Lab to Market Leadership with Chris Reichhelm
Lab to Market Leadership with Chris Reichhelm is a podcast that explores the journey of deep tech startups from research to commercial success. Host Chris Reichhelm, CEO of Deep Tech Leaders, draws on over 25 years of experience recruiting leadership for advanced science and engineering companies. Each episode features conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, and executives, focusing on the management disciplines and cultures needed to scale deep tech innovations. The podcast covers sectors like computing, biotech, and materials science, aiming to provide insights for those navigating the lab-to-market path.
Episodes
Why Great Labs Need Breadth | Professor Hod Lipson on Robotics, AI and the 2030s
What if the real innovation engine in Deep Tech is not the spinout, but the lab itself?Professor Hod Lipson is one of the world’s leading robotics researchers – recently the subject of a major Financial Times feature on the future of robotics. He directs Columbia’s Creative Machines Lab, where breadth beats specialisation, portfolios matter more than grades, and academia’s greatest role is to expl
The Hard Thing about Hard Tech – Greg Smithies on the TRL 4-5 Challenge
How do you move from novel idea to working prototype in hard tech? And how can you bend the rules of the game to give you a better chance of winning?Greg Smithies is a finance and operations leader who has worked with some of the world's most ambitious companies. He led finance and operations at Elon Musk's Neuralink and The Boring Company. He's also been an investor with Battery Ve
Taking Over From a Founder CEO: Ian Temperton on Scaling Plastic Energy
Ian Temperton became CEO of Plastic Energy in 2021 after five years as Chief Investment Officer.He stepped in as the company moved from pilot to industrial scale – executing multi‑million euro projects with SABIC and TotalEnergies.This is what happens when the external CEO works.Ian spent five years learning the business before taking over. The shift came mid-deployment, when execution discipline
Graphene at Scale: How Paragraf Is Realising the Wonder Material’s Potential | Dr Simon Thomas
Dr Simon Thomas never expected to be a founder. After 12 years inside TSMC, Samsung and LG, he was ready for a break from the pressure of the world’s biggest fabs. Then Professor Sir Colin Humphreys set him a challenge: could he make graphene at wafer scale – the same problem Samsung had spent $2.2 billion trying, and failing, to crack?Five weeks of experiments later, Simon saw the first promising
From Finnish Lab to US IPO: Dr. Jan Goetz on Building Europe's Quantum Leader IQM
Dr Jan Goetz never planned to be a CEO. He wanted to be a professor. But when co-founder Professor Mikko Möttönen asked about starting a company, Jan followed his gut.Seven years later, IQM is Europe's largest quantum computing company, heading towards US public listing, and has just secured €50M from BlackRock.This is a rare, personal look at the founder CEO journey – not just the company wi
From NASA to Startups: How TRLs Became the Universal Language of Deep Tech | John C. Mankins
Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are the universal language of Deep Tech – used by NASA, the DoD, VCs, corporations and startups to measure innovation progress. But where did they come from? Professor John Mankins co-invented TRLs and wrote the 1995 white paper that gave them to the world. In this Season 2 premiere, he reveals the origin story: from Apollo-era NASA research centres, through Stan
Why 55% of Deep Tech Companies Fail: The Communication Problem No One Talks About | Hailey Eustace
Why do 55% of Deep Tech companies fail within five years? Hailey Eustace, founder of Commplicated, argues the answer isn't bad technology - it's bad communication.Product-market fit failures? That's a listening and messaging problem. Can't raise capital? Your story isn't resonating. Struggling to win customers? Trust breakdown. Can't build the right culture? Your mess
Manufacturing the Future in Space: Semiconductors, Sovereignty, and Ridiculously Audacious Goals | Josh Western
What's the value of a ridiculously audacious goal if you never reach it? Josh Western, CEO of Space Forge, argues the question misses the point - because the innovations accelerated along the journey often matter more than the destination itself.Space Forge manufactures advanced semiconductor substrates in microgravity conditions, returns them via reusable satellites, then grows them terrestr
Building Useful Quantum Computers: Constraints, Customers, and the Two Religions of Quantum | Richard Murray
