Cambridge Tech Podcast

This week Faye and James sit down with Martin Rigby, co-founder of ET Capital, for a must-listen conversation that challenges the traditional venture capital playbook.Martin shares insights from his research, revealing that a diversified investment strategy in Cambridge tech deals since the mid-1990s has consistently outperformed traditional stock market benchmarks like the FTSE 100.Key highlights include:🚀ET Capital's Journey Martin recounts his journey from a venture capital firm to establishing ET Capital, which has managed nine funds since its inception in 1993. The firm has successfully backed notable companies, including those in life sciences and low carbon technologies.🚀 A new kind of fundET Capital is shaking things up with a fund designed to open doors, making high-growth Cambridge startups accessible to investors beyond the typical angel networks.🚀 Backing the ecosystemFrom partnering with Cambridge Enterprise to Deep Tech Labs, Martin shares how collaboration is key to unlocking the region’s startup potential.Produced by Cambridge TV

In this week’s episode we’re diving deep into AI optimisation with Ushnish Sengupta and Federica Freddi, the co-founders of Sqwish, a startup on a mission to make AI smarter and more efficient.Ushnish and Federica share their unique journeys and how a shared vision at MediaTek led to the creation of Sqwish: an “efficiency layer” for AI that’s already reducing input sizes by up to 10x and transforming GenAI performance.Key Highlights: ·       The entrepreneurial spark - from childhood toy trades to cutting-edge tech·       Tackling one of AI’s biggest challenges: cost and latency·       Why Sqwish is just getting started, with tools like smart routing and output compression on the horizonIf you're working with GenAI, building AI products, or curious about startup journeys from within the Cambridge ecosystem then this is for you.Produced by Cambridge TV

In this week’s episode Faye and James welcome two inspiring guests: Natalie Gray, head of marketing and partnerships at Codurance, and Ilker Akansel, a community strategy consultant. They delve into the importance of grassroots tech communities and how they contribute to a vibrant tech ecosystem.Key Insights include:· The Importance of Community: Ilker emphasises, “Technical communities provide support to all the moving parts within entrepreneurial ecosystems.” These communities foster collaboration and innovation, essential for growth in the tech sector.· Creating Safe Spaces: Natalie shares that grassroots communities offer a “safe space where you can practice, make mistakes, and learn your craft.” This is crucial for both newcomers and seasoned professionals looking to enhance their skills.· Intentionality in Community Building: Ilker highlights the need for a clear purpose in community initiatives, stating, “If you put the member journey at the centre of the community, you can't really fail.” This focus ensures that communities remain relevant and valuable to their members.· Regular Engagement: Natalie stresses the importance of consistency, saying, “As soon as you start skipping events, that’s when cracks start to show.” Regular meetings help maintain engagement and commitment from members.Produced by Cambridge TV

In this week’s episode we hear from Russell Haggar, CEO and co-founder of VyperCore. Russell shares his fascinating journey in the "hard tech" space, revealing the challenges and triumphs of creating breakthrough technology in a highly competitive market. With over 35 years of experience, Russell explains how VyperCore is reinventing general purpose computing.We delve into:• VyperCore’s innovative technology, which aims to enhance general-purpose computing performance up to five times without altering existing code, specifically targeting the data center market with efficient accelerator cards. • The launch of VyperLab as a confidential cloud-based environment for performance testing, showcasing significant improvements on benchmarks• The challenges of securing funding for silicon startups, particularly the need for effective collaboration with European and US investors. Additionally, Russell discusses VyperCore's strategic presence in Cambridge and Bristol to leverage local talent while promoting a hybrid work model and fostering connections within the silicon community.Produced by Cambridge TV

