Lab to Market Leadership with Chris Reichhelm

In this episode of Lab-to-Market Leadership, Chris sits down with Jamie Walters, Co-Founder, Board Member and VP of Strategic Transactions at Calyxia, to explore what it really takes to move deep tech from the lab into commercial markets. Jamie reflects on his own journey from researcher to CTO and eventually CEO, including the moment he stopped waiting for the “right” commercial answers and started finding them himself. One Friday night, he sent 100 emails directly to CEOs and CTOs across th...

In this episode of Lab-to-Market Leadership, Chris sits down with Adam Draper, Founder and Managing Director of Boost VC, for a conversation about what seed-stage investing really looks like when the company is attempting something that may not work for years. Adam comes from a family deeply rooted in the history of venture capital, but the principle that has shaped his own investing philosophy is surprisingly simple: venture is a people business. At the earliest stage, there is often not eno...

In this episode of Lab-to-Market Leadership, Chris sits down with Brandon Sun, Managing Director and Head of SPAC Investment Banking at Cohen & Company Capital Markets, to unpack an increasingly important financing route for later-stage deep tech companies: going public through a SPAC. Brandon begins by explaining how SPACs work. A sponsor raises capital into a publicly traded vehicle, typically with a defined period to identify a private company and complete a transaction. Unlike a tradi...

In this episode of Lab-to-Market Leadership, Chris sits down with Matt Bedingfield, CEO of Mint Innovation, to explore what happens when deep tech moves beyond the laboratory and starts confronting the realities of industrial scale. After spending much of his career in senior roles across metals, recycling, finance, commercial strategy, and large-scale industrial development, Matt made the move into a deep tech startup focused on recovering critical minerals from electronic waste. He shares w...

In this episode of Lab-to-Market Leadership, Chris sits down with Antti Vasara, Vice President, Quantum at PostScriptum, former President and CEO of VTT (Technical Research Centre of Finland), and one of Europe's most experienced deep tech leaders, to explore what it really takes to transform scientific breakthroughs into successful companies. Drawing on decades of experience leading one of Europe's largest research and technology organizations, Antti explains why successful founders are defi...

What if the real innovation engine in Deep Tech is not the spinout, but the lab itself? Professor Hod Lipson is one of the world’s leading robotics researchers – recently the subject of a major Financial Times feature on the future of robotics. He directs Columbia’s Creative Machines Lab, where breadth beats specialisation, portfolios matter more than grades, and academia’s greatest role is to explore what industry cannot yet touch. In this episode, Hod explains why he built a lab around poss...

How do you move from novel idea to working prototype in hard tech? And how can you bend the rules of the game to give you a better chance of winning? Greg Smithies is a finance and operations leader who has worked with some of the world's most ambitious companies. He led finance and operations at Elon Musk's Neuralink and The Boring Company. He's also been an investor with Battery Ventures, BMW iVentures and Fifth Wall. He's helped raise over $2bn for startups, and over $950m for funds. This ...

Ian Temperton became CEO of Plastic Energy in 2021 after five years as Chief Investment Officer. He stepped in as the company moved from pilot to industrial scale – executing multi‑million euro projects with SABIC and TotalEnergies. This is what happens when the external CEO works. Ian spent five years learning the business before taking over. The shift came mid-deployment, when execution discipline and governance became critical. The team stayed. The focus changed: from raising capital to de...

Dr Simon Thomas never expected to be a founder. After 12 years inside TSMC, Samsung and LG, he was ready for a break from the pressure of the world’s biggest fabs. Then Professor Sir Colin Humphreys set him a challenge: could he make graphene at wafer scale – the same problem Samsung had spent $2.2 billion trying, and failing, to crack? Five weeks of experiments later, Simon saw the first promising result. A short time after that, Paragraf was born, and by December 2024 the company had switch...

Dr Jan Goetz never planned to be a CEO. He wanted to be a professor. But when co-founder Professor Mikko Möttönen asked about starting a company, Jan followed his gut. Seven years later, IQM is Europe's largest quantum computing company, heading towards US public listing, and has just secured €50M from BlackRock. This is a rare, personal look at the founder CEO journey – not just the company wins, but the internal transitions, the moments of doubt, and how Jan learned to lead whilst staying t...

Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are the universal language of Deep Tech – used by NASA, the DoD, VCs, corporations and startups to measure innovation progress. But where did they come from? Professor John Mankins co-invented TRLs and wrote the 1995 white paper that gave them to the world. In this Season 2 premiere, he reveals the origin story: from Apollo-era NASA research centres, through Stan Sadin's combination of 'technology readiness' and 'levels' in the mid-1970s, to John addin...