What happens when quantum computing startups can’t wait 15 years for fault tolerance? Richard Murray, co-founder and CEO of Orca Computing, reveals how his team chose commercial usefulness over technical idealism - and why that decision drives everything from recruitment to product development.Operating from a University of Oxford spinout with limited resources compared to Google or IBM, Orca face
Deep Tech Venture Building: Out The Back Ventures’ Blueprint for University Spinout Success
What if early-stage Deep Tech investing could be completely reimagined? Keong Chan, Managing Director of Out The Back Ventures, has spent five years building one of the most unique investment approaches in the industry - operating from Perth, Australia, whilst building relationships with leading universities and national laboratories across four continents.Rather than waiting for deals to come to
Why Deep Tech Unicorns Fail: Lessons from Lilium and Arrival’s Billion-Dollar Mistakes | James Arnold
What can we learn from the collapse of two billion-dollar Deep Tech unicorns? James Arnold held senior strategy and operations roles at both Lilium and Arrival - European companies that raised over a billion dollars each, employed thousands of engineers, and still ended in insolvency.This conversation reveals the hidden pitfalls that destroy Deep Tech companies: why rapid team growth kills startup
Deep Tech Spinouts: Inside Albion Ventures' Decade-Long Partnership with UCL | Dave Grimm
Why do so few university spinouts make it from lab to market? Dave Grimm, Partner at Albion Ventures, has spent a decade answering this question through a groundbreaking partnership with University College London that's transformed how academic innovations become successful companies.This conversation reveals the blueprint for successful university spinouts: embedding VCs within academic ecos
Quantum Computing Scale-Up: How Universal Quantum is Building Million-Qubit Systems | Dr Sebastian Weidt
What does it take to build million-qubit quantum computers - machines that could fundamentally change how we solve the world's most complex problems?Dr Sebastian Weidt, co-founder and CEO of Universal Quantum, shares the extraordinary journey from asking an audacious research question in 2017 to building one of the world's leading quantum computing companies. This conversation reveals th
Challenging Deep Tech Norms: Adopting Lean Principles from Lab to Market | Mark Bjornsgaard
In this captivating episode of Lab to Market Leadership, Chris Reichhelm speaks with Mark Bjornsgaard, the visionary founder and CEO of System Two Group. With a track record of eight successful exits - notably the £200 million sale of Deep Green Technologies to Octopus Energy - Mark brings a powerful, often counterintuitive, perspective on building businesses, especially in the Deep Tech sector. M
Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough: The Tokamak Energy Story | Dr. David Kingham
Nuclear fusion has been the ultimate ‘30 years away’ technology for decades. But is that finally changing?In this episode, Dr. David Kingham, founder of Tokamak Energy, shares the extraordinary journey of building one of the world's leading nuclear fusion companies from just three scientists and £200,000 to achieving 100 million degree plasma temperatures - the critical threshold for commerci
How to Scale Chemical Engineering Startups | Peter J. Nieuwenhuizen PhD
The road from lab to market for chemical engineering startups is anything but smooth. In this episode of Lab to Market Leadership, Chris Reichhelm talks to Peter J. Nieuwenhuizen PhD, a chemical industry veteran and former CTO of AkzoNobel and Enerkem, and Board chair of Itaconix Plc., about the brutal realities of scaling chemical engineering technologies. Peter shares the inside scoop on how reg
The State of UK Deep Tech | Dr David Cleevely CBE FREng FIET
In this episode, host Chris Reichhelm is joined by Dr. David Cleevely CBE FREng FIET, co-founder of Cambridge Angels and a leading figure in UK science and technology. Together, they explore the intricate process of scaling Deep Tech companies, the importance of talent and vision, and the systemic challenges facing the UK’s innovation ecosystem.David shares lessons from decades of investing, build
University Spinouts and Deep Tech Investing | Marc Singer | Osage University Partners (OUP)
In this episode of Lab to Market Leadership, Marc Singer, Managing Partner at Osage University Partners, joins host Chris Reichhelm to discuss the transformative role of university spinouts in Deep Tech. With decades of venture capital experience, Marc offers valuable insights into what makes a successful Deep Tech entrepreneur and shares lessons learned from OUP’s portfolio of 150+ companies. P
