DeepTech Unleashed

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.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 Togher01:22 Lios’s Mission and SoundBounce Technology05:04 Origin Story: From High School Project to Business11:50 Building the Team and Scaling14:23 Managing Funding and Capital Efficiency18:56 Navigating Early Investor and Supplier Challenges23:04 The Power of the Co-Founder Relationship26:11 Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Deep Tech31:13 Best Practices for Entering Risk-Averse Industries34:35 Moments of Magic and Recognition39:24 Personal Insights and Life Outside of WorkAbout the Guest: Rhona TogherRhona Togher is the co-founder and CEO of Lios, an advanced materials company based in Dublin. Along with her co-founder Eimear O'Carroll, she has spent over ten years developing breakthrough acoustic materials to combat noise pollution. Rhona’s work with Lios has earned significant recognition, including being named the European Patent Office’s Invention of the Year 2023. She is a passionate advocate for women in deep tech and focuses on building sustainable, customer-driven technology that has applications across global industries and in space.Follow Rhona on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonatogher/ Find out more about Lios here: https://lios-group.com About the Host: Christian NoskeChristian Noske is a Partner at NGP Capital, where he focuses on industrial tech, enterprise software, and deep tech investments. With a wealth of experience in the venture capital landscape, Christian is dedicated to supporting founders who are solving complex technical challenges. Through DeepTech Unleashed, he brings listeners behind the scenes of the world’s most ambitious startups to uncover the human stories behind the hardware and code. Follow Christian Noske here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-noske/ Find out more about NGP Capital here: https://www.ngpcap.com/

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.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 Robotics02:48 The Journey from Research to Entrepreneurship06:01 Market Opportunities and Labor Shortages09:13 The Human Element in Manufacturing11:46 Technological Challenges in Robotics15:06 Data-Driven Robotics and AI18:11 The Future of Humanoids in Robotics31:33 Shifting Inefficiencies in Manufacturing32:31 The Evolution of Grammeter Robotics37:31 Navigating National Security and Defense41:40 The Power of Experience Centers52:47 Insights from the Founder JourneyJoin us for a deep dive into how GrayMatter Robotics is building manufacturing resilience and shaping the next generation of industrial automation.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. Follow Debjit Mukerji on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debjit-mukerji-8728a3/Follow Debjit Mukerji on X: https://x.com/debjitmukerji Find out more about NGP Capital here: https://www.ngpcap.com/About the Guest: Ariyan Kabir Ariyan Kabir is a Co-Founder & CEO at GrayMatter Robotics, a company focused on enhancing human productivity and improving the quality of life through AI-powered robotics solutions. He is a seasoned robotics and AI researcher with a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and prior experience as a Postdoctoral Scholar and Research Associate. His expertise spans robotics, algorithms, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and control systems. He is passionate about making robots smart, easy to use, and rapidly deployable for complex operations.Follow Ariyan Kabir on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariyankabir Follow Ariyan Kabir on X: https://x.com/ariyankabir Find out more about GrayMatter Robotics here: https://graymatter-robotics.com/ 

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.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 Company01:13 The Vision Behind The Exploration Company04:28 Building a Global Company with European Roots10:28 Competing with SpaceX and the Need for Alternatives17:25 Cultivating a Unique Company Culture20:49 Navigating Regulation and Funding Challenges27:06 Best Practices for Space Startups30:20 The Role of ESA in Supporting Startups34:44 Leadership Style and Personal Insights40:02 Moments of Magic in the Journey42:47 Personal Life and Balancing WorkAbout the Guest: Hélène HubyHélène Huby is the co-founder and CEO of The Exploration Company. A former executive at Airbus and ArianeGroup, she led the Orion European Service Module programme and has been involved in some of the most complex European space programmes, including Ariane and ATV. Under her leadership, The Exploration Company has become one of the fastest-growing space firms in Europe, focused on developing reusable spacecraft that provide universal access to space.Follow Hélène on LinkedIn HEREFind out more about The Exploration Company at: exploration.spaceAbout the Host: Christian NoskeChristian Noske is a Partner at NGP Capital, where he focuses on industrial tech, enterprise software, and deep tech investments. With a wealth of experience in the venture capital landscape, Christian is dedicated to supporting founders who are solving complex technical challenges. Through DeepTech Unleashed, he brings listeners behind the scenes of the world’s most ambitious startups to uncover the human stories behind the hardware and code. Follow Christian Noske on LinkedIn HEREFind out more about NGP Capital at: ngpcap.com

