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.

15/07/2025

Have you ever thought about the massive impact of insect infestations on our world? 🐜🌍

Robert Fryers, CEO of Spotta, shared some incredible insights on how their innovative early warning systems are revolutionising pest control. From humble beginnings in 2013 to now operating in 24 countries, Spotta is making waves in the tech world.

Robert's journey is a testament to the power of innovation and perseverance. From navigating the challenges of COVID-19 to securing investment and expanding their product range, Spotta's story is truly inspiring.

Key Insights

The pest control market is vast, with insect infestations causing about half a trillion dollars in damage annually. Spotta's technology addresses this significant market opportunity .

Spotta's first product targeted bedbugs in hotels, but the company has since expanded to other sectors like forestry, agriculture, and horticulture.

Spotta uses ultra-low power vision systems for real-time monitoring of insects. This technology is designed to be cost-effective and sustainable, running for up to a year on an alkaline battery.

The company is committed to reducing the use of chemical insecticides, which aligns with global regulatory pressures and the need for more sustainable pest control solutions.

Robert expresses a desire for Spotta to become a unicorn. He believes that the scale of the problem they are addressing, combined with their unique technology and market position, makes this goal achievable.

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 United Football Club, Foresight Group, Reclinker (previously Cambridge Electric Cement)

In this week’s news: CuspAI, Kemira, Secondmind, Nick Appleyard, Gary Brotman, Raspberry Pi Foundation, Philip Colligan CBE, Superdielectrics

08/07/2025

What happens when a San Francisco VC takes the reins at Cambridge Enterprise?

Six months into the role, Jim Glasheen joins us to talk about his early moves as incoming CEO, like opening a London office to better plug Cambridge into global capital and talent flows. But this episode goes deeper than strategy.

🔑 Key takeaways:

• Cambridge has over 40 entrepreneurship programmes, but Jim questions if we’re at risk of creating an “illusion of entrepreneurship” without real market pressure.

• There’s a persistent Series B funding gap. His push? Build international investor relationships before companies need to scale.

• He wants the ecosystem to get more comfortable with failure and take on more risk.

• Cambridge Enterprise now spans licensing, founder support, venture investment, consulting, and ecosystem-building.

Jim’s set the clock ticking: in 6 months, he’ll report back on how international outreach and risk appetite are shifting. For now, he's off to the BIO conference in Boston to keep building those global ties.

🎧 Listen in for a sharp, honest look at what Cambridge needs next, and how leadership is setting the tone.

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

In this week’s news: Matnex, KPMG, HutanBio, HotHouse Therapeutics, Monumo , Shujiro Imamura, SCI Ventures, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Healx, Pragmatic Semiconductor, John Quigley, David Moore

01/07/2025

This week James sits down with David Cleevely to explore the concept of serendipity and its role in innovation. David’s insights are not only thought-provoking but also practical for anyone looking to foster creativity and collaboration in their ventures.

Key Takeaways:

• David challenges the traditional notion of serendipity as mere luck. He asserts, “Serendipity doesn’t happen by accident. It’s much more by design.” This perspective encourages us to create environments that increase the likelihood of unexpected, beneficial encounters.

• He emphasises the need for organisations to rethink their structures and networks to facilitate serendipitous interactions. “You want to actually design things so that the unpredictable is going to happen,” he explains.

• The book is aimed at those frustrated with slow innovation in large organisations, including civil servants and corporate leaders. David’s goal is to inspire a shift in mindset towards embracing unpredictability in the innovation process.

• He shares his experience of writing the book, highlighting the collaboration with a personal trainer-like figure who helped him structure his thoughts and ideas effectively.

• David also provides practical frameworks for fostering serendipity within teams and organisations, encouraging listeners to consider how they can engineer opportunities for chance encounters.

The episode then features highlights from David’s previous appearance on the podcast in November 2024 (episodes 112 and 113), pulling together serendipity related highlights from that conversation to celebrate the book launch.

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

In this week’s news: Echion Technologies, AnthroTek, TechWorks, Canadian Semiconductor Council

24/06/2025

This week’s episode features a fascinating interview with Nazmus T. and Raoul Peltier, co-founders of AnthroTek, a startup that is pushing the boundaries of material science in medical and robotics applications.

