DeepTech Unleashed

Afleveringen

1. A Vision for Robotic 3D Printing at Scale with Francesco De Stefano

   6 oktober 2026 · 46 min

   Afspelen
   In this episode of DeepTech Unleashed, host Christian Noske sits down with Francesco De Stefano, co-founder and CEO of Caracol. Founded in Italy, Caracol is a pioneer in Large Format Additive Manufacturing (LFAM). By combining robotic arms, sophisticated software, and circular materials, Caracol prints massive industrial parts for demanding sectors including aerospace, maritime, automotive, and energy. Lees meer

   Francesco shares how a non-engineering “business guy” from management consulting partnered with design engineers to build an international deep tech company. He details Caracol’s journey through its recent $40 million Series B fundraising round, its strategic expansion into the US and Middle East, and its unconventional acquisition of a century-old German business unit. The conversation explores the mechanics of scaling hardware globally, leading cross-cultural teams, and why embedding AI and intelligence into physical machines represents the next frontier for industrial production.

   What you will learn in this episode:

   Breaking the Box of 3D Printing: How combining multi-axis robotics with pellet-based raw materials unlocks large-scale, cost-effective additive manufacturing for parts over one metre.

   A Strategic Approach to Fundraising: How non-technical founders can align investor drivers, navigate board dynamics, and turn fundraising into a driver for corporate maturity.

   Playbook for International Expansion: The critical balance between maintaining local “boots on the ground” in key growth markets and retaining a central R&D and engineering core.

   Targeted M&A in Deep Tech: When and why an early-stage startup should acquire established industrial assets to accelerate technological roadmaps and market penetration.

   The Future of Smart Machines: How embedding software, machine learning, and AI layers into physical manufacturing hardware reduces waste and solves complex industrial challenges.

   Chapters:

   00:00 Introduction to DeepTech Unleashed and Francesco De St…

2. Saving Lives in Hazardous Spaces: The Flyability Story with Adrien Briod

   8 september 2026 · 40 min

   Afspelen
   In this episode of DeepTech Unleashed, host Christian Noske sits down with Adrien Briod, co-founder and CTO of Flyability. Founded in 2014 as a spin-off from EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland, Flyability is a global pioneer in indoor inspection robotics. Their collision-tolerant drones allow heavy industries—ranging from power generation and mining to chemical refining—to inspect hazardous, confined spaces without putting human lives at risk. Lees meer

   Adrien reflects on Flyability’s 12-year journey from an initial research breakthrough inspired by insects to a thriving company of 140 people servicing 1,500 clients worldwide. The conversation explores the technical choices behind building hardware that can withstand extreme environments, the integration of 3D mapping and LiDAR to create digital twins, and how emerging Physical AI will shift drones from manual teleoperation to prompt-driven assistants. Adrien also shares his perspectives on leadership, explaining how cultivating a culture of purpose, ownership, and constructive feedback enables deep tech teams to compete at the highest level.

   What you will learn in this episode:

   Mechanical Intelligence vs. Software: How drawing inspiration from nature led to collision-tolerant hardware, proving intelligence begins with physical design.

   The Evolution of Indoor Inspection: Combining LiDAR measurements with computer vision to create 3D mapping and digital twins for risk-based maintenance.

   The Impact of Physical AI: Moving beyond joystick control to prompt-driven assistants capable of understanding complex environments.

   Building a High-Performance Culture: Shifting from top-down management to a culture grounded in purpose, transparent micro-decisions, and team alignment.

   Leadership and Constructive Feedback: Practical strategies for preserving team cohesion and encouraging fast learning from mistakes.

