In this episode of The Quantum Economy Podcast, Anders Indset speaks with Théau Peronnin, co-founder and CEO of Alice & Bob — a French quantum startup pioneering fault-tolerant quantum computing through its unique “cat qubit” design. A physicist by training and vocation, Théau shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship and reflects on what it takes to lead a deep-tech company through one of the most high-stakes races in modern science: building a universal quantum computer. Together, they explore: – How embedding error correction directly into qubits could drastically reduce the hardware requirements for fault tolerance – Why quantum computing isn’t about accelerating existing algorithms but enabling entirely new kinds of questions – What the “Sputnik moment” of quantum might look like — and why we're not quite there yet – How classical control electronics, not quantum components, could be the true bottleneck at scale – Why Europe needs visionary drive, not bureaucracy, to take the lead in quantum innovation – And why the most profound impact of quantum might lie in unlocking the next generation of chemistry, material science — and maybe even understanding life itself This is a conversation that moves fluidly between science, economics, culture, and the long arc of human progress — all through the lens of someone building the machine that could define the next technological era. Whether you’re a researcher, investor, policymaker, or simply quantum-curious — this episode will expand your view of what’s possible. Links & Resources About Théau Peronnin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theau-peronnin/ https://alice-bob.com/ About The Quantum Economy Podcast A series of recordings around the research of the forthcoming second edition of “The Quantum Economy”. Learn more at thequantumeconomy.com Contact: [email protected] Listen & Subscribe YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnjrEO3TF1lUTutnqlfA3x88Rp0gVkOmD Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6pepc2PaCd06FHlf1pzDOg?si=hSoOnoTwTSi4wYxZyGkUPw&nd=1&dlsi=3cf564a337ca480f Apple: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/channel/quantum-economy-podcast/81ea30a3-aaaa-4112-8787-d9aa3e0b816a Subscribe for insights on quantum tech, AI, deep-tech About Anders Indset Anders Indset is a leading business philosopher, author, and deep-tech investor. His latest book proposes Artificial Human Intelligence (AHI) as the future of humanity NEW BOOK The Singularity Paradox: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and AI https://www.amazon.com/dp/1394309643 Official Website: https://andersindset.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersindset/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andersindset X: http://x.com/andersindset Support & Share If you enjoyed this episode, please: Like – Comment and Share with a fellow quantum enthusiast Subscribe for future conversations with the thinkers shaping the quantum economy.