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The Centre for Computing History,which was founded in Haverhill, has attracted sponsorship from across the Atlantic.

Brad Feld, an early stage investor and serial entrepreneur, has made a surprise financial contribution to the museum’s Cambridge relocation fund.

Colorado-based Brad is one of the managing directors of Foundry Group, a venture capital firm focused on making investments in information technology, Internet and software companies across North America.

It was at a business springboard event in Cambridge that Brad first heard of the Centre for Computing History. Museum trustee, Jason Fitzpatrick delivered a short presentation on the major fund-raising initiative to finance the relocation from Haverhill and subsequent foundation of a world-class Cambridge Computer Museum.

Brad Feld said: "Jason’s presentation provided a snapshot of what has been achieved so far and the short summary was enough to afford a fascinating insight into the vision behind the project and convince me that Cambridge is the obvious location for a stand-alone museum of this nature.

"Cambridge has a very special place in the world of science and innovation; it has a superb track record of technological discovery and invention.

"Cambridge is at the heart of Silicon Fen, the UK's, if not Europe's, leading technology cluster. The city has played – and continues to play - such a vital role in the history of computing."

Brad described how as a teenager he bought an Apple II computer with 16K of RAM in 1978 with his Bar Mitzvah money and still clearly remembered his joy and excitement as he explored its capabilities.

He said: “This initiative to establish a Computer Museum in Cambridge has caught my imagination and admiration. I am delighted to be able to help in terms of sponsorship!”

Speaking on behalf of the centre, Jason said: "We are deeply appreciative of Brad’s generosity. It’s so uplifting when individuals make personal contributions of this nature. We are grateful that they share our belief in this venture.

“Moving to Cambridge will allow our dreams and ambitions for the centre to be realised. Our goal is to create a world-class space with the size and scope for the serious exploration and celebration of personal computing.

Multi-dimensional exhibitions will tell the inside story of the companies and the people behind them, their products, successes and failures, and consider what the coming decades may hold. It will also showcase Cambridge's role in influencing technology on a global scale.

“The first step is to get into Cambridge. Brad’s gift to the centre is a hugely generous investment in the future.”

The campaign to relocate the museum from Haverhill has already attracted substantial sponsorship from a number of individuals and several high-profile Cambridge tech businesses, including super-chip designer ARM Holdings, Microsoft Research and award-winning Red Gate Software.