The Techne Connect

Hosted by Techne Studios

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322

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Aug 2026

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About the show

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧 The Techne Connect 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.

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60 recent

August 20, 202646 min

Tim Solms: CEO at Slingshot Aerospacd

In this episode of Techne Connects, Joe Reed speaks with Tim Solms, CEO of Slingshot Aerospace. Tim shares his journey from joining the US Army at 17 to becoming an Apache pilot, working across Dell, VMware and Microsoft, and later stepping into the space sector as a CEO. The conversation covers leadership, risk, culture, hiring and career development. Tim explains why culture matters more than compensation, what he looks for in strong employees and why self-awareness plays such an important role in professional growth. They also explore the future of the space industry, including AI, autonomous operations, orbital infrastructure, commercial growth and the increasing demand for talent from outside the traditional aerospace sector. This episode offers practical insight for engineers, founders and business leaders interested in leadership, technology and the future of space. 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.

August 20, 202650 min

Albert Maas, CEO at Exolaunch

In this episode of Behind the Vision, Luke Campbell speaks with Albert Maas, CEO of Avular, about his journey from mechanical engineering and motorsport into entrepreneurship and robotics. Albert shares how his early passion for building and solving complex problems led him towards creating deep-tech companies focused on mobile robotic systems. The conversation explores: • The challenges of building hardware companies in Europe • Why robotics requires a different approach to scaling compared with software • The importance of vertical integration in creating reliable products • How AI and autonomy will influence the next generation of robotic systems • The future of mobile robotics across industries including construction, logistics, healthcare and everyday life Albert also discusses Europe’s position in the global technology race, the importance of access to capital, and why the next generation of engineers will play a key role in shaping the future. From entrepreneurship and engineering education to the future of robotics, this episode explores what it takes to turn ambitious ideas into real-world technology. 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.

August 18, 202629 min

Lucy Hoag: Founder and CEO of Violet Labs

Building a career in aerospace and complex hardware does not always mean staying on a traditional engineering path. In this episode of Behind the Vision, Lucy Hoag, founder and CEO of Violet Labs, shares how her experience across aerospace, government programmes and autonomous vehicles led her to build a company focused on improving hardware development. Lucy offers a clear view of what it takes to turn industry frustration into a business. From customer discovery and product-market fit to AI, orbital data centres and connected engineering systems, she explains why experience, technical foundations and strong judgement matter. Whether you are an engineer, founder or business leader, this episode offers practical insight into building better products, stronger teams and more effective engineering processes. 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.

August 17, 202643 min

Scott Philips, Chief Innovation Officer / Head of Emerging Technology at Forterra

Scott Philips, Chief Innovation Officer at Forterra, joins Carlos Regini-Moran to explore a career shaped by engineering, AI and a drive to solve real-world problems. From developing early AI systems for the US Navy and working on radar technology at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, to deploying technology alongside soldiers in Afghanistan, Scott shares how getting closer to the end user transformed his approach to innovation. The conversation explores the growing role of autonomy in defence, Forterra's mission to take soldiers out of harm's way, and the importance of building technology that works where it matters most — on the battlefield. Scott also shares lessons on leadership, mentoring and career development, including why the goal should be to "optimise for learning" and why being surrounded by people smarter than you can be one of the most valuable choices you make. 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.

August 11, 202638 min

Jon Reijneveld’s, Co - Founder and Chief Engineer at Space Exploration

From contributing to the Orion program to helping build Europe's next generation of space capsules at The Exploration Company, Jon Reinveld has spent his career turning ambitious ideas into engineering reality. In this episode of Connect To Orbit , he shares the journey from choosing aerospace over biology to leading the development of technology designed to shape the future of human spaceflight. Jon explores why mastering technical expertise is only part of becoming a great engineer. He discusses the importance of curiosity, hands-on experience, leadership, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, while offering valuable advice for graduates looking to build meaningful careers in the space industry. The conversation also examines Europe's rapidly evolving commercial space ecosystem, reusable launch technology, and how iterative engineering is creating new opportunities for innovation. Whether you're an engineer, industry leader or simply fascinated by the future of space, this episode offers practical insights from someone helping build it. 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.

