The IQT Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

What if military infrastructure could be built faster, smarter, and better, using robotics instead of legacy construction methods?

Sameer Punyani is joined by Bella Jones of ICON and Peter Park from IQT to explore how large-scale robotic 3D printing is transforming military infrastructure. From modernizing barracks to building durable structures in remote and contested environments, ICON is redefining what’s possible when construction meets autonomy, software, and design innovation.



The conversation dives into how commercial innovation fuels public-sector impact, why better buildings matter for readiness and retention, and how IQT helps bridge cutting-edge startups with national security missions.

Imagine a supply chain built not on smokestacks and solvents, but on cells. A shortage flares, and instead of waiting months for shipments to clear ports, a ten‑day microbial run delivers critical ingredients at home. The same biological tools that ferment beer pull rare earth elements from complex feedstocks—cleanly, quickly, and at cost. That shift is already underway. Host Michelle Rozo sits down with Eugene Chiu, Christina Smolke, and Nathan Ratledge to trace how engineered biology is moving active pharmaceutical ingredient production back to the U.S. and rewiring mineral separation with proteins that can tell neighboring elements apart. The stakes are concrete: fewer single‑point failures, less exposure to geopolitical shocks, and a path to resilient, distributed manufacturing. Together they examine what’s working—and what isn’t—across the ecosystem: startups translating lab wins into commercial runs, investors backing platforms over point solutions, and public agencies funding scale while navigating regulation. They surface the bottlenecks that still slow progress—biomanufacturing infrastructure, inputs like resins, and the need for faster approvals—and outline the policies and partnerships that could unlock capacity at speed. From medicines to minerals, the conversation shows how biology can anchor U.S. industrial strength and why execution now will determine who leads the next era of innovation and security.

Welcome to The IQT Podcast! In this episode, we explore IQT's origin story in biotech. Host Farid Nemri, along with guests Dr. Megan Anderson and Dr. Kevin O'Connell, discuss IQT's strategic investments in the bio sector, spanning from the post-9/11 era to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dive into the history of the B.Next practice, IQT's investing methodology, and the technologies developed for national security and pandemic readiness. Interested in learning more? Tune back in for next week’s episode where we’ll pick up with IQT’s present-day biotech investing strategy.

Featured in this Episode

Farid Nemri

Program Manager

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faridnemri/

Dr. Megan Anderson

Executive Vice President

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-anderson-408a639/

Dr. Kevin O'Connell

SVP Technology

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-o-connell-3885695/

Welcome to another episode of IQT Explains! Today, we are joined by Dr. Yan Zheng, IQT’s Chief of Staff, and Michael Falcon, Investment Partner, to discuss the importance of microelectronics.

Microelectronics are crucial to modern technology, impacting devices we rely on every day — cell phones, computers, automotives, and medical systems. U.S. manufacturing has declined due to offshoring, but initiatives like the CHIPS Act aim to bring production back.

Today, we’ll discuss the importance of onshoring production as well as investing in emerging trends like advanced packaging (chiplets), photonics (light-based electronics), and using materials beyond silicon like gallium nitride and silicon carbide.

Join us for a conversation on how the U.S. can maintain leadership in this domain and why doing so is critical to preserving national security.

Key Topics

• Supply Chain Complexity & Innovation
• Future of Microelectronics Innovation
• Microelectronics Significance
• Challenges & Opportunities in Microelectronics
• Investment and Market Trends

Featured in this Episode

Farid Nemri

Program Manager

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/faridnemri/

Dr. Yan Zheng

IQT Chief of Staff

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/yan-zheng-8aa84b1/

Michael Falcon

Investment Partner

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-falcon-1b047/

Welcome back to The IQT Podcast! Today, we dive into the depths of the dataverse. Our guests, Diana Keenan and Hanyu Chwe, shed light on the significance, evolving market trends, and regulatory challenges surrounding commercial data, emphasizing how new data technologies can enhance decision-making across various sectors.

This episode explores the increasing prominence of the data economy, fueled by generative AI and driven primarily by financial applications. Companies like Exploding Topics and Domo highlight the staggering volume of daily data production, which is being harnessed for commercial use. Discover the impact on sectors like finance and real estate. Plus, learn how commercial data can be used to enhance national security and fuel technological advancements!

Key Topics

- Venture Capital in the Data Space

- National Security Relevance

- Industry Trends and Data Types

- Generative AI and Data Economy

- Market Trends and Inflection Points

Featured in this Episode

Ari Chadda

Data Scientist

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/arichadda/

Hanyu Chwe

Associate Technology Architect

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanyuchwe/

Diana Keenan

Senior Associate

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-keenan-cfa/

Join General David Petraeus, renowned retired U.S. army general and former CIA director, as we explore historical conflicts, strategic leadership, and the intersection of technology in modern warfare. From past military engagements to contemporary challenges, this episode promises enlightening insights on conflict evolution and the leadership skills essential for turbulent times.

If you enjoy this episode, be sure to pick up a copy of the General’s latest book and New York Times Best Seller, Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine for an even deeper dive into lessons learned over the last 70 years of conflict.

Key Topics:

- General Petraeus' military and intelligence background

- Impact of historical conflicts on modern warfare

- Stakeholder management and decision-making

- Learning and adapting military strategies

- Rapid iteration in strategic decision-making

- Gaza conflict and security challenges

Featured in this Episode

- General David Petraeus, U.S. Army General (Ret.)