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.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 Unleashed04:33 Origin Story of Tractian08:05 Ignorance as an Innovation Advantage08:43 Decoding the Customer’s Pain—and not Product—Drives Sales12:46 Iterate and Focus for Killer Product Development16:52 Physical AI: Data and the Human Dimension22:24 Managing Data at Scale and the Physical Testing Edge33:04 A Zero-Complacency Culture and Setting Your Own Benchmarks37:55 The Ultrasound Revolution: SmartTrac UG241:59 Empower Great Product Ideas Decisively and Directly (No Layers)46:21 Sales Execution Is About Knowing How to Hire55:18 When Fundraising, Focus on People—not Terms1:01:28 With Great Capital Comes Great ResponsibilityAbout 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.comAbout 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 impact of machine failures firsthand through his father’s 35-year career in manufacturing. Under his leadership, Tractian has grown into a leading Physical AI company and one of North America’s fastest-growing tech companies, securing significant investment to help industrial enterprises digitalize their maintenance operations and eliminate unplanned downtime.Follow Igor Marinelli here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/igmarinelli Find out more about Tractian here: tractian.com

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.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 LeekPeter 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 research, Peter holds a PhD in physics and founded OQC to translate his unique intellectual property into world-changing technology. Under his scientific leadership, OQC has become a global leader in superconducting circuits, deploying scalable quantum systems to data centres and supercomputing centres worldwide.Follow Peter Leek HEREFind out more about Oxford Quantum Circuits at oxfordquantumcircuits.comAbout the Host: Christian NoskeChristian Noske is a Partner at NGP Capital, where he focuses on industrial tech, enterprise software, and deep tech investments. With a wealth of experience in the venture capital landscape, Christian is dedicated to supporting founders who are solving complex technical challenges. Through DeepTech Unleashed, he brings listeners behind the scenes of the world’s most ambitious startups to uncover the human stories behind the hardware and code.Follow Christian Noske HERE Find out more about NGP Capital here: ngpcap.com

Episode Title: Revolutionising Semiconductor Metrology with Hamed Sadeghian  In this episode of DeepTech Unleashed, host Christian Noske sits down with Hamed Sadeghian, the co-founder and CEO of Nearfield Instruments. Based in the Netherlands, Nearfield is a semiconductor metrology powerhouse that is solving one of the industry’s most critical bottlenecks: the ability to inspect microchips at the atomic scale without destroying them.Hamed shares his unique journey, from founding his first company at age 19 in Iran to leading Nearfield through a massive €135 million Series C round in 2024 to meet the global demand for AI-ready chips. The conversation dives deep into the “reverse origin story” of a technical founder, the philosophy of “customer obsession”, and the reality of scaling a complex hardware startup in a conservative, consolidated industry.What you’ll learn in this episode:The Metrology Gap: How Nearfield identified a critical need in the industry as Moore’s Law pushed chips to the atomic scale.Customer Obsession: Why deep tech success depends on solving a customer’s specific “pain” rather than just promoting great technology.Building an Ecosystem: How a small startup can play with industry “gorillas” by leveraging a high-tech supply chain and strategic partnerships.Scaling Challenges: Navigating the transition from CTO to CEO and building a global team that takes end-to-end ownership.Future Trends: Hamed’s excitement for the transition towards quantum innovations and hybrid silicon-photonics solutions.Memorable Moments:The First “Aha!” Moment: A chief engineer seeing data from a proof-of-concept that no other tool could provide.The COVID Sacrifice: Shipping the first systems in the middle of a global pandemic, with engineers spending weeks in quarantine to ensure customer delivery.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction to Nearfield Instruments and Hamed’s Journey02:49 – The Evolution of Semiconductor Metrology05:43 – Challenges in the Semiconductor Industry08:46 – Building a Startup in a Consolidated Market11:56 – Leveraging Ecosystems for Growth14:29 – Customer Obsession and Team Dynamics17:36 – Navigating the Transition from CTO to CEO19:59 – Moments of Magic in the Journey22:55 – Future Trends in Technology: Quantum and BeyondAbout the Guest: Hamed SadeghianHamed Sadeghian is the co-founder and CEO of Nearfield Instruments. A prolific innovator with over 60 patents, Hamed has built a career at the intersection of precision engineering, optics, and advanced semiconductor equipment. Before founding Nearfield in 2016 as a spin-off from TNO, he led the nano-optomechatronics group at TNO and held a professorship at Eindhoven University of Technology. His entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 19 in Iran, and today he is recognised as a leader in developing atomic-scale process control solutions for the worldwide semiconductor manufacturing industry.Follow Hamed Sadeghian HEREFind out more about Nearfield Instruments at nearfieldinstruments.comAbout the Host: Christian NoskeChristian Noske is a Partner at NGP Capital, where he focuses on industrial tech, enterprise software, and deep tech investments. With a wealth of experience in the venture capital landscape, Christian is dedicated to supporting founders who are solving complex technical challenges. Through DeepTech Unleashed, he brings listeners behind the scenes of the world’s most ambitious startups to uncover the human stories behind the hardware and code.Follow Christian Noske HEREFind out more about NGP Capital at ngpcap.com

