Cambridge Kinetics & the University of Cambridge - Our IfM Student Placement at Kinabase

At Cambridge Kinetics, we're committed to creating impactful solutions for our clients - and also to empowering the next generation of innovators. Over the past month, we've been able to combine both.

We hosted four talented students from the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) at the University of Cambridge - Ngoc, Gloria, Reham, and Uko. They joined us to explore and enhance the customer journeys within Kinabase.

Bridging Theory and Practice

A startup environment is dynamic, fast-paced, and often unpredictable - ideal for translating academic theory into real-world applications.

Reham enjoyed how this experience helped her "balance theory with practice", while Uko appreciated "the chance to see how management and engineering intersect in a live business setting."

For Ngoc - who hopes to launch his own startup - this placement provided an inside look at decision-making in a young, growing company.

Hands-On Experience & Challenges

From day one, these students took part in real customer interactions and strategy sessions.

Gloria reflected that "having this reality where everyone is involved - real customers, real interactions - gave us the sense that we really needed to do well." They also discovered the challenges of working with a new and evolving software product. As they put it, "It's a learning experience - thinking like the customer helps you understand how the project is going."

They found the dynamic nature of a startup both invigorating and demanding. Ngoc explained that "so many different avenues meant we had to consolidate ideas and pivot when necessary. It was an abstract project with a quantitative approach to marketing - something totally new for most of us."

Insights & Inspiration

Throughout this project, our team at Cambridge Kinetics aimed to create a supportive, collaborative atmosphere.

Uko noted, "Working was amazing - it was super cool. The energy was addictive. People here at Kinabase really helped me to learn. Sometimes the social setting for helping a student can be tricky - but Kinabase made it so easy."

Our founder Jason, also left a strong impression with his commitment to ensuring Kinabase genuinely empowers businesses. Reham added, "I was inspired a lot by Jason - he did the same course as us! Seeing how he decided to pursue the startup track, and how much he really believes in this product was motivating."

Looking Ahead

As we wrap up this placement, we're proud to see how these emerging innovators have grown - and how they've helped refine our approach to understanding and enhancing the customer journey. Their fresh perspectives highlight the importance of continual learning, and reinforce the value of partnering with academic institutions like the IfM here in Cambridge.

To our four students: thank you for your hard work, curiosity, and enthusiasm. We can’t wait to see how your experiences at Cambridge Kinetics and Kinabase shape your future endeavours - and we look forward to staying connected as you continue to innovate in manufacturing and industrial systems.

If you’d like to learn more about how Kinabase can support your business processes - or if you’re interested in future collaborations - feel free to get in touch. We’re always excited to explore new ways to empower teams and streamline operations.

hello@kinabase.com | 01223 626261