Meet our Ecosystem Initiatives and Partnerships team
The Ecosystem Initiatives and Partnerships team delivers Cambridge Enterprise’s convening agenda, connecting two pivotal ecosystems – the University and the wider Cambridge ecosystem – in a proactive and strategic way that drives entrepreneurship and innovation.
Cambridge Enterprise sits as a bridge between these ecosystems – intrinsically linked to both – and this activity helps to shape and support emerging entrepreneurs, spin-outs and start-ups and the companies who are forging the innovation landscape of Cambridge for the future.
In the interests of reducing spam, we have removed individual email addresses, but you are welcome to contact one of us directly by using firstname.lastname@enterprise.cam.ac.uk.
ideaSpace
ideaSpace provides office space and resources for anyone looking to start a new, high impact company in Cambridge.
ideaSpace members and their employees benefit from a stimulating working environment, the ability to share experiences with like-minded start-up founders and gain access to some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs and investors.
IE Cambridge
An initiative of the University Enterprise Network and driven by Cambridge Enterprise, IE Cambridge brings together the innovation and entrepreneurship offer at Cambridge under one umbrella. IE Cambridge offers practical, useful and relevant information and signposting of current activity in this space.
International Outreach
Motivated by creating impact, we work in partnership with international clients to build capacity, develop capability and unlock innovation for the benefit of economies and societies. We leverage our experience, expertise and contacts to work alongside partners in creating solutions that are bespoke to individual contexts and challenges.
University Enterprise Network
University Enterprise Network (UEN) is a network of organisations that deliver a range of enterprise-related education, business support and research programmes within, or linked to, the University of Cambridge.
Through IE Cambridge, UEN provides links to the different ways you can get involved in a range of activities at Cambridge, such as learning new skills, attending networking events, and accessing funding.
Ecosystem Initiatives and Partnerships
Caroline Hyde
Head of Ecosystem Initiatives and Partnerships
As Head of Ecosystem Initiatives and Partnerships, Caroline leads on a number of strategic activities designed to support entrepreneurship and innovation.
Delivering the company’s convening agenda, the activity is about connecting two pivotal ecosystems – the University and the wider Cambridge ecosystem – in a proactive and strategic way that drives entrepreneurship and innovation. Cambridge Enterprise sits as a bridge between these ecosystems – intrinsically linked to both – and this activity helps to shape and support emerging entrepreneurs, spin-outs and start-ups and the companies who are forging the innovation landscape of Cambridge for the future.
Caroline works closely with the Innovate Cambridge initiative helping to create an inclusive, ambitious and broad-ranging innovation vision for the Greater Cambridge area; the University Enterprise Network which helps convene all of the University’s activities for entrepreneurship and innovation; the ideaSpace community and network bringing together Cambridge founders; and International Outreach which enables us to share our experience and expertise around the globe.
Caroline joins from her previous role as CEO for Allia Future Business Centres Ltd where she established an initial innovation and incubation centre for social ventures and ‘tech for good’ companies and built out a network of four centres operating across Cambridge, London and Peterborough. Caroline has spent over 20 years working with entrepreneurship and innovation in and around Cambridge and is well networked in the Cambridge ecosystem. She brings this, as well as previous experience working in a research, development and commercialisation department of a UK University, to ensure that international partners benefit from the richest experience of engagement.
Caroline is a Fellow of the RSA.
Caroline joined Cambridge Enterprise in March 2020.
Georgina Hall
Events Assistant and Administrator
Georgina supports the Executive Assistant to the CEO and the Head of Ecosystem Initiatives and Partnerships with events, defined project activities, and general administrative work.
She assists with the planning of meetings and visits as part of the International Outreach Programme (IOP), for both external visitors, and Cambridge Enterprise associates. Georgina also provides administrative support for the University Enterprise Network (UEN). Until July 2021, Georgina split her time between supporting IOP and TenU.
Georgina is currently working towards a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing with the Open University having recently completed a Level 2 BTEC in Business Administration with Cambridge Enterprise and Cambridge Regional College.
Georgina joined Cambridge Enterprise in October 2018.
