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]