This week James chats with Marco De Novellis, Group Editor at Founders Forum Group and Tech Nation, about the current state and future of AI in the UK.

Here are some key takeaways:

• The UK AI sector has reached a combined valuation of $230 billion, surpassing France and Germany combined. Marco notes, “AI is increasingly becoming a national security question,” highlighting its importance beyond just business.

• The demand for AI talent is skyrocketing, with companies offering lucrative packages to attract top researchers. Marco points out, “AI researchers are in massive demand,” and the competition is fierce, with salaries reaching up to £1 million.

• AI startups accounted for 27% of all UK venture capital funding in 2024. Marco emphasises, “Every company is becoming an AI company,” indicating that AI is no longer a niche but a necessity across sectors.

• To maintain its leadership in AI, the UK must create conditions that encourage startups to scale and remain based in the country. Marco states, “We need to stop the exodus of talent at growth stages going to the US.”

The conversation not only highlights the challenges and opportunities within the sector but also underscores the importance of collaboration and support for startups.

Produced by Cambridge TV

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode we discover more about the innovative work being done at Forefront RF. Dr. Leo Laughlin and Dr. Alexander Doust share their journey in developing cutting-edge technology for mobile devices. Here are some key takeaways:

• The Challenge of Signal Management: Leo explains, “Mobile phones need to transmit a powerful signal while simultaneously receiving a weak one. Our technology addresses this by using advanced signal cancellation methods.” This innovation allows for a more efficient and compact design in mobile devices.

• Tunable Filters: Their solution replaces multiple fixed-frequency filters with a single tunable component, significantly reducing complexity and size. “This opens up new use cases for devices that require cellular connectivity,” Alexander adds.

• Sustainability Focus: The technology not only simplifies device design but also contributes to sustainability by reducing the number of components needed. “We’re helping manufacturers create a single global variant of their products, which is a game changer,” Leo remarks.

• Navigating the Semiconductor Landscape: The duo discusses the challenges of scaling in the semiconductor industry, highlighting the importance of having a credible team and a clear strategy for market entry. “It’s about executing our plans and getting our product in front of customers,” Alexander states.

As Forefront RF gears up for its first product launch, the excitement is palpable. The team is focused on securing partnerships with manufacturers and getting their technology integrated into next-generation devices.

Produced by Cambridge TV

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James sits down with Shai Vyakarnam to explore his journey from a diverse upbringing to becoming a key player in entrepreneurship education. Shai shares invaluable lessons learned throughout his career, particularly in fostering entrepreneurial mindsets among students and aspiring founders.

Key takeaways:

• The Importance of Milestones: Shai emphasises the significance of externally driven milestones in guiding team behaviour and company progress. “If it wasn’t for those milestones, they may not have made as much progress,” he notes, highlighting how crucial it is for teams to stay aligned with their goals.

• Nurturing Early-Stage Startups: Shai points out that while funding often shifts towards scale-ups, it’s vital to continue supporting early-stage startups. “We need to ensure that we’re nurturing the early-stage startup with the type of funds that are required,” he stresses.

• Role Models in Entrepreneurship: Shai advocates for celebrating successful entrepreneurial figures within academia, suggesting that these role models can inspire the next generation of innovators. “Let’s make our successful entrepreneurial professors into role models and heroes,” he urges.

Produced by Cambridge TV

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Cambridge Tech Podcast, hosts Faye Holland and James Parton look back at the highlights of Cambridge Tech Week.

From standout moments to personal reflections, they capture the energy of a week that brought together innovators, startups, and investors from across the tech community.

If you couldn’t make it to #CamTechWeek, this episode is a great way to catch up on what you missed. And keep an eye out - panel sessions and talks from the week will be released soon.

Produced by Cambridge TV

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Cambridge Tech Week!

As the vibrant atmosphere of Cambridge Tech Week unfolds, Faye Holland and James Parton bring us a concise yet impactful episode of the Cambridge Tech Podcast. This week, they dive into the latest happenings in the tech ecosystem, highlighting significant developments.

Key Highlights from the Episode:

• Cambridge Tech Week Buzz: The hosts share their excitement about the ongoing Cambridge Tech Week, a pivotal event that showcases innovation and collaboration in the tech sector.
• Cambridge Innovation Capital appointing Sir Nigel Wilson as chair, signalling a strong leadership transition.
• CuspAI, an AI for material science company, securing over £100 million in funding, showcasing the growing interest in AI-driven solutions.
• Quantinuum, a quantum computing firm, raising a staggering $600 million, reinforcing Cambridge’s status as a leader in advanced technology.
• Innovative Marketing Campaigns: Faye and James discuss a guerrilla marketing campaign launched by Innovate Cambridge, promoting innovation throughout the city. This creative approach aligns perfectly with the spirit of Cambridge Tech Week.
• AI in Legal Work: The episode also highlights a groundbreaking development from AnthroTek, where they utilised AI for their fundraising legal work, eliminating traditional legal fees. “Startups no longer have to pay 20 to 30k to do their investment deals,” says GENIE AI's CEO, signalling a shift in how startups can manage costs.

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In this episode we dive into the exciting world of speech technology with Ricardo Herreros-Symons, Chief Strategy Officer at Speechmatics.

We discuss:

• The Evolution of Speech Technology: Ricardo noted, “In the last decade, it has absolutely transformed... We are interacting with speech technology everywhere.” This shift is evident in everyday applications, from subtitles on TV to voice-activated assistants.

• Market Potential: He highlighted the burgeoning market for speech technology, particularly in healthcare. “Across Europe, it’s probably going to be a market of somewhere in the region of 3 to 5 billion hours of audio,” indicating a massive opportunity for growth in transcribing doctor-patient interactions.

• Ethical Considerations: Addressing concerns about bias and accountability, Ricardo stated, “We put an awful lot of effort into making sure that the engines we produce are incredibly unbiased.” This commitment to ethical AI is crucial as the technology becomes more prevalent.

• Innovative Products: Speechmatics is not just about speech-to-text; they are also venturing into text-to-speech technology. This innovation could revolutionise how businesses communicate globally.

•Generalist vs. Specialist: Ricardo shared his thoughts on career trajectories in tech, suggesting that “it is so important to be a bit of a generalist in what you do.” This perspective is particularly relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape where adaptability is key.

Produced by Cambridge TV

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode we catch up with Seb Lessware. Seb shares his fascinating journey from a software engineer to CTO at 1Spatial, a company that has been at the forefront of geospatial data management for over two decades.

We discuss:

• Career Evolution: Seb emphasises the importance of adaptability in one’s career. “I never had a five-year plan; I just took opportunities as they arose,” he shares, highlighting how his diverse roles at 1Spatial enriched his experience.

• The Importance of Data Quality: Seb discusses the shift in focus from software to data quality, stating, “The thing you need to keep and maintain is the data at the core of it.” This insight is crucial for tech startups looking to leverage data effectively.

• Digital Twins and Smart Cities: The conversation touches on the concept of digital twins, with Seb noting, “Digital twins are a digital representation of the real world,” and how they can enhance decision-making in urban planning and utilities management.

• Machine Learning and Geospatial Data: Seb advocates for using machine learning techniques on structured data and encourages collaboration across industries to unlock the full potential of geospatial data.

Produced by Cambridge TV

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Slack shares his journey from gynecologist to co-founder of CMR Surgical, a company dedicated to making surgery safer and more accessible through robotics. The conversation covers:

• The Birth of CMR Surgical
• A Vision for Robotics
• Challenges in MedTech
• The Future of Surgical Robotics
• Commitment to Ethical Practices

Produced by Cambridge TV

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.