Helen Alexander
I/E Cambridge Engagement Co-ordinator
As I/E Cambridge Engagement Co-ordinator Helen is responsible for driving greater engagement and collaboration within the University’s Innovation and Enterprise community.
Prior to joining Cambridge Enterprise, Helen was a Senior Producer at Northam Media, an agency that worked with global clients providing them with brand strategy, video production, podcasts, social media assets and copywriting. She also created content for Cambridge University’s Centre for Digital Built Britain and the Centre for Climate Engagement.
She previously worked for 10 years as a broadcast journalist and producer for CNBC, the financial and business news channel.
Helen joined Cambridge Enterprise in September 2023.
Marina Gonzalo Soares
Ecosystem Initiatives and Partnerships Partner
As EIP Partner, Marina is responsible for providing operational support to the EIP business unit with a particular focus on International Outreach.
Marina is a biochemist and science communicator who has professionally trained as a marketing project manager in entrepreneurial TechBio environments.
Prior to joining Cambridge Enterprise, Marina dedicated her career to enable life sciences and technology start ups to scale. She brings her scientific marketing, corporate strategy, and business development skills to this role.
Marina holds a BSc in Biochemistry from the Autonomous University of Madrid, and a MSc in Biomedical Sciences & Science Communication from Leiden University. In 2022, she completed a leadership apprenticeship, certified by the Chartered Management Institute.
Marina joined Cambridge Enterprise in January 2024.
ideaSpace
Ben Hartley
Head of ideaSpace
Ben Hartley is Head of ideaSpace, a community of founders and entrepreneurs across three locations in Cambridge – ideaSpace West, ideaSpace City and ideaSpace South.
ideaSpace supports founders, entrepreneurs, innovators and members of the University of Cambridge in exploring ideas, innovations and building start-ups. Initially opened in July 2010 at the Hauser Forum in Cambridge before expanding to include offices in the city centre and Cambridge Biomedical Campus, ideaSpace is a hub for early-stage innovation, providing space and resources to a flourishing community of over 150 people.
As well as helping start-ups create successful businesses and economic value, ideaSpace works with governments, agencies and higher education institutions to develop policies, strategies and programmes to support a thriving start-up sector.
Before joining ideaSpace, Ben founded and ran a company supplying specialist action personnel and equipment to major UK and Hollywood film productions. Ben is also an ex-Royal Navy Officer/Helicopter Pilot and experienced manager in diverse sectors such as film production, events, high-end retail and start-ups.
Ben is a fellow of the RSA and is currently completing an MSc in Performance Psychology.
Kirsten Batcheler
Membership, Marketing and Office Manager (ideaSpace City)
Kirsten Batcheler is Membership, Marketing and Office Manager (ideaSpace City).
Sophie Appleby
Operations and Project Manager (ideaSpace West)
Sophie Appleby is an Operations and Project Manager (ideaSpace West).
Nicola Orriss
Office and Events Manager (ideaSpace West)
As an Office and Events Manager Nicola is responsible for the leading and running of all ideaSpace events, maintaining quality member communications, and managing the ideaSpace West office.
She delivers an engaging programme of member, alumni, and community events.
Nicola also produces high-quality content for newsletters, websites, and other communication channels to enable the ideaSpace community to celebrate achievements, discover opportunities and learn from each other.
Prior to her role at Cambridge Enterprise, Nicola dedicated 14 years to Suffolk Constabulary, where she served as an accomplished investigating, case, and disclosure officer across a diverse range of investigations. She conducted suspect interviews under caution and held specialised roles as an E-fit operator, skilfully recreating facial likenesses of offenders. Nicola also earned certification in digital and mobile forensics. She also trained as a decision maker and held responsibility for evidentially reviewing cases and evaluating evidence, considering diversion options for offenders, and deciding whether to authorise charge for summary only offences.
Nicola has previously founded a celebration cake business. In this venture, she designed, crafted, and decorated cakes according to customers’ specifications, whilst upholding the highest standards of food hygiene and safety. She holds a HND in graphic design and illustration.
Nicola joined Cambridge Enterprise in February 2023.