Chris Abell Postdoc Business Plan Competition 2023 semi-finalists revealed

Run by Cambridge Enterprise and the Entrepreneurial Postdocs of Cambridge, The Chris Abell Postdoc Business Plan Competition has become a key annual programme in the University’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and has spawned a number of successful spin-out companies including Nu Quantum, Porotech, Semarion and Xampla.

Launched on 19 April, this year’s competition is sponsored by international law firm Mishcon de Reya, with prizes sponsored by Cambridge Innovation Capital, Oxbridge Angels, ideaSpace and the Women in Therapeutics & Medical Innovation Network (WIThMI), founded by The Cambridge Academy of Therapeutic Sciences.

Once again the quality of entries has been outstanding and innovative in equal measure.

The 2023 Chris Abell Postdoc Business Plan Competition semi-finalists are:

• Cambridge Data Tech led by Zhaozhi Qian (Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics)
• FabFreq led by Elaleh Mostaani (Electrical Engineering, Department of Engineering)
• K-Stem led by Ahmed Elwaraky (Department of Haematology, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute)
• MiniCPC led by Molly Haugen (Department of Engineering)
• New Battery Co. led by Ismail Sami (Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy)
• Oxonium Energy led by Mark Carrington (Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry)
• Protonera led by Chengzhi (Jack) Guo (Department of Biochemistry)
• Rapidx Bio led by Nipun Swanhey (Department of Physics)
• Remedium led by Mohammed Saghafifar (Department of Engineering)
• Semantics led by Kamil Sokolowski (Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry)
• Shoestring led by Holly Sheahan (Institute for Manufacturing)
• StatEasy led by Andres Herrero (MRC Toxicology Unit)

The semi-finalists will be matched with a mentor who will work with them to help them improve their business plans. Chris Abell Postdoc Business Plan Competition semi-finalists are invited to participate in an additional programme of activities during the summer period to support and accelerate their business idea. Comprising a blend of round table discussions, one-to-one sessions and opportunities to engage with other semi-finalists, topics covered include customer validation, building a team, investment and pitching.

Up to six finalists will be selected to compete at the Grand Finale event, taking place on Thursday 9 November 2023, pitching their business plans to a panel of judges who are experts in spin-out investment.

This year’s prizes are:

• First prize: £20,000 investment sponsored by Cambridge Enterprise
• Second prize: £10,000 investment sponsored by Cambridge Innovation Capital
• Third prize: £5,000 investment sponsored by Oxbridge Angels
• Rising Star prize: £5,000 investment sponsored by the Women in Therapeutics & Medical Innovation Network (WIThMI) founded by The Cambridge Academy of Therapeutic Sciences will be providing investment to support a female applicant whose business opportunity is in the remit of Therapeutics or Medtech
• All finalists are offered one year membership at ideaSpace.

Congratulations and good luck to all our semi-finalists, and a big thank you to all who entered.