Cambridge Tech Podcast

This episode of the Cambridge Tech Podcast tackled one of the industry's most overlooked crises: electronic waste. We spoke with Sonia Lange Ramontja, founder of Retapp, about building a sustainable business that's as profitable as it is purposeful.Here's a sobering statistic: e-waste constitutes 70% of all toxic waste globally, yet it remains largely invisible in mainstream conversations. Sonia recognised this gap and built Retapp to address it. Retapp ran a successful pilot from July to September 2025, collecting 860 kilos of electronics across five pop-up events in collaboration with Cambridge City Council. The product is now live on both App Store and Google Play. Retapp's platform combines consumer-friendly design with intelligent automation:Users scan devices using the app (phones, laptops, toasters—anything with a plug or battery)AI identifies categories, estimates weight, and calculates resale value or eco-pointsUsers choose drop-off or collection optionsOptional data erasure certificates available for enhanced securitySustainability metrics track environmental impactRetapp also provides detailed device insights to refurbishers and recyclers through a web portal, helping them manage the deluge of electronics without overwhelming their operations. Currently fundraising their pre-seed round, Retapp is seeking investors who understand the circular economy and recognise this as a genuine business opportunity. With EU circular economy regulations tightening and extended producer responsibility (EPR) becoming mandatory, the timing couldn't be better. Listen to the full episode on the Cambridge Tech Podcast and subscribe for weekly updates on the region's most exciting founders and innovations.Headline sponsor Holden Polestar#CamTechPod

Cambridge Tech Podcast latest episode is with Bill Yost talking cement, startups, and the differences in building businesses either side of the Atlantic. Cement is the second most used material on Earth with 4 billion tonnes produced annually, and conventional cement production accounts for 7% of global CO2 emissions. If the cement industry were a country, it would rank behind only the US and China in carbon output. That's the scale of the opportunity.Enter Reclinker, a Cambridge-based startup that converts reclaimed cement into clinker using electric arc furnaces already used in steel recycling. Rather than building expensive new infrastructure, they're partnering with existing steel manufacturers. Bill talks about the funding journey, how to demonstrate the process at industrial scale, and how they have secured important supply chain agreements.Whether you're fascinated by climate tech, curious about fundraising strategy, or interested in how to build in Cambridge's ecosystem, this episode delivers real insights from someone who's done it multiple times, on both continents.Tune in on your preferred podcast platform and subscribe to join the weekly conversation. Headline sponsor Holden Polestar#CamTechPod

This week we meet Rob Walden, co-founder of Euthasafe, and discuss his journey from aerospace engineering to the life-saving technology his team is developing right now.

The latest episode of the Cambridge Tech Podcast features Tim Ansor, leader of the Intelligent Services Business Unit at Cambridge Consultants, discussing the rapidly evolving world of physical AI and robotics. If you're building in this space or investing in it, this conversation is essential listening.What Is Physical AI, Anyway?Tim cuts through the hype to define physical AI simply: AI that understands the physical world and its properties. Unlike ChatGPT or Claude which are trained on text and images, physical AI systems grasp that objects exist even when hidden, that some things are squishy and others hard, and that gravity works.It's the missing piece that's making humanoid robots genuinely viable now, not just sci-fi fantasy.What This Means for Your Team - New skills are coming. Future managers won't just lead people, they'll manage AI agents and robotic collaborators too. Education needs to evolve from "learn to code" to "be fluent with AI tools."Listen now to learn more!Headline sponsor Holden Polestar.

Michael Meeks joins us the week to talk about competing with Microsoft, and why Open Source Wins. Some of the highlights of our conversation include: On organic growth: "Unlike many VC-backed companies, we're organic, we're profitable and we have a mission which is to drive open source."The business model is counterintuitive but brilliant. By giving away free software, Collabora builds massive brand recognition and deployment. Users try it at home, fall in love with it, and when they need enterprise support, they know exactly who to call.On digital sovereignty: In an increasingly geopolitical world, Michael argues open source is the only path to true sovereignty. "The only way to have true digital sovereignty...is to use open source because then it is for the world. It is both local and a collaboration internationally."One of the most interesting technical insights: Collabora keeps documents on the server rather than downloading them to clients. This enables server-side policy enforcement - no copy-paste, no printing, no downloads, plus watermarking for traceability.Michael's remote-first approach is worth noting: rather than have some staff in an office and others remote (which creates two-tier communication), Collabora went fully distributed globally. They do maintain a Cambridge base with internships at Hills Road sixth form college, giving back to the community that shaped him.Whether you're a founder wrestling with funding strategy, a VC evaluating open source investments, or simply curious about how to build a profitable, mission-driven company without VC pressure, this episode delivers real insights.Ready to dive deeper? Download Collabora Office from your app store and listen to the full conversation on the Cambridge Tech Podcast. You'll leave thinking differently about competition, sovereignty, and what sustainable growth actually looks like.Headline sponsor Holden Polestar#CamTechPod

Welcome to Cambridge Tech Week Kickstarter, the event that's putting Cambridge firmly on the global innovation map. This year's theme? How Deep Tech Changes the World. If you're a founder, investor, or tech enthusiast, tune in to find out more about the week, and to hear the panel discussion at the kickstarter event.The episode starts with updates from Kathryn Chapman (Innovate Cambridge), Rob Bridge (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority), Mike Short and Michaela Eschbach (Cambridge Wireless).We then cover the highlights of the panel discussion that asks “What Does a World-Class Deep Tech Ecosystem Actually Look Like?” Kathryn Chapman hosts, with panelists Professor Sir John Aston (University of Cambridge), Jo Slota-Newson (Almanac Ventures) and Lucy Yu (CEO, Centre for Net Zero, Octopus Energy Group). Cambridge isn't just another tech hub. It's a deliberate ecosystem where world-class research, creative thinking, and bold partnerships converge. The government is backing it. The talent is there. Will you be there to hear more during Cambridge Tech Week this September?

