Cambridge Science Centre

What Cambridge Science Centre does

Cambridge Science Centre is a UK-registered educational charity (Charity Number 1146349, Company Number 07962584) founded in 2012 that operates hands-on science engagement centres in Cambridge and Wisbech. Its core offering is a physical visitor attraction featuring over 20 interactive exhibits (e.g., Building Bridges, Gear Wall, Guess the Weight), live Science Shows, and Lab and Work-Bench activities facilitated by trained Science Communicators, plus curriculum-linked programmes for schools (KS1-KS3), STEMtots for preschoolers, and a community outreach programme called 'STEM in the Fens' serving underserved Fenland areas. The charity operates from a permanent venue at The Trinity Centre, Cambridge Science Park (opened July 2024) and a secondary hub at Horsefair Shopping Centre in Wisbech (opened September 2024).

The revenue model is diversified and non-commercial: Annual Memberships (£12.50–£35), Single Visit Tickets (£5–£13.75 with optional 10% Gift Aid-eligible donation), school bookings, birthday parties, special events, and donations/grants from individuals, corporate sponsors, and government funders. The charity receives no core government funding and reinvests 83p of every £1 raised into programmes. Funding is anchored by an Executive Council of corporate partners including AstraZeneca (10-year partnership celebrated 2025), Illumina, Nuclera, Roche, CEMEX, MathWorks, Cambridge Consultants, Trinity College Cambridge, and Anglia Ruskin University. Go-to-market combines direct consumer visitation, DigiTickets-powered online bookings, school outreach (including Roche-funded Challenge Days reaching 49+ schools), and PopUpScience roadshows across the East of England.

Name

Cambridge Science Centre

Legal name

Cambridge Science Centre

Website

https://www.cambridgesciencecentre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cambridge Science Centre is a UK educational charity operating hands-on science exhibits, shows, and school workshops from its Cambridge and Wisbech centres for families, schools, and underserved Fenland communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Education Centre

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Science & Technology Museums (THAJADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA), Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology) (EDAMABAB)

Keywords

• Hands-on science exhibits
• STEM education programs
• Children's science museum
• School science workshops
• Interactive science centre

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Memberships: Pay once, visit all year with unlimited entry. Includes early access to exclusive events and regular updates on upcoming events. Membership covers day admission only.
2. Single Visit Tickets: One-off 2-hour sessions with optional 10% voluntary donation. Ticket price includes Gift Aid eligibility for UK taxpayers.
3. School Bookings: Curriculum-linked workshops for schools during term time, led by Science Communicators.
4. Birthday Parties: Bookable birthday party experiences at the Centre.
5. Donations and Grants: Charitable donations from individuals and organisations. Corporate sponsors and Executive Council members provide financial support. Grant funding from organisations like Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
6. Special Events: After-hours events like Twilight at the Museums, adult-only events, and special holiday programmes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Cambridge Science Centre is a registered educational charity that operates a hands-on, interactive science centre featuring 20+ exhibits spanning biology, chemistry, physics, maths, engineering, space and technology. It sells memberships, day tickets, birthday parties, curriculum-linked school workshops and live science shows, and delivers outreach programmes such as PopUpScience and STEM in the Fens to schools and community audiences across Cambridgeshire.

Product overview

Cambridge Science Centre is a hands-on science museum and educational charity offering interactive exhibits, live science shows, and structured activities for children, families, and schools. The core product portfolio consists of ticketed admission (Annual Memberships and Single Visit Tickets), educational programmes (School Workshops, STEMtots for preschool children, and Challenge Days), and public engagement activities (Science Shows, Lab Activities). The Centre operates a permanent venue at The Trinity Centre in Cambridge Science Park featuring over 20 interactive exhibits, supplemented by community outreach through the STEM in the Fens programme in Wisbech. Strategic initiatives include the 'Building a Better Future' programme (Built Environment focus, 2025-2027) and the forthcoming 'Your Smart World' programme (digital/AI focus, Easter 2027). Partnerships with organisations like AstraZeneca, Illumina, and Nuclera bring scientific expertise to the Centre's Lab space.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Annual Memberships (Standard and Premium) Recurring membership for individuals, families, grandparents and premium members that unlocks free unlimited visits, discounts in the shop and café, exclusive events and member-only perks; balances roll over for members who do not visit.
• Single Visit Tickets
• Science Shows
• STEMtots
• Lab and Work-Bench Activities
• School Workshops
• Birthday Parties
• Venue Hire
• PopUpScience Outreach
• STEM in the Fens / STEM in Wisbech
• Building a Better Future Programme
• Challenge Days (e.g. Roche)
• Interactive Exhibits (20+ in-centre exhibits)

