Cambridge Computer Lab Ring

The Cambridge Computer Lab Ring^[1] is a members' association^[2] for staff and graduates of the Cambridge University Computer Laboratory. It was formed in 2002^[3] by Stephen Allott^[4] as a non-profit, independent and voluntary members’ association,^[2] but was absorbed into the Cambridge University Computer Laboratory in 2012.^[5][1] It was named by Maurice Wilkes.^[2]

The association was mentioned by Richard Lambert in the Lambert Review of Business-University Collaboration as an example of how "universities, departments and faculties should develop their alumni networks in order to build closer relationships with their graduates working in the business community."^[6]

Hall of Fame

The association claims that, as of May 2025, there are 353 companies created by computer lab graduates and staff.^[7] A 'Company of the Year' is chosen from this list annually.^[8]

• 2005 Sophos
• 2006 Codian
• 2007 Jagex^[9]
• 2008 Xensource
• 2009 Linguamatics^[10]
• 2010 Ubisense^[9]
• 2011 RealVNC^[9]
• 2012 Trampoline Systems^[9]
• 2013 Raspberry Pi^[11]
• 2014 DeepMind Technologies^[11]
• 2015 SwiftKey^[11]
• 2016 Unikernel Systems^[12]
• 2017 Improbable^[11]
• 2018 Bromium^[9]
• 2019 PolyAI
• 2020 DisplayLink^[9]
• 2021 iKVA^[9]
• 2022 Tenyks^[13]
• 2023 ARM^[14]
• 2024 Tractable^[15]

Valuation

In May 2025, Beauhurst demonstrated a £145 billion value of companies founded by University of Cambridge Computer Science staff, students and alumni.^[16]

References

1. "Cambridge Computer Lab Ring". Department of Computer Science and Technology Lab Ring. University of Cambridge. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
2. "Computer Laboratory: Careers". University of Cambridge. Archived from the original on 16 January 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
3. Quested, Tony (27 March 2012). "Gates no barrier to Bango enterprise". Business Weekly. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
4. University of Cambridge (24 February 2025). "Stephen Allott". www.cst.cam.ac.uk. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
5. "Cambridge Computer Lab Ring – Filing history (free information from Companies House)". Archived from the original on 15 January 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
6. Lambert, Richard (December 2003). "Lambert Review of Business-University Collaboration" (PDF). Lambert Review. Her Majesty's Stationery Office. p. 32. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 September 2008. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
7. "The Hall of Fame – companies started by Computer Lab graduates and staff". Retrieved 11 May 2025.
8. "Hall of Fame Awards". Retrieved 11 May 2025.
9. "Computer Lab's 'nannies for newcos'". Business Weekly. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
10. "Linguamatics named lord of the Ring". Business Weekly. 20 April 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
11. "Cambridge spawns its 15th $1 billion company". Business Weekly. 12 May 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
12. "Mistral wins 'Product of the Year'". 14 April 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
13. "Presenting the 2022 Hall of Fame Awards". 23 April 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
14. "Celebrating our Hall of Fame Awards". 28 April 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
15. "Announcing the Winners of our Hall of Fame Awards". 28 April 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
16. Richardson, James (15 May 2025). "How Beauhurst demonstrated a £145 billion value of companies founded by University of Cambridge Computer Science staff, students and alumni". Beauhurst. Retrieved 17 May 2025.

External links

• Cambridge Computer Lab Ring
• Lambert Review of Business-University Collaboration December 2003