Increasingly, sustainability challenges beckon the inspired entrepreneur

Enter Xampla, a startup from the heart of Cambridge that speaks volumes about the University’s entrepreneurial space.

Xampla founder Professor Tuomas Knowles’ entrepreneurial journey started with Alzheimer’s research and led to a plant-based, sustainable, scalable material that could replace single-use plastics in many consumer products. The polymer film mimics the properties of spider silk, one of the strongest materials in nature – bringing new meaning to the term ‘spin-out’!

Cambridge is where invention and innovation have been joining forces for centuries. Today, it’s the cradle of ideas that are mapping a sustainable future. Hear Professor Knowles talk about entrepreneurship at Cambridge and why we’re world-leading in spinning out and starting up.

The evening provides an exclusive opportunity to network and engage with some of Cambridge’s rising entrepreneurial talents who are at the forefront of developing innovations in biotech, cybersecurity, waste resources and software.

Running order
6pm: Welcome reception
6.30pm: Keynote Address by Professor Tuomas Knowles, followed by the chance to hear from Andrew Williamson and our incredible Cambridge entrepreneurs
7.30pm: Networking reception
8.30pm: Close

Places are limited, so please RSVP by email to: events@alumni.cam.ac.uk

What to expect:

  • Unique access to Cambridge’s rising entrepreneurial talents – those behind the latest innovations in biotech, cybersecurity, waste resources, and software.
  • Exclusive insights – find out what’s happening across the exciting Cambridge entrepreneurship ecosystem, and how these new concepts can evolve into impactful solutions for people and planet.
  • Networking opportunities – with likeminded industry professionals, current students in the early stages of their start-up journeys, and academic colleagues from across the Judge Business School and Cambridge Enterprise.

Hear from:

    • Keynote speaker Professor Tuomas Knowles, the visionary behind pioneering Cambridge University spin out ‘Xampla’. Hear how Tuomas’ groundbreaking plant-based material could make a significant leap toward environmental sustainability by replacing single-use plastics.
    • Host Ashley Alder (Downing 1981), Chairman of the Financial Conduct Authority.
    • Special guest speaker Andrew Williamson, Managing Partner at Cambridge Innovation Capital, sharing his insight on how to improve the prospects for University spin-outs across the UK.

Cambridge entrepreneurs – enjoy unique access to Cambridge’s rising entrepreneurial talents, including:

  • Dr Franck Courbon CEO, Ethicronics — building a unique and scalable software solution to verify hardware assurance in cybersecurity.
  • Teja Potocnik founder and CEO of Nanomation — a start-up based on the technology she developed during her PhD at Cambridge. Nanomation is a semiconductor software company that automates the manufacturing of nanomaterial-electronics.
  • Dr Yudi Ding CEO, PACT — transforming waste resources into climate-responsible alternatives to leather.
  • Molly Haugen co-founder of AetoSense — optimising air handling within buildings.
  • Dr Hendrik Runge CEO, Cambridge Nucleomics — a biotech spin-off developing fast diagnostic sepsis tests.

Visit the event website here to find out more