We had the pleasure of hosting Stewart McTavish on 9th March, the founding Director of ideaSpace, Cambridge. ideaSpace is a hub for high impact potential founders that work in close proximity to the University of Cambridge. It is currently home to over 150 members, who range from just graduated undergraduates to repeat entrepreneurs who have raised venture capital and taken companies public. Initially developed as part of the vision for the Hauser Forum, on the University’s West Cambridge campus, ideaSpace has expanded to offices in the Cambridge City Centre and Addenbrooke’s Biomedical Campus.

Stewart shared insights drawn from his role at ideaSpace, as well as from chairing the University Enterprise Network, and advising the British Antarctic Survey Aurora Innovation Centre, makespace and biomakespace, amongst other entrepreneurial initiatives. We discussed some of the challenges facing young entrepreneurs in Cambridge and in Singapore, and the effect of the policies in the UK and here on starting, growing and developing a successful business. The evening was a wonderful chance for everyone to network with like-minds and we hope some new friendships were formed in this informal setting! Our thanks to Stewart and the near 20 alumni for attending. We look forward to more events of this nature soon!