*Partnered by the Entrepreneurial Postdocs of Cambridge (EPoC), with special thanks to our competition sponsors: Cambridge Innovation Capital, ideaSpace, Oxbridge Angels, and Taylor Vinters

The format to the Grand Finale of The Chris Abell Postdoc Business Plan Competition is similar to that observed on The Dragon’s Den; attendees will see six finalists pitching their business ideas to a panel of expert judges.

The audience will comprise academics, researchers, postgraduate students, University staff, business experts/mentors, the Cambridge Enterprise Investment Committee, members of the Cambridge Enterprise Venture Partner network and others closely aligned to the entrepreneurial ecosystem within Cambridge. Winners will be announced, and prizes awarded on stage.

Order of evening:

18:00 to 18.30 - Drinks Reception
18:30 to 20:00 - Grand Finale Pitches
20:00 onward - Networking & Canapes

The finalists of the 2023 Chris Abell Postdoc Business Plan Competition are:

K-Stem led by Ahmed Elwaraky (Department of Haematology, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute)

Revolutionising hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as a highly effective treatment for blood cancers, age-related blood diseases, and specific autoimmune disorders by providing an advanced platform for personalized stem cell transplantation.

The Mini-CPC by Aetosense led by Molly Haugen (Department of Engineering)

Making low-cost monitoring of ultrafine particles accessible to all communities, buildings, and public settings through MiniCPC technology. Their sensor is an order of magnitude lower in cost and size than current competitors due to their redesign of heat management and flow control, which they have patented.

Mostli led by Ismail Sami (Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy)

Enabling high energy-density to weight and long-life lithium-sulfur batteries through the creation of a new cathode material. This allows the electrification of current weight-critical technologies and opens up fundamentally new modes of transport such as all-electric passenger aviation, which could help facilitate the net-zero transition.

Oxonium Energy led by Mark Carrington (Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry)

Stabilising battery operation in air for greater system robustness, enabling aqueous cell voltages above 1.5v and substantially lowering projected energy costs relative to other existing RFB technologies.

Semantics led by Kamil Sokolowski (Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry)

Delivering unrivalled electron transfer technologies and solutions for sustainable energy conversion and storage through a unique platform for technology translation providing a positive feedback loop alongside R&D- and AI-powered solutions, generating intellectual property and innovative products for the next big breakthrough in the EC&S sector.

FabFreq led by Elaheh Mostaani (Department of Engineering)

Applying modern AI-enhanced methodology to automate the design process of filter technology from specification to additive manufacturing, improving mobile-direct-to-satellite internet performance.

Registrations are closed

Grand Finale of The 2023 Chris Abell Postdoc Business Plan Competition