Last week marked the 7th annual #21toWatch awards, a key event in the Cambridge startup scene that recognises rising talent across People, Companies, and Things. This year's list is dominated by ground-breaking innovations in neuroscience, medtech, and AI-driven diagnostics.

Today’s episode features:

· Details of the winners across all three categories.

· Podcast interviews with winners Lucy Jung from LYEONS Neurotech (People) and Monica Saavedra from Lambda agri (Thing).

· Insights from independent judge, Christine Martin (Cambridge Enterprise), who shared her experience of the judging process.

· Recognition of the independent judges: Christine Martin, Chris Ellis (Innovate UK Business Growth), Jo Słota-Newson (Almanac Ventures), and Tom Hughes (Trinity College Cambridge).

· Up to £20,000 prize for each winner from the event sponsors

· And, James caught up with Emily Stoner, Careers Consultant at the University of Cambridge Careers Office, to discuss the growing interest in entrepreneurship among students and researchers.

Produced by Cambridge TV

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This week’s special guest, Andi Hektor, takes us on a deep dive into his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, how GScan is tackling critical infrastructure challenges, and why he chose Cambridge as the company’s UK base.

GScan is pioneering Muon tomography, an advanced scanning technology originally used for border security but now revolutionising non-destructive testing (NDT) in construction. The technology helps detect corrosion and structural weaknesses in bridges and buildings, preventing costly and environmentally harmful demolitions. “Bridges are often demolished as a precaution because engineers can’t see inside them. We provide that visibility, potentially doubling their lifespan.”

Initially setting up in London, Andi quickly realised Cambridge’s startup ecosystem was the ideal home for GScan: “London’s tech scene is great, but for deep tech, it’s easy to get lost. In Cambridge, you can build a network fast. The Bradfield Centre has been amazing.”

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This week we meet the co-founders of Cambridge Female Founders Network, created in response to the lack of genuine support for women entrepreneurs.

Key initiatives include:

• Founder Dinners & Fireside Chats – Creating spaces for female founders to connect.
• Funding Programmes – Helping women navigate the notoriously tough fundraising landscape.
• Investor & Conference Connections – Placing female founders on panels, in accelerators, and directly in front of investors.

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