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A challenge that supports you at every step
The Postdoc Venture Creation Challenge, (PVCC) is aimed at supporting busy University of Cambridge postdocs interested in taking their first steps into creating a venture from their research.
The challenge welcomes innovative ideas across deep tech, life sciences, AI, software, and social impact, with two tracks to support different types of ventures.
Previous winners of the PVCC have gone on to raise £172m in investments and the programme represents a unique chance to get your early ventures recognised and developed.
More than a competition the PVCC, provides workshops, mentoring and an incredible launchpad for early-stage ideas.
Applications are NOW OPEN for PVCC 2026! Scroll down to sign up to the pre-application workshops and to access the application form.
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Sign up for our online workshops
As part of the Postdoc Venture Creation Challenge, we offer a series of online workshops – open to all!
To register your attendance for these workshops, please fill out the form below.
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Workshop 1: What is your value proposition?
How to use the value proposition canvas as a tool to map out the potential applications of new technologies and innovations to solve real customer needs.
Workshop 2: Customer Development
How to find and speak to customers to build empathy and confirm whether they will want, need and pay for your idea. This can be used to inform or validate initial assumptions made on the value proposition canvas.
Workshop 3: Identifying Risks and Designing Market Experiments
Exploring what might kill your idea, how to prioritise risks and how to test them in the market, with a focus on demand testing.
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APPLY for PVCC 2026
We encourage you to apply to the competition, whether you’re at the early stages of exploring an idea or already progressing towards building a venture.
In the folder below, you’ll find everything you need to get started, including the application form, slide deck template, and detailed guidance in the PVCC handbook.
Please submit your completed application form and slide deck to iecambridge@enterprise.cam.ac.uk by 17 July.
Use the link below to download the application documents:
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PVCC 2025 Winners
The PVCC 2025 Grand Finale was held on 13th November where the 8 finalists pitched to a live audience and judges.
The winners are listed below:
Chris Abell Prize Winner of Business Track: Ötzi
Chris Abell Prize Winner of Social Venture Track: GreenMixes
Second Place Business Track: Dielectrix
Audience Award Winners: SomNyx
To find out more, please email iecambridge@enterprise.cam.ac.uk
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2025 Finalists
Finalists of the 2025 PVCC
CLEAR Methane: Developing a novel catalytic technology capable of oxidizing atmospheric methane.
Led by Aliki Marina TsopelakouDielectrix: Building the future of semiconductor hardware through smaller, more energy efficient and rapid transistors.
Led by Maheera Abdul Ghani, Ph.DEpisteme: Aiming to reshape the ways of building and governing algorithmic systems.
Led by Kristina KhutsishviliGreenMixes: Developing a new biomass waste-derived additive to sequester carbon in the atmosphere to reduce environmental damage.
Led by Callon Peate&Dushanth SeevaratnamObasense: Creating a new form of low cost, hyper sensitive sensors using advanced nanomaterials for detecting toxic and dangerous gases and pollutants for multiple areas and industries.
Led by Osarenkhoe Ogbeide and Timothy LambdenÖtzi: A unique venture developing an AI platform for accurately predicting extreme weather events in changing climate
Led by Omer NivronProtalea Bio: Leading the development in new drug discovery platforms for cancer diseases based on 15+ years of research into Gaucher’s and Myeloma
Led by Elena PavlovaSomnyx: Developing a new form of sleep condition diagnostic equipment for potential applications in multiple clinical areas, including at home care.
Led by Wentian Yi & Nina Rzechorzek
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Molly Haugen | CEO & Co-Founder, Aetosense
"As a scientist, you're not taught how to build a business. The competition gave me the tools, language and confidence to start."
