The Quantum Spin

Colorado has a full-stack quantum hardware ecosystem: home to companies making all the components that go into a quantum computer as well as companies making the computers. Vescent CEO Scott Davis and his team are right in the middle of this vibrant ecosystem. In the latest episode of The Quantum Spin by HKA, host Veronica Combs talks with Scott about how his company helps scientists and engineers control qubits to build better atomic clocks and other precision equipment. They also discuss the contributions NIST and other government research institutions “turn on money” for the US economy.

00:00 Introduction to Quantum Spin Season Four

00:29 Interview with Scott Davis: Vescent's Journey

01:11 Challenges and Successes in Photonic Integration

03:20 Quantum Technology and Business Insights

07:03 The Importance of Precise Clocks in Quantum Systems

09:40 Quantum Systems and Real-World Applications

11:24 The Vulnerability and Future of GPS

14:32 The Quantum Ecosystem in Colorado

16:46 Colorado's Quantum Ecosystem

17:26 Aerospace and Manufacturing in Colorado

18:23 Elevate Quantum: Building a Quantum Consortium

20:47 The Three-Legged Stool of Company Success

25:16 Trends in Quantum Technology

30:40 Conclusion and Future Outlook

Scott R. Davis, Ph. D., CEO and co-founder Vescent

Dr. Davis is a physicist entrepreneur with an emphasis on new technology transition from the laboratory to manufacturing.  He has spent his career inventing, developing, and commercializing a wide variety of technologies.  As a co-founder and VP of technology at Vescent he led the development of non-mechanical beam steerers and oversaw the asset sale of that technology to Analog Devices for the autonomous vehicles market. He spent three years working at Analog Devices before returning to Vescent as CEO in 2020. Since then, he has been leading the development of technologies and products, such as compact laser systems for trapping and cooling atoms, compact and deployable frequency combs, miniature spectroscopic standards, and other tools aimed at furthering the development and deployment of quantum systems.  He has over 30 papers published, has co-authored two book chapters, and has twenty-seven patents pending and/or issued.

Host Veronica Combs is a quantum tech editor, writer and PR professional. She manages public relations for quantum computing clients as an account manager with HKA Marketing Communications, the #1 agency in quantum tech PR. Veronica joined HKA from TechRepublic and has covered technology, healthcare and business strategy for more than 10 years.

Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicacombs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode, host Veronica Combs talks with Michaela Eichinger, PhD, a Product Solutions Physicist at Quantum Machines. The company builds advanced quantum control technologies to ensure classical and quantum components work together seamlessly. Michaela also is a skilled scientific communicator, posting detailed and easy-to-understand explanations of quantum tech on LinkedIn. The conversation ranges from the excitement of working in a dynamic industry and the career opportunities for quantum-curious people at every skill level to the challenges of fabricating quantum chips and the importance of collaboration.

00:00 Introduction to Quantum Spin Season Four

00:29 Interview with Michaela Eichinger from Quantum Machines

00:52 Quantum Machines' Hybrid Control Solutions

01:49 Real-Time Operations and Qubit Modalities

04:24 Out-of-the-Box Workflows and Customer Support

07:03 Global Quantum Ecosystem and Industry Trends

11:05 Advice for Aspiring Quantum Industry Professionals

16:42 Future of Quantum Computing and Science Fiction

18:41 Conclusion and Podcast Information

Michaela Eichinger is a Product Solutions Physicist at Quantum Machines, where she drives the adoption of advanced quantum control technologies across research and industry. She holds a Ph.D. in Experimental Quantum Physics from the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark, with a background in superconducting qubits and circuits developed in the labs of Charlie Marcus and Morten Kjaergaard. At Quantum Machines, she shapes product development and technological strategy, manages key client relationships, and creates high-impact technical content that makes complex innovations in quantum control accessible and actionable.