Engineering Deep Tech: Scaling Plastic Recycling Technology | James Finlayson | Impact Recycling
In this episode of the Lab to Market Leadership podcast, host Chris Reichhelm speaks with James Finlayson, CTO and Co-Founder of Impact Recycling, to explore the journey of scaling their recycling technology from lab prototype to market-ready solution. Over the past decade, James has led the development of BOSS, an innovative technology that uses fluid dynamics to separate ‘hard-to-recycle’ plasti
The Most Undervalued Skill in Deep Tech - Management | Chris Perkins PhD
In The Deep Tech Leaders Podcast, serial entrepreneur Chris Perkins discusses the most undervalued skill in Deep Tech – management. Listen as he reveals lessons from his journey through two successful exits, sharing insights on market alignment, team culture, and effective leadership. Perfect for Deep Tech founders looking to scale their innovations and maximise success.Chapter Notes:00:00 The Imp
Lab to £30m+ in revenue and a $310m exit | Eric Mayes | CEO of Endomag
In this episode of Lab to Market Leadership, Chris Reichhelm sits down with Eric Mayes, CEO of Endomag, to explore the rare journey of building a medtech startup from the ground up. Eric discusses the strategies that propelled Endomag to the forefront of cancer detection technology and culminated in a $310 million acquisition by Hologic. Perfect for medtech entrepreneurs and all Deep Tech innovato
Scaling Battery Technology | Rob Davies | 6K Energy
In this episode of Lab to Market Leadership, Chris Reichhelm interviews Rob Davies, Chief Operating Officer, at 6K Energy, discusses what it takes to scale novel battery technology. Rob, who has background in both corporate and startup environments, offers valuable insights on the hurdles and strategies involved in progressing advanced materials from research to market. Tune in to learn how 6K En
Deep Tech Start-Ups & Industrial Giants | Paul Mascarenas OBE, Ex-CTO of Ford Motor Company
In this episode, Lab to Market Leadership host Chris Reichhelm interviews the former CTO of the Ford Motor Company, Paul Mascarenas OBE. Paul discusses his experiences driving innovation at one of the world’s largest automakers and shares his insights into the complex relationship between startups and large industrial players. Join us to learn about the innovation process within major companies li
Funding the Semiconductor Future | Kevin Chen
On this episode of ‘Lab to Market Leadership’, Chris Reichhelm talks with Kevin Chen, Managing Director of Lam Capital, about securing funding and scaling in the semiconductor space. Kevin, with his extensive experience that spans MIT, founding startups, and leading teams at Applied Materials, is now responsible for strategic investments at Lam Capital, the venture arm of Lam Research, a $100 bill
Lab to Market Leadership Reflections: Does the Starting Point of a Deep Tech Company Matter?
On this week’s bite-sized Reflections episode of the Lab to Market Leadership podcast, Deep Tech Leaders CEO Chris Reichhelm explores a vital question: ‘Does the starting point of a deep tech company matter?’Through lessons learned from previous podcast guests like Peter Collins (Permasense) and Henrik Hagemann (Puraffinity), Chris reflects on the importance of a company’s starting point—whether i
Commercialising Novel Chemistry | Tim Cesarek
Join us on this episode of Lab to Market Leadership as Chris Reichhelm interviews Tim Cesarek, CEO of Synata Bio. Tim draws from his vast experience to discuss how to successfully bring novel chemistry innovations from the lab to the market. Learn about the common obstacles that trip up leadership teams, the importance of commercial discovery, and how to build a high-performing team. Whether you&a
Doing Business with the Automotive Industry | Dr Andy Palmer, CMG
In this episode of Lab to Market Leadership, Chris Reichhelm interviews Dr Andy Palmer, CMG, the ‘godfather’ of electric vehicles. Andy's extensive experience as COO of Nissan and CEO of Aston Martin provides a unique perspective on how advanced tech companies can navigate the automotive industry. Discover the secrets to engaging with OEMs, aligning with product cycles, and the importance of
Academia versus Startup | Dr Priya Perumal
In this episode of ‘Lab to Market Leadership,’ Dr. Priya Perumal, a leading expert in construction materials and Chief Scientific Officer at C2CA, discusses the contrasts between university labs and startup environments. Learn about the unique challenges and opportunities that come with moving from academia to the commercial sector. Dr. Perumal provides practical advice and shares her personal jou
