Been There, Done That – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, host Dr. Jonathan Felbinger, deputy director of QED-C, sits down with Murray Thom, vice president of quantum technology evangelism for D-Wave - a leader in the development and delivery of quantum computing systems, software, and services. Explore Murray's extensive journey spanning two decades in the quantum computing realm, from his initial inspiration to joining a startup to navigating the intricacies of scaling a business and fostering innovation. Gain valuable insights into customer collaboration, solution prioritization, and team building, along with practical advice for newcomers venturing into the dynamic field of quantum technology.

Been There, Done That is produced by Association Briefings.

Join host Dr. Celia Merzbacher, Executive Director of QED-C, in an insightful conversation with Gregoire Ribordy, CEO of ID Quantique, a pioneering force in quantum-safe security and quantum sensing based in Geneva, Switzerland. In this episode, Gregoire shares his journey in the quantum industry, the growth trajectory of ID Quantique and the evolution of its business strategies. Delve into the phases of growth within a quantum enterprise, the crucial role of market identification, and navigating standards and regulations. Gain valuable insights into building a formidable team and receive expert advice on launching your own venture.

In this episode, host Dr. Jonathan Felbinger, deputy director of QED-C, sits down with Scott Davis, president and CEO of Vescent Photonics - the leading designer and manufacturer of lasers, electro-optic tools, and control electronics used in precision optical measurements based on the quantum nature of physical systems. The discussion delves into the company's origins, pivotal milestones navigating the transition from startup to a sustainable business, Scott Davis's personal evolution from scientist to entrepreneur, insights into identifying emerging market needs, building a dedicated team in the realm of photonics, cultivating a culture of innovation, and navigating through significant challenges along the entrepreneurial journey. 

Show notes

Dr. Scott Davis is a physics-trained entrepreneur. He co-founded Vescent Photonics to develop photonic-based non-mechanical laser beamsteerers. This technology was sold off to Analog Devices for the automotive market. He has extensive business and technical experience including growing a technology manufacturing line, IP development, liquid crystal (LC) device physics, molecular and laser spectroscopy, precision metrology, and laser stabilization. While working at NIST in Gaithersburg, MD and JILA in Colorado he acquired skills in laser stabilization, optical frequency metrology, and molecular spectroscopy. He has over 50 papers, two book chapters, and more than 25 patents pending or issued. Prior to starting Vescent Photonics, Dr. Davis worked in industry as an optical engineer, served as an NRC postdoc in the laboratories of David Plusquellic at NIST, and obtained his Ph.D. from JILA under the tutelage of Prof. David Nesbitt.

Been There, Done That is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, host Dr. Celia Merzbacher, executive director of QED-C, sits down with Jen Sovada, president of the global public sector at SandboxAQ  - an enterprise SaaS company combining AI + Quantum tech to solve hard problems impacting society. The two talk about Jen's career journey in the quantum industry and the growth of SandboxAQ, the characteristics of a successful startup, common risks of startups, her inspiration to join a quantum company, providing input to the ongoing regulatory process, the due diligence that a founder should do before partnering with an investor, and balancing the two sides of the talent and team management. 

In this episode, host Dr. Jonathan Felbinger, deputy director of QED-C, sits down with Chris Marki, CEO of Marki Microwave - a California-based company that develops high-frequency and broadband products. The two talk about the company's beginnings, leading a growing tech company, expanding into emerging markets like quantum, lessons learned, and navigating the regulatory environment. 

Been There, Done That is produced by Association Briefings.

Show notes

Christopher Marki is the CEO and chief technologist of Marki Microwave. Since joining in 2007, he has led the innovation and development of numerous commercially successful products, including mixers, multipliers, baluns, amplifiers, switches, filters, power combiners/dividers and couplers. Under Christopher’s leadership, Marki Microwave has grown over 800% and has established itself as a global leader in classical hybrid RF manufacturing and cutting-edge semiconductor development. Christopher holds a doctorate in photonics from the University of California, San Diego and graduated magna cum laude from Duke University with a BSEE.

