It's Cambridge Tech Week!

As the vibrant atmosphere of Cambridge Tech Week unfolds, Faye Holland and James Parton bring us a concise yet impactful episode of the Cambridge Tech Podcast. This week, they dive into the latest happenings in the tech ecosystem, highlighting significant developments.

Key Highlights from the Episode:

• Cambridge Tech Week Buzz: The hosts share their excitement about the ongoing Cambridge Tech Week, a pivotal event that showcases innovation and collaboration in the tech sector.
• Cambridge Innovation Capital appointing Sir Nigel Wilson as chair, signalling a strong leadership transition.
• CuspAI, an AI for material science company, securing over £100 million in funding, showcasing the growing interest in AI-driven solutions.
• Quantinuum, a quantum computing firm, raising a staggering $600 million, reinforcing Cambridge’s status as a leader in advanced technology.
• Innovative Marketing Campaigns: Faye and James discuss a guerrilla marketing campaign launched by Innovate Cambridge, promoting innovation throughout the city. This creative approach aligns perfectly with the spirit of Cambridge Tech Week.
• AI in Legal Work: The episode also highlights a groundbreaking development from AnthroTek, where they utilised AI for their fundraising legal work, eliminating traditional legal fees. “Startups no longer have to pay 20 to 30k to do their investment deals,” says GENIE AI's CEO, signalling a shift in how startups can manage costs.

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In this episode we dive into the exciting world of speech technology with Ricardo Herreros-Symons, Chief Strategy Officer at Speechmatics.

We discuss:

• The Evolution of Speech Technology: Ricardo noted, “In the last decade, it has absolutely transformed... We are interacting with speech technology everywhere.” This shift is evident in everyday applications, from subtitles on TV to voice-activated assistants.

• Market Potential: He highlighted the burgeoning market for speech technology, particularly in healthcare. “Across Europe, it’s probably going to be a market of somewhere in the region of 3 to 5 billion hours of audio,” indicating a massive opportunity for growth in transcribing doctor-patient interactions.

• Ethical Considerations: Addressing concerns about bias and accountability, Ricardo stated, “We put an awful lot of effort into making sure that the engines we produce are incredibly unbiased.” This commitment to ethical AI is crucial as the technology becomes more prevalent.

• Innovative Products: Speechmatics is not just about speech-to-text; they are also venturing into text-to-speech technology. This innovation could revolutionise how businesses communicate globally.

•Generalist vs. Specialist: Ricardo shared his thoughts on career trajectories in tech, suggesting that “it is so important to be a bit of a generalist in what you do.” This perspective is particularly relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape where adaptability is key.

Produced by Cambridge TV

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In this week’s episode we catch up with Seb Lessware. Seb shares his fascinating journey from a software engineer to CTO at 1Spatial, a company that has been at the forefront of geospatial data management for over two decades.

We discuss:

• Career Evolution: Seb emphasises the importance of adaptability in one’s career. “I never had a five-year plan; I just took opportunities as they arose,” he shares, highlighting how his diverse roles at 1Spatial enriched his experience.

• The Importance of Data Quality: Seb discusses the shift in focus from software to data quality, stating, “The thing you need to keep and maintain is the data at the core of it.” This insight is crucial for tech startups looking to leverage data effectively.

• Digital Twins and Smart Cities: The conversation touches on the concept of digital twins, with Seb noting, “Digital twins are a digital representation of the real world,” and how they can enhance decision-making in urban planning and utilities management.

• Machine Learning and Geospatial Data: Seb advocates for using machine learning techniques on structured data and encourages collaboration across industries to unlock the full potential of geospatial data.

Produced by Cambridge TV

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Mark Slack shares his journey from gynecologist to co-founder of CMR Surgical, a company dedicated to making surgery safer and more accessible through robotics. The conversation covers:

• The Birth of CMR Surgical
• A Vision for Robotics
• Challenges in MedTech
• The Future of Surgical Robotics
• Commitment to Ethical Practices

Produced by Cambridge TV

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Paula Rogers-Brown joins the podcast to discuss the upcoming Cambridge Tech Week, set to take place from 15th to 19th September. This year's theme, "Seizing the AI Advantage," reflects the growing importance of AI across multiple sectors, including climate tech and clean tech.