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpetraeus/

- Steve Bowsher, CEO of IQT

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-bowsher/

References

Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine - https://www.amazon.com/Conflict-Evolution-Warfare-1945-Ukraine/dp/0063293137

David Petraeus on Strategic Leadership - https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/david-petraeus-strategic-leadership

Our host, Vishal Sandesara, is joined by IQT colleagues Grant Whiting and Dan Bocknek to discuss cybersecurity and the importance of enhancing cyber capabilities for future conflicts. They explore the fast-paced nature of cyber warfare, the role of AI and automation, and the significance of quality data. Topics covered include data management, scaling capabilities, partnerships, and the integration of AI-based technology. Tune in to gain insights on adapting to emerging threats and advancing cybersecurity.

Welcome to The IQT Podcast where we explore the fascinating world of technology innovation and national security. In our latest episode, host Vishal Sandesara is joined by esteemed guests Pat Mitchell, Chris Shaw, and Tommaso Melodia. Together, they discuss the complexities of undersea technology and its significance in military, commercial, and scientific realms. The episode highlights challenges that are unique to underwater innovation like the lack of GPS functionality and the need to adapt to a highly pressurized and corrosive environment. Despite this, companies such as Advanced Navigation and Hydronet are making strides in this domain, unlocking new opportunities under the ocean's surface. Listen in to learn more!

Takeaways

- Importance of Undersea Innovation

- Challenges and Opportunities for Undersea Startups

- Integration and Collaboration Between Companies

- Global Partnerships and Innovation in Maritime Technology

Featured in this Episode

Vishal Sandesara

VP, Operations

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishals/

Pat Mitchell

Research Manager, IQT

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-j-mitchell/

Undersea Innovation Paper - https://short.iqt.org/undersea-innovation

Chris Shaw

CEO, Advanced Navigation

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-adnav/

Tommaso Melodia

CEO, Hydronet

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommasomelodia/

Chapters

01:53 - Exploring Future Prospects of Undersea Enabling Technologies

04:06 - Looking at the Bigger Picture: Why Is the Undersea Domain Important and Why Is Now a Good Time to Focus On It?

08:07 - Navigating Undersea Challenges: Pressure, Corrosion, and Limitations

11:41 - Addressing Connectivity Challenges in Underwater Environments

12:57 - Solving Challenges and Reducing Costs with Unique Software

17:13 - Adaptable Real-Time Models for Overcoming Underwater Data Limitations

20:14 - Enhancing Navigation Accuracy with Quantum Technology

23:38 - Common Challenges Across the Commercial Market and How To Address Them

28:48 - Bolstering Collaboration and Interoperability in Underwater Technology

30:59 - AUKUS: Trilateral Partnership on Submarine and Tech

33:20 - Thoughts for Policymakers Interested in Promoting Leadership in This Domain

In this episode of The IQT Podcast, Dr. Sarah Sewall delves into the world of critical minerals and the challenges facing the United States' supply chain security. Our guests, Nicole Richards, Nick Myers, and Oliver Gunasekara, share their expertise and innovative approaches to address these challenges. From developing biological solutions for rare earth element separation to utilizing autonomous underwater vehicles for critical mineral extraction, these industry leaders are at the forefront of technology and environmental stewardship. Join us as we explore the importance of domestic supply, responsible mining practices, and the need for government support to ensure a sustainable and secure critical minerals supply chain.

Key Takeaways

- Challenges in Critical Mineral Supply Chain Security

- Technological Solutions and Applications

- Environmental and Societal Impact

- Future Prospects and Challenges

- Government and International Partnerships

Featured in this Episode

Sarah Sewall

EVP, National Innovation Policy, IQT

Website: https://www.iqt.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahsewall/

Nicole Richards

CEO, Allonnia

Website: https://allonnia.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-richards-3268b07/

Nick Myers

CEO, Phoenix Tailings

Website: https://phoenixtailings.com/

Linkedin: ​​https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholaswilliammyers/

Oliver Gunasekara

CEO, Impossible Metals

Website: https://impossiblemetals.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gunasekara/

Additional Resources

- Closing the Critical Mineral Gap: https://assets.iqt.org/pdfs/Critical_Minerals_February_2023_final.pdf/web/viewer.html

- Why Will Deep Sea Mining Be Less Expensive Than Traditional Land-based Mining?: https://impossiblemetals.com/blog/why-will-deep-sea-mining-be-less-expensive-than-traditional-land-based-mining/

- Current Status of Deep Sea Mining Regulations: https://impossiblemetals.com/blog/current-status-of-deep-sea-mining-regulations/

In this episode, host Vishal Sandesara and guest Michael Chadwick from IQT Labs discuss maritime innovation in the open source and maker communities. They cover IQT Labs' involvement in the maritime domain, challenges of AI algorithm data collection, and the spillover benefits of open source aerial drone contributions. Tune in as they highlight projects like the AI Sonobuoy, showcasing cutting-edge developments in maritime technology.

Topics

• Accessibility of Open Source Technology
• Government Interest in Maritime Technology Advancement
• Challenges Faced by the Maker Community
• Data Collection and Labeling for AI Algorithms
• IQT Labs Initiatives

Featured in this Episode

Vishal Sandesara

VP, Operations

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishals/

Michael Chadwick

SVP, Deputy Director, IQT Labs

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-chadwick-37208865/

Mentioned in this Episode

MakerBuoy (Wayne Pavalko)

https://www.instagram.com/makerbuoy/