In the second of our exclusive recordings from Cambridge Tech Week 2025, we turn the spotlight on photonics - a sector critical to the future of compute, AI, quantum, and more.

Hosted by Dr Andy Sellars of Cornerstone, the expert panel features Elizabeth Patterson (Seagate Technology), Dr Gwen Wyatt-Moon (Prospectral), Dr Josh Silverstone (Hartley Ultrafast), Mark Rushworth (Finchetto Ltd), and Matthew Anderson (Wave Photonics), sharing insights on how the UK is building global strength in this critical field.

Key takeaways:

Silicon photonics is hitting its stride. After years of promise, it’s now mature enough for large-scale deployment, opening up new opportunities for data centre performance and bandwidth through wafer-scale integration.

Photonics at the heart of AI and data storage. Seagate’s Mosaic 4 Plus drive, using photonic HAMR technology, already stores 30TB with ambitions to exceed 100TB.

A quantum leap. Photonics will be central to scaling different modalities of quantum computers, serving as the critical interface for next-generation systems.

Why the UK, why now? The UK is carving out a niche in photonics that doesn’t depend on leading-edge foundries. With its strengths in packaging technology, materials science, rapid prototyping, and strong university partnerships, manufacturing here is realistic - especially with facilities like Cornerstone in Southampton.

Room for growth. The ecosystem from idea to prototype is world-class, though challenges remain in scaling production and keeping skilled talent local.

💡 Keynote spotlight

Professor Andrew Fitzgibbon opened the session with a thought-provoking talk that connected technology and humanity. His message: innovation should serve core human needs - food, health, and shelter - so that we can spend the rest of our time creating art and exploring what makes us human. It was a powerful reminder of the “why” behind all this progress.

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Owen Thompson, CEO and Founder of Cambridge Future Tech (CFT), returns to the podcast for a fast-paced, candid conversation on how CFT has evolved from an an ambitious venture builder to one of the UK’s most active deep tech venture studios.

💡Highlights

CFT is now creating 8–10 companies a year, having just incorporated its 17th and on track to hit 20 by year-end. The team takes a hands-on approach to IP scouting, spinning out from both universities and corporate R&D labs.

From the future of compute and quantum technologies to cooling systems and energy optimisation, CFT’s portfolio covers some of the most advanced sectors shaping UK innovation. With partnerships spanning 25+ universities - from Glasgow to Southampton - the studio’s reach is truly national.

CFT builds “mini ecosystems” around each startup, often bringing in experienced industry leaders as CEOs. As Owen puts it, “We’ve learned we’re not just a tech company - we’re a people company.”

The studio is expanding into investment with a new sister fund, Future Tech VC, launching soon marking a shift from simply building ventures to backing them through later stages.

🚀 Looking Ahead

CFT is tackling the ongoing challenge of fundraising in 2025 head-on, engaging family offices and developing tailored capital strategies. With initiatives like the Mansion House Act and British Business Bank signalling progress, the team sees major opportunities ahead—especially in dual-use defence tech, the next quantum wave, and sustainability innovation.

Tune in for an honest look at what it takes to build deep tech companies in today’s UK landscape - and why, as Owen says, “It’s all about the quality of relationships you’re building.”

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We have been given permission by the Cambridge Tech Week team to share content from the conference over the coming weeks and months. Today we begin with one of our favourite sessions from startup to scaleup day, where Amelia Armour of Amadeus Capital Partners interviewed Kristian Segerstrale from Super Evil Mega Corp who is currently navigating the Cambridge ecosystem on a quest to understand how to better enable the scaleup potential of the city.

Key Takeaways:

• “Momentum is currency.” In the US, rapid scaling matters more than capital itself. Christian urges UK founders to foster impatience for growth and not fear fast failure.

• “Everyone celebrates either a quick victory or a quick blowout. What people fear most are ‘zombie companies’ that just linger.”

• Talent is the differentiator: “Don’t settle for the top 10%. Get the top 0.1%. Two best hires can be worth more than £100m in funding.”

• Focus, focus, focus: “Find your win condition and do nothing else. Avoid shiny distractions- if you win, it’s because you doubled down.”

• The UK has caught up: “You don’t have to move to the US anymore. Capital, talent, and mindset exist here if you assemble the right team.”

• Integrating atoms and bits: “The next 5-10 years belong to startups that bridge digital and physical worlds - think robotics, batteries, sensors, and AI - something Cambridge excels at.”

• Learn by doing: “There are no books. You only learn by scaling, making mistakes, and then helping the next wave go bigger.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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