Episode
Building a Quantum Ecosystem from Scratch with Martin Laforest
- Published
- Feb 17, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2549
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://newquantumera.transistor.fm/79
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Summary
What does it take to build a thriving quantum ecosystem from the ground up? Martin Laforest, physicist-turned-venture-capitalist at Quantacet, reveals how Quebec transformed a 1970s academic bet into a $400M quantum powerhouse—and why the industry's biggest misconception is thinking quantum computing is either a science problem or an engineering problem when it's clearly both. Summary In this conversation, Sebastian sits down with Martin Laforest, partner at Quantacet, Canada's quantum-only VC fund, to explore the messy realities of building quantum companies and ecosystems. Martin brings a rare perspective: PhD from Waterloo's Institute for Quantum Computing, eight years leading scientific outreach, a stint building a post-quantum cryptography startup with ex-BlackBerry executives, and now investing in the quantum future. This episode is for anyone trying to understand how quantum technology actually gets built—not the hype, but the infrastructure, the collaboration models, the government investment strategies, and the patience required. Whether you're technical or just curious about how transformative technologies emerge, Martin offers a grounded view of what's working, what's not, and why the quantum revolution looks more like slow, deliberate ecosystem building than overnight breakthroughs. What You'll Learn Why quantum is both a science and engineering challenge and how the vacuum tube-to-transistor transition illuminates today's quantum journey How Quebec built a world-class quantum ecosystem starting from a 1970s university bet on condensed matter physics through to today's $400M provincial investment The infrastructure that matters : why Sherbrooke's six shared dilution fridges and quantum communication testbed represent a different collaboration model What VCs…