Quantonation

Invited Speakers

Andre Saraiva

Head of Solid-State Theory · Diraq

André Saraiva is a Brazilian-Australian solid-state physicist and quantum computing expert best known as Head of Theory (or Head of Solid State Theory) at Diraq, an Australian startup pioneering CMOS-compatible silicon spin qubit technology for scalable, fault-tolerant quantum processors. Joining Diraq in 2022, he leads the theoretical design and modeling of large-scale systems aiming for millions to billions of qubits on a single chip. Previously a professor of physics at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, with senior research roles at UNSW Sydney and Silicon Quantum Computing, Saraiva holds a PhD in Physics from UFRJ and has over 3,900 citations for work on spin qubits, quantum dots, and valley physics in silicon.

Arne Laucht

Head of Quantum Measurement · Diraq

Arne Laucht is Head of Quantum Measurement at Diraq, a startup company building silicon-based quantum computers. His research interests include quantum physics, spin quantum computing, donor atoms in silicon, and nanoscale device engineering. Arne completed his PhD with summa cum laude at the Technical University of Munich, focusing on semiconductor quantum optics.

Christophe Jurczak

Partner · Quantonation

Dr. Christophe Jurczak is the Managing Partner and co-founder of Quantonation, a venture capital firm specializing in deep physics and quantum technologies. He holds a PhD in Quantum Physics from École Polytechnique, where he conducted research under the supervision of Professor Alain Aspect on laser cooling of neutral atoms. Prior to founding Quantonation in 2018, Dr. Jurczak held various government and executive positions in the energy and defense sectors across Europe and the United States.

Connor Hart, Ph.D.

CTO · Quantum Catalyzer

Connor Hart, Ph.D. is an American quantum physicist and technologist best known as the Chief Technology Officer of Quantum Catalyzer (Q-Cat), a Maryland-based startup studio that commercializes quantum sensing and imaging technologies, including the Quantum Diamond Microscope (QDM) using nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond for wide-field magnetic imaging applications in life sciences, materials, and electronics. A University of Maryland alumnus (B.S. Physics, 2015) and Harvard Ph.D. (Physics, 2020) under Ronald Walsworth, Hart has authored influential papers on NV-diamond magnetic microscopy and advanced protocols like double quantum Ramsey, with over 2,000 citations. He drives Q-Cat's portfolio companies, such as QDM.IO and EuQlid, to translate breakthrough quantum research into practical tools.

Faris Sbahi

CEO · Normal Computing

Faris Sbahi is an American AI researcher and entrepreneur best known as the co-founder and CEO of Normal Computing, a New York-based deep-tech startup established in 2022 that pioneers thermodynamic computing hardware and probabilistic AI to enable energy-efficient, reliable generative AI for enterprise and scientific applications. A Duke University alumnus with prior research roles at Alphabet's X moonshot factory (formerly Google X) and Google Brain, Sbahi has driven breakthroughs including the tape-out of the world's first thermodynamic chip (CN101) in 2025, harnessing noise and physical fluctuations for up to 1000x efficiency gains on AI workloads. Backed by investors like Celesta Capital and selected for ARIA's scaling compute program, Normal Computing addresses AI's energy crisis through innovative physics-based ASICs and tools like the Verdict library for scalable AI evaluation.

Gil Verdon

CEO · Extropic

Guillaume "Gil" Verdon is the founder and CEO of Extropic AI, a San Francisco-based startup pioneering thermodynamic computing—a revolutionary physics-based paradigm that harnesses out-of-equilibrium thermodynamics and probabilistic "p-bits" to create vastly more energy-efficient accelerators for generative AI, promising thousands-fold reductions in power consumption compared to traditional silicon chips while natively supporting advanced energy-based models critical for scaling toward AGI. A Canadian physicist with a PhD in applied mathematics from the University of Waterloo's Institute for Quantum Computing, Verdon previously led quantum machine learning research at Alphabet's X lab, co-creating TensorFlow Quantum before pivoting from noisy quantum hardware to broader thermodynamic approaches amid industry challenges. Doxxed in 2023 as the pseudonymous Beff Jezos—the fiery proponent of effective accelerationism (e/acc), a techno-optimist movement urging unrelenting AI progress against decelerationists—Verdon has leveraged his viral persona to attract talent and hype, raising $14.1M in seed funding and advancing Extropic's chips toward market availability in late 2025, positioning the company as a bold challenger to Nvidia in the exploding AI hardware race for sustainable, abundant computation.

