For the first time, the festival expanded beyond Cambridge to encompass all three of the UK’s leading life sciences and technology clusters, bringing together founders, investors, scientists, entrepreneurs, policymakers, students and local communities for a week-long celebration of innovation.
Held from 11–19 June 2026, CWOW spanned 37 venues and delivered more than 280 sessions, involving over 250 companies alongside 24 venture capital firms, accelerators and venture builders. The event showcased the people, places and organisations driving advances in life sciences, biotech and techbio across one of the world’s most productive innovation ecosystems.
The week also reflected the growing international profile of the UK’s life sciences sector, attracting investors, delegates and ecosystem representatives from more than 10 countries, including the United States, Japan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, South Korea, Thailand, China and Belgium.
A central feature of the programme was the four-day Ventures Tour, which showcased more than 110 biotech and techbio companies across Oxford, London and Cambridge. From AI-enabled drug discovery and therapeutics to diagnostics and platform technologies, founders had the opportunity to engage directly with investors, industry leaders and ecosystem partners from across the corridor.
In Cambridge, over 120 organisations opened their doors, welcoming more than 900 attendees across 15 venues and through a programme of talks, tours, demonstrations and workshops – providing local residents, students, entrepreneurs, researchers and international visitors with rare behind-the-scenes access to one of the world’s leading life sciences ecosystems.
Other highlights included the launch of the Cambridge Stock Exchange Project’s partnership with JP Jenkins, discussions on AI-enabled drug discovery and advanced therapeutics, a startup pitch competition featuring both human and AI judges, and Community Day activities designed to inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators.
Reflecting on the week’s success, Prashant Shah, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of the o2h Group, said: “There is a consilience of technology, AI, advanced modalities, talent, capital and government coming together to create a renaissance of innovation in the UK.
“What started as a single day to tell the story of the real lived experience of working in the life science sector has now evolved into a week of life sciences at the home of life sciences and, this year, beyond Cambridge into Oxford and London.
“CWOW remains a bottom-up, grassroots, community-driven endeavour. We created it to celebrate what is already here, provide a rare lens into these innovation clusters and be inspired by what comes next.”
Planning is already underway for Cambridge Wide Open Week 2027, which is expected to take place from 10–18 June 2027, continuing its mission to celebrate the people, places and companies shaping the future of the UK’s life sciences ecosystem.
For more information, visit www.cambridgewideopenweek.com
Image: ©SteveMulveyPhotography
