Officially supported by the University of Cambridge, the global alumni network CAMentrepreneurs held the launch ceremony for its Taiwan chapter—CAMentrepreneurs Taiwan—on May 12 at the British Office Taipei. The event brought together nearly a hundred guests from academia, industry, venture capital, healthcare, livelihood sectors, and international business chambers.
The launch was co-hosted by the Cambridge University Taiwan Alumni Association, Oxford University Taiwan Alumni Association, the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, and the UK-based international media outlet《The Icons》. Ruth Bradley-Jones, Representative of the British Office Taipei, also attended to extend her support.
Professor Ali Hsieh, President of the Cambridge University Taiwan Alumni Association, Professor at the Institute of Technology Management at National Tsing Hua University, and Chief Sustainability Officer of the College of Technology Management, shared that the establishment of CAMentrepreneurs Taiwan is more than just an alumni initiative—it is a living embodiment of the Cambridge spirit.
“Cambridge education doesn’t just teach people how to think,” he noted, “it also encourages us to cross boundaries, engage with real-world issues, and respond meaningfully to society.”
“One of the core values of CAMentrepreneurs,” he continued, “is not only about where we come from, but about how we choose to engage with the world around us.” He emphasized that the alumni association will continue supporting these types of international linkage efforts—whether in Taipei, Cambridge, London, or beyond—allowing knowledge to extend beyond academia and enabling cities and communities to learn from one another.
Harry Hsu, Secretary-General of the Cambridge University Taiwan Alumni Association, Asia Regional Representative and Taiwan Chapter Founder of CAMentrepreneurs, as well as CEO of The Icons, remarked that in an era when Asia is rapidly evolving—and entrepreneurship and technology are shaping the future—any form of deep, cross-disciplinary dialogue holds the potential to foster new win-win possibilities between Europe and Asia. The long-term global expansion of CAMentrepreneurs, he noted, is rooted in that very ambition and goodwill.
“As innovation moves from isolated markets toward cross-regional collaboration,” Hsu explained, “the interaction between Europe and Asia is no longer just about capital or talent. CAMentrepreneurs offers a platform where people can openly exchange perspectives and positions—and that’s where true cooperation begins.”
CAMentrepreneurs Founder Richard Lucas: Everything Comes Back to Human Connection—Lighting the Way for Each Other
“This isn’t a community that belongs only to Cambridge,” said Richard Lucas, founder of CAMentrepreneurs, in a pre-recorded video message to attendees in Taipei. Though he was not present in person, his words resonated clearly. Founded in 2016, CAMentrepreneurs was never meant to be an elite circle, but rather a movement to make innovation and entrepreneurship accessible to more people.
“We’re not here to put a few business stars on stage. We want every participant to feel they are part of this community,” he said. “Often, the people in the audience have just as much experience, perspective, and drive as the speakers. Our goal is to focus on the conversations between everyone—and the co-creation and possibilities that emerge afterward.”
CAMentrepreneurs has since established chapters in Cambridge, Oxford, London, Paris, New York, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Sydney, and Berlin, and continues to collaborate with alumni associations from institutions such as The London School of Economics, London Business School, and Harvard University, as well as with communities like Google for Startups and ChatGPT. “We are a global network,” Lucas said, “but each chapter reflects its own context—growing into something that’s uniquely theirs.”
He believes entrepreneurship is inherently cross-cultural, and that real value comes from cities learning from one another and sharing resources. “When entrepreneurs from different countries talk to each other—not just to investors—the network becomes far more dynamic and full of possibility,” he explained. “What we’re doing is turning simple gatherings into deeper forms of cross-city and cross-cultural connection.”
Lucas closed with a warm challenge: “Don’t just talk to people you already know. Go up to someone new and ask why they came. That might be the beginning of the future you’ll create with CAMentrepreneurs.”
Samuel Yang, Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei: If We Still Believe in the Future, We Must Invest in People and Values
As one of the co-organizers of the CAMentrepreneurs Taiwan Chapter Launch, Samuel Yang, Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei and CEO of TutorABC Group, was also invited to deliver a keynote speech.
“The world moves too fast. It’s easy to get caught up in the noise of the present—but what truly matters is where you choose to stand.”
With this statement, Yang not only addressed global trends but also methodically unpacked how entrepreneurs, educators, and leaders should navigate the complexities of the current era.
