Enterprise Hub Wales: Hub Lates & festive meet-up
Join Enterprise Hub Wales for an afternoon of inspiring deep tech talks, networking and festive celebrations as we bring our community together to round off the year.
From turning cutting-edge robotics research into globally recognised consumer products to securing investment for ambitious deep tech ventures, our expert speakers will share valuable insights, real-world experiences and practical lessons from their industries.
Following the talks, stay with us for festive drinks, nibbles and mulled wine – an opportunity to catch up with fellow Hub members, Academy colleagues and friends from across the deep tech community
Event agenda
2:30pm – 4:00pm | Expert talks
Hear from two experienced industry leaders as they explore innovation, robotics, commercialisation and funding in the deep tech sector.
4:00pm – 6:00pm | Festive meet-up
Enjoy festive drinks, nibbles and mulled wine while networking, making new connections and celebrating the year with the Enterprise Hub Wales community.
Meet our speakers
Professor Rob Deaves
Robotics Engineer & Systems Architect
Professor Rob Deaves (CEng, FIET, FHEA, FLSW, FREng) is a highly experienced robotics engineer and systems architect, with over 40 years' experience spanning the aerospace, microelectronics and consumer electronics sectors.
Renowned for his work in navigation algorithms, Rob has played a leading role in the technical development of advanced, mass-market consumer robots.
Talk: Dyson Robovacs – From the Lab to the Living Room and Beyond!
Bringing autonomous robots into everyday life has proved challenging, but robotic vacuum cleaners have emerged as a remarkable success story.
In this talk, Rob will take us behind the scenes of the journey from early-stage research and academic innovation to successful global consumer products, using Dyson's 360 Heurist and 360 Vis Nav as case studies.
Discover how Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) algorithms travelled from a Sydney laboratory into commercial robotic vacuum cleaners, exploring the development process, challenges and milestones along the way.
Rob will share key lessons from his experience, offer a glimpse into his latest robotics adventure and finish with an interactive Q&A and hands-on product demonstration.
Thomas Hansen
Deep Tech Commercialisation & Investment Specialist
Thomas Hansen is a deep tech commercialisation leader, early-stage fundraiser and team builder. With over six years' experience scaling early-stage clean technologies, he has a strong track record of securing more than US$50 million in investment from venture capital and private equity investors to support the scale-up of first-of-a-kind technologies in the circular economy.
Talk: Funding Your Vision
Turning breakthrough innovation into a successful business takes more than a great idea – it requires the right strategy, investment and relationships.
Thomas will explore the realities of raising finance for deep tech ventures, sharing practical advice on:
An overview of the fundraising journey
Review of the steps to build a well-funded company
Setting yourself up for success
About Enterprise Hub Wales: Hub Lates
Some of the best things about Enterprise Hub Wales happen when people come together – sharing ideas, exchanging experiences, making connections and opening doors for one another.
As another year draws to a close, we're bringing our community together to celebrate achievements, reconnect and look ahead to what's next.
Whether you're a Hub member, part of the Academy, an entrepreneur, innovator or simply interested in the future of deep tech, this is a great opportunity to hear from industry experts, connect with like-minded people and enjoy a relaxed festive get-together.
We look forward to welcoming you!