Last week, we attended the launch of Cambridge Tech Week. This week, we’re sharing key highlights from the panel discussions, covering AI innovation, policy challenges, and collaboration.Some standout moments included:·       Dr. Nik Johnson highlighted Cambridge’s role as a global tech hub, stressing that AI should enhance, not replace, human creativity. ·       Michaela Eschbach reinforced how the city enables high-risk innovation in a low-risk environment.·       Jessica Montgomery called for AI to prioritise real-world impact over hype, raising concerns about its influence on creative industries and accountability. ·       Professor Neil Lawrence warned that professionals are losing control over AI systems and urged businesses to reinvest AI-driven time savings into skills development.The event wrapped up with a panel discussion featuring leaders from Innovate Cambridge, Faculty AI, and Cambridge City Council. The key takeaway? AI development needs to be practical, ethical, and inclusive.Produced by Cambridge TV

Special guest Michaela Eschbach, Deputy Chair of the Cambridge Tech Week Steering Committee, joins us to give the inside scoop on Cambridge Tech Week 2025 (15th – 19th September 2025).We discuss what will be taking place during the week including:• Seizing the AI Advantage - this year’s overarching theme focuses on how Cambridge’s deep-tech ecosystem is leading AI innovation.• Industry Deep Dives - expect discussions on MedTech, CleanTech, AgriTech, Quantum, and Semiconductors.• Fringe Events - running throughout the week, these independently organized sessions allow for even more engagement and networking.• Innovation Alley - a dedicated space for the most cutting-edge startups to showcase their technology, now extended to two days due to popular demand.Cambridge Tech Week is a must-attend event for startup founders and scaleups seeking investor connections, VCs and investors scouting the next big breakthrough in AI and deep tech, corporate leaders and policymakers shaping the industry, and academics and researchers driving innovation.Produced by Cambridge TV

Last week marked the 7th annual #21toWatch awards, a key event in the Cambridge startup scene that recognises rising talent across People, Companies, and Things. This year's list is dominated by ground-breaking innovations in neuroscience, medtech, and AI-driven diagnostics.Today’s episode features:·       Details of the winners across all three categories.·       Podcast interviews with winners Lucy Jung from LYEONS Neurotech (People) and Monica Saavedra from Lambda agri (Thing).·       Insights from independent judge, Christine Martin (Cambridge Enterprise), who shared her experience of the judging process.·       Recognition of the independent judges: Christine Martin, Chris Ellis (Innovate UK Business Growth), Jo Słota-Newson (Almanac Ventures), and Tom Hughes (Trinity College Cambridge). ·       Up to £20,000 prize for each winner from the event sponsors·       And, James caught up with Emily Stoner, Careers Consultant at the University of Cambridge Careers Office, to discuss the growing interest in entrepreneurship among students and researchers.Produced by Cambridge TV

This week’s special guest, Andi Hektor, takes us on a deep dive into his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, how GScan is tackling critical infrastructure challenges, and why he chose Cambridge as the company’s UK base.GScan is pioneering Muon tomography, an advanced scanning technology originally used for border security but now revolutionising non-destructive testing (NDT) in construction. The technology helps detect corrosion and structural weaknesses in bridges and buildings, preventing costly and environmentally harmful demolitions. “Bridges are often demolished as a precaution because engineers can’t see inside them. We provide that visibility, potentially doubling their lifespan.”Initially setting up in London, Andi quickly realised Cambridge’s startup ecosystem was the ideal home for GScan: “London’s tech scene is great, but for deep tech, it’s easy to get lost. In Cambridge, you can build a network fast. The Bradfield Centre has been amazing.”

This week we meet the co-founders of Cambridge Female Founders Network, created in response to the lack of genuine support for women entrepreneurs.Key initiatives include:Founder Dinners & Fireside Chats – Creating spaces for female founders to connect.Funding Programmes – Helping women navigate the notoriously tough fundraising landscape.Investor & Conference Connections – Placing female founders on panels, in accelerators, and directly in front of investors.“Women have to pitch 4x more than men to secure funding. We’re changing that by connecting the right investors with the right founders.” — Clarisse Beurrier