Unifying Mission in Tech Innovation

This chapter explores the significance of a unifying mission in motivating teams working on groundbreaking tech projects, particularly in quantum computing. It draws parallels with historical achievements, emphasizes the challenges of the field, and highlights the importance of sincere communication and steady progress.

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EXCLUSIVE: Quantum’s SpaceX Moment? Ashlee Vance on PsiQuantum’s Moonshot

Core Memory creator, Silicon Valley’s Science Expert, & once–quantum skeptic Ashlee Vance sits down with PsiQuantum’s Co-Founder & CSO Pete Shadbolt for a candid, wide-ranging conversation.

After touring PsiQuantum’s secretive labs—more than five years after first covering the company—Ashlee found his skepticism shaken, likening PsiQuantum’s ongoing uphill climb to SpaceX’s decade-long, near-death march toward liftoff. Pete reveals why mission, mindset, and his mantra “always be impressive” are non-negotiables for a team attempting a moonshot that may take years to fully realize.

If PsiQuantum succeeds, this may be remembered as the conversation where skeptics began to believe.

1. Pete Shadbolt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-shadbolt-4b7541126/

2. Ashlee Vance: https://x.com/ashleevance

3. Molly O’Shea: ⁠https://x.com/MollySOShea⁠

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Chapters:

(00:00) Intro: Molly welcomes Pete & Ashlee

(00:53) Ashlee’s history covering quantum since 2007

(03:11) What makes PsiQuantum different

(05:11) Touring PsiQuantum labs: hardware challenges & scale

(07:20) Why Ashlee trusted PsiQuantum’s story

(08:43) Pete: “Come and see the wafers”

(10:23) The academic → startup culture gap in quantum

(13:24) Ashlee’s “mind palace” shoot in chaotic engineer’s office

(16:12) How PsiQuantum keeps its team motivated for a decade-long mission