In Between Meetings, Adam Cragg, Partner at Osney Capital, shares lessons from building entrepreneurship programs at MIT, NYU, and the University of Calgary, his time at Innovate Calgary helping researchers move from lab to market, and why Osney is focused exclusively on cybersecurity. We get into portfolio construction, what he looks for in founders, how he builds relationships months before a round, and why the UK and Canada are primed to grow in cybersecurity amid shifting global dynamics.

Takeaways:

Entrepreneurship builds self-reliance in an increasingly insecure job market.
University systems still bias toward academia; commercialization needs new incentives.
Tight industry–lab connections shorten the path from novel IP to real products.
Cybersecurity fits seed investing: faster cycles and robust M&A (vs waiting for IPOs).
Portfolio lens: earlier entry, sensible paths to £300–500M outcomes can be strong wins.
Top founder signal: deep problem insight + precise go-to-market against incumbents.
Meet founders early; help with design partners and avoid common first-time mistakes.
AI adoption is surging—and so are security risks; securing AI workflows is a major theme.

Adam Cragg is a Partner at Osney Capital, an early-stage VC focused on cybersecurity. Previously, he helped build university entrepreneurship programs (MIT, NYU, University of Calgary) and worked with researchers at Innovate Calgary on moving innovations to market.

Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world.

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