New episode from Beyondthebit.co!

In this episode, we are joined by Orlagh Neary — former Vice President of Quantum, AI, and Space Go-To-Market at Microsoft — who spent more than two decades leading commercialization strategy across some of the world’s most advanced emerging technologies.

Since stepping away from Microsoft, Orlagh has launched Quantum Links, advising deep-tech founders on positioning and go-to-market execution, and founded the ORB Network — a fast-growing leadership and community platform supporting women navigating careers in technology, transition, and entrepreneurship.

In this episode we explore what happens when frontier technology meets personal reinvention — from leading quantum inside Big Tech to building new ecosystems outside it.

We discuss:

🧠 Orlagh’s 22-yearjourney inside Microsoft and leading quantum commercialization
🚀 Her transition from Big Tech into advisory, venture building, and communitycreation
📈 The most common go-to-market mistakes quantum and deep-tech startups make
🤝 Why trust and positioning matter as much as technical capability
🌍 The current state of quantum talent — and why the ecosystem isn’t ready yet
🎓 How non-physicists can realistically break into the quantum industry
👩‍💼 The vision behind the ORB Network and building opportunity, resilience, andbelonging

Guest:Orlagh Neary
Founder, Quantum Links | Creator, ORB Network

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orlaghneary/
ORB Network: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-orb-network/