   Chapters:

   00:00 Introduction to DeepTech Unleashed and Adrien Briod

   01:50 The Flyability Mission: Safeguarding Infrastructur…

3. Tackling the Last Metre: Ultrafast Charging and Physical AI Infrastructure with Sai Shivareddy

   21 juli 2026 · 44 min

   Afspelen
   In this episode of DeepTech Unleashed, host Christian Noske sits down with Sai Shivareddy, the CEO and co-founder of Nyobolt. Born out of a decade of cutting-edge research at the University of Cambridge, Nyobolt is a battery scale-up tackling the all-important last metre of energy storage. Their revolutionary technology enables ultrafast charging, reaching an 80% charge in under five minutes, without the typical degradation associated with conventional lithium-ion batteries. Lees meer

   Sai shares his 15-year journey across the battery value chain, reflecting on how early research funded by Dyson sparked his entrepreneurial drive. The conversation dives deep into the strategic choices that have driven Nyobolt's success, including a deliberate choice to focus on application-layer solutions and power density to uniquely solve industrial pain points. Sai also details the reality of navigating multiple hype cycles, building commercial credibility, and the milestone achievements that have validated their hardware stack—from a groundbreaking sports car demonstration to capturing massive automation contracts with reference customers like Symbotic.

   Chapters:

   00:00 Introduction to DeepTech Unleashed and Sai Shivareddy

   01:17 Sai's Background: From Cambridge Research to Dyson

   06:03 The Trade-Offs of Physics: Energy Density vs. Power Density

   09:03 Owning the Supply Chain and Navigating the Application Layer

   12:51 Fast Charging vs. Battery Swapping in Robotics

   16:04 Empowering the Physical AI Cake and Data Centre Architecture

   23:42 Juggling Hype Cycles and Managing an Experienced Team

   28:13 Advice for the Next Generation: Capital Efficiency and Niche Markets

   37:51 Moments of Magic: The 4-Minute EV Charge and the Symbotic Deal

   42:54 Personal Insights: Technology's Impact on Society and Farming Hobbies

   About the Guest: Sai Shivareddy

   Sai has dedicated his career to the mission of finding seamless solutions for energy storage and retrieval. His passion lies in clean energy and m…

4. From SpaceX to Reinventing GPS: Solving the ‘Solved Problem’ with Brian Manning

   1 juli 2026 · 53 min

   Afspelen
   In this episode of DeepTech Unleashed, host and partner at NGP Capital, Upal Basu, sits down with Brian Manning, Co-Founder and CEO of Xona, to explore the future of satellite navigation. Xona is pioneering a secure, high-performance navigation system from low Earth orbit (LEO) designed to meet the demands of modern automation, providing accuracy down to the centimetre level. Lees meer

   Key topics discussed:

   The Entrepreneurial Spark: From tinkering in a family plumbing business to working at SpaceX on the Falcon rocket thrust structure, and how those formative experiences shaped Brian’s journey.

   The Limitations of GPS: Why traditional GPS is no longer sufficient for the era of 'hands-off' machine control, autonomous vehicles, and automated infrastructure.

   Validating Deep Tech: The parallel approach required to prove complex satellite technology and market demand simultaneously, avoiding the pitfalls of building in a vacuum.

   Overcoming the Doubters: Navigating early fundraising hurdles, managing runway through volatile periods like COVID-19, and the ultimate validation of launching Xona’s first satellite.

   The Launch Bottleneck: The current state of the space industry where satellite manufacturing capacity heavily outstrips available commercial launch supply.

   A Vision of Ubiquitous Precision: Looking ahead to a future where high-precision positioning transforms precision agriculture, critical infrastructure, and consumer applications.

