Jonathan Huffman, CEO at Orbital Arc

In this episode of Connect to Health Tech, Karim Barka is joined by Anna Erat, Chief Medical Officer at Ahead Health, the Swiss preventive health company combining advanced blood testing and whole-body MRI to give people a comprehensive view of their health. Anna’s journey into medicine began as an alpine skiing athlete, wanting to understand how to push the body to its limits without injury. That curiosity took her to Harvard Medical School, where she researched inflammation at the cellular and genetic level before training in internal medicine, sports medicine, prevention and longevity. She also holds a PhD in health systems management and corporate governance, and has advised the pharmaceutical industry, the Swiss Ministry of Health and a portfolio of companies. Outside work, her latest passion is bobsledding.Anna explains Ahead Health’s mission to move healthcare away from simply reacting to illness and towards personalised, predictive, preventive and proactive care. With an estimated two billion people aged 60 and over by 2050, she argues the goal must be to increase health span and reduce “sick span”. She explains what sets Ahead Health apart: protocols developed with scientists from Zurich and Oxford, longitudinal tracking, and experienced doctors involved in every case, with a network ready to refer patients quickly if something is found. Ahead Health already has around 20 centres in Switzerland and has launched in Munich, with plans to expand across Germany, the Netherlands and beyond. Anna also shares the engineering and AI skills the company is hiring for, and her advice for anyone joining a health tech startup: only do it if you’re truly passionate about health.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.

In this episode of Connect to Visionaries, Tom Sloan is joined by Deo Arlo, founder and CEO of Arlo Industries, a Y Combinator-backed startup building sensors that track drones and missiles without radar. Deo shares an origin story shaped by conflict. He studied engineering in Israel during multiple conflicts and spent a year learning from operators and defence experts across Ukraine, Finland and Estonia. There he saw how vulnerable infrastructure is to small drones. He explains why he’s betting on decentralised defence, a “living system” modelled on the body’s immune system rather than a single point of failure.Beyond the tech, Deo talks openly about the realities of being a founder. He covers why discipline beats motivation, how a minimalist life makes it easier to get back into routine, and why entrepreneurship is “a people game” more than a technology one. He also explains why defence demands people who join for the right reasons, and why the biggest opportunities lie in the infrastructure and supply chains behind the front line. He finishes with the skill sets that will matter most in the years ahead.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.

Penny Wan is Co-Founder and Chair of Heronova Life Sciences, a company focused on women’s health.With a career spanning biotech, pharma and consumer health, Penny previously held senior leadership positions across Asia Pacific, including President of Amgen Asia Pacific, where she built a billion-dollar business and regional team.Penny discusses why she returned to women’s health, the lack of progress in the sector, and how Heronova came to focus on endometriosis. The company is developing non-invasive diagnostic solutions designed to help identify the disease earlier and improve access to care.The conversation also covers healthcare entrepreneurship, investment, commercialisation, AI and data, the future of women’s health, building teams around a shared mission, and Penny’s advice for people looking to start a company in healthcare.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.

Mario Paniccia, CEO of ANELLO Photonics, shares his journey from growing up on the East Coast of the US to becoming a leading innovator in silicon photonics and founding multiple technology companies. Drawing on nearly 22 years at Intel, Mario reflects on the breakthroughs, setbacks and lessons that shaped his career, and why perseverance, curiosity and building the right team are essential when bringing new technologies to market.In this episode of Connect to Visionaries, Mario discusses ANELLO Photonics’ vision to make reliable navigation possible wherever GPS is unavailable, jammed or spoofed. He explores the role of silicon photonics, autonomous systems and AI in shaping the future of defence and commercial applications, while sharing advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and his perspective on the changing relationship between startups, innovation and manufacturing.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.

