Perspectives

Thinking on
deep technology.

Essays, analysis, and observations from the Quest partnership on the sectors, companies, and ideas we think matter most.

01
The Quiet Revolution in Photonic Computing
Silicon photonics is quietly becoming the backbone of next-generation AI infrastructure. We explore why the shift from electronics to photons is inevitable — and which companies are best positioned to lead it.
02
Why Japan Leads the Next Wave of Industrial AI
Japan's combination of world-class manufacturing know-how, aging workforce, and deep robotics heritage makes it uniquely positioned to define how AI transforms the factory floor over the next decade.
03
Pre-Seed Valuations: A Structural Rethinking
The era of frothy pre-seed valuations is giving way to a more disciplined framework. We examine how the best early-stage investors are recalibrating their entry points in deep tech.
04
Synthetic Biology's Manufacturing Moment
Biological manufacturing is entering a new era. Falling costs of DNA synthesis and fermentation infrastructure are unlocking a wave of companies building with biology at industrial scale.
05
The Case for Quantum Sensing — Now
While quantum computing gets the headlines, quantum sensing is closer to commercialisation and addresses larger near-term markets. We make the case for why it deserves more attention from investors.