   Chapters:

   00:00 Introduction to Pulsar-0 and Market Opportunity

   02:57 Brian Manning's Journey to Entrepreneurship

   05:57 Inspiration from SpaceX and the Apollo Era

   09:04 The Transition from Automotive to Space Tech

   11:52 Identifying the Gaps in GPS Technology

   14:47 Commercial vs. Defense Applications of Navigation Systems

   17:47 Overcoming Investor Skepticism

   21:12 Parallel Validation of Technology and Market Needs

   24:06 Building a Strong Founding Team

   27:24 The Early Struggles of Fundraising

   34:05 The Launch of Pulsar-0 and Its …

5. From Sligo to Space: Reinventing acoustic materials with Rhona Togher

   9 juni 2026 · 47 min

   Afspelen
   In this episode of DeepTech Unleashed, host Christian Noske sits down with Rhona Togher, the CEO and co-founder of Lios. Based in Dublin, Lios is on a mission to reduce noise pollution and prevent hearing damage through advanced material science. Rhona and her co-founder, Eimear O'Carroll, have developed SoundBounce, an award-winning acoustic material that is thinner, lighter, and significantly more effective at dampening low-frequency noise than traditional solutions. From its origins as a school science project to winning the European Patent Office’s Invention of the Year 2023, Rhona shares the remarkable story of Lios’s growth. The conversation explores the challenges of building a hardware powerhouse in a risk-averse industry, the importance of long-term customer relationships, and the unique dynamics of a co-founder partnership that began in high school. Lees meer

   What you’ll learn in this episode:

   The Founder’s Journey: How Lios evolved from a high school science project in Sligo into an advanced materials company operating across the automotive, aviation, and construction sectors, and even in space.

   A Unique Co-Founder Partnership: Insights into building a long-term, successful co-founder relationship, and how constant, transparent communication serves as the foundation for overcoming the challenges of a deep tech startup.

   Overcoming Industry Resistance: Strategies for convincing veteran, risk-averse industries to adopt new, breakthrough materials through multi-phase processes and long-term engagement.

   Supporting Women in Tech: Why visibility and community are vital for encouraging more women to pursue careers and leadership roles in deep tech.

   Chapters:

   00:00 Introduction to Deep Tech Unleashed and Rhona Togher

   01:22 Lios’s Mission and SoundBounce Technology

   05:04 Origin Story: From High School Project to Business

   11:50 Building the Team and Scaling

   14:23 Managing Funding and Capital Efficiency

   18:56 Navigating Early Investor and Supplier Challenges

   23:0…

6. Revolutionizing Communications with Satellite Connectivity - with Parth Trivedi

   27 mei 2026 · 54 min

   Afspelen
   In this episode of DeepTech Unleashed, host Debjit Mukerji sits down with Parth Trivedi, CEO and Co-Founder of Skylo Technologies, to explore the future of satellite-based communication. Based in Mountain View, Skylo is pioneering the world’s largest standards-based non-terrestrial network (NTN), enabling everyday mobile and enterprise devices to connect seamlessly via satellite without the need for proprietary hardware. Lees meer

   Key topics discussed:

   The Founding Journey: How a background in aerospace engineering and a frustration with cumbersome satellite protocols at Stanford led to a mission to solve global connectivity.

   The Market Opportunity: Leveraging cellular standards and existing orbital infrastructure to create a network that already supports over 16 million devices across five continents.

   The Human Element: Real-world stories of how direct-to-device connectivity is saving lives, including a recent pilot rescue made possible by satellite-enabled mobile messaging.

   Technical Innovation: The development of a multi-orbit, orbit-agnostic technology stack that integrates with standard consumer devices like smartphones and smartwatches.

   Building Deep Tech Teams: The importance of "T-shaped" individuals who possess both broad cross-functional malleability and deep technical expertise.

   A "Standardised Sky": Moving towards a future where continuous global coverage is a utility that users can simply take for granted.