What to Expect at Cambridge Tech Week:

• Diverse Programming: The week will feature a variety of events, including keynotes from industry leaders like Sir Nick Clegg and Margaret Heffernan, as well as a pitching competition showcasing five innovative startups.

• Innovation Alley: This year, Innovation Alley will span two days, allowing attendees to engage with over 50 exhibitors and explore cutting-edge technologies. As the beating heart of Cambridge Tech Week, Faye encourages everyone to participate: "Get that bolt-on ticket and make sure you visit Innovation Alley."

• Networking Opportunities: Attendees can look forward to a Tech Leaders Dinner and a gala reception, providing excellent opportunities to connect with fellow tech enthusiasts and industry leaders.

Book your ticket here: https://cambridgetechweek.co.uk/

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In this week’s episode we dive into the exciting world of battery technology with Christoph Schnedermann, the founder and CEO of Illumion.

Christoph shares his academic journey, which spans from Jena to Oxford, Harvard, and finally Cambridge. He reflects on how these diverse environments shaped his entrepreneurial mindset.

We discuss:

• Illumion's Mission: Illumion focuses on revolutionising battery research with its charge photometry platform, which allows real-time analysis of ion movement within batteries. Christoph explains, “We wanted to provide a lens into the inner workings of a battery at the R&D stage, where there is a critical gap.”

• Market Opportunities: The R&D sector for batteries presents a significant market opportunity, especially as the demand for innovative battery materials grows.

• Challenges and Triumphs: Christoph candidly discusses the challenges of startup life, particularly in securing funding during tough market conditions. “Last year was very, very hard to raise. It is ultimately a very, very hard job and you can only do it if you're tenacious and believe in the idea that you have.”

• Future Plans: Looking ahead, Illumion aims to scale its manufacturing capabilities and expand its market reach. Christoph emphasises the importance of maintaining control over production: “It gives us the agility to respond quickly to different demands.”

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This week we are joined by Josephin Holstein, founder and CTO of Evoralis an early stage spin out from Cambridge University with the mission to enable true and sustainable plastic recycling.

Josephin shares her journey from academia to entrepreneurship, detailing how Evoralis is revolutionising plastic recycling through innovative enzyme technology.

Key insights:

• Josephin and her team, originally postdocs at the University of Cambridge, recognised the potential for their research in biochemistry to impact the circular economy.
• Evoralis develops enzymes that can efficiently break down various types of plastics, particularly in the textile industry. Josephin explains, “We can screen up to 10 million enzyme candidates per day, which is 1,000 times faster than conventional methods.” This rapid screening process is crucial for identifying effective solutions to plastic waste.
• The company is currently in the R&D phase, aiming to deliver its first enzymes within a year. Josephin emphasises the importance of collaboration, stating, “We need someone to produce our enzymes... we don’t want to build our own factory to recycle plastics.”
• Josephin candidly discusses the hurdles in the biotech landscape, particularly in securing investment. “You have to be persistent and patient,” she advises, sharing her experience of navigating investor conversations and the importance of demonstrating traction in the market.

Produced by Cambridge TV

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In this week’s episode, Andrew Williamson, Managing Partner of Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC), shares his insights on the UK government’s spin-out review and the evolving landscape of venture capital in Cambridge.

Some standout moments include:

• The importance of proof-of-concept funding: Andrew highlights the critical need for proof-of-concept funding to bridge the gap between fundamental research and commercialisation. He states, “Proof of concept funding is essential for advancing technology far enough to attract both large corporations and investors.”

• Evolving equity terms: The conversation touches on the need for universities to adopt more founder-friendly equity terms. Andrew notes, “The sentiment in the sector has improved, and we’re starting to see equity allocations fall, which is encouraging for founders and investors alike.”

• Celebrating entrepreneurship: Andrew emphasises the importance of promoting entrepreneurship as an aspirational career path. He reflects, “We need to do a better job of celebrating our entrepreneurs and the breakthroughs they achieve.”

Produced by Cambridge TV

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