Critical Tech, Critical Time | The Pair Program Ep74

Episode notes

Critical Tech, Critical Time | The Pair Program Ep74 In this episode, hosts Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen explore how startups and strategic investors are strengthening America’s innovation infrastructure. Nicholas Myers of Phoenix Tailings and Dr. Yan Zheng of In-Q-Tel discuss the urgency of building resilient supply chains and re-imagining manufacturing for a new era of national security. They dive into: How Phoenix Tailings turns toxic mining waste into rare-earth metals Why critical materials are the “new oil” of the modern economy In-Q-Tel’s model for aligning startups and national priorities Lessons on dual-use innovation and public-private collaboration About Nicholas Myers: Nicholas is the CEO and Co-Founder of Phoenix Tailings. Before co-founding the company, he held executive roles at a genomics firm and an EV charging startup. He holds a B.S. in Physics from Saint Michael’s College and an MBA from Northeastern University. About Dr. Yan Zheng: Dr. Yan is Chief of Staff at In-Q-Tel, where he aligns leadership priorities and oversees strategic investments in microelectronics, semiconductors, and quantum tech. He holds a Ph.D.