The Speakers
Jonathan Milner founded Abcam, the antibody reagent company, with David Cleevely and Tony Kouzarides in February 1998. He is also Chairman of Cambridge Temperature Concepts Ltd.
Jonathan was a research fellow at Cambridge University studying genes and proteins associated with human cancers, when he discovered that difficulties in obtaining reliable antibodies was hindering his research. He came up with the idea for a web-based antibody company that would sell the best antibodies in the world with the most comprehensive, honest and up-to-date datasheets, fast delivery, and helpful customer service & technical support. A business plan was written but the next couple of years were tough as Abcam struggled to convince funders that a viable business could be built from such an idealistic vision.
Using bootstrapping techniques that involved selling popular antibodies from an ice-bucket, Jonathan has gone on to build an international business with offices in the USA, Japan and the UK, and distributors in over ten countries.