Nazmus and Raoul come from very different worlds - law and VC on one side, drug delivery and materials science on the other - but together they’re building hyper-realistic silicone solutions for real world impact.

A few standout moments from the conversation:

🧠 “We started with this idea of what the market might need, and very early on, we realised the demand is not for hyperrealism, but for functionality.” – Raoul

🌍 “We want to stay a humane company that finds solutions that help people and the planet.” – Nazmus

Key Takeaways from the Interview:

• The duo emphasised the importance of market discovery, stating, “We literally started with a lot of ideas and we didn’t know which one was going to work.” This approach has allowed them to refine their focus on medical applications, which currently account for 80% of their revenue.

• Both founders are passionate about sustainability, aiming to develop biodegradable alternatives to traditional silicone. “We are really interested in using our material science knowledge to explore can we find within five years an alternative to silicone that is actually biodegradable,” Nazmus shared.

• The Cambridge tech scene has played a pivotal role in their success and they highlighted the importance of networking and collaboration.

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

, IE Cambridge: Innovation & Entrepreneurship, KPMG UK, Buyerdock - Digital Product Passport, deepmirror, HotHouse Therapeutics, HutanBio, Monumo , Oasis AI, Shuffle Energy, Mindbloom AI, Matnex, Julian Spencer

In this week’s news: Cambridge Wide Open Week, , Prashant Shah, Arm, SBI Group, Business Weekly newspaper

17/06/2025

In this episode, we sit down with Anne Bailey from Form the Future CIC to talk about how we can better connect young people with opportunities in the tech industry. Anne shares why building those bridges matters now more than ever:

“We want to bridge the gap between employers who need skilled talent and young people who are eager to learn.”

We also dive into Tech Futures Day, an initiative designed to give students real exposure to the tech world through hands-on experiences and direct access to industry professionals.

Later in the episode, we shift focus to HackEd, a hackathon with a twist. James Charles Adams and Tim Smith from Tech Educators talk about the impact of bringing diverse groups of students together to explore, build, and present tech projects in just a few days:

“HackEd is about bringing together diverse backgrounds and exposing students to the world of technology.”

From teamwork and mentorship to presenting ideas to real industry leaders; it’s clear this isn’t just another school trip.

💡 Why listen?

· Hear how initiatives like HackEd and Tech Futures Day are shaping the future tech talent pipeline

· Get inspired by the students making their first mark on the industry

· Understand why this matters for founders, VCs, and anyone who wants to support a more inclusive, future-ready tech ecosystem

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

, Illumina, Innovate Cambridge, Cambridge Science Centre, Cambridge Tech Week, , Chris Bruce, Michaela Eschbach, Cambridge Wide Open Week Prashant Shah, Sunil Shah, Ajit Singh Guller, Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, , Cyber East, The Bradfield Centre, Cambridge Online, Raspberry Pi Foundation, Caroline Hyde FRSA, Founders at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge Enterprise, University of Cambridge, Postdoc Academy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Innovation Capital, cofinitive

In this week’s news: Nu Quantum IonQ, Spärck AI Scholarships, Oxford Instruments plc Oxford Instruments NanoScience, Quantum Design, Flock Health, Darktrace, PolyAI, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

10/06/2025

We sat down with Teja Potocnik, founder of Nanomation, to talk about her journey from Slovenia to Cambridge, and the potential of nanomaterials in transforming chip production.

Teja’s background is impressive, she holds a PhD in nanomaterials, has published research in top journals, and recently won the Female Founders category at the Wolfson Entrepreneurship Competition. But it’s her ability to bridge deep science with commercial application that really stands out.

💡 What exactly are nanomaterials? Nanomaterials are materials at the nanoscale, 1,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. They have unique properties that make them ideal for applications in electronics, including transistors and sensors.

With Moore’s Law hitting physical limits, Teja explains how nanomaterials can offer new functions beyond just shrinking components.

But translating cutting-edge research into viable tech isn’t easy. She’s candid about the hurdles early-stage companies face in scaling advanced materials into mass production.

The conversation touches on the vast market opportunities for sensing applications, particularly in the infrared spectrum. Teja aims to lower costs while enhancing functionalities, making her technology appealing to various industries.

Teja praises the collaborative spirit within Cambridge's tech community, noting the invaluable connections and support she has received. "Everyone knows everyone, and it's great.”

