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In this episode of The Quantum Spin by HKA, Veronica Combs speaks with Zeynep Korutürk, founding and managing partner of Firgun Ventures, a fund focused exclusively on funding Series A and B rounds for quantum companies. As an early investor in Cambridge Quantum Computing, which later became Quantinuum, she has seen the evolution of quantum tech from a niche scientific field into a maturing global investment category. She explains how Firgun is building a comprehensive portfolio and what it takes to communicate scientific accomplishments for a business audience.
00:00 Welcome and Mission
00:34 Meet Zeynep and Firgun
01:14 Firgun Quantum Strategy
02:13 Sensing and Comms Upside
02:48 Quantinuum Early Bet
04:50 SPACs and Going Public
06:29 Quantum Investing Today
08:57 Government Funding and China
11:32 Portfolio Approach and Modalities
12:18 From Goldman to Quantum VC
15:44 How Firgun Diligences Deals
18:19 Explaining Qubits Clearly
21:29 Quantum Tipping Points
23:31 AI and Quantum Feedback Loop
25:16 What to Watch Next
26:11 Wrap Up and Where to Listen
Zeynep Korutürk was Executive Director at Goldman-Sachs for over a decade and brings a similar proven record as a successful Quantum investor, having also acted as an early angel investor into Cambridge Quantum Computing (now Quantinuum). At Goldman Sachs, she has co-founded and steered the company’s Tech Initiative for a decade, meeting with over 1,000 tech founders, acting as an angel investor, board member or advisor.
She was a Board Member of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government Alumni Board of Directors, from where she holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy. Zeynep is also a World Economic Forum Global Shaper, and a member of Milken Institute’s Young Leaders Circle.
Host Veronica Combs is a quantum tech editor, writer and PR professional. She manages public relations for quantum computing clients at HKA Marketing Communications, the #1 agency in quantum tech PR. Veronica joined HKA from TechRepublic and has covered technology, healthcare and business strategy for more than 15 years.
Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicacombs/
Connect with HKA Marketing Communications on LinkedIn at
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hka-inc--public-relations/ or on our website https://hkamarcom.com/
