Cambridge Tech Podcast

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Cambridge Tech Podcast

Subscribe via CambridgeTechPodcast.com His 25 years in tech includes executive roles at BT, O2, Telefonica, and Twilio.

Cambridge Tech Podcast covers all things tech from the heart of the UK’s tech capital, Europe’s biggest technology cluster, and one of the most respected tech and Innovation hubs in the world. Hosted by James Parton and Faye Holland, the duo talk tech with a full house of experts and personalities exploring this exciting ecosystem, sharing insights and opinions, and bringing you all the latest on

the innovators, the innovations, the game changers and the fundraiser. Cambridge’s strong startup ecosystem and entrepreneurship builds on the city’s long history of invention: the reflecting telescope, the hovercraft, the pacemaker, IVF, DNA, the pregnancy predictor test, wireless Internet, inkjet printing, Bluetooth, smart meters, round teabags and, of course, good old Alexa (to name but a few). Around 61,000 people are employed by more than 5,000 knowledge-intensive firms in the area, with a combined annual revenue of over £15.5 billion. Unsurprisingly, Cambridge receives four times the amount of tech investment per head than London and boasts more patents published per resident than any other in the UK. As managing director of Cambridge’s premier tech hub, The Bradfield Centre, James Parton is well placed to talk tech in a fast-growing world of co-working, incubation and accelerators. At Twilio, James was the company’s first hire outside of the US, building the EMEA business from scratch to IPO, and running it for its first five years. Entrepreneur Faye Holland is a similarly well-known protagonist on the Cambridge tech startup circuit - as creator of the innovation awards, which spotlights and promotes the outstanding innovators and innovations from the east of England, and as founder of multi-award-winning PR & communications consultancy, cofinitive, which specialises in promoting innovative and disruptive early-stage tech startups and scaleups.

07/10/2025

In this week’s episode we discover more about the innovative work being done at Forefront RF. Dr. Leo Laughlin and Dr. Alexander Doust share their journey in developing cutting-edge technology for mobile devices. Here are some key takeaways:

• The Challenge of Signal Management: Leo explains, “Mobile phones need to transmit a powerful signal while simultaneously receiving a weak one. Our technology addresses this by using advanced signal cancellation methods.” This innovation allows for a more efficient and compact design in mobile devices.

• Tunable Filters: Their solution replaces multiple fixed-frequency filters with a single tunable component, significantly reducing complexity and size. “This opens up new use cases for devices that require cellular connectivity,” Alexander adds.

• Sustainability Focus: The technology not only simplifies device design but also contributes to sustainability by reducing the number of components needed. “We’re helping manufacturers create a single global variant of their products, which is a game changer,” Leo remarks.

• Navigating the Semiconductor Landscape: The duo discusses the challenges of scaling in the semiconductor industry, highlighting the importance of having a credible team and a clear strategy for market entry. “It’s about executing our plans and getting our product in front of customers,” Alexander states.

As Forefront RF gears up for its first product launch, the excitement is palpable. The team is focused on securing partnerships with manufacturers and getting their technology integrated into next-generation devices.

Tune in on your chosen podcast platform to subscribe and listen.

Apple podcast: https://apple.co/3P9RegV
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67NCeqHhb5ZjhAHl85NNru?si=610647e635a3489f
Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3VHqGGs
YouTube: https://bit.ly/CamTechPodYT

Rupert Elston Arthur Rank Hospice University of Bristol

In this week’s news: Cambrionix, Bicester Motion, Skyports Infrastructure, Duncan Walker, 1Spatial, Seb Lessware, Xampla, National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Marc Rodriguez-Garcia, CommonAI CIC, Dr Gavin Ferris, Sir Andy Hopper

30/09/2025

James sits down with Shai Vyakarnam to explore his journey from a diverse upbringing to becoming a key player in entrepreneurship education. Shai shares invaluable lessons learned throughout his career, particularly in fostering entrepreneurial mindsets among students and aspiring founders.

