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The Techne Connect
Thomas Forner, CEO & Co-Founder of Focused Energy
In this episode we speak with Thomas Forner, Co-Founder and CEO of Focused Energy, about building a fusion company designed to bring clean, safe and abundant baseload power to the grid.
Thomas shares his path from corporate startups and software ventures into deep tech, and explains why fusion became the mission worth dedicating a decade of his life to. He reflects on the importance of timing, scientific proof, strong co-founders, and building the right ecosystem around a company from day one.
The conversation explores what it takes to translate complex science into engineering, why partnerships across industry and government matter, and how Focused Energy is scaling from labs in Darmstadt and Austin to its future fusion campus in Biblis. Thomas also shares lessons on hiring, leadership, communication, systems thinking, and why persistence matters more than most people expect when building something truly ambitious.
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Ben Williams, Chief Operating Officer / Chief Product Officer at Exyn Technologies
29:07|In this episode of Behind the Flight, Tom Sloan is joined by Ben Williams, Chief Operating Officer at Exyn Technologies. Ben shares his journey from serving in the US Navy to becoming a serial entrepreneur and deep tech leader, reflecting on the lessons he learned transitioning from military service into industry and building innovative technology businesses.The conversation explores the future of autonomy, robotics and AI, as well as Exyn's mission to develop autonomous navigation systems that can operate without GPS, communications infrastructure or pre-existing maps. Ben also discusses leadership, startup growth and why understanding the "how" and "why" behind complex systems is critical for long-term success.
Lukas Werling, CEO & Co-Founder of ISP Tech
35:02|In this episode we speak with Lukas Werling, CEO and Co-Founder of ISPTech, about building in-space propulsion systems for the next generation of spacecraft.Lukas shares his journey from the German Aerospace Center to founding ISPTech, the importance of understanding customer pain points, and why propulsion will be a key enabler for future space infrastructure, from commercial space stations to lunar missions and in-orbit servicing.
Sumant Sharma, Co-Founder & CEO at EraDrive
35:04|In this episode we speak with Sumant Sharma, CEO & Co-Founder of EraDrive, about his journey from aerospace research at Stanford University into building autonomous systems for the future of space operations.Sumant shares insights into launching a venture-backed space startup, the growing need for self-driving spacecraft, and how AI, autonomy, and real-time decision-making will shape the next generation of the space industry.
John Quinn, CEO at Exos Aerospace
41:32|In this episode of Behind the Vision, we speak with John Quinn, Founder and CEO of Exos Aerospace, about his journey from nuclear submarines and power systems into reusable rocket technology.John shares how his background in high-risk engineering environments shaped his data-driven approach to building and scaling aerospace systems. The conversation explores reusable rockets, launch licensing, carbon composite structures, advanced propulsion, cislunar infrastructure, and why small, agile teams will play a major role in the future space economy.The episode also covers entrepreneurship, technical leadership, rapid prototyping, defence applications, and the skills needed to build reliable systems for space.
The Techne Connect Special: Twin Track Ventures, Behind the Capital, with Nicola Sinclair.
01:17:01|In this episode of Behind the Capital, Nicola Sinclair discusses venture capital, defence tech, and deep tech innovation across Europe. She shares insights on startup growth, founder resilience, fundraising challenges, and why clear communication and adaptability are critical for technical founders building in sectors like AI, aerospace, and defence.
Christine Matthews, Technology Programme Director at GKN Aerospace
30:56|In this episode we speak with Christine Matthews, Technology Programme Director at GKN Aerospace, about her journey from the Royal Air Force into sustainable aviation and aerospace innovation.Christine shares insights from her 22-year military career, the future of hydrogen and electrical propulsion systems, and why adaptability, diversity, and purpose-driven engineering will shape the future of the aerospace industry.
The Techne Connect Special: Kraken Technology Group Behind the Mission
45:10|In this episode of Behind the Mission, Alec Lynn Rogers, Development Design Director at Kraken Technology group, shares how the company is transforming autonomous maritime defence.From scaling Kraken from 7 to 170+ employees to building deployable autonomous vessels at unprecedented speed, Alec discusses engineering innovation, scalable manufacturing, defence modernisation, and the future of unmanned maritime systems.
Ido Genosar, CEO & Co-founder at Verobotics
21:43|In this episode of Behind the Robot, we are joined by Ido Genosar, CEO and Co-Founder of Verobotics, to discuss how autonomous robotics is transforming high-rise building maintenance. Ido shares the story behind building a robotics company from scratch, scaling globally, and tackling one of the construction industry's most dangerous jobs.The conversation explores the future of physical AI, the growing demand for automation, and the lessons learned from commercialising hardware technology in real-world environments. A must-listen for anyone interested in robotics, innovation, start-ups and the future of work.
Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom, Co-Founder & CEO of SpaceBase
34:38|In this episode we speak with Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom, CEO and Co-Founder of SpaceBase, about her journey through the global space industry and her mission to democratize access to space.Emeline shares insights from working in space education, space tourism, and startup ecosystems, while discussing the future of the industry, the importance of diversity, and the growing opportunities emerging across the space sector.