw teams develop innovative ventures including Nature Network, an AI mapping tool to connect the public with the natural world; Ötzi, an AI-driven climate-risk modelling tool for insurance markets; and From Womb to World, an AI-powered digital health tool for IVF and high-risk pregnancies. Building on this momentum, this second edition will provide an enhanced pathway for researchers to develop their scientific AI innovations into viable ventures.
The ai@cam AI Sciencepreneurship bootcamp will provide hands-on workshops, training, and mentoring to help researchers develop AI for science tools and learn more about entrepreneurship. The two-day programme will feature:
- Technical workshops on foundation models and AI tools led by the Accelerate Science team;
- Training sessions on start-up fundamentals from Cambridge Innovation Capital
- Founder story sessions with successful AI entrepreneurs;
- Pitch development and showcase opportunities with local entrepreneurs.
How to apply
Registration is now open for our 2026 Bootcamp. We have a limited number of spaces at the workshop, so encourage early registration. Teams working on shared challenges are welcome to apply, but we ask that each team member must submit an individual application.
The registration asks for:
- Your research background
- Your AI experience and expertise
- A description of the idea you want to develop
- Your motivation for joining the bootcamp
Applications are open to researchers and PhD students at the University of Cambridge and its associated institutions. We encourage all applicants to read the FAQs below before applying. If you have any further questions, please reach out to Zoë Walker-Fagg (zw249@cam.ac.uk).
Key Details
Time: 9:30 -17.30
Date: Wednesday 11 February - Thursday 12 February 2026
Location: Crausaz Wordsworth Building, Robinson College, Cambridge CB3 9AD
The deadline for applications is 17:00 on Wednesday 28 January 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bootcamp is open to PhD students, postdocs, and early-career researchers at the University of Cambridge and its associated research institutions, working on AI applications in scientific domains such as biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, healthcare, and related fields. Participants should have an understanding of core methods and concepts in AI and an idea for a project they’d like to develop.
As part of registration for the session, we will ask participants to agree to a confidentiality undertaking, to allow other participants in the workshop to share their ideas during discussions.
Participants should have foundational knowledge of AI methods and concepts. Those looking to build these skills can access preparatory courses through Accelerate Science’s training programmes before applying. We find participants gain most from this workshop when they have an idea for an AI for science project that they would like to develop or are already working on.
Registration is now open and you can apply here. The deadline for applications is 17:00 on Wednesday 28 January 2026.
The registration asks for:
- Your research background
- Your AI experience and expertise
- A description of the idea you want to develop
- Your motivation for joining the bootcamp
We have a limited number of spaces at the workshop, so encourage early registration. Teams working on shared challenges are welcome to apply, but we ask that each team member must submit an individual application.
- Technical workshops on foundation models and AI tools led by the Accelerate Science team
- Training sessions on start-up fundamentals from Cambridge Innovation Capital
- Founder story sessions with successful AI entrepreneurs
- Pitch development and showcase opportunities with local entrepreneurs
Yes, this is part of an ongoing series of initiatives by the Cambridge ELIAS node. Future workshops and events will be announced as the ELIAS Alliance develops.
Participants must commit to attending all two full days of the bootcamp, from Wednesday 11 February - Thursday 12 February 2026, and actively participate in working sessions.
We are currently planning for sessions to run from 09:30 - 17:30 across both days.
Yes, we welcome applications from research teams working on shared projects. However, each team member must submit an individual application before 17.00, Wednesday 28 January 2026.
The bootcamp is part of Cambridge’s European Leadership in Innovation with AI and Science (ELIAS) node, an initiative to accelerate AI-driven scientific innovation in the Cambridge ecosystem. Researchers at Cambridge have the opportunity to benefit from a range of programmes that provide support for research commercialisation. This programme is focused on the use of AI for science, providing a space to work through practical issues associated with building AI tools and introducing topics in entrepreneurship.
The sciencepreneurship bootcamp is designed as an entry point to Cambridge’s AI and science innovation ecosystem. After completing the bootcamp, participants will have several pathways for continued support.
Next-stage programmes in the Cambridge ecosystem include:
- Founders at Cambridge
- DeepTech Labs accelerator programme (for suitable deep tech ventures)
- Further events through the ELIAS network
Participants will be invited to join our ELIAS AI for sciencepreneurship community, with regular meetups, skill-sharing sessions, and opportunities to connect with potential co-founders, team members, and advisors.
The workshop will conclude with a presentation session that showcases work developed during the bootcamp. The strongest project will receive a prize of £3,000 in the form of a grant to develop their work.
The prize funds are intended to support further development of the project created during the bootcamp and must be used in accordance with University financial policies.