We spotlight Dr Liz Zijing Li, Nemira Zilinskaite, Dr Coco Newton, and Beenish Luqman, whose ventures – Mimicrete Ltd, GlioQ, a pioneering digital brain health monitoring initiative, and DiRibona, respectively—are making significant strides towards solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Dr Liz Zijing Li
Developing biomimetic self-healing concrete technologies for a more sustainable future
Mimicrete Ltd, founded by Dr Liz Zijing Li, is on a mission to revolutionise the built environment with sustainable, self-healing concrete solutions. Liz’s vision is clear: “Transforming how we build and maintain our infrastructure for generations to come.” Liz acknowledges the role of programmes like EnterpriseTECH, EnterpriseTECH STAR, Accelerate Cambridge, and Enterprise Tuesday in helping her company refine its strategy, focusing on the tangible impact and scalability of their product.
Nemira Zilinskaite
Redefining cancer therapeutics, specifically glioblastoma multiforme, a form of brain cancer
EnterpriseTECH and EnterpriseTECH STAR alumna Nemira Zilinskaite’s GlioQ addresses the daunting challenge of glioblastoma multiforme, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer, through a blend of computational pipelines and rigorous validation methods. ” GlioQ possesses the extraordinary potential to not only unravel the complexities of cancer recurrence in glioblastoma but also to pioneer ground-breaking solutions,” shares Nemira, underscoring her commitment to redefining cancer therapeutics.
The challenge of devising solutions for such a complex disease not only keeps us engaged but also fuels our passion for pushing the boundaries of what's possible in cancer treatment. We need to be bold, driven by a passion for innovation and not afraid to make mistakes.
Dr Coco Newton
Developing early-stage prototypes for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s
Dr Coco Newton, leveraging her Schmidt Science Fellowship, is developing early-stage prototypes for navigation tests to detect Alzheimer’s disease in its nascent stages. “The problem we’re trying to solve is that dementia diseases are diagnosed too late,” Coco explains. Their early-stage prototype navigation tests have shown superior sensitivity to early Alzheimers disease changes which they are developing into clinically scalable tools. Her work, based on neuroscience research at UCL, aims for a future devoid of dementia or fear thereof.
Coco is no stranger to transforming adversity into fuel for innovation. “My first spin-out experience never manifested into a real entity due to cofounder differences, despite my years of work laying the foundations. Although I felt like a failure at first, I view it now as a resounding success – I got all the experience and contacts that I need for my next venture, without having lost anything or getting stuck in a contractual mess!” she recalls.
EnterpriseTECH was my first experience of entrepreneurship, and it opened a whole new career path to me. I subsequently joined EnterpriseTECH STAR and then Accelerate Cambridge with my own business idea, and it transformed my thinking around the critical interlinking roles of science, government, and the private sector.
Beenish Luqman
Transforming barren landscapes into thriving ecosystems
DiRibona, spearheaded by Beenish Luqman, uses advanced microbial analysis and biofertilizer technology to restore soil health, crucial for sustainable agriculture. In response to escalating agriculture emissions and land degradation, their mission gains urgency. Beenish doesn’t shy from big dreams: “In an ideal world, our start-up would spearhead a global movement towards regenerative agriculture, transforming barren landscapes into thriving ecosystems.” Her journey through EnterpriseTECH, EnterpriseTECH STAR and Accelerate Cambridge has been pivotal, equipping DiRibona with the skills and networks needed to innovate and grow.
The support from EnterpriseTECH, TECH STAR, and Accelerate Cambridge was invaluable as we strived to build a sustainable future through soil health restoration.
United by a shared passion for solving real-world problems
Each of these entrepreneurs has faced adversity, yet their responses reveal a shared tenacity and a transformative approach to innovation. From Liz’s strategic pivot to Nemira’s relentless pursuit of solutions in the face of complex challenges, and from Coco’s resilience in the aftermath of a failed spin-out to Beenish ‘s confrontation with widespread soil damage, these stories are testament to the power of turning challenges into catalysts for change.
Their manifesto for reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape is empowering. “I see so many amazing and capable women around me who don’t fit into the societally formed image of what a leader should be. With more female self-belief, and more risk-taking from decision-makers away from the traditional notions of what leadership is, I think women can re-write the future”, says Coco. Nemira echos this sentiment, hoping to “contribute to the change so that women leaders are at the forefront, driving new ideas and making a significant impact everywhere”. The vision and drive are also shared by Beenish who emphasizes the importance of self-belief among women and the need for a collective reimagining of leadership that transcends traditional norms.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, the journeys of Liz, Nemira, Coco, and Beenish serve as a beacon of hope and a call to action. They remind us that innovation, driven by a passion for solving real-world problems and a willingness to navigate through adversity, can indeed reshape the world. Their leadership, creativity, and resilience pave the way for future generations of women to follow, promising a legacy of abundance, health, and sustainability. Together, these women are not just shaping the future of their respective fields—they are redefining what it means to lead and innovate in a world hungry for change.
EnterpriseWomen
This article is written by Dr Ghina M. Halabi, who leads a number of entrepreneurship education programmes at Cambridge Judge Entrepreneurship Centre, including EnterpriseTECH and EnterpriseWOMEN.
EnterpriseWOMEN starts in April, applications now open until 18 March. Visit EnterpriseWOMEN webpages for more information and to apply.
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