Apply for the Trinity Bradfield Prize 2023

Do you have a science or tech idea with commercial potential? Are you keen to receive bespoke mentoring from tech entrepreneurs and a cash injection to fuel your journey from the research to business world? Then apply for the Trinity Bradfield Prize 2023.

Teams with at least one student or early career researcher at the University of Cambridge are eligible – the deadline is 31 October 2023.

Now in its fifth year, the Trinity Bradfield Prize offers a total prize of £20,000 for three winners, a mentoring programme and free membership of the Bradfield Centre, where 700 innovators and entrepreneurs thrive.

New for 2023 are in-person workshops at Trinity College and The Bradfield Centre at the heart of Cambridge Science Park for all eligible applicants.

Director of the Bradfield Centre, James Parton said:

With no-strings attached grant funding, alongside a comprehensive programme of support and mentoring, the Trinity Bradfield Prize has become embedded in the Cambridge research-entrepreneur ecosystem.

The Trinity Bradfield Prize – made up of a £10,000 first prize, £5,000 second prize and £5,000 Helling’s Prize – is judged by a panel including former Master of Trinity, Nobel Laureate and biotech entrepreneur Sir Gregory Winter.

Together, Trinity College and the Bradfield are committed to supporting researchers translate early-stage technologies into real-world impact.

First prize winner of 2022 Dr Daniel Buhl said winning had been ‘exceptionally rewarding.’

Our idea was at an early stage, which meant the support was very impactful. We have made a lot of connections at the event but also after, and having had all this expertise suddenly available was really helpful.

I have since attended many meetings and events as a result of winning the prize. As a result of this, we are now moving forward with the project and exploring further funding opportunities and commercialisation routes.

Helling’s Prize winners 2022 Abiel Ma and Dr Anthony Ma recently installed their first pilot for VualaX1, Vuala’s food waste recycling system at the Bradfield Centre.

The technology of Vuala X1 is based on the combined expertise of the father and son. For 30 years, Dr Ma was Head of Water and Environmental Technology for a research institute established by the Hong Kong Government.

Abiel developed and tested his idea for food waste separation during an MSt at Homerton College while working as the Head of Sales and Marketing of a food supply company.

Last week delegates from Judge Business School, Octopus Venture, local councils, Millennium Hotel and Resort Group, and Homerton College attended the launch of Vuala X1 at the Bradfield Centre.

Abiel Ma said that Vuala’s automatic separation of food waste from other types of waste into sealed units – with no smell or issues with vermin – reduced the need to collect waste frequently, thereby saving 95% of the labour, logistics and CO2 emissions involved in the process. He said:

Vuala’s mission is to reduce 100 million tonnes of CO2 in 10 years. We envision bringing our innovative food waste recycling solution to cities across the globe, forging partnerships with local governments, businesses, and communities to implement our solution on a larger scale.

Winning Trinity Bradfield Hellings Prize had been a ‘transformative experience,’ helping to propel Vuala’s innovation forward, said Abiel Ma.

The resources, mentorship, and exposure offered by the Bradfield Centre have been invaluable in our journey towards achieving real-world impact. We are thrilled to pilot Vuala X1 at the Bradfield Centre, which is an exciting milestone for our project.

I wholeheartedly encourage others to apply for this remarkable opportunity, as it has the potential to unlock doors and propel innovative ideas towards success.

Find out more including how to apply The Trinity Bradfield Prize