Global Innovation

Create next‑generation products, services and business models with the world’s most disruptive sustainability innovators.

We work with businesses and investors to identify, test and scale innovations that can succeed in real markets. Drawing on our experience supporting both corporates and startups, we help turn promising solutions into commercially viable, market‑ready propositions.

What we do

Our approach to systems innovation starts from a simple insight: breakthrough solutions do not scale on technology alone. They succeed when incentives, capabilities, norms and rules evolve to support them.

We therefore focus not only on advancing technological innovation, but on strengthening the market context in which it operates, combining strategic insight into market evolution with practical interventions in the sectors where infrastructure is built and investment decisions are made. Our approach moves innovation from promise to practice at the scale today’s economic, environmental and social challenges demand.

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Find our more in our latest report: From Innovation to Impact: Scaling Climate Solutions to Transform Markets.

How we work with partners:

CISL’s approach to scaling viable innovations and solutions is tried and tested through four main routes:

Bespoke accelerator programmes for corporate partners

We help corporates pilot and adopt new technologies and business models. Through our bespoke Accelerator programmes, we identify challenges in existing business approaches, scout relevant solutions from the innovation ecosystem, and highlight capabilities that build longterm resilience and address tomorrow’s problems.

Recent projects include partnering with L’Oréal to identify, pilot and scale solutions and working with global medical technology corporation, Boston Scientific, to address two priorities: building sustainability capability and accelerating sustainable transformation.

For trade and investment departments

We partner with organisations interested in accessing international markets and emerging technologies to offer ‘soft landings’, market immersion and international programmes to scale solutions across boundaries.

Our immersion programmes include the JETRO X-Hub Tokyo Accelerator for early-stage Japanese startups building sustainability solutions with global potential, the Desafìa London Immersion Programme supporting Spanish companies in the clean and climate tech sectors, working the the UNICEF office of innovation on global programmes, and the hosting dynamic start-up companies participating in the Sedrah programme.

Enquire about our global innovation programmes

Evaluation and awards

We design and deliver innovation evaluation, awards and scouting programmes, supporting partners to identify high‑impact ventures and emerging solutions.

Our work includes supporting programmes with Unilever, UNICEF, TERA, and the Earthshot Prize, as well as alumni recognition such as the Forbes 30 Under 30.

Enquire about our awards programmes

Incubation, mentors and community

We host a central Cambridge incubation space, hold a 200+ stong mentor network, have a network of 500+ alumni startups, and convene a global community of impact investors.

Find out more about the Canopy community

Speak to our team

We have a dedicated international development team who can help, speak to our team to learn more about our services and programme models.

Recent projects

A group of six people gather closely around a laptop in a bright office setting, collaborating on a shared task. A digital network overlay of glowing lines and nodes appears across the image, symbolising data, connectivity, or AI‑driven teamwork.

Cambridge Edge AI Innovation for Sustainability Challenge

UK student challenge by CISL & Arculus to design distributed, resource‑efficient edge AI systems that share insights without raw data, supporting sustainability. Focus on concept ideas, with finalists showcased in Cambridge and a £6,000 prize.

A screenshot of all the smiling faces of the Climate X cohort as they meet online for their programme launch session

A CISL & UNICEF programme - Climate X

This is a startup accelerator programme in partnership with UNICEF Office of Innovation, continuing our work on the impactful Innovation30 initiative.

A group photo of spanish starups and innovators on a roof top terrace at Entopia in Cambridge smiling at the camera with blue skies and sunshine around them.

DESAFÍA London

CISL's Canopy team were a key partner and collaborator for the Desafìa London Immersion Programme supports Spanish companies in the clean and climate tech sectors, helping them to scale faster by accelerating their internationalisation process.

Other Work

Sino-UK centre

The Sino-UK centre promotes productive engagement with China to support sustainability focused startups, preserving academic values and integrity. It draws on expertise from across CISL’s wider ecosystem to foster informed and positive collaboration with Chinese stakeholders.

Bespoke leadership and strategy programmes

Delivered to Boards, executives and senior leaders, specific functions and high-potential individuals, our programmes offer an effective and inspiring learning journey that is engaging, action-oriented, and outcomes-focused, aligned to your organisation.