Key takeaways:

• The Importance of Milestones: Shai emphasises the significance of externally driven milestones in guiding team behaviour and company progress. “If it wasn’t for those milestones, they may not have made as much progress,” he notes, highlighting how crucial it is for teams to stay aligned with their goals.

• Nurturing Early-Stage Startups: Shai points out that while funding often shifts towards scale-ups, it’s vital to continue supporting early-stage startups. “We need to ensure that we’re nurturing the early-stage startup with the type of funds that are required,” he stresses.

• Role Models in Entrepreneurship: Shai advocates for celebrating successful entrepreneurial figures within academia, suggesting that these role models can inspire the next generation of innovators. “Let’s make our successful entrepreneurial professors into role models and heroes,” he urges.

Tune in on your chosen podcast platform to subscribe and listen.

Apple podcast: https://apple.co/3P9RegV
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/enP_4QVr
Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3VHqGGs
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eAg5Wv42

, Mishcon de Reya, BDO, Cambridge History of Innovation Project

In this week’s news: Symbotic, Nyobolt, Sai Shivareddy, Hiverge, Alhussein Fawzi, Hamza Fawi, Bernardino Romera Paredes, Gearset

23/09/2025

🎙️ This week on the Cambridge Tech Podcast, hosts Faye Holland and James Parton look back at the highlights of Camtechweek

From standout moments to personal reflections, they capture the energy of a week that brought together innovators, startups, and investors from across the tech community.

If you couldn’t make it to , this episode is a great way to catch up on what you missed. And keep an eye out - panel sessions and talks from the week will be released soon.

Tune in on your chosen podcast platform to subscribe and listen.

Apple podcast: https://apple.co/3P9RegV
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67NCeqHhb5ZjhAHl85NNru?si=610647e635a3489f
Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3VHqGGs
YouTube: https://bit.ly/CamTechPodYT

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16/09/2025

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.

09/09/2025

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.

Tune in on your chosen podcast platform to subscribe and listen.

Apple podcast: https://apple.co/3P9RegV
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67NCeqHhb5ZjhAHl85NNru?si=610647e635a3489f
Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3VHqGGs
YouTube: https://bit.ly/CamTechPodYT

Camtechweek

In this week’s news: Xampla Emerald Technology Ventures Matterwave Ventures Amadeus Capital Partners Horizons Ventures Alexandra French

02/09/2025

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.

Tune in on your chosen podcast platform to subscribe and listen.

Apple podcast: https://apple.co/3P9RegV
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67NCeqHhb5ZjhAHl85NNru?si=610647e635a3489f
Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3VHqGGs
YouTube: https://bit.ly/CamTechPodYT

, Cambridge Tech Week,

In this week’s news: SKC Games Studio, Modality Partnership, Arm, NVIDIA, Paragraf, Mubadala, Simon Thomas

26/08/2025

In this week’s episode Mark Slack shares his journey from gynaecologist to co-founder of CMR Surgical, a company dedicated to making surgery safer and more accessible through robotics.

Here are some key takeaways from the conversation:

· The Birth of CMR Surgical: Mark recounts how a chance meeting at an antenatal clinic led to the formation of CMR Surgical. “I had become hassled about the difficulty in teaching people to do keyhole surgery,” he explains, highlighting the need for innovation in surgical training.

· A Vision for Robotics: Mark envisions a future where 80-90% of surgeries are performed using keyhole techniques, significantly reducing complications and recovery times.

· Challenges in MedTech: The journey hasn’t been without its hurdles. Mark candidly discusses the complexities of raising funds and navigating the regulatory landscape. “If I knew then what I know now, I probably wouldn’t have started,” he admits, reflecting on the challenges of building a medtech company.

· The Future of Surgical Robotics: Mark believes that the integration of AI into surgical robotics could revolutionise the field.

· Commitment to Ethical Practices: Mark emphasises the importance of building a sustainable and ethical business. “We want to build something that’s going to enhance health affordably,” he states, reflecting CMR Surgical’s mission to create a positive impact on society.

Tune in on your chosen podcast platform to subscribe and listen.

