Marks & Clerk, Mishcon de Reya and Birketts Announced as Headline Sponsors of #21toWatch 2026

The highly anticipated annual #21toWatch innovation awards are ramping up as submissions continue to flow in from the most enterprising people, companies and inventions from Cambridge and across the East of England.

Now owned and run by international consulting firm, Cambridge Management Consulting following the acquisition of cofinitive at the start of this year, there are some exciting enhancements to the structure of the programme as it enters its eighth year.

The Cambridge-headquartered company, which is committed to helping organisations of all sizes make a better impact on the world, joins an impressive roster of returning sponsors – many of whom have supported the Awards since its inception in 2017.

Tim Passingham, Chair, Cambridge Management Consulting, commented: “#21toWatch is about more than just recognition. It’s about momentum: spotlighting not just who’s doing remarkable work today but equally those who are quietly laying the groundwork for what’s coming next.”

“We now have an opportunity to transform the spotlight into a platform for the benefit of the whole Cambridge ecosystem – one that propels founders, technologists and change-makers at the earliest and most critical stages of their journey.”

Starting this year, three sponsors – Marks & Clerk, Mishcon de Reya and Birketts – take on a premium level of involvement, further demonstrating their commitment to the startup ecosystem.

Matt Pinney, Office Managing Partner at Marks & Clerk told us: “We are delighted to continue our support of #21towatch. This initiative is close to our hearts – it celebrates the remarkable talent and innovation that make Cambridge and the surrounding areas such a unique and inspiring place to work and grow for tech companies.

“Through our ongoing involvement with #21towatch, we’ve seen how this recognition can be a real catalyst for early-stage businesses – helping founders gain visibility, attract investment, and build meaningful partnerships. Our decision to become a premium sponsor reflects our commitment to supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators in the local area.

“At Marks & Clerk, we’re proud of the role our Cambridge team plays in helping start-ups and scale-ups protect and shape their intellectual property. We work closely with founders to strategically build commercially valuable IP portfolios. 

“We look forward to engaging with the #21towatch nominees and witnessing their future achievements as they transform their ideas into success stories.”

Returning long-time sponsors are Alan Boswell Group, Appleyard Lees, Ashtons Legal, BDO, Foresight Group, HSBC Innovation Banking, Keltie, pem, Penningtons Manches Cooper and St John’s Innovation Centre, with partners like Tech East ensuring contribution from across the region.  

Rachel Bradley, partner, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP, who has supported the programme since its beginnings, said: “Supporting #21toWatch aligns perfectly with our firm’s values. We work with ambitious innovators every day, and this platform helps shine a light on those often operating under the radar. It’s exciting to see the ripple effects of being named in the Top21, and how that visibility can unlock new doors.”

#21toWatch creator Faye Holland, added: “The Cambridge ecosystem is unlike any other, boasting an unparalleled collaboration between academia, business and visionary thinkers. My goal was always to embed #21toWatch in this unique community whilst broadening its lens – to support those operating at the edge of what’s possible and to tell their stories loudly so that the rest of the world can catch on.

“#21toWatch continues to ensure the right people are seen, supported and celebrated along the way – and, needless to say, the continued support of our event sponsors is invaluable.”

Nominations and submissions for #21toWatch 2026 are now open at https://www.21towatch.com , with entries closing on January 9th, 2026. Follow the conversation and stay updated via #21toWatch on social media.

The #21toWatch shortlist will be announced on Wednesday, February 4th, 2026, and the highly anticipated Top21, judged by four independent judges, will be unveiled during the exclusive awards ceremony on Thursday, March 5th, 2026.

The post Marks & Clerk, Mishcon de Reya and Birketts Announced as Headline Sponsors of #21toWatch 2026 appeared first on 21toWatch.