   Chapters:

   00:00 Revolutionizing Connectivity: The Skylo Approach

   03:02 The Journey of a Deep Tech Founder

   05:47 The Genesis of Skylo Technologies

   09:10 Impactful Use Cases and Real-World Applications

   11:52 User Experience as a Differentiator

   14:47 The Future of Satellite and Cellular Convergence

   26:46 Technical Challenges in Satellite Communication

   29:10 Skylo's Unique Positioning and Ecosystem

   32:06 The Future of Connectivity in the AI Era

   36:29 Investment Insights and Market Opportunities

   37:36 Navigating Competition in Space Tech

   42:45 B…

7. Reinventing Manufacturing with Generalized Robotic Intelligence with Ariyan Kabir

   29 april 2026 · 57 min

   Afspelen
   In this episode of DeepTech Unleashed, host Debjit Mukerji sits down with Ariyan Kabir, Co-Founder and CEO of GrayMatter Robotics, to explore the future of autonomous manufacturing and how to build manufacturing resilience. Based in Los Angeles, GrayMatter Robotics is pioneering generalised robotic intelligence designed to handle the 90% of manufacturing tasks that are still performed manually today. Lees meer

   Key topics discussed:

   The Founding Journey: How a natural disaster in Bangladesh and a PhD at the University of Southern California (USC) led to Ariyan’s interest in bridging the gap between AI and the physical world.

   The Market Opportunity: Why robotics is a “medicine, not a vitamin” for global production and how solving the challenges presented by the projected 3.8 million unfilled manufacturing vacancies by 2033 is a multi-trillion global market opportunity.

   The Technical Challenge: Delivering "true AI-powered robotics" and overcoming challenges like real-time adaptation to complex materials and the intricate physics of sanding, painting, and finishing.

   The Human Element: Improving the quality of life for workers by removing them from tedious and hazardous work.

   Use case versatility: Addressing the rigorous demands of both commercial manufacturing and national security, including applications for fighter jets and submarines.

   Research to Reality: Insights into the transition from academic research to scaling a market leading startup including fundraising, teambuilding and product development.

   Chapters:

   00:00 Building the Foundation of Robotics

   02:48 The Journey from Research to Entrepreneurship

   06:01 Market Opportunities and Labor Shortages

   09:13 The Human Element in Manufacturing

   11:46 Technological Challenges in Robotics

   15:06 Data-Driven Robotics and AI

   18:11 The Future of Humanoids in Robotics

   31:33 Shifting Inefficiencies in Manufacturing

   32:31 The Evolution of Grammeter Robotics

   37:31 Navigating National Security and Defense

   41:40 The Power o…

8. Building A European Global Champion with Hélène Huby

   9 april 2026 · 45 min

   Afspelen
   In this episode of DeepTech Unleashed, host Christian Noske sits down with Hélène Huby, the co-founder and CEO of The Exploration Company. Founded in 2021, the company is on a mission to democratise access to space by developing Nyx, a reusable and in-orbit refillable cargo spacecraft designed to fly to any space station. Lees meer

   Hélène shares her remarkable journey from serving as a top executive at Airbus and ArianeGroup—where she led the Orion European Service Module programme—to declining a promotion to start her own venture from scratch with just four people and €50,000. Now, with over €300 million raised and a team of 450, the company is positioned as the European answer to SpaceX and is the first European firm to sign a Space Act agreement with NASA. The conversation explores the strategic development of a global company with European roots, the vital importance of international collaboration, and the unique challenges of scaling a hardware powerhouse in the space industry.

   What you’ll learn in this episode:

   The Alternative to SpaceX: Why the global space industry requires competition and diversity beyond a single dominant player to ensure sovereignty and choice.

   Strategic Regional Excellence: How Hélène’s team leverages specific engineering strengths across Germany (avionics/software), France (re-entry/engines), and Italy (life support/mechanisms).

   From Corporate to Startup: The risks and mental shift involved in leaving an executive role at a global giant to "write space history" independently.

   The Power of Collaboration: Insights into the landmark NASA Space Act agreement and the vision for a universal vehicle that serves humanity globally.

   Hiring for Innovation: How to integrate the expertise of veterans from SpaceX and Airbus with the agile mindset of new talent to avoid recreating old corporate structures.