Why do 55% of Deep Tech companies fail within five years? Hailey Eustace, founder of Commplicated, argues the answer isn't bad technology - it's bad communication. Product-market fit failures? That's a listening and messaging problem. Can't raise capital? Your story isn't resonating. Struggling to win customers? Trust breakdown. Can't build the right culture? Your messages aren't landing. Hailey's unique background as an analyst at Texas's $500M Deep Tech fund before founding the UK's leading...

What's the value of a ridiculously audacious goal if you never reach it? Josh Western, CEO of Space Forge, argues the question misses the point - because the innovations accelerated along the journey often matter more than the destination itself. Space Forge manufactures advanced semiconductor substrates in microgravity conditions, returns them via reusable satellites, then grows them terrestrially using a ‘sourdough starter’ approach. It's technically audacious, operationally complex, and so...

What happens when quantum computing startups can’t wait 15 years for fault tolerance? Richard Murray, co-founder and CEO of Orca Computing, reveals how his team chose commercial usefulness over technical idealism - and why that decision drives everything from recruitment to product development. Operating from a University of Oxford spinout with limited resources compared to Google or IBM, Orca faced a choice: follow the same path but years behind and millions of pounds short, or constra...

What if early-stage Deep Tech investing could be completely reimagined? Keong Chan, Managing Director of Out The Back Ventures, has spent five years building one of the most unique investment approaches in the industry - operating from Perth, Australia, whilst building relationships with leading universities and national laboratories across four continents. Rather than waiting for deals to come to them, Out The Back Ventures proactively identifies breakthrough research and helps incorporate i...

What can we learn from the collapse of two billion-dollar Deep Tech unicorns? James Arnold held senior strategy and operations roles at both Lilium and Arrival - European companies that raised over a billion dollars each, employed thousands of engineers, and still ended in insolvency. This conversation reveals the hidden pitfalls that destroy Deep Tech companies: why rapid team growth kills startup agility, how too much capital corrupts decision-making, and why applying software ‘blitzscaling...

Why do so few university spinouts make it from lab to market? Dave Grimm, Partner at Albion Ventures, has spent a decade answering this question through a groundbreaking partnership with University College London that's transformed how academic innovations become successful companies. This conversation reveals the blueprint for successful university spinouts: embedding VCs within academic ecosystems, prioritising pace over perfection, and creating standardised processes that work for founders...

What does it take to build million-qubit quantum computers - machines that could fundamentally change how we solve the world's most complex problems? Dr Sebastian Weidt, co-founder and CEO of Universal Quantum, shares the extraordinary journey from asking an audacious research question in 2017 to building one of the world's leading quantum computing companies. This conversation reveals the unique challenges of scaling breakthrough technology that operates on entirely different principles from...

In this captivating episode of Lab to Market Leadership, Chris Reichhelm speaks with Mark Bjornsgaard, the visionary founder and CEO of System Two Group. With a track record of eight successful exits - notably the £200 million sale of Deep Green Technologies to Octopus Energy - Mark brings a powerful, often counterintuitive, perspective on building businesses, especially in the Deep Tech sector. Mark challenges the conventional wisdom of ‘build-measure-learn,’ arguing passionately for a...

Nuclear fusion has been the ultimate ‘30 years away’ technology for decades. But is that finally changing? In this episode, Dr. David Kingham, founder of Tokamak Energy, shares the extraordinary journey of building one of the world's leading nuclear fusion companies from just three scientists and £200,000 to achieving 100 million degree plasma temperatures - the critical threshold for commercial fusion energy. David reveals how they transformed breakthrough superconductor technology through i...

The road from lab to market for chemical engineering startups is anything but smooth. In this episode of Lab to Market Leadership, Chris Reichhelm talks to Peter J. Nieuwenhuizen PhD, a chemical industry veteran and former CTO of AkzoNobel and Enerkem, and Board chair of Itaconix Plc., about the brutal realities of scaling chemical engineering technologies. Peter shares the inside scoop on how regulation, scaling challenges, and securing funding play out in the chemical sector. Plus, he discu...

In this episode, host Chris Reichhelm is joined by Dr. David Cleevely CBE FREng FIET, co-founder of Cambridge Angels and a leading figure in UK science and technology. Together, they explore the intricate process of scaling Deep Tech companies, the importance of talent and vision, and the systemic challenges facing the UK’s innovation ecosystem. David shares lessons from decades of investing, building companies, and influencing policy, shedding light on how serendipity and networks can drive ...