Zero to £22m in Licensing Revenue: Tony Cochrane's Ceres Power Journey
Generating revenue from the licensing of IP sounds great in principle but is notoriously difficult to pull off – especially for start-ups. On this week’s episode, Chris interviews Tony Cochrane, Chief Commercial Officer of Ceres Power, the UK-based fuel cell company. Tony talks about how he and his team were able to grow from £0 - £22m in licensing and services revenue, building relationships wit
A New Type of Semiconductor Company | Scott White
In this week’s podcast, Chris Reichhelm speaks with Scott White, the co-founder and former CEO of Pragmatic Semiconductor, one of the UK’s most exciting advanced materials companies. Scott talks us through the 14-year journey, diving into everything from the dynamics of the founding team, technology and scale-up approach, engagement with potential partners & customers, raising over $400m and
Why Start-ups Fail to Engage Corporates | Steve Cook
In this episode of Lab to Market Leadership, Chris sits down with Steve Cook, a 22-year BP veteran who helped launch Launchpad, BP’s growth-stage accelerator. Steve talks with Chris about where most advanced science and engineering start-ups go wrong when they’re approaching corporates, and what entrepreneurs and executives can do to improve their odds. Don't miss this deep dive into how ad
The Role of CFO in a Deep Tech Company | Michael Black
In this episode of Lab to Market Leadership, we delve into the crucial role of a deep tech Chief Financial Officer with our expert guest, Michael Black, CFO of ieso Digital Health. With extensive experience across various deep tech sectors, Michael provides a comprehensive look at the CFO's responsibilities, the necessity of understanding advanced technology, and the pivotal role of financial
Graphene Commercialisation: Scaling Advanced Materials | Tony Pearce
Dive into this insightful episode where Chris Reichhelm interviews Tony Pearce, COO of Paragraf, to discuss the journey of bringing groundbreaking innovations in the advanced materials sector from the lab to the market. Tony explores the critical aspects of scaling up graphene technology, focusing on the importance of early-stage market credibility, manufacturing repeatability, and the alignment o
Selecting the Right Deep Tech Startup: A Job Seeker’s Guide | Chris Reichhelm
Job Seekers! Are you looking to get into the Deep Tech industry? Deep tech recruitment expert Chris Reichhelm talks about what you can do to give yourself the best chance of finding the right role. He delves into the critical steps for aligning your career ambitions with the appropriate phase of startup growth. In this episode, you'll learn:Sector Specifics: Understand the unique market chall
Defining the Right Problem | Henrik Hagemann from Puraffinity
Welcome to the Lab to Market Leadership podcast, where we explore the journey of turning advanced science and engineering into market-ready innovations. Join Chris Reichhelm, founder and CEO of Deep Tech Leaders, as he speaks with Henrik Hagemann, CEO of Puraffinity and a Forbes 30 under 30 honoree in 2019.In this episode, Henrik shares insights on the importance of identifying the right problem t
Lab to Market – Bootstrapped | Peter Collins
In this episode of the Lab to Market Leadership podcast, host Chris Reichhelm talks to Peter Collins, the former CEO of Permasense, an Imperial College spin-out focused on industrial IoT solutions for the oil and gas industry. Peter shares his unique journey of bootstrapping Permasense from its early days in the lab to a successful $50 million exit to Emerson, all without external equity funding.C
Lab-to-Market Journey: A Blueprint for Success | Chris Reichhelm
In this episode of Lab to Market Leadership, host Chris Reichhelm shares Deep Tech Leaders’ blueprint for the Lab-to-Market journey. Chris outlines the three critical phases of the lab to market journey: Solution Definition, Scaling, and Commercialisation. He explains the five key stages—Research, Prototype, Pilot, First of a Kind, and Market Deployment—along with essential milestones and consider
Spotlight on Spinouts 2024 Insights | Chris Reichhelm
Join us for the debut episode of ‘Lab to Market Leadership with Chris Reichhelm, CEO of Deep Tech Leaders, as we dissect the data from the Royal Academy of Engineering’s 'Spotlight on Spinouts 2024' report. Discover our unique analysis shedding light on why UK startups encounter commercialisation challenges despite their innovative ideas. In this episode, we provide a fresh perspective o
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