Cambridge and Manchester Leaders Explore the Future of Deep Tech Commercialisation

Chaired by Dr Catherine Headley, CEO of the University of Manchester Innovation Factory, the discussion explored one of the central questions facing the UK's innovation economy: How can Deep Tech businesses move more successfully from breakthrough research to commercial scale?

The roundtable formed part of Cambridge Tech Week's engagement with innovation ecosystems beyond Cambridge and provided an opportunity to share experiences, challenges and opportunities between two of the UK's leading technology clusters.

Representatives from startups, scaleups, universities, innovation centres, investors and business support organisations contributed to a wide-ranging conversation covering the realities of building and scaling Deep Tech businesses in today's market.

Several themes and actions emerged throughout the discussion.

The Infrastructure Challenge

Participants highlighted the ongoing shortage of affordable laboratory and innovation space for early-stage Deep Tech companies, particularly those requiring specialist laboratory facilities.

While investment in innovation infrastructure continues across both regions, attendees discussed the need for more flexible facilities that enable startups to access specialist equipment and expertise without committing to significant long-term costs.

Bridging the Commercialisation Gap

A recurring theme was the challenge of translating world-class research into successful commercial businesses. The discussion explored the importance of intellectual property strategy, customer validation, go-to-market planning and the role that industry can play in helping academic research find commercial applications earlier in the development process. Participants agreed that technical excellence alone is rarely enough to create a scalable business.

Investment and Scaling in the UK

The group also examined the UK's investment landscape and the particular challenges facing Deep Tech businesses seeking long-term growth capital.

Contributors discussed the need for patient investment, experienced operators within the investment community, and funding structures that better reflect the timescales often required to commercialise complex technologies. Comparisons were also drawn between UK and US investment environments and the implications for scaling innovative businesses.

Strengthening Ecosystem Connections

Perhaps the strongest theme to emerge was the need for greater collaboration across the innovation ecosystem. Participants agreed that while expertise, capital, facilities and support programmes exist across both regions, stronger connections between founders, corporates, universities, investors and ecosystem organisations could help accelerate growth and unlock greater impact.

"The discussion provided valuable insights into many of the challenges and opportunities that will be explored further during Cambridge Tech Week 2026, and was therefore a great taster for what to expect in September " stated Michaela Eschbach, CEO Cambridge Wireless. 

Cambridge Tech Week 2026 takes place from 14-18 September 2026 with the theme How Deep Tech Changes the World, bringing together founders, investors, researchers, policymakers and global technology leaders to explore the future of innovation and growth.