Cambridge Cluster

Image via Wikipedia30 years ago and at least nine months, I was working in the Cambridge office of 3i.  Stepoe and Edwards approached us for funding of the first IVF (in-vitro fertilisation) clinic, Bourne Hall.  After much debate about the morality and risks, 3i advanced a loan, no equity, to allow them to continue their work.  I think that the person in charge of the deal was Paul Gilmartin but I have lost touch with him.  So Cambridge was the place where the first IVF child was conceived – another “change the world” idea.

IVF is now a global “business“and a small Cornish company, Research Instruments, is a global supplier of the micromanipulation equipment used in IVF.  Managing Director, Bill Brown, led a management buyout of the business in 2000 when the founders wanted to retire.  Staff numbers have increased from 10 to 36 with more to start soon.  It would be interesting to have the Equity Fingerprint, the business plan resource, of the company.

But back in Cambridge we have Cambridge Temperature Concepts (disclosure: I am an investor) developing their product Duofertility.   This product will be the step before IVF to see if “timing” can help the 1 in 7 couples having difficult with having a child.  Let us hope for the families and the investors that Douofertility also reaches a global market.