Connecting Cambridge with the World’s Leading Innovation Ecosystems
St John’s Innovation Centre (SJIC) will host an official Cambridge Tech Week event exploring how international innovation corridors can help ambitious technology companies scale globally, while formally launching new collaboration initiatives linking Cambridge with leading innovation ecosystems in Switzerland and the United States.
Taking place on the first day of Cambridge Tech Week, Monday 14 September 2026, the event, “Connecting Cambridge with the World’s Leading Innovation Ecosystems”, will bring together innovation leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem builders from Cambridge, Lausanne and North Carolina to discuss how structured international partnerships can help businesses access talent, markets, capital and commercial opportunities.
The event comes as global attention increasingly focuses on the UK’s “Golden Triangle” of London, Oxford and Cambridge as one of the world’s leading centres for deep-tech innovation. Against this backdrop, SJIC is working with partners including EPFL Innovation Park in Lausanne and First Flight Venture Center in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park to build practical pathways for entrepreneurs seeking international growth.
Alongside these new international partnerships, SJIC will launch an International Landing Pad, housed in its new Innovation Studio and designed to help innovative companies from partner regions establish a presence in Cambridge and gain access to the support, expertise, facilities and networks available within one of the world’s most successful technology ecosystems. In return, Cambridge companies will benefit from reciprocal opportunities and support when exploring expansion into international markets.
The International Landing Pad at St John’s Innovation Centre
The initiative builds on strategic engagement between Cambridge, Lausanne and Research Triangle Park, where ecosystem leaders have been developing the foundations of a long-term innovation and investment corridor. A delegation of leading tech companies from EPFL Innovation Park will visit Cambridge during Cambridge Tech Week as part of this growing relationship, further strengthening commercial, technical and investment connections between the regions.
Exploring International Innovation Corridors in Practice
A central feature of the event will be the panel discussion which will explore how innovation corridors can move beyond strategy and policy discussions to deliver tangible outcomes for technology companies seeking to scale internationally.
Chaired by Kathryn Chapman, CEO of Innovate Cambridge, the panel brings together leaders from the three globally recognised innovation hubs:
- Barnaby Perks, CEO, St John’s Innovation Centre
- Stéphane Dufour, CEO, EPFL Innovation Park, Switzerland
- Krista Covey, CEO & President, First Flight Venture Center, North Carolina
Drawing on their experiences in Cambridge, Lausanne and North Carolina, the panel will share practical insights into building trusted international partnerships that help innovative businesses access global markets and accelerate growth.
Founder Perspectives on Global Growth
Following the panel discussion, entrepreneurs from Cambridge, Lausanne and beyond will share first-hand experiences of scaling internationally and leveraging the support available through innovation ecosystems.
Speakers from Lausanne include: Quintana Hoyne, Founder and CEO of education technology company Embreier and Christopher Rudolf, Founder and CEO of Volv Global, whose AI-powered healthcare platform serves pharmaceutical and healthcare organisations internationally. Speakers based locally include: Dr Anna-Maria Kypraiou, Founder and CEO of EyeSea Green, who will share insights from engaging with North Carolina’s innovation ecosystem and the value of international partnerships for climate-tech businesses, Hamza Munir, Founder of Zambeel Machine Craft, who will discuss his experience building an internationally focused engineering and AI business from Cambridge, and Gayle Storey, Founder of Tutti Toot who will discuss growing the business in Switzerland.
Also attending the event are companies from both the Cambridge and Lauranne ecosystems, to support the launch of the International Innovation Corridor. These companies, who are also available at the event to speak about their experiences, include Alsensia, a Lausanne-based neuroscience firm, Mimicrete, a Cambridge-based concrete and sustainability company, EnterTherm Engineering, a Cambridge-based energy and circular economy company and Biologic Technologies, a Cambrige-based biotech company.
A New Gateway to Cambridge
The International Landing Pads programme reflects SJIC’s commitment to helping innovative companies access Cambridge’s unique ecosystem of entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, corporates and support organisations. By combining flexible workspace with introductions, business support and ecosystem connections, the programme will provide a practical gateway into Cambridge for companies looking to establish a UK presence or explore collaboration opportunities.
The initiative also enables new opportunities for Cambridge-based businesses by providing reciprocal access to partner innovation centres overseas, helping founders develop international partnerships and explore new markets with trusted local support.
Barnaby Perks, CEO of St John’s Innovation Centre, said:
“Cambridge has built its global reputation through collaboration, entrepreneurship and openness to ideas from around the world. Through our Innovation Corridors and International Landing Pads, we’re creating practical pathways that enable ambitious companies to access new markets, new partners and new opportunities. By connecting Cambridge with leading innovation ecosystems such as Lausanne and North Carolina, we can help innovative businesses grow faster while strengthening Cambridge’s position as a globally connected technology hub.”
Stéphane Dufour, CEO of EPFL Innovation Park, said:
“EPFL Innovation Park has 35 years of demonstrated track record in fostering entrepreneurship and supporting deep tech innovation in a country at the heart of Europe with four national languages, the presence of many foreigners and international corporations, and recognized academic excellence. We are thrilled to bring to life the creation of a corridor together within the greater Cambridge ecosystem for all our innovators and entrepreneurs. We share the same commitment to excellence and the same desire to provide pragmatic hands-on support, and we look forward to seeing this translate into accelerated success for all the projects we support.”
Event Details
Connecting Cambridge with the World’s Leading Innovation Ecosystems
Date: Monday 14 September 2026
Time: 3:15pm to 5:15pm
Location: St John’s Innovation Centre, Cambridge
Find out more and register at Cambridge Tech Week.
About St John’s Innovation Centre
Established in 1987, St John’s Innovation Centre is Europe’s first innovation centre and has supported thousands of entrepreneurs, startups and technology businesses through workspace, business support programmes, networking opportunities and innovation ecosystem connections. Located in the heart of the Cambridge technology cluster, SJIC continues to help ambitious founders start, grow and scale successful businesses in the UK and internationally.
About EPFL Innovation Park
At the heart of Switzerland’s innovation ecosystem—recognized as one of the most successful in the world—the EPFL Innovation Park is home to more than 450 companies, both startups, SMEs and Corporates focused on cutting-edge deep tech. Located on the EPFL campus in Lausanne, the Unlimitrust campus, and through its dedicated programs, the EPFL Innovation Park provides hands-on support to innovators at every stage of their development—from idea to commercial success. The Park provides an unparalleled innovation ecosystem and entrepreneurial support in seven domains: Digital Trust, Health Technologies & Bioengineering, Climate, Energy & Industrial Sustainability, Industrial Grade AI, Robotics and Precision Engineering, Quantum and Photonic, Space Tech. Its results-oriented culture brings together an international community of experts, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers, united in their commitment to creating a lasting societal impact.
About Cambridge Tech Week
Taking place from 14-18 September, Cambridge Tech Week will bring together global leaders from industry, academia, government and investment to explore this year’s theme: How Deep Tech Changes the World.
Set within one of the world’s most influential technology clusters, the week showcases the ideas, innovations and partnerships shaping the future. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities, attendees will gain insights into the technologies transforming industries, hear from internationally recognised speakers, and connect with the people driving change across the global innovation ecosystem.
Whether you’re looking to stay ahead of emerging trends, build valuable new connections or discover future collaboration opportunities, Cambridge Tech Week offers a unique opportunity to engage with the people and ideas shaping tomorrow’s economy.
Find out more and register at Cambridge Tech Week.