Julien Lemyre

CEO · Nord Quantique

Dr. Julien Camirand Lemyre is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nord Quantique, a startup developing next-generation quantum processors based on superconducting technology. He holds a PhD in physics and has nearly 10 years of experience in vertical systems integration for quantum computing. Since the creation of Nord Quantique in 2020, Julien has been responsible for technological deployment and growth, leading the team toward the realization of a fault-tolerant quantum computer.

Manish Singh

CEO · MemQ

Manish Singh serves as the CEO of MemQ, a company focused on quantum computing technologies. He leads the organization in developing innovative solutions in this field. Specific details about his background and achievements are not readily available.

Manuel Hegelich

CEO · Tau Systems

Manuel Hegelich is a physicist and the CEO of Tau Systems, a company focused on advancing fusion energy technology. With expertise in laser physics and high-energy density science, he has contributed to research in plasma physics and fusion development. Currently, he leads Tau Systems in their efforts to achieve commercial fusion power.

Michele Mosca

Co-founder EvolutionQ and Professor · evolutionQ

Dr. Michele Mosca is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of evolutionQ, a company specializing in quantum-safe cybersecurity solutions. He is also a co-founder of the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo, where he serves as a professor in the Department of Combinatorics & Optimization. Dr. Mosca’s research focuses on quantum algorithms and cryptographic tools designed to be secure against quantum technologies.

Nima Leclerc

Research Scientist · MITRE

Nima Leclerc is a Research Scientist at MITRE, an organization focused on research and development for public interest and national security. He has presented at events such as Quantonation: Physics & Compute, indicating his involvement in advanced physics and computing topics. His work at MITRE likely centers on innovative technologies in these areas.

Noel Goddard

CEO · Qunnect

Dr. Noel Goddard is the Chief Executive Officer of Qunnect, a company pioneering hardware solutions to transform existing telecom infrastructure into quantum-secure communication networks. Prior to this role, Dr. Goddard 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 New York. She is a serial entrepreneur, having founded and led two biotech startup companies. Before joining the startup community, Dr. Goddard was an assistant professor of physics at Hunter College, CUNY. She completed her postdoctoral research as a fellow at Harvard University and earned her PhD at Rockefeller University.

Robert Marino

CEO · Qubit Pharmaceuticals

Robert Marino is the CEO of Qubit Pharmaceuticals, a company focused on advancing drug and materials discovery through quantum simulations. His leadership emphasizes the application of quantum computing in the biotechnology sector, as evidenced by his participation in events like Quantonation: Physics Tech. Under his guidance, Qubit Pharmaceuticals is pioneering innovative approaches to scientific challenges in pharmaceuticals.

Rodolfo Rosini

CEO · Vaire Computing

Rodolfo Rosini serves as the CEO of Vaire Computing, where he leads efforts to develop near-zero consumption computing chips aimed at revolutionizing energy-efficient technologies. As a repeat founder of seven companies, five in deep tech, he has achieved two successful exits, demonstrating his expertise in hardware innovation and startup growth. His background includes significant contributions to quantum and low-power computing fields, drawing from his experience in building high-impact tech ventures. Rosini's work focuses on advancing hardware solutions for sustainable computing, positioning him as a key figure in energy-efficient technologies.

Vincent Hingot

Resolve Stroke · Resolve Stroke

Vincent Hingot is the founder and CEO of Resolve Stroke, a company specializing in AI-enhanced ultrasound technology for rapid stroke detection and treatment. As a physicist with expertise in software-based ultrasound approaches, he previously conducted research at institutions like the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), focusing on ultrafast imaging techniques. His notable achievements include developing innovative methods for real-time medical imaging that improve diagnostic accuracy in neurology. Hingot's contributions to the field involve advancing neurotech solutions that integrate AI with hardware for emergency medical applications, potentially saving lives through early intervention.

Wasiq Bokhari

Chairman · Pasqal

Wasiq Bokhari serves as the Chairman of Pasqal, a company focused on quantum computing technologies. He is involved in guiding the company's strategic direction in developing quantum processors. His role contributes to advancements in the quantum sector.

Will Zeng

Partner · Quantonation

Will Zeng is a Partner at Quantonation, investing in early stage physics tech as well as Founder and President at the Unitary Foundation, an open source quantum technology research lab. Previously he built quantum computers at Rigetti Computing and worked on advanced computing R&D for Goldman Sachs. He did his PhD in quantum algorithms at Oxford.