From Startup Sparks to Spotlight Success

Three innovative Arise Innovation Hub members have been selected as finalists in the prestigious Founders Live Cambridge pitch competition, taking place on Wednesday 6th November 2025 at Mills & Reeve, Cambridge. The event, part of the global Founders Live series, offers a dynamic platform for MedTech startups to showcase their ideas in front of a live audience and industry experts.

Representing Arise are Aerial Icon, Japeto AI, and C-Prio. Each company will deliver a 99-second pitch, followed by 4 minutes of audience Q&A, with the winner decided by live audience vote. The victor earns a spot in the Founders Live Prime Time regional qualifiers, with the potential to compete globally in Seattle during the 2026 World Cup.

These finalists exemplify the cutting-edge innovation emerging from Arise. Aerial Icon is pioneering drone-based solutionsto deliver VR therapeutic health interventions for mental health disorders.Japeto AI develops bespoke AI tools and chatbots that solve real-world problems in healthcare, education, and public services. C-Prio is revolutionising cancer diagnostics with AI-powered histopathology tools, aiming to reduce NHS backlogs and improve patient outcomes.

With a MedTech focus this year, the event aligns perfectly with the strengths of our finalists, who are tackling some of the sector’s most pressing challenges with scalable, impactful solutions.  To succeed, each finalist must clearly articulate their value proposition, demonstrate market potential, and engage the audience with their vision, all within the tight pitch format. It’s a test of clarity, innovation, and charisma.

We are proud and excited to see our Arise members stepping onto this national stage. Their selection reflects the calibre of businesses nurtured within our innovation hubs and highlights the importance of supporting early-stage ventures with the resources and community they need to thrive.

To find out more, visit their website.