Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

'Asian talent at forefront of Cambridge tech-hub growth’

Britain keen to turn city into Europe’s version of Silicon Valley

'Asian talent at forefront of Cambridge tech-hub growth’

CAMBRIDGE does not need to become Britain’s Silicon Valley to be successful – as more talent from south Asia are being attracted to the city, according to experts.

They highlighted Indian-origin entrepreneurs – such as Dr Sai Shivareddy, founder of battery firm Nyobolt – who are at the forefront of the city’s technology industry.


The UK government is keen to turn Cambridge into Europe’s version of tech hub Silicon Valley, with up to 250,000 new homes built over the next two decades and the prospect of billions of pounds of investment in the science and tech sectors.

Housing secretary Michael Gove pledged in November to prioritise water supply issues so that homes can be built in and around the city in Cambridgeshire by 2040.

Jaideep Prabhu, professor of marketing and director of the Centre for India & Global Business at Cambridge Judge Business School, said the city has been very successful in how much venture capital and investment it attracts, along with the high returns it produces.

He told Eastern Eye: “It’s up there with Silicon Valley and Massachusetts.

“Silicon Valley has space and scale for manufacturing; they create very large companies with a large number of people and build computers. Cambridge has a smaller footprint, they don’t make things, they make intellectual property.

“Intellectual property has huge merit, its more agile than manufacturing.”

Prabhu added: “Nyobolt is a game changer in the battery space. In the previous wave, pharmaceutical firms from India had a [presence].

“Now Indian students are studying here, who then set up startups.

“Britain used to be the number one destination for south Asians, which was displaced by the US offering scholarships.

“That has changed again. The university has been very supportive of setting up businesses for a new generation in science and tech. Cambridge is a global phenomenon, don’t mess it up – it has a world beating university and it is like a village, you could meet 10 people who could each introduce you to another 10 people to help you with your plan.”

LEAD Cambridge INSET Dr Sai Shivareddy Nyobolt founder Dr SaiShivareddy


Silicon Valley in California is home to many start-up and global technology giants – including Apple; Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg and Google, whose CEO is Sundar Pichai.

Cambridge has already been labelled “Silicon Fen” after many businesses decided to move to the city in the late 1990s. They include Indian pharmaceutical firm Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, set up base at Cambridge Science Park in 2011.

In 2021, Cambridge-based science firm Eagle Genomics announced the opening of its operation in Hyderabad, south India.

In November, King’s College at Cambridge University announced Pallavi Goel as among this year’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence MPhil students. Goel, who was born in India, is studying industrial systems, manufacture and management.

Jaffer A Kapasi, who runs an accountancy and business advisory company in Leicestershire, told Eastern Eye: “The reasons why Asian-origin entrepreneurs are ahead is that the Indian government launched the Startup India initiative to support entrepreneurs and build a robust startup environment.

“Another high-profile programme, Make in India, was designed by the government to promote self-reliance, foster innovation, enhance skill development and build a best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure.

“Finally, Digital India is a government project that aims to digitally empower the society and double the size of India’s digital economy.

“Cambridge as a Silicon Valley will shine the most. Technology is our fastest growing and most successful sector, creating wealth and employment across the country.

“Having a technology sector which reflects the society that we live in is key in attracting the new generation of entrepreneurs and talent that will continue to build our reputation and wealth in this space.”

The plan to grow interest in Cambridge from India-based companies looking to expand into the UK was discussed by the Department for International Trade’s head of investment for south India on a visit to the UK city in 2022.

Siddharth Vishwanathan, the department of trade’s head of investment for South India, discussed the rise in demand with Rosa Del Campo, head of Inward Investment at Locate Cambridge.

Dr Shivareddy, who founded Nyobolt in 2019, said: “We are one of the fastest growing battery companies in the world.

“We have been backed by venture capital and also the ecosystem around Cambridge – like the university and the tech transfer offices, as well as funding organisations – both public and private - so it’s been a great journey, so far. We need all that talent of engineering, talent that covers materials, manufacturing.”

He added: “It is a big challenge to attract more people here because of the lack of housing and the infrastructure of a very small university town. But we have done very well to this point and I believe it’s going to get better”.

More For You

Donald Trump

Trump announced a series of tariff increases targeting various nations, including key US allies such as the UK and the European Union.

Getty Images

Trump’s tariffs hit global markets, Starmer warns of 'economic impact'

The UK and other global economies reacted on Thursday to US president Donald Trump's newly imposed tariffs, with prime minister Keir Starmer warning of an “economic impact” from the 10 per cent levy on British exports.

Trump announced a series of tariff increases targeting various nations, including key US allies such as the UK and the European Union.

Keep ReadingShow less
Airbus bets on Indian supply
base to scale up production

Guillaume Faury

Airbus bets on Indian supply base to scale up production

AIRCRAFT maker Airbus plans to significantly ramp up its annual sourcing of components and services from India to reach $2 billion (£1.54bn) by 2030, its CEO Guillaume Faury has said.

Describing India as one of the most important markets for Airbus in terms of growth, Faury said the challenge for the aircraft maker is to support the speed of the growth of the aviation industry in India.

Keep ReadingShow less
nintendo switch 2

The new console aims to build upon the success of its predecessor while introducing fresh innovations

Getty

Nintendo unveils Switch 2 - A new era for hybrid gaming begins

After months of speculation and cryptic teaser campaigns, Nintendo has officially announced the highly anticipated successor to its bestselling hybrid console. The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on 5 June, with a price tag of £395.99 for the base package and £429.99 for a bundle including Mario Kart World. With a range of hardware improvements, redesigned controllers, and an exciting lineup of games, the new console aims to build upon the success of its predecessor while introducing fresh innovations.

A Bigger, Sharper Display and 4K Support

One of the most noticeable upgrades in the Nintendo Switch 2 is its display. The console now features a larger 7.9-inch screen, boasting twice the pixel count of the original Switch and supporting full 1080p resolution. Additionally, the display is capable of up to 120 frames per second, ensuring smoother animations, while high dynamic range (HDR) enhances colour contrast for a richer visual experience. Despite these improvements, the Switch 2 maintains the same thickness as the original model, preserving its signature portable form factor.

Keep ReadingShow less
‘All options on the table’ as Britain
prepares for likelihood of US tariffs

Sir Keir Starmer with Jonathan Reynolds

‘All options on the table’ as Britain prepares for likelihood of US tariffs

BRITAIN is likely to be hit by US tariffs despite making “rapid progress” over a trade deal with Washington, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Tuesday (1).

He spoke as US trading partners around the world braced for an expected fresh raft of tariffs from president Donald Trump, in addition to levies already imposed on steel and those set to take effect this week on cars.

Keep ReadingShow less
single-use vapes-iStock

Analysis by Material Focus estimates that 8.2 million vapes are discarded or littered each week in the UK—equivalent to 13 every second. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Shops told to clear single-use vapes before ban starts on June 1

SHOPS across the UK have until 1 June 2025 to sell off remaining stocks of single-use vapes before a nationwide ban comes into force.

The legislation, confirmed last year, follows a government consultation that showed strong support for restricting their sale and supply.

Keep ReadingShow less