Investor Insights: Dr. Kris Naudts, Founding & Managing Partner of Firgun Ventures
Interviews with Global VCs on technology, trends, and turbulence
12 March 2026
For the latest interview in our Investor Insights series, we sat down with Dr. Kris Henri Naudts, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Firgun Ventures, a VC fund specialising in early growth-stage quantum technology investments that was launched at the end of last year. A former academic psychiatrist-neuroscientist and founder of Culture Trip, Kris and his co founder, Zeynep Koruturk have already closed two quantum investments.
How is Firgun Ventures different from other quantum investors?
We are focused on only quantum, not deep tech more broadly, and within quantum, we are particularly focused on Series A and B, a stage not heavily targeted by other players in the investment space. We also have a truly global mandate with no sovereign funding restrictions, meaning we can go wherever the best science and companies are and not be tied to any one country.
What do you think are the most interesting areas of quantum technology?
They are all interesting in different ways, but you have to look at this not only from an academic perspective but from an ROI perspective. Our thesis is to invest across the three categories of quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum cryptography/communications. The majority of our focus will be on quantum computing, where we expect the highest returns. The remainder will be split between sensing and cryptography / communications.
Are there any intersections between quantum and other industries that excite you?
The intersections of quantum with healthcare, defence, and space are particularly exciting right now. Healthcare is especially appealing because applications such as material sciences and drug discovery require fewer logical qubits and therefore provide nearer-term opportunities.
How is AI shaping the quantum landscape?
Progress in quantum in the past two years is partly attributable to progress in AI, particularly in error correction, which benefits every hardware modality. The relationship will eventually go both ways, quantum computers will unlock problems intractable for AI today and may become essential for securing AI's vast data flows.
In our own operations, we’re using AI to build a knowledge graph that tracks publications and detects early signals of emerging companies, making our due diligence significantly sharper.
What are the biggest factors shaping the quantum investment space at the moment?
The current geopolitical climate is one of the dominant forces right now. Export bans and tariffs are active risks; regulation could move faster than innovation, and that would be damaging. At the same time, emerging markets are a factor that investors shouldn't underestimate. The Gulf region: UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, is highly active with real capital and strategic ambition. The caveat is that quantum needs deep academic infrastructure to flourish, which limits where genuine ecosystems can take root.
Do you have any advice for founders on how to get noticed in the quantum space?
Two things. First, plan your talent roadmap early. Scaling beyond your founding academic team is hard, and non-quantum hires like a CMO or a COO for example need careful thought. You should be cautious about hiring experienced individuals from very large companies, as these people aren’t always able to adapt to a startup environment. Second, don't overemphasise the technology when pitching. A strong scientific foundation is the prerequisite, but does not build you a company that thrives and wins.
TFD's take
What came through clearly in our conversation with Kris is that quantum is no longer a waiting game. The intersections with healthcare, defence, and space are creating near-term opportunities, and capital is moving. The challenge for founders isn't scientific credibility, it's communication. Quantum founders who can pair scientific credibility with a clear commercial story are the ones who stand out. Solid technology is the starting point, not the finish line.
You can follow Kris's podcast, Time to Talk Quantum, for his ongoing exploration of where quantum meets defence, healthcare, AI, and finance.