THEN Event: What does it mean to have a startup in Cambridge?

Cambridge has long been a place where ideas move from the lab to the world. But what does it take to build in deeptech here today?

This roundtable brings together early-stage founders translating scientific breakthroughs into ventures with global potential:

• Nanoplume – Tara Love, developing eco-friendly insulation materials.
• Cambridge Dielectrix – Maheera Abdul Ghani, developing next-gen dielectric materials for semiconductors.

Moderated by Maya Gavin (Co-founder, CFFN) and Laura Grimwood (2010, Natural Sciences; CEO, Co-Laboratories).

Together, we’ll discuss:

→ How founders shaped their ideas from research insight to venture blueprint.
→ What Cambridge uniquely offers – and how founders navigate its density of talent, capital, and networks.
→ Moving from science to people: building the first team and finding the right expertise at the right time.
→ Fundraising models and pathways: do they fit the distinctive science-to-startup trajectory in Cambridge?
→ What’s beginning to shift in the ecosystem – and where Cambridge should focus to supercharge early-stage ventures.
This is the first in a two-part series with Trinity Hall exploring the founder’s journey in Cambridge, spotlighting the technical ingenuity and practical realities of women-led startups across the cluster.

Please join us in the Leslie Stephen Room at 18:25, ready for a prompt 18:30 (GMT) start.

Trinity Hall Entrepreneurs Network (THEN)

This event is proudly offered by the Trinity Hall Entrepreneurs Network. THEN has been launched to encourage entrepreneurship amongst Trinity Hall members, compliment the work of the University Enterprise Network and raise the profile of the College through increasing engagement with the sphere of innovation and entrepreneurship. Funds are available to support those in our community who are starting out and pursuing new ideas. For established social entrepreneurs we partner with the Judge Business School to offer the Cambridge Social Innovation Prize.

Cambridge Female Founders Network (CFFN)

CFFN is a founder-led community of 160+ women building ambitious ventures across the Cambridge Cluster. With founders across stages and sectors, they build systems that unlock capital, amplify visibility, and create the strategic connections that drive growth.

Bookings

Bookings have closed for this event  You will receive an email reminder by 15:30 on the day of the event. If you do not receive this email, please check your spam box before contacting us. If you have any queries, please contact Oleno on careers@trinhall.cam.ac.uk.