If you're curious about the future of semiconductors, or how science moves from lab bench to product, this one’s worth a listen.

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

, Forefront RF,London Tech Week, , Cambridge Wide Open Week, , Business Weekly, Cambridge Wireless, , Cambridge Enterprise,

In this week’s news: Arm, NavLive, University of Oxford, Oxford Science Enterprises, SOSV, Oxford Capital Partners, Clearance Venture Partners, AE Works, Britbots, Oxford Innovation Finance, InnovateUK, Chris Davison, Remedium, Net Zero Technology Centre

03/06/2025

This week we speak with Alexandra French, CEO of Xampla, a company leading the way in sustainable materials. Xampla is developing natural, plant-based alternatives to single-use plastics, and their technology could have a huge global impact.

Alexandra talks openly about the journey of scaling deep tech, the importance of educating the market, and how strategic partnerships are helping Xampla grow. She also shares why replacing over 4 million tonnes of plastic coatings annually is not just a target but a real opportunity.

In the episode, we cover:

🌱 The science behind using plant proteins to create biodegradable materials
🌱 Why raising awareness is just as important as product development
🌱 How partnerships with companies like Huhtamaki and Just Eat Takeaway.com are unlocking market access
🌱 Xampla’s next steps - with a clear focus on food service coatings and expanding into new markets

This is a great listen for anyone interested in climate tech, materials science, or how Cambridge startups are building for global impact.

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

BDO Birketts LLP Mark Slack CMR Surgical Mike Rigby Eastern Promise Cyber East Terri Michelle Hughes Founders at the University of Cambridge Britvic plc Transcend Packaging Ltd. Charlotte Cane

In this week’s news: Frontier Developments EnSilica The Bradfield Centre Cambridge Tech Week Cambridge Wireless Cambridge Wide Open Week sAInaptic Kavitha Ravindran Rajeshwari Iyer

27/05/2025

This week we’re joined by Sarah Turner, founder of Angel Academe, a network she launched in 2014 to get more women involved in angel investing and support female-led tech startups.

Angel Academe now has over 1,000 registered investors, with a core group of around 100 active angels - 70% of whom are women. That’s a key part of what sets them apart. As Sarah puts it, “70% of our core community are women, which is our big differentiator in the market.”

In this episode, Sarah also talks about the launch of the UK’s first EIS fund focused specifically on female founders. The fund aims to raise £1.2 million, giving investors the chance to back a portfolio of female-led startups with a minimum commitment of £10,000.

She talks about what Angel Academe looks for in a business, tech or science-based, with a strong and defensible technological edge, and encourages both founders and potential investors to get in touch for guidance and support.

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

Simon Thorpe, Cambridge Angels, Balderton Capital, Uncommon, Bea Fertility, Octopus Ventures, Jamjar Investment, SyndicateRoom, Tom Britton

In this week’s news: Sparxell, Benjamin Droguet, Xampla, Carbon 13, Nicky Dee, Bango, Ray Anderson, Optimum

20/05/2025

This week features an engaging conversation with Dr. Andy Williams, Chair of the Oxford Cambridge Supercluster Board. He explains the mission of the Oxford Cambridge Super Cluster Board, which aims to unite businesses, universities, and investors to create a thriving ecosystem.

Andy shares insights from a commissioned report predicting an additional £78 billion contribution to the regional economy. He stresses the need for government intervention and policy changes to achieve this target, stating, "If we don’t do anything, growth may drop to 2 or 1%, which would be a disaster."

The conversation also touches on the critical need for infrastructure improvements, including lab space, housing, and transport connectivity. Andy highlights the importance of balancing growth with community needs, saying, "We must be careful not to wreck the quality of life in the region."

He also discusses the importance of engaging local communities and ensuring that the benefits of innovation are felt widely. He believes that "for every job created in science and technology, another four or five jobs are created in the wider community."

This episode is packed with insights that can inspire and inform your approach to innovation and investment. Andy's extensive experience in the biopharmaceutical industry and his passion for fostering collaboration in the tech sector make for a compelling listen.

If you’re a startup founder or a venture capitalist looking to navigate the evolving landscape of technology and innovation, this episode is a treasure trove of information.

