Linia Zambezi, founder of Afromics, a start-up dedicated to creating a genomic biobank for Africa, was named the winner of the inaugural Enterprising Women programme at Murray Edwards College, Cambridge, last night. The runner-up was Respoken, a healthtech company using AI to revolutionise speech and language therapy for individuals with brain injuries and neurodegenerative conditions. Third place went to Vera, a second-hand marketplace powered by advanced AI and image-based search technology.
The final event, attended by sponsors, mentors, supporters and founders, marked a significant milestone for women’s entrepreneurship at the College. It provided a vibrant platform for female innovators in the Cambridge ecosystem to showcase their work and build meaningful networks.
SHE SOARS Demo Day
The SHE SOARS demo day, held on 2 July 2025 at Murray Edwards College, featured pitches from 10 start-ups that participated in the intensive six-week programme. The presenting ventures were:
- Asware: An app that uses AI and data analytics to support people with attention, memory and emotional regulation difficulties, including those affected by ADHD.
- Afromics: A genomics company building a large-scale biobank integrating clinical and MRI data to support healthcare innovation across Africa. Judges praised the team’s ambition and early discussions with prospective commercial partners.
- Finlay: A fintech platform providing split payment solutions for subscription-based businesses, including tools for renewals, pro-rata refunds and mid-term cancellations.
- LooDown: A community-driven app offering detailed information, amenities and live user reviews of local public toilets.
- MabGalaxy: A biotech start-up using generative AI to accelerate the discovery of new antibody-based medicines.
- Qbitise: An edtech company providing professionals with practical quantum coding skills through vendor-neutral, sector-specific training. It offers subscription services to both businesses and individual learners.
- Respoken: An AI-powered digital health platform aimed at transforming speech and language therapy for individuals with brain injuries and neurodegenerative disorders. Judges commended its impactful mission, strong pitch and diverse team. Respoken also won the Popular Vote from attendees.
- Synaptica: A start-up helping biomedical researchers integrate different types of data, such as MRI scans, gene expression and medical records, to uncover novel insights.
- Tiffin: A community-driven marketplace and social platform focused on homemade meals and local food connections.
- Vera: A second-hand fashion marketplace powered by AI and image-based search technology. Judges were impressed by the team’s solution to the major frustrations on existing resale platforms.
About the SHE SOARS Programme
SHE SOARS is a fully funded entrepreneurship programme for women-led start-ups founded by University of Cambridge postgraduates, researchers and alumnae within the past five years. It supports both early-stage start-ups and those on the verge of launching. Ventures must include women in leadership roles, though mixed-gender teams are welcome.
Programme Features:
- Six-week course (one day per week)
- One-to-one mentoring, lectures and workshops
- Access to dedicated mentors, academic advisors and peer learning groups
- Guidance on business planning, marketing and investor-ready pitching
- Training in business models, finance, funding and intellectual property
- Essentials of start-up governance and team development
Programme Outline:
- Week 1: Introduction and Building the Business Case
- Week 2: Business Models
- Week 3: Marketing and Customer Discovery
- Week 4: Finance and Intellectual Property
- Week 5: Team Building and Governance
- Week 6: Final Preparation and Pitch Day
The programme begins in May at Murray Edwards College. Applications for 2025 are now closed.
For further information visit https://www.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk/murray-edwards-enterprising-women