The latest Cambridge Tech Podcast episode packed a punch with exciting announcements from the Cambridge ecosystem, followed by an in-depth conversation with Jean Michel Van, founder of Ryse Flow, a company building the next generation of AI-powered sales automation.The real gem of this episode is Jean Michel's journey from corporate product management to founding Ryse Flow. His story is refreshingly honest about the fears and decision-making that come with entrepreneurship.Jean Michel's background is unconventional. Born in Paris to parents who fled the Cambodian genocide, he spent 15 years in pharma and tech before making the leap to entrepreneurship. His early career in pharmaceutical finance eventually led him into tech through a pivotal acquisition role, where he discovered his passion for product management.After 15 years climbing the corporate ladder, Jean Michel reached a turning point. Rather than waiting for the ‘perfect idea’. he decided to take the leap.Ryse Flow's premise is compelling: AI won't simply be bolted onto existing software, it will fundamentally reshape how sales automation works."AI is going to disrupt most of the legacy players in the market in the same way cloud disrupted client-server implementations in the early 2000s."Jean Michel's strategy is pragmatic:·       Currently leveraging 70% existing tools while building proprietary IP·       Only pursuing paid pilots - ensuring customer commitment and real feedback·       Maintaining a lean, self-funded team to preserve long-term decision-making autonomy·       Already profitable despite being early-stageThis episode captures the real tension between corporate comfort and entrepreneurial ambition. Jean Michel's willingness to discuss both his fears and his conviction offers genuine insight for founders considering the leap. Tune in on your preferred podcast platform, and subscribe to join the weekly conversation. Headline sponsor Holden Polestar#CamTechPod

Episode 182 features five of this year's #21toWatch winners - and if you're in the startup ecosystem, this one's unmissable.For those unfamiliar, for the last eight years #21toWatch has been high on the regions innovation showcase, and the numbers speak for themselves. Over eight cohorts, 168 companies have landed on the list and collectively raised a staggering £721 million. This year marks a particularly poignant milestone: its Faye's final year running the programme after creating it back in 2018. But we think you’ll agree, she's gone out with a bang.In this episode we talk to five of the winning companies:Cyclana Bio is tackling drug discovery from first principles, focusing on the extracellular matrix (the "biological dark matter" comprising 90% of your tissue). Lea Wenger explains how their multidisciplinary approach spanning Cambridge and Manchester is already attracting serious attention, with £5 million raised so far.Obasense is developing ultra-sensitive gas sensors for indoor air quality monitoring -particularly timely given the UK's new mould regulations. Founder, Osarenkhoe Ogbeide, is also building African mythology comics on the side!Myonerv is creating wearable neurostimulators for stroke rehabilitation. Sam Kourali's personal story - inspired by his cousin's stroke - drives a compelling business model targeting the US market's $60 billion opportunity.NANOPLUME just announced £2.2 million in funding for their bio-based aerogel thermal insulation. Three times more insulating than conventional materials, 60% lighter, and fully circular. Co-founder Tara Love says they're eyeing product launch within 18 months.Polytecks is mapping bioelectricity through flexible electrode arrays - starting with veterinary cardiology (dog heart disease affects over 80% of dogs) before moving to human diagnostics. Ruben Ruiz-Mateos Serrano tells us more.This episode captures something essential about where UK deep tech innovation is heading. These aren't incremental improvements - they're fundamental reimagining’s of how we solve problems in healthcare, climate tech, and industrial systems.Subscribe now and join the conversation. Because the next unicorn might just be one of these five.Headline sponsor Holden Polestar#CamTechPod

In this week’s episode, Nweike Onwuyali founder of Ziphii, suggests that technology companies are "fundamentally flawed" in their approach. They build tools for customers and their employees but often exclude the actual end-users who need to interact with the solution. Nweike proposes that most players either have advertising-centric DNA or remain stuck in the "tool mindset."Nweike wants to do something different with Ziphii which launches this month. The product "Webb" offers a unified digital home for individuals, solopreneurs, and creators. It integrates four pillars:1.    Presence - your digital identity and portfolio2.    Experiences - booking, blogging, contact management3.    Commerce - built-in monetisation4.    Community - owned audience managementIn addition to introducing “Webb”, the real heart of this episode is Nweike's journey and his vision for Ziphii. His story is compelling: from building websites in Nigeria in 2000 to scaling a 60-person enterprise software company, Nweike brings genuine perspective on how technology evolves.Headline sponsor Holden Polestar#CamTechPod