Markus Pflitsch
CEO and Founder
Markus is a dedicated quantum physicist, senior financial executive and deep tech entrepreneur. He believes in the competitive advantage of quantum tech and is committed to support the European ecosystem to unlock its value. Since he was 14 years old, Markus has been a quantum physics enthusiast. He built on that passion, studying mathematics and physics, and accomplished a research career at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research.
Before founding Terra Quantum in 2019, his curious mind and business acumen led him to pursue his profession in the business and finance industry. Starting at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in Europe and North America, he applied his expertise in the financial services industry. He spent additional years working as chief financial officer and senior executive in various corporations (Deutsche Bank, UniCredit), as well as owner-managed digital and high-tech companies. Ultimately, he decided to leverage his expertise in quantum physics, business and finance to become an entrepreneur in the quantum tech space.
He founded Terra Quantum AG, a deep tech pioneer commercializing quantum tech applications. Markus is senior advisor to private equity funds and member of the “Baden-Badener Unternehmergespräche” (BBUG), a German institution which helps cultivate the next generation of executive leaders by bringing together decision makers from business, politics and society.
Before founding Terra Quantum in 2019, his curious mind and business acumen led him to pursue his profession in the business and finance industry. Starting at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in Europe and North America, he applied his expertise in the financial services industry. He spent additional years working as chief financial officer and senior executive in various corporations (Deutsche Bank, UniCredit), as well as owner-managed digital and high-tech companies. Ultimately, he decided to leverage his expertise in quantum physics, business and finance to become an entrepreneur in the quantum tech space.
He founded Terra Quantum AG, a deep tech pioneer commercializing quantum tech applications. Markus is senior advisor to private equity funds and member of the “Baden-Badener Unternehmergespräche” (BBUG), a German institution which helps cultivate the next generation of executive leaders by bringing together decision makers from business, politics and society.
Prof. Dr. Valerii Vinokur
Chief Technology Officer US
Valerii Vinokur is one of the most highly decorated quantum scientists in the world, and Terra Quantum’s Chief Technology Officer for the United States. Based in Chicago, he oversees the project portfolio with a particular focus on hardware components, while applying his deep and long- term world-class experience to expanding the intellectual property and patent portfolio.
He graduated from the Moscow Institute of Steel and Alloys in 1972 with a BSc in Physics of Metals, and moved to the Institute of Solid State Physics, where he received a Ph.D. in Physics in 1979. Subsequently, Vinokur followed the opportunity to work at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, where his research especially focused on understanding topological quantum matter and superconductivity. More than three decades he dedicated his efforts as a senior scientist to the US research institution, before joining Terra Quantum in 2019.
His remarkable scientific achievements have been acknowledged numerous times by the international science and research community, most recently with the 2020 Fritz London Memorial Prize in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of condensed matter and theoretical physics.
He graduated from the Moscow Institute of Steel and Alloys in 1972 with a BSc in Physics of Metals, and moved to the Institute of Solid State Physics, where he received a Ph.D. in Physics in 1979. Subsequently, Vinokur followed the opportunity to work at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, where his research especially focused on understanding topological quantum matter and superconductivity. More than three decades he dedicated his efforts as a senior scientist to the US research institution, before joining Terra Quantum in 2019.
His remarkable scientific achievements have been acknowledged numerous times by the international science and research community, most recently with the 2020 Fritz London Memorial Prize in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of condensed matter and theoretical physics.
Prof. Dr. Florian Neukart
Chief Product Officer
Florian has built a reputation as high-tech leader and practitioner, and advisor in innovation and future tech. He is in the Board of Trustees of the International Foundation of Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing, a special advisor to the Quantum Strategy Institute, on Board of Advisors of the KI Park, a co- author of Germany’s National Roadmap for Quantum Computing, on the Advisory Board of Quantum.Tech, and was a member of the World Economic Forum’s Future Council on Quantum Computing.
