The document outlines the thriving tech ecosystem of Cambridge, UK, highlighting its significant contributions to the high-tech industry with over 1,400 firms and notable exits. Key factors that support this ecosystem include strong local capital, prestigious universities, and a diverse range of specialized clusters. The text emphasizes the city's unique characteristics, upcoming innovations, and the importance of the Internet of Things in shaping its future.

1. A Tale of Two Cities
Mark Littlewood, Founder, The BLN
@MarkLittlewood
Internet of Things Forum 2015 – 11-12th March 2015
Business of Software Europe - 23-24th June 2015
Business of Software USA - 21-23rd September 2015
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2. Business of Software Conference
World Trade Center, Boston
Cambridge, England
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3. A Tale of Two Cities
• A Strong Pool of Founders
• Local Capital
• Killer Events
• Access to Great
Universities
• Motivated “Champions”
• Local Press / Websites /
Networks
• Alumni
• Local Wins
• Recycled Capital
• Second-Time
Entrepreneurs
• Ability To Attract a Pool of
Talent
• ‘Marquee’ Local
Companies
12 Things that make clusters work. Brad Feld, Mark Suster.
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4. Cambridge
(proper)
Largest Hi-Tech Cluster in the UK, >1,400 high tech firms
employing more than 53,000 people
Cambridge generates wealth:
• GVA/job is £45k (compared to London’s £34.2k in 2009).
• Two $10Bn and Eleven $1bn companies have been
created in Cambridge over the last 15 years.
• Annual revenues of $22Bn (£13Bn)
• At least $50Bn of market cap generated by Cambridge.
House prices rose by 11% last year
Unemployment is 1.5%
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5. Cambridge Has Unique Eco-System
• World’s top University
• Research laboratories
• Technical consultancies
• Home grown biotech, hi-tech
& engineering
companies
• Multinationals
• Angel & VC investors (8% of
European VC money)
• Networking & mentoring
organisations
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6. Cambridge
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7. Cambridge
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8. Most active tech cluster in Europe
$10bn+
$1bn+
Exits/Market Cap
$50m+
Sources: EVCA, various research www.TheBLN.com #BoS2014
8

9. Cambridge ideas change the world
EDSAC
Raspberry Pi
Crick & Watson
Solexa (acquired by
Illumina in 2006)
CAT (acquired by AstraZeneca
(MedImmune))
DNA sequencing therapeutic monoclonal antibodies
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10. A Low Risk Place to do High Risk Things
“The diversity of specialised clusters makes
Cambridge a unique technology
entrepreneurial ecosystem – local companies
include leaders in sectors as diverse as
biotechnology, medical technology, gaming,
audio, semiconductors, materials & printing.”
Cambridge Startup Intelligence Report, Nov 2011
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11. What’s coming?
• SaaS
• Business Model Innovation
• Drug Discovery
• Robotics
• Big Data
• AI
• Personal Medicine
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12. The Rise of the Machines
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13. The Rise of the Machines
• aka The Internet of Things
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14. What is the most important thing
about technology?
It works!
Me
Users
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15. Fighting the Rise of the Machines
Users
Customers
Engineers
Software & Hardware
Investors
Entrepreneurs
Distributors
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16. Internet of Things Forum
11-12thMarch 2014, Cambridge, UK
Where IoT is a people business
Mark@thebln.com
@THE_BLN
GROUPS>THE BLN
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