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The Techne Connect
Robert Sproles, CEO at Exolaunch
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In this episode of Connect to Orbit, Joe Reed speaks with Robert Sproles, CEO of Exolaunch, about the future of launch services and the infrastructure needed to support a rapidly growing space economy.
Robert shares his journey into the industry and explains how Exolaunch supports satellite missions from the manufacturing floor through to orbit. He also discusses rising launch demand, the need for greater flexibility across launch providers, and why access to space is becoming a critical part of global infrastructure.
The conversation also explores Exolaunch’s growth, its global operations, and the skills and mindsets that will be important for the next generation entering the space industry.
The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧
Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.
From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.
Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.
Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.
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Marco Agnan, CTO and Co Founder at Odysseus Space
47:52|Marco Agnan, Co-Founder and CTO of Odysseus Space, joins Joe Reed to discuss the future of laser communication and high-speed satellite data delivery.Marco explains how Odysseus Space is developing Cyclops, an end-to-end space-to-ground laser communication service. The model gives satellite operators access to optical communication terminals and ground infrastructure through a subscription, reducing upfront costs and technical barriers.The conversation covers the growing data demands of Earth observation satellites, the limits of traditional radio-frequency systems and the role of laser links in agriculture, wildfire detection, urban planning, maritime monitoring and defence.Marco also shares his journey from astrophysics and a NASA solar wind mission to building a space company in Taiwan and Luxembourg. He discusses European funding, prototype development, hiring, company culture, artificial intelligence and the skills future engineers need.The episode also explores Odysseus Space’s next milestones, including its first flight model, a ground station in Spain and an upcoming in-orbit demonstration.
Per Björklund, Founding Partner at Further than Capital
57:46|In this episode of Connect to Tech, Luke Campbell speaks with Per Björklund, co-founder of Further Than Capital, about what investors look for in early-stage technology companies.Per shares his journey from engineering and entrepreneurship into venture capital and angel investing. He explains why the founding team matters more than the original idea, the importance of customer validation and domain knowledge, and the common mistakes founders make when approaching investors.They also discuss the future of AI, deep tech, healthcare and hardware, as well as the skills young professionals should develop to build long-term careers in technology.
Suresh Kumar, Co Founder & CTO at Vermeer
45:41|What does it take to go from engineer to co-founder in one of defence technology's fastest-moving sectors? In this episode of Connect To Visionaries, Suresh Kumar, Co-Founder & CTO of Vermeer, shares how curiosity, calculated risk and a willingness to embrace failure shaped his entrepreneurial journey. From aerospace engineering and autonomous drones to leading cutting-edge autonomy programmes, Suresh explains why ownership, adaptability and continuous learning matter more than waiting for the perfect solution.The conversation explores how software, AI, computer vision and autonomous systems are reshaping modern defence, why startups are driving innovation faster than traditional approaches, and what tomorrow's engineers need to succeed. Suresh also discusses building high-performing engineering teams, fostering a culture where experimentation is encouraged, and why the future belongs to those willing to iterate quickly and solve complex real-world problems.
Robert Lamontagne, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Katalyst Space Technologies
40:34|In this episode of Connect to Orbit, Robert Lamontagne, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Katalyst Space Technologies, reflects on his 25-year Air Force career, from flying B-52s and working with the B-2 to shaping future force design at the Pentagon. He shares how curiosity, adaptability and embracing unconventional opportunities shaped his journey from military service into the space industry.Rob also explores why Katalyst Space Technologies is working to transform the space economy from a "throwaway economy" into a dynamic ecosystem built around mobility, logistics, assembly and life extension. He discusses the future of space operations, the skills startups need, building high-performing teams and why the next generation should focus on finding careers that fit who they are.
Raumi Sidki, Director of Robotics at Robust AI
38:10|In this episode of Connect to Robotics, Raumi Sidki, Director of Robotic Systems at Robust AI, shares his journey from watching the 2004 DARPA Grand Challenge as a child, where his father competed, to developing cutting-edge robotics at Apple, Amazon, and now Robust AI.He discusses what it feels like to come full circle by competing in the same challenges that first inspired him, why safety and human-first design are central to Robust AI's philosophy, and the engineering talent they're looking to hire, from motion control specialists to fleet simulation experts.
Carlos Fernández: Chief Solutions Officer at Auto Store
41:30|Building a career in robotics does not always mean following a fixed path. In this episode of Behind the Robot, Carlos Fernandez, Chief Solutions Officer at AutoStore, shares how he progressed from an engineering role in a small 20-person company to executive leadership in a global robotics business.Carlos explains how AutoStore scaled from an early-stage company into a publicly listed organisation, and what he learned across technical, commercial, product and leadership roles. He also discusses hardware development, customer-led innovation, physical AI, warehouse automation and the skills needed for the future of robotics. Whether you are an engineer, graduate or business leader, this episode offers practical insight into building a long-term career and developing technology that solves real operational problems.
Justyna Redelkiewicz, Venture Partner at Depo Ventures
44:00|In this episode of Connect to Venture Capital, Joe Reed speaks with Justyna Redelkiewicz, Venture Partner at Depot Ventures, about Europe's evolving space investment ecosystem. Drawing on 16 years of experience shaping programmes including Galileo, Copernicus and the €1 billion Cassini initiative, Justyna explains how public funding helped transform venture capital's appetite for space startups and why collaboration between governments, investors and founders remains essential to the industry's growth.The conversation also explores what investors look for in early-stage space companies, why founders should start selling long before their technology is finished, and the opportunities emerging in AI, Earth observation, in-orbit servicing and dual-use technologies. Justyna shares practical fundraising advice, common mistakes technical founders make, and the commercial mindset needed to build scalable businesses in the European space sector
Marek Plavcan, Co-founder & CBO at Airvolute
01:07:20|Marek Plavcan, Chief Business Officer and co-founder of Airvolute, shares his journey from studying international business and working in government to helping build a technology company at the forefront of unmanned systems. He explores the unexpected evolution of Airvolute, from developing autonomous warehouse inventory drones to creating an autopilot platform now used by more than 100 customers across 30 countries.Marek also discusses why open architecture and modularity could shape the future of unmanned systems, the importance of building a strong engineering community, and the lessons he's learned about perseverance, founder alignment and delegation. He shares his perspective on the skills needed to build meaningful technology companies and why creating solutions that have a real-world impact is at the heart of Airvolute's mission.