Before joining Terra Quantum AG in 2021, he worked at Volkswagen Group in various positions for 11 years, assuming responsibility as Director for the Group’s innovation labs in Munich and San Francisco. Preceding his career at Volkswagen, he held various management and research positions in industry, academia, and consulting. Florian studied computer science, physics, and information technology, holding Master’s degrees and diplomas in these fields as well as a Ph.D. in computer science focusing on the intersection of artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
He pursues academic research and teaching, working as assistant professor at the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science teaching quantum computing. He has written books on artificial intelligence and energy, edited a book on quantum computing, and published more than 90 articles on quantum computing and various other topics ranging from materials science to self-driving vehicles.
Before joining Terra Quantum AG in 2021, he worked at Volkswagen Group in various positions for 11 years, assuming responsibility as Director for the Group’s innovation labs in Munich and San Francisco. Preceding his career at Volkswagen, he held various management and research positions in industry, academia, and consulting. Florian studied computer science, physics, and information technology, holding Master’s degrees and diplomas in these fields as well as a Ph.D. in computer science focusing on the intersection of artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
He pursues academic research and teaching, working as assistant professor at the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science teaching quantum computing. He has written books on artificial intelligence and energy, edited a book on quantum computing, and published more than 90 articles on quantum computing and various other topics ranging from materials science to self-driving vehicles.
Dr. Eike Marx
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Strategic Officer (CSO)
Eike is an experienced, visionary professional, bringing a rare combination of deep technical background (PhD in Physics), strategic thinking capability, and strong expertise in operations & finance with more than 20 years of relevant experience across M&A, capital raising and building technology companies to Terra Quantum.
At Terra Quantum, Eike is leading the company's financial strategy, oversees financial operations to drive growth and expand the company's global footprint. His extensive expertise and network in corporate finance, capital-raising, and investment management are of great added value to the firm.
Prior to joining Terra Quantum, Eike was Managing Director at Arma Partners, a London-based investment banking firm, where he focused on DeepTech and FrontierTech transactions. Previously, he held senior finance and strategy positions in technology companies and venture capital, as well as technology investment banking positions at Morgan Stanley and Perella Weinberg Partners. Eike holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Cambridge (Cavendish Laboratory, UK) and a Dipl.-Ing. (M.Sc. equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering from RWTH Aachen (Germany) and was a Research Scholar in Mechanical Engineering at Yale University (USA).
At Terra Quantum, Eike is leading the company's financial strategy, oversees financial operations to drive growth and expand the company's global footprint. His extensive expertise and network in corporate finance, capital-raising, and investment management are of great added value to the firm.
Prior to joining Terra Quantum, Eike was Managing Director at Arma Partners, a London-based investment banking firm, where he focused on DeepTech and FrontierTech transactions. Previously, he held senior finance and strategy positions in technology companies and venture capital, as well as technology investment banking positions at Morgan Stanley and Perella Weinberg Partners. Eike holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Cambridge (Cavendish Laboratory, UK) and a Dipl.-Ing. (M.Sc. equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering from RWTH Aachen (Germany) and was a Research Scholar in Mechanical Engineering at Yale University (USA).
Vishal Shete
Managing Director Terra Quantum UK and Global Director of Commercialization
Vishal Shete is Managing Director at Terra Quantum UK and leads the commercial activities for the group, globally. He has spent the last few years spearheading the commercial development of Terra Quantum, with a particular focus on how Quantum Technologies can be used to address some of the most complex challenges across numerous industries, including Financial Services & Life Sciences.
He has been educated as a Computer Engineer and has an MBA from IE Business School (Spain) & the Wharton School (USA). Prior to Terra Quantum, he had a successful career through senior leadership positions in Management Consulting and Financial Services.
He has been educated as a Computer Engineer and has an MBA from IE Business School (Spain) & the Wharton School (USA). Prior to Terra Quantum, he had a successful career through senior leadership positions in Management Consulting and Financial Services.