In this episode of DeepTech Unleashed, host Christian Noske sits down with Theodor Nielsen, founder and CEO of NIL Technology (NILT). From a 2006 “school project” at the Technical University of Denmark to becoming a global leader in meta-optics, Theodor shares the raw, 19-year journey of building a company that achieved one of the largest European deep tech exits to date.Beyond the breakthrough nanostructures and flat optics, Theodor dives into the “softer side” of leadership. He reveals his framework for high-speed decision-making, how he manages the “constant companion” of CEO doubt by trusting his team, and why he focused on building a “real company” rather than an exit strategy.Key Takeaways:The 70/30 Decision Rule: Why 70% of decisions don’t actually matter—and why speed is more valuable than perfection for the majority of a CEO’s choices.Doubt as a Leadership Tool: How to distinguish between healthy “positive paranoia” and paralyzing doubt, and why sharing your insecurities with your team fosters a more powerful executional force.The “Lab to Fab” Strategy: The strategic pivot from being a technology provider to a manufacturing leader in meta-optics, and why NILT chose to build its own fabs.Building a “Real Company”: Why focusing on unique technology and real value naturally leads to successful acquisitions, even when you aren’t actively looking to sell.Moments of Magic: From the thrill of the first profitable budget to hitting the “impossible” 92% efficiency record for meta-lenses that proved their technology was ready for the world.Chapters: 00:00 – The Journey of NIL Technology: From University to Global Leader10:48 – Decision-Making in Deep Tech Leadership: Speed vs. Accuracy27:00 – Building Trust: Why it's important to trust your team with your doubt30:59 – Navigating the Exit: The story behind the landmark acquisition37:56 – Lessons on Owning Your Vision and Storyline41:15 – Moments of Magic: Breaking efficiency records in the lab45:01 – Future Tech: Climate Change, Health, and Space ExplorationAbout The Guest: Theodor Nielsen is the Founder and CEO of NIL Technology (NILT). A trained engineer from the Technical University of Denmark, he has spent nearly two decades pioneering nano-imprint lithography and meta-optics solutions that are now revolutionising 3D sensing, AR/VR displays, and consumer electronics.Find out more about NIL Technology HEREFollow Theodor Nielsen HERE About The Host:Christian Noske is a Partner at NGP Capital, where he focuses on industrial tech, enterprise software, and deep tech investments. With a wealth of experience in the venture capital landscape, Christian is dedicated to supporting founders who are solving complex technical challenges. Through DeepTech Unleashed, he brings listeners behind the scenes of the world’s most ambitious startups to uncover the human stories behind the hardware and code.Follow Christian Noske HERETo learn more about NGP Capital’s work with Deep Tech founders, visit ngpcap.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

This episode of DeepTech Unleashed, hosted by Christian Noske, Partner at NGP Capital, explores the “new age of nuclear innovation” with Antoine Guyot, co-founder and CEO of Jimmy, a French company that designs and operates micro-nuclear reactors to provide industrial clients with decarbonized process heat at a lower cost than fossil fuels.While Germany has historically been skeptical of nuclear energy, France is leading a shift toward a new generation of decentralised, micro-nuclear reactors. Antoine shares how Jimmy is decarbonising industrial process heat—a massive, often overlooked source of emissions—by designing and operating micro-reactors that provide low-cost, carbon-free energy directly to industrial sites.Key topics discussed in this episode include:The Nuclear Stigma: Why moving toward nuclear systems requires a “jump of faith” for a society that often only sees nuclear through the lens of cinema.Decarbonising Industry: The challenge of replacing fossil fuels in industrial heating, which Jimmy addresses by providing carbon-free heat at a lower cost than traditional methods.Nuclear as a Product: Jimmy’s innovative approach to making nuclear technology “simpler” and more accessible for industrial clients by treating it as a standard industrial tool rather than a massive infrastructure project.Overcoming Deep Tech Challenges: Insights into the “moments of magic” and the hard-won breakthroughs necessary to scale a high-stakes energy startup.The Future of Engineering: Why Antoine believes the fusion of nuclear physics and artificial intelligence will define the next decade of engineering breakthroughs.Chapters: 00:00 The Dawn of Nuclear Innovation09:54 Navigating Regulatory Challenges20:05 Market Dynamics and Opportunities30:14 Building Trust and Education39:58 The Future of Nuclear and BeyondAbout the Guest:Antoine Guyot is the co-founder and CEO of Jimmy, a French company at the forefront of the new nuclear era. Backed by over €32 million in French government grants and €20 million in VC investment, Jimmy is proving that micro-reactors are a vital tool for achieving a decarbonised future.Antoine graduated from Ecole Polytechnique, the top engineering school in France. After working in strategic consulting, he became interested in the nuclear field, particularly in how cheap uranium could help decarbonise industrial heat, which is mostly generated using fossil fuels. Jimmy’s mission is to provide industrials with cheap, decarbonised process heat, thus massively helping to decarbonise industries in France and Europe.About the Host:Christian Noske is a Partner at NGP Capital, specialising in Deep Tech investments that shape a better future.To learn more about NGP Capital’s work with Deep Tech founders, visit ngpcap.com or follow us on LinkedIn.