Panel Session

6.35pm – 7.15pm, 29 April 2025 ‐ 40 mins

Speaker session

chaired by Michaela Eschbach, CEO of Cambridge Wireless (Chair)

Speakers

Roz Bird

Chief Executive Officer, Norwich Research Park

Victor Christou

Serial investor in deep tech, life and plant sciences (former CEO of Cambridge Innovation Capital)

Professor Sheng Qi

Professor of Pharmaceutical Material Science and Technology, , and Associate Dean for Innovation for the Faculty of Science at University of East Anglia/Academic Entrepreneur

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Dr Daniel Marcu

Co-founder of Virilitas Labs, Winner of two innovation start-up awards at Cam Tech Week 2024 and participant in the NR 4ward programme

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Dr Jason Mellad

Serial entrepreneur/investor, former CEO/cofounder of StartCodon

Michaela Eschbach

CEO, Cambridge Wireless and CTW24 Steering Committee

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Professor Sheng Qi

Professor of Pharmaceutical Material Science and Technology, , and Associate Dean for Innovation for the Faculty of Science at University of East Anglia/Academic Entrepreneur

Dr. Sheng Qi is a Professor of Pharmaceutical Material Science and Technology at the University of East Anglia’s School of Chemistry, Pharmacy, and Pharmacology. She leads a dynamic research group dedicated to co-creating innovative solutions with industry partners to tackle real-world challenges. With expertise in materials science and advanced processing technologies, her work spans multiple sectors, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, food, cosmetics, agri-tech, and sustainable packaging. In recent years, she has collaborated closely with regional food and packaging companies, helping accelerate their innovation and commercialisation efforts.

Dr Daniel Marcu

Co-founder of Virilitas Labs, Winner of two innovation start-up awards at Cam Tech Week 2024 and participant in the NR 4ward programme

Dr Daniel Marcu is the Co-Founder & Managing Director of Virilitas Labs. He is a multi-award-winning scientist using innovative technology to improve male fertility diagnostics and interventions. He holds a Masters in Prenatal Genetics and Fetal Medicine from University College London and a PhD in Sperm Biology and Genomics from UEA. His research involves the use of whole genome, transcriptome and proteome sequencing to inform sperm selection decisions for clinical andrology and embryology. He is the President at the Network for Young Researchers in Andrology and a member of the European Academy of Andrology and the Society for Reproduction and Fertility. He received numerous national and international awards including a Public Engagement Award, an Innovation and Impact Award and a Beverly Tucker Award for his scientific contribution to sperm biology, genetics, and advocacy around male fertility.

Michaela Eschbach

CEO, Cambridge Wireless and CTW24 Steering Committee

Michaela has an impressive track record as a Founder and Director, both in the not-for-profit and for-profit space.

As co-founder of Form the Future CIC, Michaela drove strategic direction and operations for this multi-award-winning organisation which connects young people with career opportunities. As Managing Director of Founders4Schools, Michaela led the operational, financial and cultural transformation of this ed-tech charity.

Michaela is known for her passion and dedication in successfully driving companies through growth and challenges.

She was winner of the Cambridge News ‘Cambridge’s Most Influential Businesspeople Award’ in 2017 and was included in the EU-Startups’ Top 100: Europe’s Most Influential Women in the Startup and Venture Capital Space in 2023.

Michaela says, "As CEO of Cambridge Wireless, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this exceptional organisation through a period of dynamic change in the tech landscape. Together with our dedicated members, we will harness the power of innovation to not only adapt to the evolving industry but to also drive it forward, ensuring Cambridge Wireless remains the cornerstone of technological advancement and value creation."