DeepTech Unleashed

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.

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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.

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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  

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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

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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

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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

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In this episode of DeepTech Unleashed, host Christian Noske speaks with Jan Goetz, CEO and co-founder of IQM, a Finnish company at the cutting edge of the global quantum revolution about the uncertainty principles of deep tech entrepreneurship, building trust with different audiences, and the current state of the quantum industry. 

Topics covered include: 

Adopting a founders’ mentality to living with uncertainty

The current state of possibility in the quantum industry in Europe compared to the US and China

The certainty of how high-potential new tech will always develop in unexpected directions 

Why ‘sexy ideas’ aren’t enough 

Why superconducting will be the ‘winning tech’ in quantum

‘Creating facts’ through repeating patterns of delivery 

How changing your language, not your story builds trust across different audiences

How IQM’s Nordic culture affects how they do business 

Why Jan rejects the ‘we’ll let you know when it’s ready’ approach to delivery

Jan’s prediction for the most exciting technology of the next 10 years 

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Uncertainty in Deep Tech Entrepreneurship

09:59 The Current State of the Quantum Industry 

19:52 Team Building, Communication & Company Culture

29:53 The Future of Quantum and Other Technologies

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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

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In this episode of DeepTech Unleashed (recorded in late 2024), host Christian Noske speaks with Marta Sjögren, co-CEO and co-founder of Paebbl, a deep tech startup focused on turning CO2 into solid, sustainable building materials, about building a world-class team and growth hacking for deep tech startups. 

Topics covered include:

Marta's filters for evaluating climate tech opportunities

The ‘humbling experience’ of transitioning from investor to operator

Aligning expectations between operators and VCs

Creating honest board dynamics 

How Marta’s hub building model allows for talent optimization

Hiring for a growth mindset 

Testing for culture fit to reduce mismatches in hiring

Deep tech growth hacking strategies 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Deep Tech Unleashed

01:13 Building a World-Class Team

02:12 Marta's Journey to Founding Paebbl

05:54 Filters for Climate Tech Investment

10:11 Transitioning from Investor to Operator

13:59 Expectations Between Operators and VCs

18:09 Hub Building in Europe

21:56 Hiring for Hub Culture

26:12 Cultural Cohesion in Diverse Teams

32:23 Building Team Culture and Communication

44:06 Growth Hacking in Deep Tech

50:44 Personal Recharge and Family Support

53:34 Moments of Magic in Leadership

01:00:07 Future Technologies and Climate Solutions

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In this episode of DeepTech Unleashed, host Christian Noske speaks with Cyrille Kabbara, CEO and founder of Shark Robotics, about building successful partnerships between Deep Tech startups and governments/public bodies.

Topics covered include:

Cyrille’s unique journey from military intelligence to founding a robotics company focused on saving lives

The ‘Chess game’ of selling to governments

Transitioning from being project-based to product-driven

The importance of thinking in terms of Op Ex v Cap Ex

Overcoming the cultural differences between startups and governments

Magic moments from Cyrille’s Deep Tech journey

The potential of AI to revolutionise robotics

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Deep Tech and Shark Robotics

02:12 Cyril's Unique Background and Journey

05:22 The Evolution of Shark Robotics

11:44 The Role of Robotics in Firefighting

13:38 Selling to Governments: Challenges and Strategies

20:14 Navigating the Public Sector Sales Process

23:30 Future Innovations in Robotics

29:21 Personal Insights and Moments of Magic

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