Apple podcast: https://apple.co/3P9RegV
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67NCeqHhb5ZjhAHl85NNru?si=610647e635a3489f
Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3VHqGGs
YouTube: https://bit.ly/CamTechPodYT

, Cambridge Tech Week, , The Bradfield Centre, Addenbrookes Hospital, Johnson and Johnson

In this week’s news: University of Cambridge, Founders at the University of Cambridge, King’s College Cambridge, Cambridge Forums, BrainPatch.AI, Jamie Urquhart, Big Sky Capital VC, Matthew Cleevely

19/08/2025

Paula Rogers-Brown joins the podcast to discuss the upcoming Camtechweek, 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.

You can book your ticket here: https://cambridgetechweek.co.uk/

Tune in on your chosen podcast platform to subscribe and listen.

Apple podcast: https://apple.co/3P9RegV
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67NCeqHhb5ZjhAHl85NNru?si=610647e635a3489f
Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3VHqGGs
YouTube: https://bit.ly/CamTechPodYT

12/08/2025

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.”

Tune in on your chosen podcast platform to subscribe and listen via the link in bio

In this week’s news: Xampla, Bunzl UK and Ireland, Huhtamaki, Alan Boswell Group, British Insurance Awards

05/08/2025

This week we are joined by Josephin Holstein, founder and CTO of Evoralis an early stage spin out from University of Cambridge 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.

Tune in on your chosen podcast platform to subscribe and listen.

Apple podcast: https://apple.co/3P9RegV
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67NCeqHhb5ZjhAHl85NNru?si=610647e635a3489f
Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3VHqGGs
YouTube: https://bit.ly/CamTechPodYT

, Raspberry Pi, Tech Educators, Inspire 2 Ignite CIC, Camtechweek ,

In this week’s news: Arm, RSM UK, Cambridge United Football Club, GenieAi, Rafie Faruq

29/07/2025

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.”

Tune in on your chosen podcast platform to subscribe and listen.

Apple podcast: https://apple.co/3P9RegV
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67NCeqHhb5ZjhAHl85NNru?si=610647e635a3489f
Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3VHqGGs
YouTube: https://bit.ly/CamTechPodYT

, Camtechweek ,

In this week’s news: Darktrace, Mira Security, Barocal, TERA-Award, Full Vision Capital, University of Cambridge, Grinergy, Echion Technologies, Jean de la Verpilliere, Bidwells, Arm, Business Weekly newspaper, Anthrotek, Bango, Raspberry Pi, BioTryp Therapeutics, HutanBio, Quantinuum, Wave Photonics

22/07/2025

This week on Cambridge Tech Podcast, we sit down with Sabesan Sithamparanathan OBE FREng FIET, founder and president of PervasID, to talk about how a passion for innovation, and a background shaped by a journey from Sri Lanka to Cambridge, led to pioneering advances in RFID technology.

In the episode, Sabesan breaks down how battery-free RFID is quietly transforming major industries:

Retail: Tackling theft and stock issues while boosting sales with real-time inventory tracking

Aerospace: Preventing tool loss and reducing foreign object debris to improve safety and save billions

Healthcare: Ensuring critical medical equipment is always accounted for, improving patient outcomes

He also shares the reality of turning lab research into a commercial product, the power of strategic partnerships, and how PervasID is positioning itself for global scale.

Plus, Sabesan reflects on his commitment to STEM education and the role tech companies can play in shaping future learning, especially in a world increasingly influenced by AI.

Tune in on your chosen podcast platform to subscribe and listen.

Apple podcast: https://apple.co/3P9RegV

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67NCeqHhb5ZjhAHl85NNru?si=610647e635a3489f

Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3VHqGGs

YouTube: https://bit.ly/CamTechPodYT

, Camtechweek,

In this week’s news: BDO, Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation, Cambridge Judge Business School, Sol Escobar, Give Your Best, Charlie Fraser, TERN - The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network, Abdirahim Hassan, Coffee Afrik CIC, Matt Pierri, Sociability, Trinity Hall

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