This week, hosts Faye Holland and James Parton visit to Norwich Research Park to learn more about their Innovation Hot House competition with over 35 entries and 8 finalists. Roz Bird, CEO Anglia Innovation Partnership and Sheng Qi, Professor of Pharmaceutical Material Science and Technology at UEA and Chief Judge introduce the competition and explains its origins.
We also hear from local startups and this years winners, including:
TRaitseq: Last year’s Innovation Hot House winner is revolutionising agriculture with predictive biomarkers. CEO Joshua Colmer reflects:
“The exposure from the competition led to investors from the audience backing us... It’s been an exciting year of growth.”
Vida Vodka: A sustainable spirit startup turning waste bread into premium vodka. Founder Safir Jamal explains:
“22 million slices of bread are wasted daily in the UK. We’re turning this into opportunity while reducing carbon emissions.”
PfBIO: Using microbes to develop sustainable crop solutions, CEO Rosaria Campilongo shares:
“The mentoring and support have been invaluable... Connections and networking are the most valuable aspects.”
Why You Should Listen
The Norwich Research Park Innovation Hot House showcases why collaboration, mentoring, and an entrepreneurial spirit are essential for turning big ideas into world-changing solutions.
Finalists are backed by months of expert training, focusing on pitching, intellectual property, and scalability. As Sheng, remarks:
“We’re looking for solid science, scalability, and clear articulation... These are the hallmarks of investable innovation.”
To listen and subscribe, search for ‘Cambridge Tech Podcast’ on your favourite podcasting platform or visit cambridgetechpodcast.com.