Host Veronica Combs is a quantum tech editor, writer and PR professional. She manages public relations for quantum computing clients as an account manager with HKA Marketing Communications, the #1 agency in quantum tech PR. Veronica joined HKA from TechRepublic and has covered technology, healthcare and business strategy for more than 10 years.

Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicacombs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with HKA Marketing Communications on LinkedIn at

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hka-inc--public-relations/ or on our website at ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://hkamarcom.

During its annual March meeting, APS celebrated the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology with a week-long Quantum Fest. The two directors of the event combined their scientific expertise with their love for art to tell stories of quantum physics. Smitha Vishveshwara, PhD and Marilena Longobardi, PhD, brought acrobats, musicians and scientists together on stage to display the wonder and power of nature from a subatomic to a cosmic scale. In this episode, host Veronica Combs and the two physicists discuss how the event came together and how hands-on experiences reveal the awe of scientific discovery. 

00:00 Opening Ceremony and Global Cooperation

18:35 Challenges and Community in Science

18:47 Maintaining Faith and Perseverance

18:50 The Importance of Community

Professor Smitha Vishveshwara is a faculty member of the Department of Physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and also affiliated with the university’s Materials Research Laboratory and Beckman Institute. She is a member of the International Year of Quantum steering committee and organized the Quantum Fest celebration at the APS March Meeting. She is also the co-author with her father of the book, “Two Revolutions: Einstein’s Relativity and Quantum Physics.”  

In 2021, Marilena Longobardi joined the University of Basel, where she currently serves as Managing Director of the NCCR SPIN. She is recognized as an expert in innovation and international scientific relations and holds multiple leadership roles on various boards. She was named one of the Inspiring Fifty Women in Tech in 2021 and 2023, and was elected an American Physics Society Fellow in 2022. She designed and co-directed with Smitha Vishveshwara, the Quantum Fest for the APS Global Physics Summit in 2025. Marilena holds a Ph.D. in Quantum Physics from the University of Salerno, Italy.  

Host Veronica Combs is a quantum tech editor, writer and PR professional. She manages public relations for quantum computing clients as an account manager with HKA Marketing Communications, the #1 agency in quantum tech PR. Veronica joined HKA from TechRepublic and has covered technology, healthcare and business strategy for more than 10 years.

Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicacombs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HKA Marketing Communications⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://hkamarcom.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Human biology is complex and doctors can always use a new tool to understand everyday illnesses, diagnose rare diseases and personalize treatment. Dr. Frederik F. Flöther, Chief Quantum Officer, QuantumBasel, is working with pharma companies and quantum startups to build new data tools for physicians and researchers that use the power of quantum technology. In this episode of The Quantum Spin by HKA, Frederik and Veronica Combs discuss the collaborations that are developing these new tools as well as the ethics that should guide this work.

00:00 Introduction to Quantum Spin Podcast

00:34 Special Coverage: APS Global Physics Summit

00:58 Interview with Dr. Friedrich Flother

01:09 Roles and Responsibilities at Quantum-Basel

02:54 Quantum Computing in Healthcare

04:10 AI Ethics and Quantum Technology

06:03 Challenges and Opportunities in Quantum Computing

08:10 The Future of Quantum Technology

11:54 Ethics and Regulation in AI and Quantum

19:11 Science Fiction Inspirations

20:31 Upcoming Initiatives at Quantum-Basel

25:40 Conclusion and Farewell

Dr. Frederik F. Flöther is Chief Quantum Officer at QuantumBasel, the first commercial quantum hub of Switzerland, and a member of the University of Basel Center for Quantum Computing and Quantum Coherence (QC2). Prior to that, Frederik has over 7 years with IBM, most recently responsible for healthcare and life sciences at IBM Quantum. He was elected to the IBM Academy of Technology and appointed Master Inventor and Qiskit Advocate.

Frederik’s research interests include technological applications as well as philosophical/societal implications of quantum computing and AI. He holds a PhD in physics, with a focus on photonic quantum computing, and a MA, MSci, and BA from the University of Cambridge as well as a professional certificate in quantum computing applications from MIT. In total, Frederik has authored over 40 filed patents, peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and white papers. He has lived/worked in Switzerland, USA, United Kingdom, Belgium, and Germany.

