(Event) Founders Spotlight: Fireside Chat with Elizabeth Marston and Jenny Barnett

Cambridge Female Founders Network

Feb 20, 2025 – Cambridge

Guided by the stories of Elizabeth Marston (Sotera) and Jenny Barnett (Monument Therapeutics), we launched our new Founder Spotlight series—a fireside chat that showcased the candid, winding journeys of two remarkable founders. Their conversation revealed that the path to startup success is anything but linear, marked by unexpected challenges, crucial pivots, and hard-earned lessons.

We heard firsthand how Elizabeth’s leap from classical archaeology to leveraging AI in insurtech, and Jenny’s shift from academic psychiatry research to the rigours of clinical development, underscore the need for resilience and adaptability in today’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Discussion Highlights:

• A Winding Journey: Both founders emphasized that the startup path isn’t a straight line. Hindsight might suggest clarity, but the journey is filled with unpredictable “oh shit” moments that build resilience and drive growth.

• Evolving Needs as You Scale: They noted that a startup’s requirements change dramatically over time. The agile, multi-hat approach needed at the pre-seed stage gives way to the formal board structures and commercial focus required at Series A. Choosing the right team and mindset is crucial.

• Learning Through Setbacks: From nearly selling IP to facing brutal rejections from investors and grant reviewers, every challenge provided critical insights. Both founders recalled that their first fundraising round—toughened by the 2022 bubble burst and modest early-stage investments—served as a powerful reminder that every setback is an opportunity to recalibrate and strengthen the business.

• Interpersonal Investor Relations: They emphasised that fundraising is as much about building relationships as it is about securing capital. Regular shareholder updates and informal coffee meetings have proven vital for building trust and expanding networks.

The event was a powerful reminder that the entrepreneurial journey is dynamic and evolving. With the right people and a resilient mindset, every twist and turn becomes a stepping stone toward a stronger, more innovative future in Cambridge and beyond.