In this week’s episode of the Cambridge Tech Podcast, we have a cameo appearance from Amelia Amour of Amadeus Capital, and Caroline Hyde from Cambridge Enterprise joins us to discuss a new innovation and entrepreneurship report from the University of Cambridge.
Episode Highlights
1. Events & Ecosystem News: James and Faye start by reflecting on a busy week in the Cambridge tech world, including two major events:
Cambridge Enterprise’s Annual Showcase – a major platform highlighting local innovation and startups.
Amadeus Capital’s Innovation Showcase in London – bringing together 16 portfolio companies to share exciting new developments.
Amelia, representing Amadeus Capital, provides key updates on some portfolio stars:
Xampla – a Cambridge-based bioplastics company creating plant-based alternatives to oil-based plastics.
Paragraf – scaling up the manufacture of graphene for use in electronic sensors.
Riverlane – a quantum computing company that recently raised a staggering $75 million to accelerate its growth.
Amelia notes,
“It’s super exciting to give our investors direct exposure to the companies. They can meet the teams and get a sense of the work we’re doing rather than just hearing it from us.”
2. Cambridge Tech Cluster's Growth: Cambridge’s unique ecosystem continues to thrive, with strong connections between the tech, academic, and investment communities. Simon French, Chief Economist at Panmure Liberum, highlights this when discussing the rise of innovation clusters across the UK, mentioning how cities like Sheffield, Leeds, and Manchester are experiencing increased activity in spin-outs and funding.
“Cambridge is a great cluster, but we’re seeing more funding and tech transfer activities in the North too, which is incredibly exciting for the UK as a whole,” says Simon.
3. Breaking News in Cambridge’s Tech World:
Darktrace CEO transition: Poppy Gustafsson steps down as CEO, making way for Jill Popelka, as part of their US expansion.
Brain Gain Report: Research by Business Weekly highlights that academic institutions in the East of England are driving a “brain gain” rather than a “brain drain,” contributing £1.35 billion to the UK economy.
Key Guest Insights: Caroline Hyde of Cambridge Enterprise
A major segment of the episode features Caroline Hyde, who talks about the release of a new report on Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Cambridge. Caroline delves into the holistic impact of the university on Cambridge’s tech ecosystem, highlighting that for every £1 spent by the university, an impressive £11.70 of economic impact is generated.
She explains that this figure showcases the vital role of entrepreneurship and innovation alongside traditional teaching and research.
The report also discusses the university’s major investments in entrepreneurship, including the IE Cambridge platform. Caroline explains how the platform brings together 95 actors across the ecosystem to drive entrepreneurial thinking.
“We’ve always been about both social and economic impact. With IE Cambridge, we’re pulling together the incredible resources at the university to support startup founders throughout their journey,” says Caroline.
Caroline also stresses the importance of Cambridge’s “mature ecosystem,” stating:
“You wouldn’t want to squash the variety that exists in Cambridge. The connectivity is what helps founders, from early ideas through to large-scale ventures.”
What’s Next?
As the conversation draws to a close, the hosts give a sneak peek into future episodes, including more in-depth discussions with key figures in the ecosystem such as Dr. Jim Glasheen, the new CEO of Cambridge Enterprise, and Christine Martin, who leads the ventures team at Cambridge Enterprise.
Faye and James remind listeners to stay tuned for more episodes packed with insights from founders, investors, and thought leaders shaping the future of the UK tech landscape.
To listen and subscribe, search for ‘Cambridge Tech Podcast’ on your favourite podcasting platform or visit cambridgetechpodcast.com.
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