Daniel Burroughs, CTO of Hoverfly Technologies, joins Joe Reed on Connect to Flight to discuss the evolution of tethered drone technology and its growing role in defence. Drawing on more than 16 years at Hoverfly, Daniel shares how the company developed systems capable of remaining airborne for days or even weeks, providing persistent power and network connectivity for cameras, radios and other mission-critical equipment.The conversation explores the challenges of building and scaling deep-tech hardware businesses, the importance of listening to customers and adapting your vision, and the future of autonomous defence systems. Daniel also discusses AI, GPS-denied navigation, resilient supply chains and the potential for robotic systems to work together, alongside the kind of curious, adaptable thinking needed to solve complex engineering challenges.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.

David Shapira, CCO & Co-Founder of CDDS, shares his journey from mechanical engineering and entrepreneurship to building autonomous defence technology. He discusses the origins of CDDS, the importance of solving a genuine problem, and why continuous customer feedback is essential when developing products that need to work in the real world.David also explores how defence is evolving, from the growing role of startups and rapid technology cycles to the engineering talent shaping the industry. He shares his vision for CDDS, its autonomous kinetic interceptor technology, and why building products with real-world impact is what keeps him motivated.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.

In this episode of TECHNE Connect we are joined by Jonathan Huffman, CEO and Founder of Orbital Arc, to discuss the future of satellite propulsion and the commercialisation of deep space technology.Jonathan shares his journey from biotech consulting and self-directed research to building a company focused on developing smaller, lighter and more efficient electric propulsion systems for satellites.They explore the challenges of bringing breakthrough technology out of the lab, why reduced launch costs are accelerating innovation across the space industry, and how advanced propulsion could enable the next generation of satellite constellations and space infrastructure.A conversation about engineering, entrepreneurship and building the technologies that will shape 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.

In this episode of TECHNE Connect to Visionaries, Karim is joined by Shreyas, COO and Co-Founder of Katalyse AI, to explore the role of artificial intelligence in transforming pharmaceutical development and improving access to life-saving medicines.Shreyas shares his journey from competitive tennis to entrepreneurship, including his experience at BCG and Sanofi, where he gained insight into the challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry. Witnessing inequalities in access to essential medicines inspired his ambition to help develop technology addressing these challenges.We explore how Katalyse AI is helping pharmaceutical companies accelerate drug development, improve processes and reduce manufacturing costs through AI-driven solutions.The conversation also covers the realities of building a startup, securing early customers, developing a mission-driven company culture and attracting talented people who share the organisation's ambitions.Looking ahead, Shreyas discusses the future of AI in healthcare, why curiosity and problem-solving are becoming increasingly important skills, and his advice for the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs considering a career in health tech.A conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership and the potential of AI to make healthcare more accessible worldwide.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.

In this episode of TECHNE Connect to Visionaries, we are joined by Laura, CEO and Co-Founder of Audicin, to explore the journey of building a health tech company focused on nervous system regulation.Laura shares her transition from Nokia executive to entrepreneur, how music and neuroscience inspired the creation of Audicin, and the challenges of turning a personal mission into a global technology company.We discuss the future of preventative healthcare, the role of science-backed technology, building high-performance teams, and why the next generation of health tech companies will need to combine innovation with genuine impact.A conversation about entrepreneurship, neuroscience, technology and creating solutions designed to improve everyday wellbeing.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.

In the latest episode of TECHNE Connect to Venture Capital, Joe Reed is joined by Philip Veber, Principal at Gaingels, for a deep dive into the world of venture capital, investing and building relationships with founders.Philip shares his journey from joining Gaingels as a teenager to becoming a Principal, alongside insights from working with founders and investors across the technology ecosystem.They discuss:• What founders often misunderstand about venture capital• How to approach investors and build meaningful relationships• Why the right investor matters more than the highest valuation• The future of AI, robotics and space technology• Why physical AI could become the next major technology shift• The importance of storytelling, networks and founder mindsetPhilip also shares advice for early-stage founders, including why understanding the problem you are solving matters more than falling in love with the product.A great conversation for founders, investors and anyone interested in the future of 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.