Karan Pinto
Global Director of Growth
Karan is an entrepreneur and technologist with a background in Engineering & Finance from University College London (UCL). He has multi-disciplinary experience across start-ups, tech firms & management consultancies such as Accenture, Sia Partners, Shell and EDF Energy. He has industrial expertise in Sustainable Energy, Venture Building and Business Transformations.
In his role at Terra Quantum, he helps make our quantum technology innovations useful for customers across sectors through unleashing business performance and securing against the quantum threat. He leads our growth activities spanning quantum evangelism, industrial solution and venture development through shaping the commercial, product and research activities.
He has had many entrepreneurial endeavours across consumer goods and services-based businesses. He is co-creator of "Entangle Climate", where the mission is to empower the use of deep tech for positive climate outcomes. As a Corporate Venture Builder, he helped companies make breakthrough growth opportunities happen through business model innovation and disruptive technology commercialisation.
He enjoys contemporary dance, movement & mindfulness as well as fostering entrepreneurship.
In his role at Terra Quantum, he helps make our quantum technology innovations useful for customers across sectors through unleashing business performance and securing against the quantum threat. He leads our growth activities spanning quantum evangelism, industrial solution and venture development through shaping the commercial, product and research activities.
He has had many entrepreneurial endeavours across consumer goods and services-based businesses. He is co-creator of "Entangle Climate", where the mission is to empower the use of deep tech for positive climate outcomes. As a Corporate Venture Builder, he helped companies make breakthrough growth opportunities happen through business model innovation and disruptive technology commercialisation.
He enjoys contemporary dance, movement & mindfulness as well as fostering entrepreneurship.
Stephen Nundy
Investment Partner and CTO at Lakestar
A trained engineer with a passion for investing in and advising Deep Tech companies, Stephen Nundy is an experienced technologist who is constantly innovating and building ambitious global businesses. Partner and Chief Technology Officer at European venture capital firm Lakestar, he leads on technology transactions ranging from AI, ML, B2B SaaS and Data Analytics. Stephen draws from over 20 years of global experience having previously been a Managing Director, Technology at Goldman Sachs where he headed complex global engineering and change groups.
Martin Hofmann, PhD
SVP, Salesforce & Former CIO Volkswagen
Expertise in deep tech, profound understanding of the industry landscape and a creative take on digital ventures is what Martin Hofmann brings to our conversations. His thoughtful advice derives from his current work as Senior Vice President and C-level advisor for Salesforce’s most strategic customers and his advisory role of Zurich-based Lakestar Ventures as an industry and deep tech advisor. Before, Martin Hofmann gained more than 25 years’ experience in the automotive sector. As an EVP and Group CIO, he ultimately lead the digital transformation of VW into cloud computing and creating software development and AI/data analytics centers globally.
Anders Indset
Philosopher and Author
World-leading business philosopher Anders Indset provides a bridge between philosophy, technology and science. With three Spiegel bestsellers including “The Quantum Economy,” Anders is a famed management thinker helping to shape the businesses of tomorrow. As well as being a part of GBI (Global Blockchain Initiative), #Enkelfähig, and “Die Veredlung Europas”(The European Refine-ment), Anders co-founded the Njordis Group and Global Institute of Leadership & Technology (GILT). His multifaceted approach has benefited a wide array of multinational organizations as Anders is a trusted partner of several successful CEOs.
David Knower
Partner and Chief Operating Officer, Cerberus Germany
Having held senior positions in major corporates all around the world, David Knower provides valuable insights unique to his global experience. After spending eleven years in finance and controlling positions for Procter & Gamble in Germany, Europe and Asia Pacific, David’s entrepreneurial drive saw him found his own company – the International Consulting Company. David continues to ensure operational excellence today as Partner and Head of Cerberus in Germany. A respected business leader, David is a Board Member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany and a Board Member of the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies in Washington.