The IQT Podcast

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.

A smartphone lights up in your hand. Inside it, rare earth elements and critical minerals quietly power the technology we rely on every day, from defense systems to medical devices. As global supply chains tighten, prices fluctuate, processing concentrates in single regions, and both national security and daily life feel the strain. In this episode of IQT Explains, host Jon Chait, Managing Partner at IQT, talks with Russ Ross, VP of Technology at IQT, and Sahil Tapiwala, CEO of Atomionics, about how critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earths shape the economy, the clean-energy transition, and U.S. security. They follow the path from exploration and feedstock to refining and metallization, revealing where today’s biggest challenges and opportunities lie. The conversation highlights quantum sensing and AI-driven resource mapping, including Atomionics’ use of quantum gravimeters to locate underground mineral deposits faster and more precisely. Learn how strategic investment, recycling innovation, and resilient supply chains can reduce dependency on foreign processing and strengthen U.S. leadership. If you want a clear, accessible look at how technology, business, and science intersect to secure the materials behind modern innovation, this episode connects it all.

Welcome to the IQT Podcast. In this continuation, host Clayton Williams, Managing Director of IQT’s London office, continues the conversation with Lorenz Meier, Co-founder and CEO of Auterion, and Rob Rainhart, Auterion’s Chief Operating Officer. Building on part one, the conversation examines the significant role of drones in modern warfare and defense technology. Highlighting impressive figures—such as Ukraine increasing monthly drone production from 20,000 to 200,000 units and aiming for millions more—this episode investigates the rapid expansion of drone deployment and the innovations driving it. Lorenz recounts his experiences leading operations in Kyiv and how Auterion’s agile engineering and quick iteration have reshaped battlefield dynamics. Rob discusses the global shift in defense strategies influenced by developments in Ukraine, affecting regions from the U.S. and Europe to Taiwan and the broader Indo-Pacific. For those interested in the progression of AI, drones, and defense technology, this episode offers valuable perspectives on innovation in action.

Welcome back to The IQT Podcast. In this episode, Clayton Williams of IQT's London office speaks with Lorenz Meier, co-founder and CEO of Auterion, and Rob Rainhart, Auterion’s Chief Operating Officer. They explore the remarkable evolution of autonomous systems and drone technology — an area that’s rapidly reshaping the future of defense. Lorenz and Rob share the story of how Auterion grew from an open source student project into a powerhouse in drone autonomy.

They also offer a unique perspective on how the company has bridged commercial innovation and defense applications, navigating a fast-changing market and shifting global demands. Watch as they unpack the challenges of operating in a dual-use tech space, the regulatory forces at play, and how conflicts like the war in Ukraine have driven urgency and innovation in the drone ecosystem. Whether you’re tracking the future of autonomy or curious about the intersection of startups and defense, this conversation offers an inside look at how Auterion is helping shape what’s next.