Beyond the Bit: Quantum Pathways

From Quantum Theory to Drug Discovery — Matthias Kaiser on Building Pex Machina

In this episode, I am joined by Matthias Kaiser — Founder of PexMachina — who returns to the podcast fresh off securing investment from Wavepeak Ventures, Eric Hall’s new quantum applications fund. Since our first conversation, Matthias has founded Pex Machina, a quantum applications company focused on pharmaceutical drug development, using quantum simulation to model molecular interactions more precisely. This episode explores the reality of building in quantum today — from finding meaningful applications and validating customer workflows, to fundraising, IP, AI-assisted software development, and hiring in deep tech. We discuss: 🧠 Why quantum needs real applications, not just technical promise 💊 How Pex Machina is applying quantum simulation to pharmaceutical drug discovery 🧬 Why oncology, therapeutic windows, and molecular interactions are such important use cases 🔬 The role of wet lab validation in making simulation useful for pharma 💸 Bootstrapping, accelerator funding, and securing early VC investment 🚀 Why Eric Hall’s investment through Wavepeak matters for quantum applications ⚖️ Why IP strategy matters early in pharma and biotech 🤖 How AI is changing software development and early hiring strategy 👥 Building the right founding team, advisory board, and company culture 🌍 Why customer workflows matter as much as the quantum algorithm Guest: Matthias Kaiser Founder, PexMachina.com

From Banking to Quantum Strategy — Brian Lenahan on Bridging Business and Frontier Tech

In this episode, we are joined by Brian Lenahan — Founder ofthe Quantum Strategy Institute and a leading voice on the business adoption of quantum technologies — who transitioned from a career in banking and AI into becoming one of the early strategists focused on quantum’s commercial future. Since entering the space in 2019, Brian has worked at theintersection of business and emerging technology, helping organisations understand not just what quantum is — but how and when it matters. This episode explores the reality behind quantum adoption —from early curiosity and white space, to strategy, risk, and the growing urgency for organisations to act. We discuss: 🧠 Brian’s transition from banking and AI into quantum strategy 🚀 Why quantum isn’t just a technology shift — but a business adoption challenge 📉 The early gap between research, vendors, and real customers in quantum 📚 His books and frameworks for helping organisations think about quantum today 🔐 The growing importance of post-quantum cryptography and “Q-Day” risk 🏢 Why companies don’t need quantum physicists — but do need quantum strategists 🌍 Government investment, ecosystem growth, and what it means for industry 🎓 How individuals can realistically enter the quantum space without a physics background Guest: Brian Lenahan https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-lenahan-innovation/ Founder, Quantum Strategy Institutehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/quantum-strategy-institute Substack: Quantum’s Business [https://brianlenahan.substack.com/] Books: Available on Amazon [https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Brian-Lenahan/author/B07PFLSC8T?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1774962303&sr=8-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true]

From Microsoft Quantum to Ecosystem Builder — Orlagh Neary’s Next Chapter

New episode from Beyondthebit.co! In this episode, we are joined by Orlagh Neary — former Vice President of Quantum, AI, and Space Go-To-Market at Microsoft — who spent more than two decades leading commercialization strategy across some of the world’s most advanced emerging technologies. Since stepping away from Microsoft, Orlagh has launched Quantum Links, advising deep-tech founders on positioning and go-to-market execution, and founded the ORB Network — a fast-growing leadership and community platform supporting women navigating careers in technology, transition, and entrepreneurship. In this episode we explore what happens when frontier technology meets personal reinvention — from leading quantum inside Big Tech to building new ecosystems outside it. We discuss: 🧠 Orlagh’s 22-yearjourney inside Microsoft and leading quantum commercialization 🚀 Her transition from Big Tech into advisory, venture building, and communitycreation 📈 The most common go-to-market mistakes quantum and deep-tech startups make 🤝 Why trust and positioning matter as much as technical capability 🌍 The current state of quantum talent — and why the ecosystem isn’t ready yet 🎓 How non-physicists can realistically break into the quantum industry 👩‍💼 The vision behind the ORB Network and building opportunity, resilience, andbelonging Guest:Orlagh Neary Founder, Quantum Links | Creator, ORB Network LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orlaghneary/ ORB Network: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-orb-network/

Full Circle: Quantum, Business and Building Ecosystems – with Amro Imam

Full Circle: Quantum, Business and Building Ecosystems – with Amro Imam (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amroimam/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amroimam/]) In this episode, I’m joined by Amro Imam — my very first guest on Beyond the Bit: Quantum Pathways — exactly one year after we recorded the first episode of the show. Amro is a physicist turned deep-tech operator who recently completed an MBA at NYU Abu Dhabi and is now building QAM, a new initiative focused on growing the quantum ecosystem across the Arab world through research collaboration, education, translation, and large-scale hackathons. The conversation goes beyond hardware roadmaps into what it actually takes to scale quantum: talent, capital, ecosystems, and long-term thinking. We discuss: 🧠 How the quantum industry has changed over the past 12 months 🎓 Why Amro moved from pure research into business and venture building 💼 The real challenges quantum startups face when dealing with investors 🤖 The growing overlap between quantum and AI funding narratives 🌍 Building sustainable quantum ecosystems in the Middle East and North Africa 📚 Removing language barriers through Arabic quantum education and translation ⚙️ Why hackathons are one of the most effective tools for developing new quantum talent 🔗 QAM on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/qam-%D9%83%D9%85/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/qam-%D9%83%D9%85/] 💬 Join the QAM community on Discord: https://discord.gg/dH4H8rTayh [https://discord.gg/dH4H8rTayh] #QuantumComputing, #QuantumEcosystem, #DeepTech, #QuantumStartups, #QuantumCareers, #MiddleEastTech, #MENAtech, #TechEcosystems, #VentureBuilding, #BeyondTheBit, #Podcast

Inside Quantum Hiring: Ethics, Mistakes, and the Talent Reality – with John Barnes

In this episode, Amir Rasool speaks with John Barnes, Founder of Entangled Positions and one of the earliest specialist recruiters to work in quantum. John has been operating in the space since 2014—long before quantum hiring became commercial or mainstream. The conversation goes beyond job titles and buzzwords into what actually shapes successful quantum teams. They discuss: 🧠 How early-stage quantum teams are really built 🚀 Common hiring mistakes that slow startups down ⚙️ Why perfection is the enemy of progress in technical hiring 🌍 Global quantum talent movement across the UK, Europe, and the US ⚖️ The role of ethics in recruitment within a small ecosystem 🎓 Whether a PhD is truly required for a serious career in quantum 🤝 Why collaboration between “competitors” often works better in quantum than in other industries Guest: John Barnes Founder, Entangled Positions LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/entangled/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/entangled/] Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/entangled-positions/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/entangled-positions/] Host: Amir Rasool Founder, QAi Talent | Host, Beyond the Bit: Quantum Pathways LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirrasool/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirrasool/] Website: https://www.qaitalent.com [https://www.qaitalent.com]