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 European entrepreneurs transforming the fields of robotics, AI, space tech, quantum, and more, DeepTech Unleashed explores the challenges and opportunities of building a DeepTech company. Host Christian Noske talks candidly to some of Europe’s 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.

Episodes

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 06/17/2025

    The Crisis/Expansion Duality with Benoit Lemaignan, CEO and Co-Founder of Verkor

    In this episode of DeepTech Unleashed, host Christian Noske talks to Benoit Lemaignan, a key player in Europe’s battery industry who, as CEO and Co-Founder of @Verkor, has raised €2bn to support Verkor’s mission to fast-track low‑carbon battery production. Their discussion centres on the two critical yet contrasting phases every founder must face, crisis and expansion, through the prism of the battery industry.  Topics include:  The importance of European strategic autonomy  The investments Europe needs to make in fusion and hydrogen  Why Benoit is excited about SMRs and decarbonisation  What Europe has ‘forgotten’ about manufacturing in the age of outsourcing The European mindset v the US mindset  The role of management boards in crisis spotting  Managing risk through doing things ‘one step at a time’  Revisiting traditional concepts of risk  The urge to push during an expansion phase  Changing speed during expansion can be as difficult as managing a crisis  The vision skill set vs the execution skill set How humility and letting go are important to both phases Chapters 00:00 Navigating Expansion and Crisis in Startups 02:39 The Vision Behind Vercor 05:42 The Importance of Electrification and Decarbonization 08:58 The European Startup Mindset and Innovation 12:15 Governance and Execution in New Ventures 14:50 Balancing Expansion and Crisis Management 18:49 The Role of Leadership in Crisis and Growth 23:32 Risk Management and Strategic Planning 27:24 Recruitment Challenges and Team Dynamics 30:34 The Rewards of Overcoming Challenges 34:53 Future Trends in Battery Technology and Decarbonization Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min
  6. 02/13/2025

    Business Models of the Future with EGYM Founder & CEO, Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer

    In this episode of Deep Tech Unleashed, host Christian Noske speaks with Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer, CEO and founder of eGym, a company bringing health and fitness into the digital age about one of the biggest questions deep tech founders face: choosing a business model that delivers real, long-term value to customers and investors.  Topics covered include:  What the ‘rock star’ companies of the future will look like  Why AI makes hardware more important than ever  Hardware as your ‘moat’ and key to defensibility, even if it isn’t the majority of your revenue Operational rigor and the dangers of being overly fluid just because you’re growing fast The real meaning of ‘efficiency’ and ‘accountability’  How to know when when you’re creating value rather than just making money When to work in parallel and when to work sequentially  Why ‘no’ doesn’t necessarily mean you’re wrong, it might just mean you’re talking to the wrong people Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Deep Tech Unleashed 01:00 The Vision Behind eGym 06:12 Hardware vs. Software: eGym's Approach 10:49 Navigating Complexity in Deep Tech 14:03 Business Models and Value Creation 21:59 Operational Resilience and Investor Relations 28:02 The Importance of Focus in Growth 35:51 AI and the Future of Deep Tech 47:13 Looking Ahead: The Future of Deep Tech Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min

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 European entrepreneurs transforming the fields of robotics, AI, space tech, quantum, and more, DeepTech Unleashed explores the challenges and opportunities of building a DeepTech company. Host Christian Noske talks candidly to some of Europe’s 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.