image: Cambridge VR's Global EdTech Award for Best Start-Up
Credit: Lucy Cavendish College
Cambridge VR, a pioneering tech startup spun out of the University of Cambridge, has been named Best Startup at the Global EdTech Awards 2025. The recognition celebrates the company’s groundbreaking virtual reality platform that provides the best treatment for speech anxiety. Multiple world-firsts have been achieved to make the platform uniquely effective and accessible.
Developed by Cambridge scientist Dr Chris Macdonald, a new VR overexposure protocol has demonstrated remarkable results in reducing speech anxiety – delivering rapid improvements in a single session, as published in Frontiers in Virtual Reality. The latest trial with students from UCL and Cambridge found that one week of training with VR overexposure was beneficial to 100% of participating students.
The breakthrough gained global attention, with coverage across more than 100 media outlets and adoption in over 100 countries. As noted by Dr Macdonald, “Our public speaking platform is a perfect example of what we do: we target clear unmet needs – we provide evidence-based tools that work at unprecedented speed and scale.”
The judging panel praised Cambridge VR’s research-led approach, stating: “This is an exceptionally compelling submission that sets a gold standard for being evidence-led. The clear identification of a critical student need, backed by published, peer-reviewed research with impressive statistical data, is outstanding.”
On the first-of-its-kind platform, an AI coach can guide each user on a tailored journey where photorealistic virtual reality training simulations become increasingly challenging. Dr Macdonald explains, “Prior to a presentation, most students tend to practise on their own, in a highly controlled environment—normally in their bedrooms, to an ‘audience’ of zero. As a result, it will feel like a significant ‘step up’ when they present to even a small group of people—and even a subtle audience gesture can throw them off. By contrast, those who use the VR platform can practise in a different venue every night to a wide range of increasingly distracting audiences and fear-inducing scenarios. They can, for example, practise in a stadium in front of 10,000 animated spectators, with loud noises, stadium lights, and flashing cameras. Accordingly, a subsequent presentation to a small group can feel like a ‘step down’. I call this overexposure therapy, and it provides the psychological equivalent of running with weights or at high altitudes; it builds extra adaptability, grit, and resilience.”
“The platform has immense potential to empower individuals to overcome their fear of public speaking, ultimately enhancing not only their quality of life but also their capacity to become a driving force of positive change in the world.”
Thanks to philanthropic support, the VR public speaking platform is currently free for personal student use. Cambridge VR provides options for organisations such as education, training, or healthcare providers – as well as tailored solutions and 1:1 guidance.
Beyond anxiety and public speaking training, Cambridge VR provides a range of digital tools for training, education, and healthcare. From photorealistic VR simulations and AI coaches to web apps, treatment plans, and the most affordable VR hardware on the market—they deliver fully customised solutions, set up and ready to use.
Dr Macdonald adds, “With our technology we can transport anyone from anywhere to any photorealistic simulation. This creates a wealth of new and exciting opportunities. It empowers us to not merely think about the future of education and healthcare, but to create it.”
With strong momentum behind it, Cambridge VR is currently seeking funding to scale its impact and transform millions of lives.
The Global EdTech Awards continue to raise the bar for authenticity and impact in recognising excellence across the education and technology sectors. All submissions are anonymised, ensuring each entry is evaluated purely on merit. This year’s competition attracted entries from 20 countries, reflecting the growing international influence of innovative educational technologies.
About Cambridge VR
Cambridge VR creates cutting-edge tools for training, education, and healthcare. From photorealistic VR simulations and AI coaches to web apps, treatment plans, and VR hardware—they deliver fully customised solutions, set up and ready to use. Want to find out more? Ready to place an order?
Contact: info@CambridgeVR.com
About Dr Chris Macdonald
Dr Chris Macdonald is Director of the Immersive Technology Lab at Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge, and Director of Cambridge VR. Dr Macdonald recently received the National Innovation Award for using VR to better translate and visualise emissions data; the Digital Health Award for using VR to create the most effective treatment for speech anxiety; and the 40 Under 40 Award in the highly competitive Science and Innovation category for translating his research into real-world impact. Dr Macdonald is currently a finalist for the Education Innovator of the Year Award and the Times Higher Education Digital Innovation of the Year Award.
Contact: Chris.Macdonald@lucy.cam.ac.uk
Original Research Paper
Open access paper: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/virtual-reality/articles/10.3389/frvir.2024.1506938/full