Cambridge Tech Week at Home Grown 

Thursday, 1st August 2024, 6.30pm 

Ahead of Cambridge Tech Week in September, join us for an exclusive spinoff event in London!

Cambridge Tech Week brings together world-leading experts, innovators and investors to fuel growth across the tech ecosystem, establishing Cambridge as a key place where global tech comes to meet.

In light of the recent election results, we’ll discuss the critical role of Deep Tech Science and Technology centres, such as Cambridge, as key enablers for the growth of UK GDP. Our distinguished panel of experts will provide their perspectives on leveraging the strengths of these innovation powerhouses to propel economic advancement.

Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser DBE FRS, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) & Regius Professor of Botany at the University of Cambridge

Prior to this, Ottoline Leyser was Director of the Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, an interdisciplinary research institute combining computational modelling with molecular genetics and cell biology to elucidate the dynamical systems underpinning the control of plant growth and development. She has made important contributions to understanding the role of plant hormones in developmental plasticity, using the control of shoot branching in Arabidopsis as a model system.

Ottoline has a long-term interest in research culture and its effects on the quality and effectiveness of the research system. She chaired the Nuffield Council on Bioethics project examining these issues and has been actively engaged in work aimed at generating a more inclusive, creative and connected culture. She has worked extensively in science policy.

She is a Fellow of the Royal Society, a Member of the Leopoldina and EMBO, and an International Member of the US National Academy of Sciences. In 2017 she was appointed DBE for services to plant science, science in society and equality and diversity in science.

Amir Sani, AI Strategy & Value Creation Expert

Dr. Amir Sani is a recognised leader in applying AI to drive value in venture capital and private markets. His unique approach combines a deep understanding of operational models with strategic objectives, enabling him to identify and deliver high-impact AI solutions. With extensive cross-industry experience and a track record of measurable results, Dr. Sani offers a distinctive blend of technical expertise and strategic insight.

Manjari Chandran-Ramesh, Partner at Amadeus Capital Partners

Manjari started her career in academia as a researcher and college lecturer at Oxford University, later moving to technology transfer at the University where she was responsible for commercialising intellectual property. Manjari then worked at IP Group plc, managing technology investments from deal origination to exit. She was responsible for the trade sale of TheySayLtd (emotional AI acquired by Aptean), secondary share sale exit in ConcirrusLtd (AI in InsureTech), and sourcing and working with the founding team to build Quantum Motion Ltd (Quantum Computing in Silicon). Manjari created and led IP Group’s Quantum Technologies investment strategy, setting up an initial £12m accelerator fund in partnership with Innovate UK.

Manjari is on the Strategic Advisory Board that advises the UK Government’s National Quantum Technologies Programme. She is a member of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Enterprise Hub Committee, a mentor for Creative Destruction Labs and a Kauffman Fellow of Class 28.

Stan Boland, Angel Investor & Advisor

Stan Boland is an active angel investor and advisor following a career of founding, building and successfully exiting a series of deep technology companies in semiconductors and AI.

Most recently, he was a co-founder and CEO of Five AI, a significant European venture-backed software business founded in 2015 which developed a highly functional automated system for urban driving before pivoting to build an integrated, cloud-based development ecosystem for testing of automated driving systems in principled low-fidelity simulation, leading to its acquisition by Bosch in 2022 for an undisclosed sum. That was the third successful major exit for Stan, he previously co-founded and was CEO of two of Europe’s most valuable semiconductor startups, Element 14 Inc. and Icera Inc., which he sold to Broadcom and NVIDIA respectively, for an aggregate value of over $1.1 billion. Element 14 built high density chipsets and software for broadband connectivity whilst Icera built cutting-edge modem chipsets and software for cellular communications.

Prior to founding startups, he was CEO of Acorn, a pioneer computer and technology firm and a Board member of its one-time associate, ARM. He is a graduate in physics from the University of Cambridge.

Christine Martin DPhil,  Head of Ventures Cambridge Enterprise

As Head of Ventures, Christine oversees Cambridge Enterprise’s investment activities, with the team investing over £5 million each year in young companies.

With expertise in Life Science investment, Christine has a focus on drug discovery with a broad portfolio of technologies, including University of Cambridge spin-outs Carrick, STORM, Z-factor, PhoreMost, Qkine, and PolyProX. Christine was featured in BioBeat’s 50 Movers and Shakers in BioBusiness 2018.

Previously, Christine worked for six years in the Life Sciences Tech Transfer team managing licensing of University IP. Christine also managed the University of Cambridge-GSK open innovation drug discovery initiative based at the SBC, working closely with academics to gain funding to develop translational projects. Prior to that, she enjoyed 11 years working for Biotica, a biotechnology spin-out from the University of Cambridge as Department Director and Project Leader.

Christine has an MA and DPhil from the University of Oxford. She is the author of over 20 peer reviewed journal articles and over 20 patents. She was also the recipient of the Arthur E. Schwarting award for the best article published in the Journal of Natural Products in 2006.

Elliot Gulliver-Needham, Investment Reporter at CityAM (Moderator) 

Elliot is the investment reporter at City AM. Previously, he was a senior reporter at Investment Week and a reporter at Central Banking.

Agenda

18.00 Registration and networking
18.30 MC introduction and welcome – Mike Butcher
18.40 Cambridge Tech Week – Chris Bruce
18.50 Panel discussion – How can Science and Technology centres such as Cambridge become a driver of economic growth for the UK
19.45 Q&A
20.00 Networking
20.30 Close

Please note that registrants’ data will be shared with Cambridge Tech Week.

RSVP on the members’ portal.