August 10, 202642 min

Guilhem de Marliave, CEO & Co-Founder at Elistair

In this episode of Connect to Visionaries, Guilhem de Marliave, CEO and Co-Founder of Elistair, shares the journey behind building a European drone technology company focused on protecting those who protect us. From identifying the limitations of battery-powered drones to developing tethered systems capable of persistent aerial intelligence, Guilhem explains how Elistair found its market by listening closely to the needs of end users. Guilhem also explores the rapid evolution of defence technology, the impact of the war in Ukraine on drone innovation, the growing role of AI and autonomous systems, and why Europe must strengthen its domestic defence supply chains. He shares lessons from a decade of entrepreneurship, the importance of challenging ideas against reality, finding the right co-founder and building a team with a hands-on mindset. 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.

August 10, 202647 min

Marco Agnan, CTO and Co Founder at Odysseus Space

Marco Agnan, Co-Founder and CTO of Odysseus Space, joins Joe Reed to discuss the future of laser communication and high-speed satellite data delivery. Marco explains how Odysseus Space is developing Cyclops, an end-to-end space-to-ground laser communication service. The model gives satellite operators access to optical communication terminals and ground infrastructure through a subscription, reducing upfront costs and technical barriers. The conversation covers the growing data demands of Earth observation satellites, the limits of traditional radio-frequency systems and the role of laser links in agriculture, wildfire detection, urban planning, maritime monitoring and defence. Marco also shares his journey from astrophysics and a NASA solar wind mission to building a space company in Taiwan and Luxembourg. He discusses European funding, prototype development, hiring, company culture, artificial intelligence and the skills future engineers need. The episode also explores Odysseus Space’s next milestones, including its first flight model, a ground station in Spain and an upcoming in-orbit demonstration. 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.

August 9, 202648 min

Robert Sproles, CEO at Exolaunch

In this episode of Connect to Orbit, Joe Reed speaks with Robert Sproles, CEO of Exolaunch, about the future of launch services and the infrastructure needed to support a rapidly growing space economy. Robert shares his journey into the industry and explains how Exolaunch supports satellite missions from the manufacturing floor through to orbit. He also discusses rising launch demand, the need for greater flexibility across launch providers, and why access to space is becoming a critical part of global infrastructure. The conversation also explores Exolaunch’s growth, its global operations, and the skills and mindsets that will be important for the next generation entering the space 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.

August 6, 202657 min

Per Björklund, Founding Partner at Further than Capital

In this episode of Connect to Tech, Luke Campbell speaks with Per Björklund, co-founder of Further Than Capital, about what investors look for in early-stage technology companies. Per shares his journey from engineering and entrepreneurship into venture capital and angel investing. He explains why the founding team matters more than the original idea, the importance of customer validation and domain knowledge, and the common mistakes founders make when approaching investors. They also discuss the future of AI, deep tech, healthcare and hardware, as well as the skills young professionals should develop to build long-term careers in technology. 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.

August 5, 202645 min

Suresh Kumar, Co Founder & CTO at Vermeer

What does it take to go from engineer to co-founder in one of defence technology's fastest-moving sectors? In this episode of Connect To Visionaries , Suresh Kumar, Co-Founder & CTO of Vermeer, shares how curiosity, calculated risk and a willingness to embrace failure shaped his entrepreneurial journey. From aerospace engineering and autonomous drones to leading cutting-edge autonomy programmes, Suresh explains why ownership, adaptability and continuous learning matter more than waiting for the perfect solution. The conversation explores how software, AI, computer vision and autonomous systems are reshaping modern defence, why startups are driving innovation faster than traditional approaches, and what tomorrow's engineers need to succeed. Suresh also discusses building high-performing engineering teams, fostering a culture where experimentation is encouraged, and why the future belongs to those willing to iterate quickly and solve complex real-world problems. 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.