Innovation news

An image of 3 people at a Canopy event smiling and socialising with a crowd of people behind them. Taken from within the Entopia building at CISL.

CISL’s innovation ecosystem accelerates sustainable solutions to global challenges, connecting founders, startups, corporates, and investors to scale impactful change. Through initiatives like our Cambridge innovation hub, CANOPY, and programs in startup acceleration and collaborative innovation, we empower purpose-led entrepreneurs and guide major organizations in embedding sustainability-driven strategies. Explore our latest stories and insights below to see how our community is driving transformative impact worldwide.

Make the ask: negotiation done differently

3 October 2022 - Viola Jardon, Senior Programme Manager for CISL’s Accelerator, shares how female founders can enhance their negotiation skills, harnessing their unique strengths to get what they want and create their own power.

Accelerating net zero with technology-enabled intelligent buildings

1 August 2022 - Building operations accounted for 27% of global carbon emissions in 2021, and with the number of buildings expected to double by 2060 it is increasingly important that building emissions are reduced. In this guest blog, Luiz Alevar, Senior Director at Envision Digital, explores the potential of AI and smart technology of meeting climate targets in the built environment sector.

Driving the circular economy through collaboration and disruptive change

21 July 2022 - This Circular Economy Week, the CISL Canopy Incubator and Accelerator hosted its first in-person programme, connecting cross-industry leaders and circular experts with innovators and change makers disrupting the status quo. CISL’s Programme Manager, Jie Zhou , shares some of her takeaways from two days of immersive workshops, panel debates, keynote speakers and networking.

The Circular Economy Showcase Roundup: “If you want to change the world, you need to throw a better party than those destroying it” - Toast Ale

26 April 2022 - CISL supported the UKRI Circular Economy Hub (CE-Hub) as it hosted its first annual Circular Economy Showcase. CISL’s Emma Fromberg and Jie Zhou review the biggest takeaways from the key speakers, and the wealth of sustainable innovations shared by startups and entrepreneurs.

Celebrating women in sustainable innovation: four founders share their advice

8 March 2022- International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women and progression of gender parity, while also recognising that there is still much more to be done. This year’s theme challenges us to #BreakTheBias and to imagine a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive, free of stereotypes and discrimination.

Climate Fit: Seven steps to net zero

February 2022 - Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) account for around 90% of global businesses and half of all employment. In a world facing an urgent climate crisis, SMEs have a significant role to play in reducing carbon emissions.

Preparing the runway for sustainable aviation

26 January 2022 - Miruna Rapeanu and Beth Barker reflect on the challenges and the next steps for the Aviation Impact Accelerator following COP26.

A mindset journey for entrepreneurs

Viola Jardon, Senior Programme Manager for CISL's Accelerator, sheds light on the challenging journey startup founders face, and the importance of taking time for reflection on their mindset.

Investing in net zero innovation

20 December 2021 - Ian Lane, Partner at Cambridge Innovation Capital and contributor to the finance session of our 2021 Accelerator to net zero , shares his insights on the world of startup investment and the crucial role small businesses play in accelerating the path to net zero.

Achieving zero: CISL’s Accelerator to net zero

Meeting the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 requires significant changes in how we use energy, as well as rapid acceleration and uptake of technologies that support decarbonisation. The good news is that for many of the challenges we face, solutions already exist. However, such technologies need to be propelled forward and scaled up, while ensuring they remain sustainable throughout the supply chain.

Make the ask: negotiation done differently

Accelerating net zero with technology-enabled intelligent buildings

Driving the circular economy through collaboration and disruptive change

The Circular Economy Showcase Roundup: “If you want to change the world, you need to throw a better party than those destroying it” - Toast Ale

Celebrating women in sustainable innovation: four founders share their advice

Climate Fit: Seven steps to net zero

Preparing the runway for sustainable aviation

A mindset journey for entrepreneurs

Investing in net zero innovation

Achieving zero: CISL’s Accelerator to net zero

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