In this episode of Lab to Market Leadership, Marc Singer, Managing Partner at Osage University Partners, joins host Chris Reichhelm to discuss the transformative role of university spinouts in Deep Tech. With decades of venture capital experience, Marc offers valuable insights into what makes a successful Deep Tech entrepreneur and shares lessons learned from OUP’s portfolio of 150+ companies. Perfect for innovators, founders, and investors navigating the lab-to-market journey. &...

In this episode of the Lab to Market Leadership podcast, host Chris Reichhelm speaks with James Finlayson, CTO and Co-Founder of Impact Recycling, to explore the journey of scaling their recycling technology from lab prototype to market-ready solution. Over the past decade, James has led the development of BOSS, an innovative technology that uses fluid dynamics to separate ‘hard-to-recycle’ plastics. Achieving 98% purity in processing mixed rigid waste, BOSS has enabled Impact Recyclin...

In The Deep Tech Leaders Podcast, serial entrepreneur Chris Perkins discusses the most undervalued skill in Deep Tech – management. Listen as he reveals lessons from his journey through two successful exits, sharing insights on market alignment, team culture, and effective leadership. Perfect for Deep Tech founders looking to scale their innovations and maximise success. Chapter Notes: 00:00 The Importance of Good Management 01:13 Introduction to the Lab to Market Leadership Podcast 01:41 M...

In this episode of Lab to Market Leadership, Chris Reichhelm sits down with Eric Mayes, CEO of Endomag, to explore the rare journey of building a medtech startup from the ground up. Eric discusses the strategies that propelled Endomag to the forefront of cancer detection technology and culminated in a $310 million acquisition by Hologic. Perfect for medtech entrepreneurs and all Deep Tech innovators, this episode uncovers the milestones, challenges, and insights on transforming groundbreaking...

In this episode of Lab to Market Leadership, Chris Reichhelm interviews Rob Davies, Chief Operating Officer, at 6K Energy, discusses what it takes to scale novel battery technology. Rob, who has background in both corporate and startup environments, offers valuable insights on the hurdles and strategies involved in progressing advanced materials from research to market. Tune in to learn how 6K Energy has been revolutionising additive manufacturing and battery materials! Let us know what...

In this episode, Lab to Market Leadership host Chris Reichhelm interviews the former CTO of the Ford Motor Company, Paul Mascarenas OBE. Paul discusses his experiences driving innovation at one of the world’s largest automakers and shares his insights into the complex relationship between startups and large industrial players. Join us to learn about the innovation process within major companies like Ford, and how startups can better position themselves for success. With over 30 years o...

On this episode of ‘Lab to Market Leadership’, Chris Reichhelm talks with Kevin Chen, Managing Director of Lam Capital, about securing funding and scaling in the semiconductor space. Kevin, with his extensive experience that spans MIT, founding startups, and leading teams at Applied Materials, is now responsible for strategic investments at Lam Capital, the venture arm of Lam Research, a $100 billion semiconductor leader. In this episode, Kevin shares his advice for entrepreneurs and CEOs loo...

On this week’s bite-sized Reflections episode of the Lab to Market Leadership podcast, Deep Tech Leaders CEO Chris Reichhelm explores a vital question: ‘Does the starting point of a deep tech company matter?’ Through lessons learned from previous podcast guests like Peter Collins (Permasense) and Henrik Hagemann (Puraffinity), Chris reflects on the importance of a company’s starting point—whether it's driven by technology inspiration or a market problem. How does the initial approach affect c...

Join us on this episode of Lab to Market Leadership as Chris Reichhelm interviews Tim Cesarek, CEO of Synata Bio. Tim draws from his vast experience to discuss how to successfully bring novel chemistry innovations from the lab to the market. Learn about the common obstacles that trip up leadership teams, the importance of commercial discovery, and how to build a high-performing team. Whether you're in specialty chemicals, waste-to-energy, sustainable aviation fuels or any other emerging indus...

In this episode of Lab to Market Leadership, Chris Reichhelm interviews Dr Andy Palmer, CMG, the ‘godfather’ of electric vehicles. Andy's extensive experience as COO of Nissan and CEO of Aston Martin provides a unique perspective on how advanced tech companies can navigate the automotive industry. Discover the secrets to engaging with OEMs, aligning with product cycles, and the importance of storytelling in tech startups. Tune in for a masterclass on leveraging innovation to make a significan...