Host Veronica Combs is a quantum tech editor, writer and PR professional. She manages public relations for quantum computing clients as an account manager with HKA Marketing Communications, the #1 agency in quantum tech PR. Veronica joined HKA from TechRepublic and has covered technology, healthcare and business strategy for more than 10 years.

Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicacombs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HKA Marketing Communications⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://hkamarcom.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Recorded live at the APS Global Quantum Summit in Anaheim, California in March 2025

Quantum hardware isn’t quite ready for server racks in data centers, but that is the vision driving engineers at Qblox. This Dutch company builds control electronics for all qubit modalities. In this episode of The Quantum Spin by HKA, Niels Bultink, co-founder and CEO of Qblox, explains how he built a team that helps researchers and entrepreneurs get the highest performance out of quantum hardware. He also describes how the quantum ecosystem in the Netherlands grew out of strong academic institutions and why collaboration is a key value for the sector.

00:00 Introduction to Quantum Spin Podcast

00:36 Interview with Niels Bultink, CEO of Qblox

00:42 Understanding Qubit Control Electronics

02:11 Challenges and Opportunities in Quantum Technology

03:55 Qblox's Role in the Quantum Ecosystem

07:59 Future of Quantum Computing and Industry Trends

13:46 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Niels Bultink is the CEO and co-founder of Qblox, a leading provider of scalable quantum control stacks. Niels has a PhD from TU Delft in quantum information processing. He specializes in controlling quantum computers, performing the first feedback on solid-state qubits in 2012. His PhD research with Leonardo DiCarlo at TU Delft has led to more than ten scientific publications centred around fault-tolerant quantum computing with superconducting circuits. With Qblox's industrialized generation of control stacks, and building and scaling Qblox, Niels is paving the way for quantum computer integrators worldwide to reach practical applications in quantum computing. 

Host Veronica Combs is a quantum tech editor, writer and PR professional. She manages public relations for quantum computing clients as an account manager with HKA Marketing Communications, the #1 agency in quantum tech PR. Veronica joined HKA from TechRepublic and has covered technology, healthcare and business strategy for more than 10 years.

Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicacombs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HKA Marketing Communications⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://hkamarcom.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The Quantum Spin by HKA, host Veronica Combs talks with Elena Yndurain, a professor, business leader and author. She teaches at IE Business School and specializes in the practical application of theory in Quantum, Artificial Intelligence, SaaS, and more. She created the first Quantum Computing curriculum for executives. In her new book, she analyzed four use cases in 11 industries. She and Veronica discuss working for startups, moving beyond early adopters, and making relevant use cases for quantum technology.

Here is the link to her new book:

Quantum Computing Strategy | Foundations and Applicability | Elena Ynd

00:00 Introduction to Quantum Spin Podcast

00:35 Guest Introduction: Elena Yndurain

01:01 Early Encounters with Quantum Computing

02:39 Quantum Technology Readiness

03:35 Challenges in Quantum Computing

04:53 Quantum Computing Metrics and Benchmarks

08:26 Big Tech vs. Startups in Quantum

12:12 Challenges for Quantum Startups

15:47 Writing a Quantum Computing Book

20:07 Use Cases and Applications of Quantum Computing

24:30 Characteristics for Adopting New Technologies

28:02 Conclusion and Farewell

Elena Yndurain is a professor at IE University & Business School and is a high-tech executive with deep expertise in operationalizing innovation. She holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Telematics Engineering with a focus on Artificial Intelligence, along with an Executive MBA and a B.Sc. in Computer Science and Mathematics. Elena has extensive international experience spanning consulting, technology corporations, startups, and banking. She has successfully launched emerging technology products at companies such as Nokia, IBM, and Microsoft. Elena is a pioneer in teaching quantum computing to business executives and engineers both in academia and industry corporations worldwide. 