Quantifiable outcome

• Half a million learners engaged since 2012
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Cambridge Growth CompanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Lead partner on 'Building a Better Future' programme alongside Trinity College Cambridge. Contributing specialist knowledge and cutting-edge innovation to create locally relevant, age-appropriate STEM exhibits and activities about buildings and spaces.
• Trinity College, University of CambridgeflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Lead partner on 'Building a Better Future' programme alongside Cambridge Growth Company. Contributing to the Built Environment Learning Programme and Executive Council membership.
• Barnes ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Built Environment programme partner supporting the 'Building a Better Future' initiative. Providing industry expertise and leadership in getting the programme off the ground.
• The Crown EstatecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Built Environment programme partner that designed an energy networks cleantech exhibit specifically for the 'Building a Better Future' programme.
• Cambridge Science ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Built Environment programme partner and host location. Partnership includes providing space for Cambridge Science Centre at The Trinity Centre and supporting the Built Environment Learning Programme.
• Cambridge Building SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Built Environment programme partner supporting the 'Building a Better Future' initiative through the Built Environment Learning Programme.
• COELcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Built Environment programme partner supporting the 'Building a Better Future' initiative through the Built Environment Learning Programme.
• RochecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Fully-funded Challenge Days programme bringing immersive STEM education to schools across the country. Roche provides real-world science content and personal career information. Challenge Days engage students as Epidemic Crisis Response Units solving disease outbreak challenges. Reached 11 schools/856 students by early 2025, expanding to 49 more schools.
• Astex PharmaceuticalsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Scientists from Astex Pharmaceuticals conducted a lab takeover during half-term, sharing crystallisation experiments with visitors and exploring how new medicines are discovered.
• NucleracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Partnership on the Lab space inside the new Cambridge Science Centre venue showcasing Cambridge's life science innovation history. Nuclera's support enabled creation of a dedicated space with hands-on tinkering and authentic scientific tools for over 30,000 young learners annually.
• IlluminacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Executive Council member and collaborator at events like Big Biology Day. Provided DNA sequencing machine demonstrations and scientist interactions at DNA Day celebrations including HRH The Princess Royal visit. Contributed scientists to Superheroes Lab space event.
• Brockton EverlastcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024Three-year partnership to develop an innovative Built Environment Learning Programme. Partnership includes funding for programme development and team expansion with new weekend roles. Focuses on broadening young people's perception of careers in urban planning and development.
• The Trinity CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Host venue for Cambridge Science Centre located on the ground floor. Provides facilities, accessible parking, and shared amenities including the Trinity Baristas café.
• CEMEX UK MaterialscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Executive Council member providing support for concrete science events and activities. Brought expertise and enthusiasm for hands-on science exploring properties of concrete, sustainability, and low-carbon alternatives during Easter events.
• Owlstone MedicalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Contributed scientists to the Superheroes Lab space event at Cambridge Science Centre, sharing their time and expertise to inspire the next generation of scientists.
• AstraZenecaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Ten-year partnership (celebrated in 2025) supporting STEM outreach programmes. AstraZeneca has provided vital funding for exhibitions (LifeWorks! 2016, Science in Pictures), PopUpScience roadshows, and community expansion into Fenland. Partnership includes employee volunteer programmes, workplace nursery activities, and STEM Ambassador involvement.
• Trinity CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive Council member providing ongoing support to Cambridge Science Centre.
• ARU (Anglia Ruskin University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive Council member providing academic partnership and support to Cambridge Science Centre.
• Cambridge ConsultantscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive Council member providing engineering and technical expertise to Cambridge Science Centre.
• MathWorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive Council member providing software and technical support to Cambridge Science Centre.
• Bruntwood SciTechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive Council member supporting Cambridge Science Centre.
• Horsefair Shopping CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWisbech hub host providing permanent location at the former Argos unit. Partnership enables 'STEM in the Fens' project delivery.
• Centre for Landscape RegenerationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed workshop helping young people discover how people have changed and developed the Fenland landscape, accessed by over 13 schools with approximately 400 students.
• Potter RaperminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilt Environment programme partner supporting the 'Building a Better Future' initiative.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Science Museum (London): UK's flagship science museum offering interactive exhibits, science shows, and educational programmes. Direct peer as the most established UK science museum; Cambridge Science Centre's Science Communicator (Cheryl McAndrew) joined from the Science Museum, evidencing direct talent and operational cross-pollination.
• Glasgow Science Centre: Major UK science centre operating permanent interactive exhibits, IMAX cinema, and educational programmes. Operates on a comparable hands-on-exhibit + school-workshop + membership model and serves as a relevant size/scale comparator for Cambridge Science Centre's growth trajectory.
• Centre for Life (Newcastle): Northeast England science village combining interactive exhibits, life-science research presence, and educational programmes. Comparable hybrid museum + science-communication model; its location within a broader biomedical cluster mirrors Cambridge's Cambridge Science Park adjacency.
• Thinktank (Birmingham): Birmingham's science museum offering interactive exhibits across science and technology themes plus an active schools programme. Comparable scale and operating model with a regional catchment and corporate sponsor base.
• We The Curious (Bristol): Bristol-based science centre focused on hands-on, open-ended exploration with a strong school and family visitor model. Comparable positioning around open-ended interactive exhibits and a learning-by-doing pedagogy aligned with Cambridge Science Centre's 'over 20 hands-on exhibits' offering.
• Eureka! The National Children's Museum: UK children's museum in Halifax dedicated to learning through play and interactive exhibits for the under-11s. Direct peer given Cambridge Science Centre's child-centric (ages 5-11 primary) programming and similar hands-on discovery philosophy.
• Techniquest (Cardiff): Wales's largest science discovery centre operating interactive exhibits, science shows, and a schools programme. Closely comparable operating model as a regional UK science centre with a strong school visits pipeline and STEM outreach mission.
• National Space Centre (Leicester): UK science centre focused on space exploration with exhibits, planetarium, and school workshops. Cambridge Science Centre offers a comparable 'Moonshot' space exploration show and similar thematic show/exhibit mix; useful peer for themed-programme benchmarking.
• Catalyst Science Discovery Centre (Widnes): Northwest England science discovery centre focused on chemistry and materials science with hands-on exhibits and school visits. Comparable scale, hands-on pedagogy, and mission-driven charity operating model.

Broad incumbents

• The Royal Institution (London): Historic UK science communication and education charity operating the Faraday Museum, public lectures, schools programming, and science demonstration shows. Comparable science-communication mission and 'Science Shows' offering (e.g., Cambridge's themed demonstrations mirror the Ri's Christmas Lectures tradition).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/camsciencecntr
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CambridgeScienceCtr
• Facebookfacebook.com/cambridgesciencecentre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cambridge-science-centre
• Instagraminstagram.com/cambridgesciencecentre

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cambridge Science Centre