Innovation Day: Innovation Landscape & Innovation Alley

The Innovation Landscape: From Cambridge to Global

As Europe’s largest technology cluster, Cambridge is a hotbed for innovation and investment. Attendees heard real-world experiences and advice from financial experts, investors and companies at different stages of growth on bringing new innovations to market from Cambridge to the global stage.

AGENDA

10:00 – 10:05  Welcome

• Chris Bruce, Chair of Steering Committee, Cambridge Tech Week

10:05 – 10:15  Keynote: Innovation from Cambridge to Global

• Warren East, CBE, NED & Chair 

10:15 – 10:35  Panel: Tackling innovation and growth throughout the start-up journey
Hear personal experiences from business leaders on their growth journey and advice, from obtaining investment to selling to global tech giants

• Amelia Armour, Partner, Amadeus Capital Partners
• Ed Wood, VP of Product, Nu Quantum

10:35 – 10:55  The Cambridge Ecosystem: The Strengths, Opportunities and Players with UKTN

10:55 – 11:35  Panel: From pre-seed to Series A funding – a deep dive
Dive into the differences, challenges and focus areas of funding rounds with a panel of investor experts

• Peter Cowley, Entrepreneur and Angel Investor
• Pam Garside, Chair, Cambridge Angels
• Anne Dobrée, Investor Director, Parkwalk Advisors
• Shin Nikkuni, Managing Partner & Co-Founder, NordicNinja VC
• Dr Christine Martin, Head of Ventures, Cambridge Enterprise

11:35 – 12:00  Refreshment Break

12:00 – 12:15  Keynote: The Innovation Road from Academia to Start-up to Corporates and Beyond
A view on the secret sauce of the Cambridge ecosystem from academia, to start-up, to enterprise and beyond, including the importance of deep tech innovation.

• Tim Fowler, Chief Commercial Officer, Cambridge Consultants

12:15 – 12:55  Panel: Being on the Business Frontier as ‘Donrepreneurs’
Meet the Dons creating successful spin-outs from the University of Cambridge and hear what makes Cambridge businesses unique in this sense as R&D leaders.

• Tony Quested, CEO, Business Weekly
• Steve Young CBE, Venture Partner, Amadeus Capital Partners
• Sir Andy Hopper CBE, University of Cambridge
• Prof Florin Udrea, Professor of Semiconductor Engineering, University of Cambridge

12:55 – 13:15 Fireside Chat: Collaboration & Innovation in UK Tech Clusters
Discussion on the importance of collaboration and innovation between UK Tech Clusters.

• Henri Murison, Chief Executive, Northern Powerhouse Partnership
• David Cleevely CBE, Chair, Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub, University of Cambridge

Innovation Alley

12:30 pm – 5:00 pm  The Innovation Alley exhibition
Innovation Alley played home to some of the brightest early-stage companies, scale-ups, and larger tech companies, all offering a dynamic and interactive showcase of their solutions.

Delivering a senior-level delegate audience of global organisations, technology integrators, and investors, Innovation Alley offered a powerful platform for tech companies to showcase their technology, network with and pitch to attending investors, and connect with potential collaborators to scale and expand.

14:00 – 16:00 – St John’s Bar

The Cambridge Tech Week Advisory Lounge provides the opportunity for exhibiting start-ups and visitors to speak 1:1 with experienced angel investors and exited entrepreneurs from Cambridge Angels and representatives from Cambridge Capital Group offering strategic guidance, and entrepreneurial education. If you are looking to gain feedback and advice on how to further support and grow your business, take advantage of office hours with these organisations.

Soapbox Talks

• Dr Euan Smith, Head of Systems and Photonics, 42T
• Faye Holland, Founder and Director, cofinitive

Investor Pitch Sessions & Founder Workshops

Alongside the exhibition, there were Investor Pitch Sessions and Founder Workshops, offering investors the opportunity to attend structured presentations and hear what innovators have to offer whilst founders will be able to discuss their experiences, and learn from others, on the path to entrepreneurial success.

• Telecoms Innovator Pitches hosted by the UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN)
• Deep Tech Innovator Pitches hosted by Cambridge Future Tech
• Founders Live Pitches hosted by UHY Hacker Young
• Unlocking Entrepreneurial Success founder focus workshop hosted by Barclays Eagle Labs and Plexal
• Flip the Script – Investor Reverse Pitch Event hosted by KPMG

Find out more about the Innovation Alley exhibitors.