Cambridge Innovation Summit 2017
Innovation thought leaders from USA, Russia and across Europe came together at the Cambridge Innovation Summit last week to share experiences, benchmark and shape the global innovation landscape for years to come.
Organised by the Centre for Business Innovation (CfBI) and enabled by generous sponsorship from Astra Zeneca, Hewitsons and the Department for International Trade, the invitation only event attracted over 80 corporate delegates with responsibility for innovation. They spent a day working together at Emmanuel College Cambridge followed by dinner in the iconic Old Hall at Queens’ College.
Keynote talks about Fastworks, Design Thinking, Data Innovation in Healthcare and Creative Labs were presented by GE (US), HP (US), BASF (D) and IBM (UK) and chaired by Peter Hiscocks of the Judge Business School. This was complemented by a session on ‘Innovation Made in Cambridge’ with cases from Amazon/Alexa; Owlstone and Cambridge Silicon Radio chaired by Charles Cotton of Cambridge Phenomenon Ltd. The day also featured demonstrations of additive manufacturing, drone management, solar technology and ‘Internet of Things’ from innovative early stage Cambridge Companies as well as cameos of the achievements of the Collaborative Consortia which are run by the Centre for Business Innovation.
Carol Safford of Vodafone described the Summit as “An inspiring and thought provoking opportunity to ride the Innovation Curve in Beautiful Surroundings” . Elise Kissling of BASF added “Amazing day at the Centre for Business Innovation in Cambridge. CfBI’s Innovation Summit offered its consortia members of leading corporates, start-ups and research institutes a compact day on innovation best practice”
Andrew Priest of law firm Hewitsons LLP, who specialises in commercial and intellectual property matters for technology sector clients, said: “Once again, the Cambridge Innovation Summer Summit was a truly enjoyable and worthwhile event, and Hewitsons was delighted to co-sponsor it for a second year running.
“As a firm, we work with some exceptionally innovative clients, so we know what talent and experience the technology sector has to offer in and around Cambridge. It was great to see leading Cambridge innovators, and those responsible for innovation within the organisations of business giants from around the world, recount their fascinating stories and exchange ideas on how to use innovative potential to achieve sustainable competitive advantage.”
CfBI’s ‘Medical Adherence’, ‘Nano-Carbon Enhanced Materials’ and ‘Corporate Venturing’ consortia also met in the Cambridge on the following day enabling international delegates to get added benefit from their visit.
In response to the excellent feedback from delegates, plans are already underway to run Cambridge Innovation Summit 2018 on an even larger scale.
Images from the Cambridge Innovation Summit 2017
Working Session
Neil Hempsall of GE Fastworks address
Networking Dinner in Old Hall at Queen’s
Emmanuel College Cambridge
Further information from: Peter Hewkin 07951721110 ceo@cfbi.com