The Techne Connect

Today we’re joined by Didier Manning, CTO at Rheinmetall’s Power Systems division.  Didier shares his international journey through automotive engineering, from Bosch and ZF to leading innovation at Rheinmetall.  We dive into his views on authentic leadership, building cultures that foster innovation, and why Europe's future in mobility depends on empowering its engineers.  A powerful episode...

Today we’re joined by Jan Richter, co-founder and CEO of Batemo. A pioneering battery modelling company, rooted in academia and driven by purpose. Jan shares his journey from working as a paramedic in Germany, to studying electrical engineering and completing a PhD in motor control, before co-founding Batemo with his long-time friend, Michael. In this episode, we discuss the challenges of building...

Today we’re joined by Ben Gully, Chief Technologist at SPOC a company applying its deep expertise in power systems to enable next-generation battery and microgrid solutions. Ben shares his journey from academic research to hybrid vehicle controls, battery testing at DNV, a CTO role in lithium-metal tech and now leading innovation at SPOC. We discuss his shift from R&D to strategy, lessons in l...

We’re joined by Vance Strader, former CTO at Live Wire and long-time Harley-Davidson engineering leader, to talk all things electric mobility, leadership and innovation. Vance shares his journey from designing fighter jet components to building Harley’s first electric motorcycle and scaling Live Wire into a standalone EV brand. He reflects on the leadership lessons that shaped him, his passion for...

Today we’re joined by Fillip Hes, Founder of Delta Capacity – a company building next-generation infrastructure to support a more intelligent, resilient, and sustainable energy system. Fillip shares his journey from systems engineering to entrepreneurship, and how his passion for battery intelligence, software-defined energy systems, and the energy transition led him to create Delta Capacity. We e...

Welcome to the TECHNE Connect Podcast, Behind the Power. Today we’re joined by John Alper, Principal Technologist at VoltStorage – a Munich-based company developing cutting-edge iron salt batteries for grid-scale energy storage. John shares his fascinating journey from academia to industry, including groundbreaking research at UC Berkeley, pioneering work on flow batteries for NASA, and now drivin...

This week, we’re joined by Chris Hauxwell, General Manager at Evolution Battery Systems – a growing UK startup designing advanced battery systems for the automotive, industrial and energy sectors. Chris walks us through his journey from his time in power electronics to spearheading innovation in a dynamic startup environment. He reflects on how he's building a high-performing team, why the No...

This week we’re joined by Jeffrey Glasson, Chief Technology Officer at TWAICE – a battery analytics company headquartered in Munich. Jeff takes us through his journey from Silicon Valley to Germany, drawing on leadership experiences at Apple, VMware and Contentful. He reflects on his evolution from hands-on engineering to strategic leadership, driven by a passion for solving complex customer chall...

This week we are joined by Sarath Nair, Chief Engineer at Changan UK, to explore his inspiring journey ABOUT how he’s helped shape the future of electrified powertrains. Sarath reflects on his career beginnings, moving from embedded software engineering in India to building battery systems for the Nissan Leaf in Japan, and eventually leading hybrid systems integration at Jaguar Land Rover. He shar...

This week we sit down with Lisa Akerlund, Chief Technology Officer at Rivus Batteries. We explore her journey from environmental science to leading cutting-edge innovation in sustainable battery tech. Lisa shares how she transitioned from academia to start up life, her passion for solving real-world problems and the mission behind developing metal-free stationary batteries using locally sourced ma...

This week we sit down with Nick Grundish, VP of Battery Technology at Energy Exploration Technologies – an Austin-based start up driving innovation in lithium extraction and domestic battery materials.   Nick shares his journey from mechanical engineering to materials science, including his time working under the legendary John Goodenough, and how that experience shaped his path toward building br...

This week we sit down with Fredrik Fürst from Volvo Group to explore his journey from aspiring pilot to leader in battery and electrification systems.  Frederik shares how he transitioned through technical and leadership roles, the lessons learned along the way, and the importance of building strong team culture. We also dive into the evolving world of battery technology, from BMS development and...

