Great technology needs great connections
As the organisation behind Cambridge Tech Week, Cambridge Wireless sits at the centre of one of the world’s leading innovation ecosystems. Its move to St John’s Innovation Centre has brought that mission even closer to the companies it exists to support.
Cambridge has no shortage of brilliant technology companies. What makes the cluster exceptional is how often those businesses collaborate. Cambridge Wireless has spent almost 25 years helping those connections happen. From its home at St John’s Innovation Centre (SJIC), the organisation is bringing even more opportunities for founders, researchers and technology leaders to meet, share ideas, and build partnerships that accelerate innovation.
With more than 250 member organisations spanning AI, semiconductors, connectivity, software, telecoms, health tech, quantum and digital infrastructure, the organisation is helping members build commercial relationships in the UK and access new markets through a growing programme of overseas partnerships.
The Cambridge Wireless team, Michaela Eschbach seated on right
A natural home in Cambridge’s innovation ecosystem
Cambridge Wireless chose SJIC because it wanted to be embedded within the community it serves. As a membership organisation built around collaboration, knowledge-sharing and business growth, being based at the Centre provides daily opportunities to understand the challenges facing growing businesses.
It also enables the organisation to maintain a strong team culture, which as a hybrid team is key. Every Thursday the whole team comes together in person, in a way that cannot be replicated online, for training and planning sessions, shared lunches, and team activities (including a sweet-treat baking rota!) helping to create a great team spirit.
Working in close proximity to the SJIC team also keeps Cambridge Wireless closely connected to early-stage start-ups, entrepreneurial founders, and programmes such as Women4Technology, creating regular opportunities to exchange ideas.
Michaela Eschbach, Chief Executive, Cambridge Wireless, summed up the advantages: “St John’s Innovation Centre sits at the heart of one of the world’s most successful innovation ecosystems, so being based here is a natural fit for Cambridge Wireless. Every day we’re surrounded by ambitious people, researchers, technologists and business leaders who are shaping the future. There’s a genuine spirit of collaboration here, and that’s exactly what CW is all about.”
Bringing the world to Cambridge: Cambridge Tech Week
Cambridge Wireless is the organisation behind Cambridge Tech Week, one of the UK’s leading technology events.
Returning 14 – 18 September 2026, this year’s theme ‘How Deep Tech Changes the World’, will explore advances in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technologies, healthcare, digital infrastructure and sustainability.
Michaela says the event reflects Cambridge’s ability to connect world-leading research with commercial opportunity: “Cambridge Tech Week is about building on the incredible strengths of the Cambridge ecosystem. We have world-leading research, pioneering companies, exceptional talent and a culture of innovation, but the real opportunity comes from connecting these strengths with the wider world.
“Through Cambridge Tech Week, we’re creating a platform that attracts investment, encourages collaboration and brings together innovators from across the globe. By bringing the world to Cambridge, we’re helping to create the partnerships, conversations and opportunities that will drive the next wave of technological breakthroughs and economic growth.”
The power of the Cambridge Cluster
Looking ahead, Michaela believes Cambridge is well placed to lead the next wave of deep-tech innovation and has launched a new Semiconductor Special Interest Group, reflecting the growing importance of semiconductors and photonics within the UK technology sector.
She said: “In the near term, we’re seeing extraordinary convergence between semiconductors, quantum technologies, connectivity, artificial intelligence, and advanced computing. Cambridge is uniquely positioned to lead in these areas because of its ability to connect world-class research with entrepreneurial ambition and commercial expertise.
“Looking further ahead, I think Cambridge will continue to play a pivotal role in solving some of the world’s biggest challenges, from healthcare and sustainability to digital infrastructure and resilient communications. The future will belong to organisations that can collaborate across disciplines, and Cambridge has a proven track record of bringing together the people and ideas needed to make that happen.”
Three lessons for growing tech businesses
As a business leader with a 10+ year track record in senior leadership, and experience of working with technology businesses of every size, Michaela has a clear view of what helps companies grow. Here are her top three pieces of advice for founders:
- Invest in relationships early: “Don’t underestimate the value of your network. The right introduction, mentor or collaborator can accelerate your journey far faster than you could achieve alone.”
- Stay focused on customer needs: “Technology is only valuable if it solves a real problem. Spend as much time understanding your customers’ challenges as you do developing your solution. Understanding the needs of your end users from the outset will help shape a stronger product, support commercialisation and create the conditions for successful adoption at scale.”
- Make full use of the support available: “Cambridge offers an incredible support network of peers, investors, academics, industry experts and organisations such as SJIC and Cambridge Wireless. Take advantage of that community and don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
Visit www.cambridgewireless.co.uk to find out more about membership, Cambridge Tech Week and other events.