In this episode of ‘Lab to Market Leadership,’ Dr. Priya Perumal, a leading expert in construction materials and Chief Scientific Officer at C2CA, discusses the contrasts between university labs and startup environments. Learn about the unique challenges and opportunities that come with moving from academia to the commercial sector. Dr. Perumal provides practical advice and shares her personal journey, offering invaluable guidance for researchers considering this transition. Tune in to unders...

Generating revenue from the licensing of IP sounds great in principle but is notoriously difficult to pull off – especially for start-ups. On this week’s episode, Chris interviews Tony Cochrane, Chief Commercial Officer of Ceres Power, the UK-based fuel cell company. Tony talks about how he and his team were able to grow from £0 - £22m in licensing and services revenue, building relationships with some of the world’s leading industrial companies along the way. 00:00 Introduction to Val...

In this week’s podcast, Chris Reichhelm speaks with Scott White, the co-founder and former CEO of Pragmatic Semiconductor, one of the UK’s most exciting advanced materials companies. Scott talks us through the 14-year journey, diving into everything from the dynamics of the founding team, technology and scale-up approach, engagement with potential partners & customers, raising over $400m and building a team of over 300. He also talks through how he knew it was time to pass the...

In this episode of Lab to Market Leadership, Chris sits down with Steve Cook, a 22-year BP veteran who helped launch Launchpad, BP’s growth-stage accelerator. Steve talks with Chris about where most advanced science and engineering start-ups go wrong when they’re approaching corporates, and what entrepreneurs and executives can do to improve their odds. Don't miss this deep dive into how advanced science and engineering startups can improve their odds of commercial success. ...

In this episode of Lab to Market Leadership, we delve into the crucial role of a deep tech Chief Financial Officer with our expert guest, Michael Black, CFO of ieso Digital Health. With extensive experience across various deep tech sectors, Michael provides a comprehensive look at the CFO's responsibilities, the necessity of understanding advanced technology, and the pivotal role of financial management. Tune in to learn about the unique challenges and strategic approaches required for ...

Dive into this insightful episode where Chris Reichhelm interviews Tony Pearce, COO of Paragraf, to discuss the journey of bringing groundbreaking innovations in the advanced materials sector from the lab to the market. Tony explores the critical aspects of scaling up graphene technology, focusing on the importance of early-stage market credibility, manufacturing repeatability, and the alignment of product development with customer needs. Listeners will gain valuable insights into how Paragra...

Job Seekers! Are you looking to get into the Deep Tech industry? Deep tech recruitment expert Chris Reichhelm talks about what you can do to give yourself the best chance of finding the right role. He delves into the critical steps for aligning your career ambitions with the appropriate phase of startup growth. In this episode, you'll learn: Sector Specifics: Understand the unique market challenges and opportunities that define deep tech startups.Startup Phases: Insights into each stage...

Welcome to the Lab to Market Leadership podcast, where we explore the journey of turning advanced science and engineering into market-ready innovations. Join Chris Reichhelm, founder and CEO of Deep Tech Leaders, as he speaks with Henrik Hagemann, CEO of Puraffinity and a Forbes 30 under 30 honoree in 2019. In this episode, Henrik shares insights on the importance of identifying the right problem to solve via 200+ face-to-face meetings with potential customers and partners, the meticulous res...

In this episode of the Lab to Market Leadership podcast, host Chris Reichhelm talks to Peter Collins, the former CEO of Permasense, an Imperial College spin-out focused on industrial IoT solutions for the oil and gas industry. Peter shares his unique journey of bootstrapping Permasense from its early days in the lab to a successful $50 million exit to Emerson, all without external equity funding. Chris and Peter discuss the complexities and challenges of transforming advanced science into a c...

In this episode of Lab to Market Leadership, host Chris Reichhelm shares Deep Tech Leaders’ blueprint for the Lab-to-Market journey. Chris outlines the three critical phases of the lab to market journey: Solution Definition, Scaling, and Commercialisation. He explains the five key stages—Research, Prototype, Pilot, First of a Kind, and Market Deployment—along with essential milestones and considerations for each stage. By understanding these phases and integrating commercial, technical, and m...

Join us for the debut episode of ‘Lab to Market Leadership with Chris Reichhelm, CEO of Deep Tech Leaders, as we dissect the data from the Royal Academy of Engineering’s 'Spotlight on Spinouts 2024' report. Discover our unique analysis shedding light on why UK startups encounter commercialisation challenges despite their innovative ideas. In this episode, we provide a fresh perspective on the data, revealing insights that illuminate the problems these companies face. Stay tuned for future epi...