DeepTech Unleashed

NGP Capital

DeepTech Unleashed is a podcast for DeepTech founders, from DeepTech founders hosted by NGP Capital. Inspired by the ‘great convergence’ and a new wave of entrepreneurs transforming the fields of robotics, AI, space tech, quantum, and more, DeepTech Unleashed explores the challenges and opportunities of building a DeepTech company. We talk candidly to some of the worlds most inspiring founders as they share their insights into every aspect of founder life, from enterprise sales to navigating complex regulation to international expansion, and their personal moments of DeepTech magic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. MAR 18

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

    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 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 HERE 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 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 Find out more about Tractian here: tractian.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 3m

  2. MAR 5

    Unlocking the Logical Era of Quantum Computing with Peter Leek

    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 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 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 HERE Find out more about Oxford Quantum Circuits at oxfordquantumcircuits.com About the Host: Christian Noske 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 HERE Find out more about NGP Capital here: ngpcap.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min

  3. FEB 17

    Revolutionising Semiconductor Metrology with Hamed Sadeghian

    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 Journey 02:49 – The Evolution of Semiconductor Metrology 05:43 – Challenges in the Semiconductor Industry 08:46 – Building a Startup in a Consolidated Market 11:56 – Leveraging Ecosystems for Growth 14:29 – Customer Obsession and Team Dynamics 17:36 – Navigating the Transition from CTO to CEO 19:59 – Moments of Magic in the Journey 22:55 – Future Trends in Technology: Quantum and Beyond About the Guest: Hamed Sadeghian Hamed 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 HERE Find out more about Nearfield Instruments at nearfieldinstruments.com About the Host: Christian Noske 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 HERE Find out more about NGP Capital at ngpcap.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min

  4. FEB 3

    70/30 Decision Making and Successful Exits with Theodor Nielsen

    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 Leader 10:48 – Decision-Making in Deep Tech Leadership: Speed vs. Accuracy 27:00 – Building Trust: Why it's important to trust your team with your doubt 30:59 – Navigating the Exit: The story behind the landmark acquisition 37:56 – Lessons on Owning Your Vision and Storyline 41:15 – Moments of Magic: Breaking efficiency records in the lab 45:01 – Future Tech: Climate Change, Health, and Space Exploration About 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 HERE Follow 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 HERE To learn more about NGP Capital’s work with Deep Tech founders, visit ngpcap.com or follow us on LinkedIn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min

  5. JAN 20

    A new era of nuclear innovation with Jimmy Co-Founder Antoine Guyot

    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 Innovation 09:54 Navigating Regulatory Challenges 20:05 Market Dynamics and Opportunities 30:14 Building Trust and Education 39:58 The Future of Nuclear and Beyond About 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min

  6. 12/03/2025

    Europe’s AI-Driven Re-Industrialisation Revolution with Daedalus Founder Jonas Schneider

    In this episode of DeepTech Unleashed, host Christian Noske sits down with Jonas Schneider, founder of Daedalus and one of Europe’s most visionary deep-tech builders. From being the first engineer at OpenAI to now spearheading Europe’s AI-powered manufacturing renaissance, Jonas shares an insider’s perspective on how software, robotics, and human craftsmanship will reshape the continent’s industrial backbone. Jonas unpacks why Europe’s strength in complex, high-precision industrial parts is both its biggest advantage and its biggest bottleneck — and how Daedalus is using AI-driven, asset-light factories to preserve artisan-level quality while massively scaling production. He explains why every high-end industrial part is “a mini-project”, why the real bottleneck is human cognitive load rather than machines, and how software can capture decades of tacit manufacturing knowledge before it’s lost. Together, Christian and Jonas explore: Europe’s unique opportunity to lead in high-complexity manufacturing, not mass production The clash — and fusion — between Silicon Valley’s “move fast” culture and German precision craftsmanship Why CNC shops often run at only 15–20% machine utilization, and how Daedalus is already doubling that The demographic time bomb threatening Europe’s industrial ecosystem How AI co-pilots, automation, and integrated digital factories unlock new productivity What Europe still lacks to build globally dominant deep-tech companies — and how to fix it Jonas’s take on AI hype vs. reality, and the long-term technologies he’s personally most excited about This episode is a rare deep dive into the future of European industry from someone who helped build the future of AI. Chapters: 00:00 The Challenge of Manufacturing Innovation 06:03 Silicon Valley vs. Traditional Manufacturing 11:58 The Concept of Asset-Light Manufacturing 18:11 Software's Role in Modern Manufacturing 23:59 Building Resilience in European Manufacturing 27:31 The Hidden Champions of European Manufacturing 30:51 Navigating the European Industrial Ecosystem 34:28 Bridging the Gap: Risk Appetite in Europe 36:41 Integrating Blue Collar and White Collar Workers 42:05 Moments of Magic in Innovation 48:01 AI: Hype vs. Usefulness 51:20 Future Technologies: Dreams of Tomorrow Find out more about Daedalus here: www.daedalus.de  Follow Jonas Schneider here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonas-schneider   Find out more about NGP Capital here: www.ngpcap.com  Follow Christian Noske here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-noske   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min

