Have you ever thought about the massive impact of insect infestations on our world?

Robert Fryers, CEO of Spotta, shared some incredible insights on how their innovative early warning systems are revolutionising pest control. From humble beginnings in 2013 to now operating in 24 countries, Spotta is making waves in the tech world.

Robert's journey is a testament to the power of innovation and perseverance. From navigating the challenges of COVID-19 to securing investment and expanding their product range, Spotta's story is truly inspiring.

Key Insights

The pest control market is vast, with insect infestations causing about half a trillion dollars in damage annually. Spotta's technology addresses this significant market opportunity

Spotta's first product targeted bedbugs in hotels, but the company has since expanded to other sectors like forestry, agriculture, and horticulture

Spotta uses ultra-low power vision systems for real-time monitoring of insects. This technology is designed to be cost-effective and sustainable, running for up to a year on an alkaline battery

The company is committed to reducing the use of chemical insecticides, which aligns with global regulatory pressures and the need for more sustainable pest control solutions

Robert expresses a desire for Spotta to become a unicorn. He believes that the scale of the problem they are addressing, combined with their unique technology and market position, makes this goal achievable.

Produced by Cambridge TV

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when a San Francisco VC takes the reins at Cambridge Enterprise?

Six months into the role, Jim Glasheen joins us to talk about his early moves as incoming CEO, like opening a London office to better plug Cambridge into global capital and talent flows. But this episode goes deeper than strategy.

Key takeaways:

• Cambridge has over 40 entrepreneurship programmes, but Jim questions if we’re at risk of creating an “illusion of entrepreneurship” without real market pressure.

• There’s a persistent Series B funding gap. His push? Build international investor relationships before companies need to scale.

• He wants the ecosystem to get more comfortable with failure and take on more risk.

• Cambridge Enterprise now spans licensing, founder support, venture investment, consulting, and ecosystem-building.

Jim’s set the clock ticking: in 6 months, he’ll report back on how international outreach and risk appetite are shifting. For now, he's off to the BIO conference in Boston to keep building those global ties.

Listen in for a sharp, honest look at what Cambridge needs next, and how leadership is setting the tone.

Produced by Cambridge TV

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week James sits down with David Cleevely to explore the concept of serendipity and its role in innovation. David’s insights are not only thought-provoking but also practical for anyone looking to foster creativity and collaboration in their ventures.

Key Takeaways:

• David challenges the traditional notion of serendipity as mere luck. He asserts, “Serendipity doesn’t happen by accident. It’s much more by design.” This perspective encourages us to create environments that increase the likelihood of unexpected, beneficial encounters.

• He emphasises the need for organisations to rethink their structures and networks to facilitate serendipitous interactions. “You want to actually design things so that the unpredictable is going to happen,” he explains.

• The book is aimed at those frustrated with slow innovation in large organisations, including civil servants and corporate leaders. David’s goal is to inspire a shift in mindset towards embracing unpredictability in the innovation process.

• He shares his experience of writing the book, highlighting the collaboration with a personal trainer-like figure who helped him structure his thoughts and ideas effectively.

• David also provides practical frameworks for fostering serendipity within teams and organisations, encouraging listeners to consider how they can engineer opportunities for chance encounters.

The episode then features highlights from David’s previous appearance on the podcast in November 2024 (episodes 112 and 113), pulling together serendipity related highlights from that conversation to celebrate the book launch.

Produced by Cambridge TV

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.