The Techne Connect

This week, we’re diving into the cutting-edge world of autonomous driving and advanced automotive technology.

Our guest is Karim Mansour, an Autonomous Driving Expert and Technical Director at NXP Semiconductors. With a career spanning continents, Karim has been at the forefront of some of the most groundbreaking advancements in the automotive and electric vehicle industries. 

Guided by his inspiring life philosophy that 'anything is possible,' he has carved a path as a relentless innovator and problem-solver.

What truly sets Karim apart is his passion for this space—an energy that keeps him not only current but ahead of the curve in one of the fastest-moving industries on the planet. 

In this episode, we’ll explore how his love for technology has driven his success, why this is such an exciting time to work in autonomous driving, and what the future holds for this ever-evolving field.

This week we’re thrilled to be joined by Luca Stronati, an engineering powerhouse behind some of the most iconic names in automotive.

Currently leading Software Release, Integration, and Safety at Lamborghini, Luca’s career spans Ferrari, McLaren, and Marelli.

With deep expertise in software, electric powertrains, and mechanical engineering, Luca’s journey is a masterclass in automotive innovation.

In this episode, we dive into his pivotal role in developing cutting-edge vehicle systems, the importance of peer-to-peer connections, and the ongoing digital transformation of the automotive industry.

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 today’s episode, we’re joined by Maithri Venkat, an expert with 9 years of experience in the electric vehicle industry. Maithri currently works as a Manager for Battery Cell Engineering at Lucid Motors. 

Maithri has taken on significant roles that support advancing the development of cutting-edge battery cells, guiding the process from conceptual design and material selection to manufacturing and quality assurance.

Her work ensures that EV batteries meet the highest standards for performance, longevity, and safety, paving the way for the future of electric mobility.

We also discuss the power of collaboration in creating meaningful, impactful solutions, highlighting how diverse perspectives lead to more creative and effective innovations.

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.

This week we’re talking mobility, innovation and leadership with Christine Thelesklaf. Christine is the Vice President of Engineering at Bosch USA, a global leader in technology and automotive solutions. 

In this episode, Christine shares her journey, offering insight into how Bosch fosters innovation across cultures and technologies. We’ll explore her views on hybrid work, workplace culture, and the future of connected and sustainable mobility. With a career that spans three continents and several technical disciplines, Christine offers a compelling perspective on what it takes to lead in today’s complex, innovation-driven engineering landscape. As VP at one of the world’s most respected automotive and technology firms, she is responsible for driving Bosch’s power solutions and software strategy across North America, a role that places her at the centre of mobility transformation.

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.

This week we’re talking technology with Sugandar Swetharanyam. 

Sugandar is a Senior Director of Engineering at DXC Technology, a multinational information technology services and consulting company. He's a true visionary in the tech space, with extensive experience in developing and implementing complex solutions. 

From his deep understanding of supercomputers and their evolution to his insights on AI bots and the future of human-AI collaboration, Sugandar is at the forefront of technological advancement. 

We will be diving into the outstanding progress of supercomputing, discussing how humans and AI can work in harmony, and cover the importance of mastering tech fundamentals to remain agile and thrive in this dynamic industry.

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.

This week our guest is Tahsin Kart, the CTO at CycloTech.

Tahsin is a true pioneer in the future air mobility space, with over 15 years of experience in safety-critical aerospace and automotive projects.

From developing defence applications at Roketsan to breaking barriers in future air mobility at Volocopter, he’s always been one step ahead—using unique technological advancements to not just solve challenges but redefine the possibilities.

Now at CycloTech, he’s leveraging his expertise to drive innovation, optimize performance, and lead the charge toward mass production.

With a passion for quick decision-making and a broad skillset shaped by diverse industries, Tahsin’s journey is nothing short of inspiring.

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.

This week our guest is Dominique Van Baelen, Cluster Leader for Functional Design at Stellantis e-Transmissions.

Dominique has a wealth of experience in the automotive industry, specializing in functional design and e-transmission systems. He's at the forefront of innovation, driving the development of next-generation technologies that are shaping the future of mobility.

In this conversation, we’ll dive into Dominique’s insights on the transformative power of AI and machine learning in the automotive sector. We discuss his perspective on the positive impacts these technologies are having, from optimizing design processes to enhancing vehicle performance and safety.

We’ll also explore advancements in EVs, clean tech, and the innovative solutions being developed to address sustainability challenges, and how these advancements are revolutionizing the industry and paving the way for a cleaner, more efficient future.

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.

This week we’re diving into the crucial world of energy storage solutions with Henrik Lundgren, Chief Technology Officer at Capture Energy.

Henrik is a true leader in this space, with nearly a decade of experience in the battery industry, working with cutting-edge technologies and leading global projects.

From his PhD in Chemical Engineering where he focused on thermal aspects and electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries, to now Chief Technology Officer at Capture Energy, he’s always been driven by a passion for innovation and sustainability. Now at Capture Energy, he’s leveraging his expertise to develop innovative and sustainable battery solutions that support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

With a commitment to turning climate challenges into opportunities, Henrik’s journey is truly inspiring. Join us as we discuss his impressive career, some of the decisions he made along the way, as well as the energy storage industry as a whole.

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.

This week we’re diving into the future of the automotive industry with our special guest Prasanth Gowravajhala, Senior Manager for Software Defined Vehicles at MHP – A Porsche Company.

Prasanth's journey is anything but conventional. Having moved back and forth between India and Germany, he never followed a set roadmap, but instead, embraced the unpredictable nature of the automotive world.

With hands-on experience across a variety of automotive components, he’s seen the industry from multiple angles. In this conversation, we’ll explore Prasanth’s unique perspective on the continuous need to learn, adapt, and innovate in order to stay ahead in a fast-evolving space. He’ll also share his thoughts on the dynamic role everyone can play in the automotive industry, especially now, as the sector is experiencing rapid change and facing new risks.

Finally, we’ll talk about why now might just be the perfect time to step into the automotive world and why this industry—more than ever—offers opportunities for growth, transformation, and impact.

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.

This week we speak with Gabriel Manole, the Delivery Director and Country Manager at Endego. 

Gabriel’s career began in Romania at the dawn of the country’s automotive software boom. From his early days with Siemens VDO to key leadership roles at Continental, Freescale, and Atmel, he’s played a pivotal role in software development, management, and transformation. Thanks to his hard work at Endego, Gabriel is driving growth in the software-defined vehicle space.

In this podcast, we explore Gabriel’s international journey, from scaling engineering teams and shaping cybersecurity standards, to working on cutting-edge SDV architectures. He also reflects on the importance of staying close to technology as a leader, the globalisation of automotive R&D, and what Europe can learn from China’s rapid innovation cycles.

He also shares advice for the next generation of engineers - why STEM fundamentals, strong soft skills, and language fluency are key to thriving in a world where AI, integration, and connectivity redefine what it means to build a car.

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.