Mishcon de Reya attended the #21toWatch Top21.2026 Awards at The Glasshouse in Cambridge. The team were represented by Lizzie Wilson (Partner), Chris Keen (Partner) and Louisa Dixon (Partner). As a premium sponsor, we were proud to support an event that continues to showcase the depth and diversity of innovation emerging from Cambridge and the wider East of England.
A snapshot of a thriving ecosystem
The event brought together a broad mix of founders, researchers, investors and advisers from across the Cambridge innovation community. The atmosphere made clear that Cambridge remains at the heart of the UK’s innovation landscape, with deeptech, life sciences and AI-led companies driving forward solutions to major societal challenges.
This year’s Top21 list reflected that strength. Many winners were focused on advancing new approaches in biotech (including novel therapeutic options for health conditions with no current specific therapies, like OCD and endometriosis), sustainability (with a focus on energy efficiency technologies) and AI solutions (tackling issues such as supply chain sensitivities, preservations of memories following loss of loved ones and sleep analysis for early detection of brain disorders).
Read more details of the winners here.
Innovation with real-world impact
Across the cohort, the winners reflected the themes highlighted in the press release, including a new wave of deeptech responses to both long‑standing health challenges and systemic climate and industrial issues. Many ventures were not only solving a single problem but building enabling technologies capable of reshaping entire sectors.
A noticeable and welcome feature of this year’s cohort was the strong representation of female founders and innovators, continuing a positive trend across the Cambridge ecosystem.
Our role in supporting the innovation economy
Mishcon’s involvement as a premium sponsor reflects our long‑standing work with founders as they scale technically ambitious companies. As Chris Keen noted:
“We work alongside founders every day and on every step of their journey as they turn bold ideas into real world impact. #21toWatch celebrates this entrepreneurial spirit - recognising the individuals pushing boundaries and building the next generation of standout businesses. Supporting this community of innovators is central to what we do, and we’re proud to be part of recognising their achievements.”
Looking ahead
Now in its eighth year, #21toWatch has established itself as a credible platform for identifying early‑stage companies with the potential for significant and lasting impact. With past winners such as Paragraf, Nu Quantum and Xampla going on to achieve major commercial milestones, the 2026 cohort is in good company.
The awards reaffirm that Cambridge continues to lead in world‑class discovery, translation and venture creation. For Mishcon de Reya, it was inspiring to celebrate the individuals and ideas shaping the next generation of innovation and to play a part in supporting their journey.