Today, we’re joined by Matrishvan Raval, Head of Product at Turntide Technologies. Matrishvan brings a wealth of knowledge earned through years of experience in the engineering industry, marked by his leadership in electrification and product strategy. With extensive engineering experience, Matrishvan offers a deep understanding of technology development, market dynamics, and the crucial intersect...

Today, we have a truly insightful conversation with Ahmed AbuTabl, Engineering Director and Head of Global Software Engineering for Body Control at Forvia Hella. Ahmed brings a wealth of experience, having navigated diverse cultures and complex engineering challenges in the automotive sector. We delve into his journey, uncovering how he's built a robust career through continuous learning and...

This week, we’re diving into the cutting-edge world of autonomous driving and advanced automotive technology. Our guest is Karim Mansour, an Autonomous Driving Expert and Technical Director at NXP Semiconductors. With a career spanning continents, Karim has been at the forefront of some of the most groundbreaking advancements in the automotive and electric vehicle industries.  Guided by his inspir...

This week we’re thrilled to be joined by Luca Stronati, an engineering powerhouse behind some of the most iconic names in automotive. Currently leading Software Release, Integration, and Safety at Lamborghini, Luca’s career spans Ferrari, McLaren, and Marelli. With deep expertise in software, electric powertrains, and mechanical engineering, Luca’s journey is a masterclass in automotive innovation...

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Maithri Venkat, an expert with 9 years of experience in the electric vehicle industry. Maithri currently works as a Manager for Battery Cell Engineering at Lucid Motors.  Maithri has taken on significant roles that support advancing the development of cutting-edge battery cells, guiding the process from conceptual design and material selection to manufacturing a...

This week we’re talking mobility, innovation and leadership with Christine Thelesklaf. Christine is the Vice President of Engineering at Bosch USA, a global leader in technology and automotive solutions.  In this episode, Christine shares her journey, offering insight into how Bosch fosters innovation across cultures and technologies. We’ll explore her views on hybrid work, workplace culture, and...

This week we’re talking technology with Sugandar Swetharanyam.  Sugandar is a Senior Director of Engineering at DXC Technology, a multinational information technology services and consulting company. He's a true visionary in the tech space, with extensive experience in developing and implementing complex solutions.  From his deep understanding of supercomputers and their evolution to his insi...

This week our guest is Tahsin Kart, the CTO at CycloTech. Tahsin is a true pioneer in the future air mobility space, with over 15 years of experience in safety-critical aerospace and automotive projects. From developing defence applications at Roketsan to breaking barriers in future air mobility at Volocopter, he’s always been one step ahead—using unique technological advancements to not just solv...

This week our guest is Dominique Van Baelen, Cluster Leader for Functional Design at Stellantis e-Transmissions. Dominique has a wealth of experience in the automotive industry, specializing in functional design and e-transmission systems. He's at the forefront of innovation, driving the development of next-generation technologies that are shaping the future of mobility. In this conversation,...

This week we’re diving into the crucial world of energy storage solutions with Henrik Lundgren, Chief Technology Officer at Capture Energy. Henrik is a true leader in this space, with nearly a decade of experience in the battery industry, working with cutting-edge technologies and leading global projects. From his PhD in Chemical Engineering where he focused on thermal aspects and electrolytes for...

This week we’re diving into the future of the automotive industry with our special guest Prasanth Gowravajhala, Senior Manager for Software Defined Vehicles at MHP – A Porsche Company. Prasanth's journey is anything but conventional. Having moved back and forth between India and Germany, he never followed a set roadmap, but instead, embraced the unpredictable nature of the automotive world. W...

This week we speak with Gabriel Manole, the Delivery Director and Country Manager at Endego.  Gabriel’s career began in Romania at the dawn of the country’s automotive software boom. From his early days with Siemens VDO to key leadership roles at Continental, Freescale, and Atmel, he’s played a pivotal role in software development, management, and transformation. Thanks to his hard work at Endego,...

Today, we’re diving into the dynamic world of autonomous driving and imaging technology with none other than Constantin Popoiu, a Requirements Engineer at emotion3D.   Constantin is an expert in the field, with over eight years of experience in requirements engineering for safety-critical software projects.   From crafting high-quality, goal-aligned requirements for autonomous driving systems to e...