PwC Cambridge launches new digital accelerator

PwC Cambridge has announced a new digital accelerator, a 12-week innovation programme backed by multinational corporations working with technology scale-ups.

The new Cambridge-based programme is designed to tackle “significant” innovation challenges through mentoring, coaching and collaboration with multinational companies and startups. 

Selecting client innovation challenges from across the PwC Global network, PwC said its digital accelerator is “equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge, and digital technology”. 

The accelerator is also not limited to a specific industry; instead, it targets digital scale-ups across various sectors, from healthcare to manufacturing.

While the core team currently operates in Cambridge, the program also has the potential to extend its reach not just to national-wide, but also to global tech hubs.

Abhi Naha, who joined PwC as Digital Accelerator director in November 2023, will be leading this initiative. In his role, Naha establishes and guides the entire new tech division within PwC. This division solves innovation challenges using the power of scale-ups and high-trust ecosystems.

Naha said: “I am thrilled to officially announce PwC’s new digital accelerator. With significant advancements in Gen AI, digital sustainability, healthcare, and cloud computing, this innovative digital accelerator will combine world-class techno-economic thinking with strategic scale-up partnerships. Our goal is to deliver value and impact at scale and speed, particularly in high-growth markets.

“This marks the first time we are launching a global, three-month accelerator initiative within the PwC to assist scale-ups and startups in overcoming their challenges. Our people are empowered to identify areas where innovation can enhance efficiency.”

Simon De Young, PwC senior partner for Cambridge, added: “We are so pleased Abhi has joined us to lead this business. We are innovating and learning as we build the business. However, one of the key objectives for me is for PwC to support the growth of Cambridge as a centre for innovation by facilitating a trusted platform that allows our international network of clients to engage and collaborate effectively with start-ups and scale-ups through the digital accelerator programs. 

“This will enable the Cambridge businesses to commercialise their innovation at an early stage and therefore bring real value back into the wider business and local economic environment.”