Host Veronica Combs is a quantum tech editor, writer and PR professional. She manages public relations for quantum computing clients as an account manager with HKA Marketing Communications, the #1 agency in quantum tech PR. Veronica joined HKA from TechRepublic and has covered technology, healthcare and business strategy for more than 10 years.

Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicacombs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HKA Marketing Communications⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://hkamarcom.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The Quantum Spin by HKA, host Veronica Combs interviews Nancy Kawalek, a Professor and Distinguished Fellow in the Arts, Science, and Technology at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. Nancy shares her journey from a theater performer in New York to a professor integrating arts and science at UC Santa Barbara and the University of Chicago. They discuss the inception and evolution of STAGE, an initiative that combines arts and science to produce theater, films, and games. Highlighting projects such as “Curiosity” and the Quantum Casino, Nancy explains how STAGE uses improvisation and experimentation to tell stories about quantum entanglement and superposition. 

00:00 Welcome to The Quantum Spin

00:43 Introducing Nancy Kawalek

01:10 Nancy's Journey to the Pritzker School

04:31 The Birth of STAGE

06:21 STAGE's Evolution and Projects

09:26 The Quantum Theater Project

17:54 Improvisation and Science

25:29 Quantum Games and Public Engagement

27:34 Curiosity Series and Future Projects

28:40 Conclusion and Farewell

Nancy Kawalek is Professor and Distinguished Fellow in the Arts, Sciences and Technology at the University of Chicago. As Director of the STAGE Lab at the Pritzker School for Molecular Engineering, her research focuses on the creation and development of artistic endeavors inspired by science and technology, using a collaborative process modeled after the exploratory investigations of experimental science. Some of her recent projects include the Quantum Casino, a suite of card and digital games based on core principles of quantum mechanics; Curiosity: The Making of a Scientist, a documentary series that investigates the human side of science; and Entanglement, a multimedia theatre piece that harnesses the power of storytelling to bring an understanding of quantum physics to the public. Additionally, Kawalek has over twenty-five years of experience in the professional theatre world as an actor, director, and writer, working on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and in regional theatres across the United States, as well as in film and television.

Host Veronica Combs is a quantum tech editor, writer and PR professional. She manages public relations for quantum computing clients as an account manager with HKA Marketing Communications, the #1 agency in quantum tech PR. Veronica joined HKA from TechRepublic and has covered technology, healthcare and business strategy for more than 10 years.

Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicacombs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HKA Marketing Communications⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://hkamarcom.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The Quantum Spin by HKA, host Veronica Combs speaks with Cierra Choucair, a quantum journalist and analyst at The Quantum Insider. Cierra shares her unique journey from working in data science to becoming a self-taught expert in quantum computing. She discusses the motivations behind her switch to quantum journalism and the challenges of presenting complex scientific concepts to a broader audience. The episode also delves into her founding of The Daily Qubit newsletter and her insights from the Expanse event in Abu Dhabi. Listeners will gain valuable advice on breaking into the quantum field, the importance of interdisciplinary skills, and fostering a community within the quantum industry.

00:00 Welcome to The Quantum Spin

00:36 Meet Cierra Choucair: A Quantum Journalist

00:52 The Journey to The Quantum Insider

02:51 Highlighting Research in The Daily Qubit

05:27 Educational Background and Career Path

09:01 Expanse Conference Experience

14:00 Building Community in Quantum Industry

18:09 Future Trends in Quantum Computing

21:00 Advice for Aspiring Quantum Enthusiasts

22:15 Working with the Large Hadron Collider

25:41 Conclusion and Farewell

Cierra Choucair is a deep tech journalist and data analyst for The Quantum Insider and a passionate advocate for deep tech. She has carved her own path in science and technology and believes that access to science and discovery is a fundamental right. 

She created The Daily Qubit newsletter to highlight important research in quantum computing and to make this complex field more accessible to a wider audience. As the founder of Universum Labs, she is building a platform that uses emerging technologies to drive scientific discovery and innovation with open-access tools. 