  7. 10/14/2025

    Beyond Rockets: The Business of Earth Observation with LiveEO Co-Founder Sven Przywarra

    In this episode of Deep Tech Unleashed, host Christian Noske speaks with Sven Przywarra, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of LiveEO, a pioneering earth observation company. They discuss the journey of LiveEO from its humble beginnings with just 200 euros to becoming a leader in satellite data analytics. Sven shares insights on the potential of satellite data, the importance of understanding customer needs, and the challenges of scaling in conservative industries. The conversation also touches on the future of satellite technology, the value of data, and the unique approach LiveEO takes in the market. Topics include: The simple observation on which LiveEO was founded and the journey from starting with €200 in their bank account to becoming an industry leader  How rockets may get all the attention but they are chiefly a delivery mechanism for satellites How Hollywood has done a great job introducing satellites to public consciousness but overhyped what they can currently do  How earth observation has the potential to change every industry on the planet  What a Trump tweet revealed about the relative capabilities of government and commercial satellites  That refining the raw material of data can be more profitable than collecting it and Sven’s 3 steps for creating value out of data  How the role of AI in refining data is often misunderstood Chapters: 00:00 The Rise of Satellite Data in Various Industries 02:20 Founding LiveEO: A Journey from Idea to Reality 03:52 Understanding Satellite Data: Types and Applications 06:40 The Evolution of Satellite Data and Its Ecosystem 12:05 Scaling Operations: Merging Satellite and Drone Data 14:26 Navigating Conservative Industries: Challenges and Strategies 18:56 Future Opportunities: Expanding the Reach of Satellite Data 20:13 Building a Global Team: Challenges and Insights 23:03 Cultural Differences in Team Dynamics 25:14 The Unique Approach of LiveEO in the Space Tech Industry 30:08 The Value of Data: Understanding Customer Needs 37:30 Looking Ahead: The Impact of Starship on Satellite Data 39:58 Moments of Magic: Celebrating Milestones in the Journey 42:50 Future Visions: The Excitement of Room Temperature Superconductivity   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min

  8. 07/24/2025

    The Future of the Human/AI Partnership with Protex AI Co-Founder Ciarán O'Mara

    How is AI Revolutionising Workplace Safety? We talk to Ciarán O'Mara, CTPO and co-founder of Protex AI, a platform which aims to shift safety from a reactive to a proactive approach using computer vision and machine learning. Ciarán highlights the technical challenges of implementing AI in industrial settings, the importance of building a diverse technical team, and the evolving perceptions of AI in the workplace. He also reflects on the cultural dynamics of hiring in Ireland and the US, and shares success stories that demonstrate the impact of Protex's technology in reducing safety incidents. Topics include How Protex AI aims to shift safety from reactive to proactive. Using computer vision to monitor unsafe behaviours. Building AI for industrial clients presents unique challenges. Cultural dynamics play a significant role in hiring and team building. How AI can augment human roles rather than replace them. How Protex AI has reduced safety incidents by 62% within 90 days. How the perception of AI is evolving positively in the workplace. Why a diverse technical team is essential for innovation. The future of AI in industry is promising and full of opportunities. Success stories highlight the real-world impact of technology.  Chapters 00:00 The Human Element in AI and Safety 02:30 Protex AI: Origin and Mission 04:37 Innovative Safety Solutions through Technology 06:50 Technical Challenges in AI for Industry 10:12 The Evolution of Computer Vision 12:34 Future of AI in Safety and Operations 15:06 Building a Diverse Technical Team 17:01 Changing Perceptions of AI in the Workplace 19:35 Augmenting Human Roles with AI 22:07 Protex AI vs. Traditional Safety Oversight 24:16 Cultural Dynamics in Hiring and Team Building 29:24 Navigating US Market Challenges 30:57 Moments of Magic: Success Stories 37:11 The Future of AI in Industry Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min
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About

DeepTech Unleashed is a podcast for DeepTech founders, from DeepTech founders hosted by NGP Capital. Inspired by the ‘great convergence’ and a new wave of entrepreneurs transforming the fields of robotics, AI, space tech, quantum, and more, DeepTech Unleashed explores the challenges and opportunities of building a DeepTech company. We talk candidly to some of the worlds most inspiring founders as they share their insights into every aspect of founder life, from enterprise sales to navigating complex regulation to international expansion, and their personal moments of DeepTech magic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    NGP Capital
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © NGP Capital
  • Show Website
    DeepTech Unleashed

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