The Techne Connect

In this episode we speak with MartinTurco, AI Engineer at Affineon Health, about using AI to automate clinical inbox workflows and reduce administrative pressure on healthcare providers.

Martin shares his journey from electronics engineering into startups and health tech, and explains how Affineon helps practitioners manage lab results, patient messages, and clinical documentation more efficiently.

The conversation explores AI in healthcare, regulation, clinical trust, and how automation can return time to practitioners so they can focus on patient care.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we speak with John Malsbury, Co-Founder and CEO of AnySignal.

John shares his journey from early work in software defined radio and communications engineering, through to SpaceX, where he helped build mission-critical RF and ground segment systems, before taking the leap into entrepreneurship. They discuss what it takes to go from concept to action, why customer feedback matters more than theory, and how AnySignal is building RF platforms that support spacecraft communications, tactical connectivity and future defence applications. The conversation also explores leadership, startup resilience, scaling technical teams, and why RF and DSP talent will play such an important role in the future of space and defence.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we speak with Gabe Andrews, Vice President of Operations at Nautilus Data Technologies, about the evolution of the data centre industry and the shift toward high density liquid cooled infrastructure.

Gabe shares how he entered the industry after leaving the military, and how a career that began by chance turned into a global journey across design, construction, commissioning, operations and innovation in mission critical facilities.

The conversation explores leadership, mentorship and talent development in data centres, along with the importance of networking, adaptability and learning across different parts of the infrastructure lifecycle. Gabe also discusses the future of the sector, including the rapid growth driven by AI workloads, the rise of prefabricated modular infrastructure, and why liquid cooling will become a standard feature of modern facilities.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Behind the Mission, we speak with Tom Beyerl, Director of Product at Chariot Defense, about his transition from a 20 year Army career into defence technology.

Tom reflects on leadership in the military, lessons from combat operations, and how emerging technologies such as drones, autonomy, and AI are reshaping modern warfare.

The conversation explores why power and energy are becoming critical infrastructure for the modern battlefield, and how defence startups are accelerating innovation across the sector.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded onsite at Space Forge in Cardiff, this episode takes you inside a fast-growing space startup focused on manufacturing in orbit.

You hear from Andrew Bacon, Co-Founder and CTO, as he shares his journey into the space industry and the thinking behind Space Forge. He explains the focus on space-to-Earth manufacturing, semiconductor materials, and how microgravity enables new technologies that are not possible on Earth. He also shares lessons from building a deep tech company, from securing funding to shaping a long-term vision, and why real-world experience, testing, and learning from failure matter.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Behind the Flight we speak with Marc Ausman, VP Sales and Support at Electra, about hybrid electric aviation and the future of regional air mobility.

Marc shares his journey through aerospace, drones, eVTOL, and electric flight, and explains why Electra has taken a pragmatic route to market with a fixed wing hybrid electric aircraft.

The conversation explores commercial viability, regulatory progress, customer demand, and the operational value of quiet, short take-off aircraft. Marc also discusses why this is such an exciting time to build in aerospace, and what it takes to turn new aviation technology into a real product customers will adopt.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we speak with Kevin Noertker, co-founder and CEO at Ampaire, about building hybrid electric aircraft and what it takes to turn a bold aviation vision into a product you can certify, deploy, and scale.

Kevin explains how Ampaire began with an ambitious long-term view of fully electric flight, then narrowed to propulsion and onboard power as the practical path to market. He breaks down how founders de-risk big ideas, learn fast, and adapt when infrastructure, regulation, and real-world operations force hard trade-offs.

The conversation also covers early personal sacrifices, how to manage downside risk, why PhD spinouts need customer pull, and how Ampaire defines culture through trusted, practical, compelling values. Kevin closes with a reflection on curiosity, motivation, and why he would choose dinner with Isaac Newton.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we speak with Cindy Comer, VP of SMS Certification and Quality at Wisk, about building the safety foundation for autonomous air taxis. Cindy shares her path from electrical engineering and systems integration into certification, and explains why she values requirements flow down, test planning, and working directly with regulators.

She reflects on joining Merlin Labs as an early employee, building certification and quality functions from scratch, and how startup environments force you to learn fast, own outcomes, and create lean processes.

The conversation then shifts to Wisk’s mission of safe everyday flight for everyone, and what it takes to certify an autonomous aircraft as an OEM. Cindy breaks down the industry challenges around autonomy, public trust, and regulation, and explains how safety management systems and quality help scale advanced air mobility responsibly.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we speak with Thomas Forner, Co-Founder and CEO of Focused Energy, about building a fusion company designed to bring clean, safe and abundant baseload power to the grid.

Thomas shares his path from corporate startups and software ventures into deep tech, and explains why fusion became the mission worth dedicating a decade of his life to. He reflects on the importance of timing, scientific proof, strong co-founders, and building the right ecosystem around a company from day one.

The conversation explores what it takes to translate complex science into engineering, why partnerships across industry and government matter, and how Focused Energy is scaling from labs in Darmstadt and Austin to its future fusion campus in Biblis. Thomas also shares lessons on hiring, leadership, communication, systems thinking, and why persistence matters more than most people expect when building something truly ambitious.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we speak with Aleksey Matyushev, CEO and Co-Founder of Natilus, about his journey from aerospace engineering to building a new aircraft manufacturer.

Aleksey shares how his family’s early hustle in Ukraine shaped his mindset, then covers lessons from earlier startups, including speed to market, supplier leverage, and pushing products out before perfection.

The conversation moves into Nautilus, why blended wing body aircraft suit air freight, how e-commerce demand drives volume constraints in traditional designs, and why aviation needs new manufacturing capacity. Aleksey explains the personal sacrifices of founding, why the industry’s “aircraft take forever” belief is overstated, and what it takes to certify new platforms without stalling innovation. He closes with practical advice for founders, build with a balanced team, learn fast, and commit fully to the mission.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.