   Chapters:

   00:00 Introduction to DeepTech Unleashed and The Exploration Company

   01:13 The Vision Behind The Exploration Company

   04:28 Building a G…

9. Winning at Physical AI: A Founder’s Playbook with Igor Marinelli

   18 maart 2026 · 1 uur 3 min

   Afspelen
   In this episode of DeepTech Unleashed, host Debjit Mukerji sits down with Igor Marinelli, founder and CEO of Tractian. Tractian is a category leader in Physical AI, providing an end-to-end industrial monitoring platform that helps maintenance teams avoid unplanned downtime and operate with greater precision. Lees meer

   Igor shares his vision for the future of physical AI and the playbook that has fueled Tractian’s rapid growth and its ability to solve critical “pain” for some of the world’s largest manufacturers.

   Episode Chapters:

   02:15 Introduction to DeepTech Unleashed

   04:33 Origin Story of Tractian

   08:05 Ignorance as an Innovation Advantage

   08:43 Decoding the Customer’s Pain—and not Product—Drives Sales

   12:46 Iterate and Focus for Killer Product Development

   16:52 Physical AI: Data and the Human Dimension

   22:24 Managing Data at Scale and the Physical Testing Edge

   33:04 A Zero-Complacency Culture and Setting Your Own Benchmarks

   37:55 The Ultrasound Revolution: SmartTrac UG2

   41:59 Empower Great Product Ideas Decisively and Directly (No Layers)

   46:21 Sales Execution Is About Knowing How to Hire

   55:18 When Fundraising, Focus on People—not Terms

   1:01:28 With Great Capital Comes Great Responsibility

   About the Host: Debjit Mukerji:

   Debjit Mukerji is a Partner at NGP Capital, based in Palo Alto, California. A technologist at heart and engineer by training, Debjit partners with founders creating new categories or redefining existing ones with cutting-edge technology to help them navigate the complexities of global scaling. He has been a partner to Tractian since its seed round, supporting the company’s expansion across the US and international markets.

   Follow Debjit Mukerji https://www.linkedin.com/in/debjit-mukerji-9884502

   Find out more about NGP Capital at ngpcap.com

   About the Guest: Igor Marinelli:

   Igor Marinelli is founder and CEO of Tractian. A mechanical engineer by training, Igor has a deep-rooted passion for the industrial sector, having witnessed the im…

10. Unlocking the Logical Era of Quantum Computing with Peter Leek

    5 maart 2026 · 53 min

    Afspelen
    In this episode of DeepTech Unleashed, host Christian Noske sits down with Peter Leek, founder and chief scientific officer of Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC). OQC is a pioneer in the quantum space, having developed three generations of quantum computers that are currently deployed in data centres across the UK, Japan, Spain, and New York City. Lees meer

    Peter shares his 20-year journey as a scientist and “dreamer” who turned complex physics research into a commercial reality. The conversation explores the technical breakthroughs that make OQC’s hardware unique, the challenges of navigating the intense “hype cycle” of quantum technology, and the company’s ambitious goal to enable the first useful quantum applications by the end of the decade through its new OQC TITAN system.

    The discussion dives deep into the philosophy of “bold innovation,” the engineering hurdles of 3D circuit integration, and the evolving leadership dynamics within a high-growth deep tech startup.

    What you’ll learn in this episode:

    The Scalability Breakthrough: How OQC uses a simple, innovative approach to 3D circuit integration to overcome the “wiring bottleneck” that limits traditional 2D quantum processors.

    Hype vs. Reality: Why quantum computing is both the most consequential and over-hyped technology of our time, and how to balance scientific excitement with pragmatic expectations.

    Bold Innovation: The importance of taking “calculated risks” on technical ideas that experts in the field might initially question.

    The Logical Era: What it means to move beyond experimental quantum systems into hardware purpose-built for real-world commercial impact.

    From Founder to CSO: Peter’s personal evolution from a career scientist to a founder, and the importance of building a leadership team with complementary skills.

    About the Guest: Peter Leek

    Peter Leek is the Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC). A career scientist with over 20 years of experience in quantum computing r…

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