In our inaugural episode, host Dr. Celia Merzbacher, executive director of QED-C, sits down with Noel Goddard, chief executive officer of Qunnect - a quantum communications company based in New York City. The two talk about Noel's career journey in the quantum industry and the growth of Qunnect, the difference in the biotech and quantum industries, the importance of intellectual property for quantum companies, de-risking a startup through federal grants and angel investments, and investment strategies for quantum technology.

Check out the video podcast here: https://youtu.be/5kqyxb7Ck-s

Been There, Done That is produced by Association Briefings.

Show notes

Noel Goddard, PhD, joined Qunnect’s management team in 2020. Prior to this role, she was a seed investor with the Accelerate NY Seed Fund, where she built a portfolio of companies across deep technology and life science sectors in Downstate NY. Noel is a serial entrepreneur, having founded/led two biotech startup companies.

Before joining the startup community, Noel was an assistant professor of physics at Hunter College, CUNY. She completed her postdoctoral research as a Fellow at Harvard University and her PhD at Rockefeller University. Noel volunteers as a mentor and advisor to several entrepreneurial initiatives in the NYC region and serves on the Board of Directors for one of her former portfolio companies. Fun fact: Noel was an avid sportbike motorcyclist for 10 years.

The Quantum Economic Development Consortium presents Been There, Done That hosted by Dr. Celia Merzbacher and Dr. Jonathan Felbinger - a podcast featuring leading voices from among QED-C members in the quantum industry.  Check out the trailer for season one!

In the season two premiere of Been There, Done That, host Dr. Celia Merzbacher, Executive Director of QED-C, welcomes Dr. Nicholas Harrigan of NVIDIA for a conversation on the fast-changing world of quantum computing. Dr. Harrigan reflects on his academic path and career journey, while also sharing NVIDIA’s vision for the field, including efforts to integrate quantum processors into supercomputing environments and to foster collaboration across hardware, software, and control system partners. The episode also highlights the critical role of workforce development in sustaining innovation in this rapidly evolving industry.

Show Notes

Dr. Nicholas Harrigan communicates NVIDIA’s pivotal role in advancing quantum computation. Formerly, he was Director of Marketing and a Senior Quantum Scientist at PsiQuantum. Dr. Harrigan has created science communication programs at various academic institutions, served as a teacher and lecturer, and co-authored the O’Reilly book “Programming Quantum Computers.” He holds a PhD from Imperial College London, where his research focused on quantum foundations and quantum information. 

Been There, Done That is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, host Dr. Celia Merzbacher, Executive Director of QED-C, sits down with Niels Bultink, co-founder and CEO of Qblox, to explore the path from academic research to entrepreneurship in the quantum technology sector. Niels shares how Qblox was founded to address a critical need in the quantum stack: scalable, high-performance control electronics for quantum computers. The conversation walks through the realities of building a deep-tech startup, including navigating intellectual property, moving from concept to product, and securing early customers. Niels also discusses Qblox’s approach to growth, from international expansion to balancing long-term technological vision with near-term business demands. Niels offers practical advice for researchers considering entrepreneurship and provides perspective on the evolving timeline for practical, real-world quantum computing applications.

Been There, Done That is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, host Dr. Celia Merzbacher, Executive Director of QED-C, sits down with Yuval Boger, Chief Commercial Officer of QuEra Computing, to talk about what it takes to turn quantum computing from a groundbreaking scientific achievement into a viable commercial product. Yuval reflects on his career across multiple frontier technologies—including virtual reality and wireless power—and how those experiences inform his work in quantum today. They discuss the challenges of building quantum hardware and software, the delicate balance between scientific discovery and engineering discipline, and the importance of educating prospective customers and investors in a still-emerging market. Yuval also underscores the value of strong academic collaborations. He closes with practical guidance for deep-tech entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of getting out into the field, listening to customers, and engaging directly with the market.

Been There, Done That is produced by Association Briefings.