Nurturing Innovation: Yupar Myint's Journey in Cambridge's Entrepreneurial Landscape

To mark International Women’s day 2022, Yupar Myint talks about some of her work and how she got into the field. Yupar is currently Head of the Entrepreneurship programme, Impulse for Tech Innovators at the Maxwell Centre, Cavendish Laboratory.

Almost 20 years ago, we undertook research into The effect of social capital in new venture creation: the Cambridge high technology cluster(Opens in a new window) as our first archaeological dig of the Cambridge Innovation Ecosystem; since then it has provided much insight into the entrepreneurial and innovation process not only as a research project but also as a form of practice. We explored how people, as the principal focus, have shaped many of the successful new businesses in Cambridge. The research showed how serial entrepreneurs have worked with others in academia, industry and finance to generate and sustain an innovation ecosystem over 50 years. I continue to be fascinated by how Cambridge entrepreneurs have created such a vast and complex personal and professional network over time, and how the flow of funds, experience and knowledge are recycled within their social networks which in turn hone their technical and managerial skills.

While writing this paper, I got to know many influential entrepreneurs and innovation champions in Cambridge, and I have been very fortunate that they have become a part of my professional and personal life over so many years. We have joined forces on many occasions to develop courses and programmes that guide the next generation of innovators and would-be entrepreneurs. Social Capital means the importance of networks, strong personal relationships that provide the basis of trust, cooperation and collective action (Nahapiet and Ghoshal, 1998). The Cambridge Innovation Ecosystem possesses this energy and spirit, combined with innovation power, driven by brilliant minds. The social capital concept is at the heart of our programmes fostering entrepreneurial culture and incubating new businesses. This kind of proliferation is needed to continuously nurture and expand as it is the lifeblood for innovation.

Building your own social capital is relevant and important for all sectors and types of work. Relational social capital can lead to long lasting friendships and these friendships can lead to opportunities for formal interactions (new business or initiatives). Building social capital is a subtle process, highly dependent on trust and reciprocity. It takes time to build but is a lifetime asset.

How did I get into this field? I completed my MBA at the Cambridge Judge Business School in 2001. I am originally for Myanmar and I chose to study at the University of Cambridge because entrepreneurship is one of the its key strengths. During my MBA, I met Shai Vyakarnam who taught the Entrepreneurship Course at the Judge? Business School and who subsequently asked me to join his Centre (called CfEL at the time). Shai became part of my social network and opened doors to the world of entrepreneurship and to the Cambridge ecosystem.

Cambridge has a multicultural environment with people from all over the world; people are accepted here based on their merits, not their background. As a woman coming from Myanmar, I feel welcomed in this very inclusive place and so fortunate to be a part of this vibrant community.

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