Apply to the Trinity Bradfield Prize by 30 November

Join the 500+ teams that have applied to the Trinity Bradfield Prize to date for a chance of sharing the £30,000 prize pot, receiving expert mentoring and joining The Bradfield Centre, the leading tech hub in Cambridge.

The Trinity Bradfield Prize aims to encourage and assist young scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs at the University of Cambridge to start companies capable of translating their ideas, inventions, and discoveries into products.

Any individual or team with a member at the University of Cambridge, from any field of science or technology, and at any technology readiness level, is eligible to apply.

As the application deadline of 30 November approaches, we caught up with Dr Yizhu Yu, founder and CEO of Healthspan Biotics. Dr Yu won the Trinity Bradfield Second Prize last year for the development of probiotics against Alzheimer’s and other neuro-degenerative diseases.

Dr Yu said that winning a Trinity Bradfield Prize enabled Healthspan Biotics to manufacture three new probiotics and start a clinical study in humans.

We are deeply grateful to Trinity College, the Bradfield Centre and members of the community for supporting us at such a pivotal early stage. The Trinity Bradfield community’s support has accelerated our translation from discovery to real-world application. As we prepare for larger trials, we’d love to stay connected and explore further opportunities for collaboration.

During his MPhil and PhD at Hughes Hall, Dr Yu used his knowledge of neuroscience and skills in computational biology, biochemistry and cell biology to investigate neuro-degeneration and ageing. His key aim was to understand how neurons in the brain protect themselves from degradation.

‘It turned out that they rely on some naturally occurring microbes in the gut. Bacteria in our gut are  constantly acting like small factories producing these beneficial metabolites,’ he said.

Animal models of Alzheimer’s disease fed with the Healthspan Biotics’ tablet showed improved neurological health.

Because the key ingredient in the company’s probiotic is a known bacteria, unlike a new drug there are no restrictions on its sale. When Healthspan Biotics launches their probiotic to consumers, they can choose to take part in a research project that will test their blood and stools, and for a selected number, their cognitive performance.

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, with around 50 million people living with the disease worldwide, a number expected to grow with ageing populations.

Dr Yu has published 15 articles in scientific journals but he says, ‘I wanted to do a bit more than write papers.’

‘We would like to treat and prevent Alzheimer’s – that is aim of the company and why it exists.’

Director of The Bradfield Centre, James Parton said the Trinity Bradfield Prize wasn’t simply a pitching contest.

Unlike most start-up competitions, The Trinity Bradfield Prize is not over once the winners have been announced.

​In addition to our cash prizes, all finalists have access to a range of hand-picked mentors with relevant expertise to help grow your idea and your company.

In addition, all finalists enjoy complimentary membership of Cambridge’s leading Tech Hub, The Bradfield Centre. Located in the heart of Cambridge Science Park and home to more than 120 start-ups, you will rub shoulders with our resident entrepreneurs, gaining valuable connections and advice as you build your start-up.

There are four prizes: the first-placed winner receives £10,000 in non-dilutive prize money. The £10,000 Angel Prize is awarded to the team from the previous year’s finalists which demonstrates the most progress towards commercialisation.

There are two runner-up prizes, worth £5,000 each, one of which is donated by the family of Geoffrey Hellings, a student at Trinity in the 1920s.

Chair of the judging panel, Nobel Laureate and former Master of Trinity Sir Gregory Winter said:

Like the original ethos of the Olympic Games, the most important thing is not winning but taking part. We believe that the exposure of young minds to the thrills of innovation will, over the course of their careers, help bridge fundamental science and business for the common good.

The deadline for applications is 30 November at midnight. The Trinity Bradfield Prize Award evening is on 28 January. Find out more about the Trinity Bradfield Prize and how to apply.

Banner photo above, from left: Yizhou Yu (Healthspan Biotics), Lorna MacLean (Demetria), Sir Gregory Winter and Xufu Ren (PowerMatrix). Photograph by Keith Heppell.