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

In this week’s news: Cambridge Independent , Blecon, Levidian, Biozeroc, Luminance, Pragmatic, IQGeo, Advanced Infrastructure, QPT, Cambridge Kinetics, Nu Quantum, Long River Investments, Dr Jerry Wu, Quantinuum, Al Raban Capital, Cambridge Wireless, Julie Bradford (Real Wireless), Chris Bruce, Dominick Peasley (Sprk Capital), Jonathan Pearl (Concordian), Olu Orugboh

13/05/2025

In this week’s episode we welcome Amelia Miller, co-founder and CEO of ivee, a groundbreaking platform dedicated to helping women re-enter the workforce after career breaks.

Amelia shares the personal story behind ivee, inspired by her mother’s struggles to return to work after taking time off for motherhood.

With a background in psychology, Amelia discusses how gender differences in job applications significantly impact hiring. Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet 50-60% of qualifications, while women typically wait until they meet 90-100%. This discrepancy underscores the need for tailored recruitment strategies.

ivee leverages AI to connect companies with a vast talent pool of women returning to work. “What we’re building at ivee is an AI agent that can surface returner talent,” Amelia explains, emphasising the platform's unique approach to recruitment.

Returning to work can be isolating. Amelia discusses how ivee fosters connection and confidence through supportive peer networks and resources that help women navigate their comeback journeys.

The conversation turns to how return-to-work barriers often exacerbate long-term pay inequality, and why solving one problem helps address the other.

This episode is not just about ivee; it’s a call to action for the tech community to rethink how we approach recruitment and diversity. If you're a hiring manager, consider the untapped potential of the return-to-work market. ivee is actively seeking companies to partner with and post jobs on their platform. For those returning to work, ivee offers a supportive community and resources to help you navigate your journey.

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

06/05/2025

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Ellis, Scale-Up Director at Innovate UK Business Growth, to unpack what it really takes to scale a tech business.

Key Insights:

• Defining Scale-Up: Chris Ellis emphasises that a scale-up is more than just a growing business; it’s one that has a product in the market and is pushing towards a million in annual recurring revenue.

• The Importance of Internationalisation: Chris highlights that scaling should involve looking beyond local markets. He stresses the need for UK businesses to tap into international markets and collaborate with global partners.

• Understanding the Funding Landscape: The conversation touches on the funding gap that exists for scale-ups, particularly in comparison to their US counterparts. Chris points out, “Some businesses need a much longer runway,” and discusses the importance of understanding the capitalisation journey.

• Governance and Culture: Chris shares insights on the dynamics within scale-up companies, noting that strong governance and a healthy culture are crucial.
Whether you're a founder or investor, this episode is packed with practical advice on moving from startup to scale-up.

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

In this week’s news: Sparxell, Benjamin Droguet, SuperSharp, Marco Gomez-Jenkins, Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, Jason Mashinchi, Cambridge Wireless, Wray Castle, Mpirical, The Crown Estate, Cambridge Business Park and the KPMG Tech Innovator UK competition.

29/04/2025

From a single day to an entire week, Cambridge Wide Open Week (CWOW) is back and bigger than ever! With just six weeks to go until CWOW, we caught up with creator, Prashant Shah.

CWOW offers a glimpse behind the scenes of Cambridge’s pioneering life sciences companies. The event also welcomes visitors from outside Cambridge, around the country, and across the world who are curious to see what’s going on ‘inside’ Cambridge.

What to expect: A week-long agenda packed with talks, masterclasses, and open doors across the city.

Monday’s Venture Tour brings together companies from pre-seed into Series A and Series B, spotlighted by: Amadeus Capital, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Cambridge Angels, Cambridge Enterprise, Accelerate@Babraham, BioSpark, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, o2h Ventures, and Meltwind Advisory LLP

Wednesday’s Wide Open Day keeps the energy rolling with some new venues joining returning favourites: Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge Judge Business School, Allia, Cambridge Science Park, West Hub, and more.

And yes, we finally unpack the difference between biotech and techbio, and why Cambridge is leading the global charge in this space.

Events you won’t want to miss:

• AstraZeneca’s Exchange Program
• BIA’s Tech Bio X
• Biotech Bikers Ride
• Form the Future’s community day
• And the iconic o2h Summer Garden Party

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

Register: cambridgewideopenweek.com
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