No.6 Cambridge Tech Hotspots 2008

Cambridge, UK

Why? Funds, fens, dons

Agree with panel rating?

• Previous
• Back to list
• Next

What's so special about Cambridge?
Dubbed Silicon Fen, Cambridge is the high-tech hub of the UK. The biggest names in technology can be found at the science parks that have been nurtured by close links with the world-leading Cambridge University.

The city's pedigree of tech heavyweights include the foremost producer of Bluetooth chips CSR, mobile phone chip specialist ARM and, for many years, the stalwart of the British consumer technology industry Sinclair Research.

Cambridge enjoys a diverse spread of technology companies, it is home to Sepura, which supplies the Tetra radio equipment that forms the backbone of UK emergency services communications, and Marshall Aerospace.

With 18,400 workers in IT and finance, the city's technological influence continues to grow. Cutting-edge facilities, such as the Microsoft Research Labs, and the ready supply of some of science's finest minds from Cambridge University have kept the city at the forefront of innovations in software and mobile technology, as well as AI.

Tech hotspots judge and author of Outsourcing to India Mark Kobayashi-Hillary called Cambridge: "The most exciting cluster of technology innovation in the UK."

Key tech companies World leader in Bluetooth chips CSR, Microsoft, chip manufacturer ARM and Marshall Aerospace.

Key institutions Cambridge University, Anglia Ruskin University.

Local salaries Graduate software engineer: $45,392.

Famous faces Influential figure in 1980s personal computing Sir Clive Sinclair.

Population 130,000 in the city.

iPod cost $202 Source: CommSec, Apple.

Time zone GMT.

Voltage and plugs 240V three-pin plug.

How to get there The closest airport is London Stansted, just 35 minutes away by train. London Gatwick, is two hours by car, London City and Luton Airport are also accessible. Cambridge Airport connects to the North, East and London.

Watch out for The chance to take a leisurely punt along the River Cam, a popular pastime among the city's 22,153 students. £12 per hour per punt, £14 at weekends.

Places to stay, eat or drink Midsummer House, Midsummer Common, is one of only 10 British restaurants to have earned two stars from the Michelin guide.

What you might not know In the 17th century Cambridge University educated many of the founders of a then minor US university called Harvard, also located in a place called Cambridge.