Cambridge changemakers strut their stuff at showcase event

Significant capital and crucial mentorship are on the line for successful companies that have progressed to the climax of an innovation showcase in Cambridge.

The Changemakers Catalyst Fund Showcase Event – inspired by Homerton College and operated In partnership with CW (Cambridge Wireless) – reaches its crescendo on September 28.

This year's successful groups have already each won £2k each as well as industry-specific mentoring and have been doing their inspirational projects since May.

They will now showcase their projects at the September 28 finale and have the chance to win further cash prizes and mentoring.

The Catalyst Fund is part of Homerton College’s Changemakers programme and was introduced in 2022. The Fund awards up to five grants for initiatives led by Homerton students participating in the programme.

Grants are made for establishing a social enterprise or business, supporting an existing start-up or project, developing a creative project or campaign, or research towards a new enterprise.

Proposed projects can be in any field – from tech to arts, politics or business – and must be focused on public good and societal change. Groups are encouraged to explore the possibility of using technology to achieve their aims.

This year there will also be further opportunities to win one of two Ivan Baines Prizes of £1.5k each and three months mentoring by serial entrepreneur Rupert Baines, or the Lovely Naha Foundation Prize of £500 and three months mentoring by Abhi Naha, Chief Commercial Officer of Cambridge Wireless and serial entrepreneur. 

The winners of these additional prizes will be announced at the Celebration Dinner taking place the following evening at Homerton College.

Presentations will be made by the winning enterprises – Compassion8 (web-based tools); Envirisio AI (building the first AI-powered ESG fund analysis generator to facilitate the decision-making process of impact investors);  Health Heroes (a health education and leadership program for school children); HydrAlted (AI-assisted water quality checker); Lloyd Learner (creative e-learning programme  & revision tool for GCSE students); and Memory Lane, whose website aims to help those affected by dementia.