Katie Saddleton, Senior Ecosystem Manager at Royal Academy of Engineering.Founded by Prince Philip 49 years ago to put engineering innovation in service of society. Operating under the Academy's Strategy 2030 framework focused on "engineering better lives," Katie supports bold, IP-rich deep tech innovations spanning the full breadth of engineering from software and biomedical to traditional civil and mechanical disciplines, recognising engineers as uniquely positioned to solve complex environmental, economic, and societal challenges through their systematic problem-solving mindset. She addresses critical UK deep tech challenges revealed in their comprehensive report covering 3,000 companies attracting over £5 billion investment, where only 7.5% are female-founded and less than 6% reach scale-up stage, advocating for early intervention through role model visibility, entrepreneurial education in schools, and systemic mindset shifts to match the US entrepreneurial culture where "coffee shop workers discuss side projects." Katie identifies fundamental investment ecosystem gaps where UK investors' predominantly financial backgrounds versus US investors' technical PhD expertise creates difficulty de-risking complex technologies, while patient capital shortages prevent adequate funding for deep tech's 10-year development cycles compared to traditional 3-5 year timelines, despite deep tech's higher long-term returns. Through the Explore program's international missions to San Francisco, Boston, and Paris, Katie facilitates entrepreneur connections leading to pilot projects and acquisitions while learning that UK strengths lie in "zero to billion" innovation development, though companies must relocate for "billion to trillion" scaling due to capital limitations. Her ecosystem strategy follows the MIT innovation model engaging entrepreneurs, government, corporates, investors, and academics through curated networks and "moments of serendipity," exemplified by success stories like NotPlastic's seaweed-based packaging alternatives that make single-use plastics disappear, representing the Academy's 600-strong entrepreneur network developing breakthrough technologies for global benefit.