Highland Light

Katie has a background in experimental physics, with a BA and PhD from the University of Oxford and an MSc from the University of Manchester. Her PhD focused on laser-based spectroscopy of novel materials — a hands-on, lab-based discipline that developed her ability to design and build experimental systems, interpret complex data, and solve problems from first principles.

After completing her doctorate, Katie spent five years at Max Fordham, a pioneering building services consultancy. There, she worked on the design of sustainable engineering systems for buildings, collaborating closely with architects, structural engineers and contractors. This gave her a strong foundation in applied engineering, project coordination, and client engagement.

She then joined 42 Technology (42T), a Cambridge based product development consultancy, where she spent five years helping clients across sectors bring innovative technologies from concept through to manufacture. This gave her direct experience across development stages and the commercialisation of technical ideas.

Katie recently joined Highland Light Ventures where she is leading work on preparing for manufacture, supply chain relationships, and advancing product strategy. She is applying to this programme to build her entrepreneurial skills and better understand how business context should drive design decision-making for success in a startup context.

Dan has a background in human biology, with a BA and PhD from Cambridge University, including work at the molecular and cellular level on cell division in the development of the heart. Combining this underlying knowledge with a lifelong interest in diving and diving equipment construction, and an awareness of the physiological demands of competitive sport, Dan founded Cambridge Dive Systems, later Lungfish Dive Systems, designing and building a variety of breathing apparatus from the perspective of human physiology. This has ranged from equipment used in diving research for the US Office of Naval Research to diving gear for challenging expeditions such as BBC filming work in the Antarctic.

During COVID, Dan worked on oxygen delivery methods, helping enable a clinical trial, and more recently succeeded in getting some of his devices through the challenging CE product certification process to enable them to be sold to the general public.

By joining Highland Light Ventures, Dan is working to bring these systems to market and address further challenges in human performance.

Sarah is an experienced leader with operational experience across 3 continents in both technology and financial services. She brings experiences and knowledge across business creation and management, marketing, business development, sales and customer success.

Her career started in the United States in financial services, including 10 years in private equity, before moving to the UK to complete an MBA at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School in 2014. Afterwards, she transitioned into technology working at both early-stage ventures and large public firms, such as Infosys and IHS Markit. At a senior leadership level, she’s served as a Chief Revenue Officer (Clinked.com, a B2B software company), Co-founder and COO (Connect4, a Cambridge based early-stage SaaS meeting platform) and Head of Customer Success (Irish based SaaS Fintech focussed on financial audit compliance.) In 2023, she transitioned from software to engineering services by taking a role as Head of Strategy at Marshall Group, where she works with senior leaders across business lines and global entities.

Sarah is an aspiring entrepreneur with a few ventures under her belt. However, she hasn’t quite hit the spot with one yet and excited to be part of this remarkable team committed to hard work and making this a success together to benefit end users and real life challenges.