As a Cambridge alumnus himself, he distilled his insights into four core keywords: Education, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership:
“These are not just buzzwords—they are pillars of action. If you’ve given up on the future, you can ignore them. But if you’re still willing to invest in the future, these four must remain non-negotiable.”
When discussing education, his tone turned particularly resolute: “Education was never just about delivering knowledge—it’s about unlocking human potential.”
He shared his experiences leading TutorABC and reflected on how institutions like Cambridge and Oxford help individuals recalibrate their life direction. He also highlighted the evolving impact of AI: “AI can answer many questions, but the role of education is to teach people how to ask the right ones.”
On the topic of innovation, Yang didn’t focus on cutting-edge tech, but rather on systems and foundation: “Taiwan’s success in semiconductors didn’t fall from the sky—it’s the result of decades of sound policies, talent cultivation, and deep R&D.”
He reminded the audience that innovation isn’t about speed or scale, but about solving real problems: “What truly matters is whether your ideas bring visible, meaningful change to society and the world.”
Ming Wen, CEO of NUWA Reprogramming: We’re Not Just Extending Life, We’re Extending a Life Worth Living
“Longevity isn’t the issue,” said Ming Wen, founder of NUWA Reprogramming and a Cambridge alumna, during her keynote at the event. “The real challenge is how to make those added years meaningful.”
Rather than diving into technical jargon, Wen began her talk with a fundamental question: As human life expectancy continues to rise, what kind of technology do we truly need?
She introduced NUWA Reprogramming’s core focus—cellular reprogramming, one of the most cutting-edge areas in regenerative medicine.
“We’re not trying to make people live longer—we’re trying to help them live more completely.” Her conviction stems from years of research and deep engagement with the global ageing crisis.
Wen noted that the World Health Organization has long flagged ageing societies as one of the most pressing global challenges of the coming decades. With people living longer than ever, she argued that the priority for science and medicine must be to extend healthy years and reduce the duration of illness.
“What we’re doing in cellular reprogramming isn’t just technological progress—it’s a response to the very structure of ageing.”
She explained NUWA’s pioneering work in reversing skin cells into stem cells, and redirecting them into specific functional cells—a breakthrough with promising applications in neurodegenerative diseases, cardiac repair, and immune modulation.
But for Wen, technology alone isn’t enough. She believes health innovation must come with ethical awareness and social responsibility: “Ageing societies don’t just need new drugs and surgeries—they need integrated thinking that combines medicine, design, sociology, and technology.”
NUWA Reprogramming is entering the market not simply because the science is ready, but because regenerative medicine is reaching a turning point: “This is no longer a lab-bound theory. This is the moment where it becomes real, practical, and transformative.”
Wen emphasized that entrepreneurship should not be a mere reaction to market trends, but a response to social shifts.“Our goal has never been to simply extend life,” she concluded.
“It’s to ensure that every chapter of life is one truly worth reliving.”
A Network That Speaks to the World
“Everyone who cares about the future must rethink the role of education,” shared Samuel Yang, Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei and CEO of TutorABC, during the closing of the event. “Education is not merely the transmission of knowledge—it is about cultivating understanding and responsibility between individuals and the world. CAMentrepreneurs can serve as such a platform, where entrepreneurs, practitioners, and thinkers inspire one another to discover new reasons and methods to move forward.”
Ali Hsieh, President of the Cambridge Taiwan Alumni Association, remarked that the launch of CAMentrepreneurs Taiwan is more than just an alumni event—it is a meaningful act of interdisciplinary connection:
“We hope alumni around the world will have more opportunities to integrate their expertise across fields. Beyond co-creating possibilities, it’s about contributing to the challenges of our time. Cambridge’s spirit has never been solely about academic excellence—it’s about responding to the needs of the era.”
Harry Hsu, Secretary General of the Cambridge Taiwan Alumni Association, emphasized the importance of both asking questions and listening to meaningfully participate in the global community:
“We’re not just exporting ideas—we also care deeply about finding resonance within diverse cultures and systems,” he said. “CAMentrepreneurs isn’t about replicating success models. It’s about building an action-oriented network that transcends language and context—one where each individual can join the global conversation, and every local voice can become part of a shared global experience.”
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