She was a finalist for the 2025 Quantum Innovation Summit’s Femtum Leap Quantum Rising Star award.She is an active member of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C) and recently joined the advisory council for Girls in Quantum. 

Host Veronica Combs is a quantum tech editor, writer and PR professional. She manages public relations for quantum computing clients as an account manager with HKA Marketing Communications, the #1 agency in quantum tech PR. Veronica joined HKA from TechRepublic and has covered technology, healthcare and business strategy for more than 10 years.

Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicacombs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HKA Marketing Communications⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://hkamarcom.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The Quantum Spin by HKA, host Veronica Combs talks with Matt Johnson, CEO and co-founder of QC Ware, a software company that builds tools for drug discovery and materials design. Matt also convenes the quantum community three times a year at Q2B conferences in Silicon Valley, Paris and Toyko.

They discuss the groundbreaking developments announced at the December 2024 Q2B Silicon Valley conference, including Google's new high-reliability qubit technology. The conversation also covers QC Ware's molecular design software, Promethium, designed to expedite drug discovery through high-performance simulations. They also discuss early quantum use cases, chemistry research and the value of building a strong industry ecosystem.

00:00 Welcome to The Quantum Spin

00:36 Introducing Matt Johnson and QC Ware

01:19 Google's Quantum Breakthrough

01:52 Understanding Qubits and Modalities

06:01 Global Quantum Conferences and Keynotes

08:12 The Global Quantum Landscape

12:45 QC Ware's Molecular Design Software

18:48 Looking Ahead: The Future of Quantum Computing

22:37 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Matt Johnson is the CEO and co-founder of QC Ware, a leading quantum computing software and services company. In addition to his role at QC Ware, Matt previously served on the governing board of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C). 

He earned his BS from the U.S. Air Force Academy, followed by five years of active-duty service. Afterward, he completed his MBA at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Matt transitioned into finance, where he became a managing director in private equity at Apollo Management. 

Since co-founding QC Ware in 2014, Matt has been driving the company's mission to become the world’s premier quantum software provider.

Host Veronica Combs is a quantum tech editor, writer and PR professional. She manages public relations for quantum computing clients as an account manager with HKA Marketing Communications, the #1 agency in quantum tech PR. Veronica joined HKA from TechRepublic and has covered technology, healthcare and business strategy for more than 10 years.

Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicacombs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HKA Marketing Communications⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://hkamarcom.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What does it take to persuade the biggest companies in the world to start exploring quantum technology? Twenty years in deep tech consulting is a great place to start. Jean-Francois Bobier is a partner and director at the Boston Consulting Group in Paris. He uses his expertise in identifying use cases, endless curiosity and computer science background to help Fortune 500 executives understand the quantum world. In this episode of “The Quantum Spin by HKA,” host Veronica Combs discusses story telling and technology with Jean-Francois.

00:00 Introduction to Quantum Spin Podcast

00:36 Interview with Jean-Francois Bobier

01:06 Challenges in Convincing Clients

02:07 Deep Tech and Quantum Innovations

03:21 Quantum Use Cases and Client Engagement

05:30 IBM's Success in Quantum Computing

07:25 Factors for Success in Quantum Adoption

14:55 Global Quantum Computing Landscape

18:52 Future of Quantum Computing

20:14 Conclusion and Farewell

Jean-François Bobier is a Partner and Vice President at the Boston Consulting Group expertise center on deep tech, where he leads research and has authored key publications. He advises Fortune 500 companies on adopting deep technologies, notably quantum computing, synthetic biology, at scale for both competitive advantage and climate & sustainability.

Host Veronica Combs is a quantum tech editor, writer and PR professional. She manages public relations for quantum computing clients as an account manager with HKA Marketing Communications, the #1 agency in quantum tech PR. Veronica joined HKA from TechRepublic and has covered technology, healthcare and business strategy for more than 10 years.

Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicacombs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HKA Marketing Communications⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://hkamarcom.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