"When Anastasia Marchenkova hears a founder claim they're building a million- qubit quantum computer, she doesn't roll her eyes or dismiss the claim outright. Instead, she runs through a series of questions: "What needs to be true for that to happen? Is it a physics problem? Or a manufacturing one?" Her no-nonsense "bullshit" test has made her a trusted advisor to venture capitalists and founders alike."
"Right now, Marchenkova's pragmatism feels especially prescient. After several years of contracting funding, quantum technology is entering a renewed wave of investment. Funding in Q1 of 2025 for quantum companies reached $1.25 billion, roughly double that of the year before, and according to McKinsey, the total quantum market is predicted to be worth about $198 billion by 2040. In cities as far-flung as Tel Aviv and Tokyo, investors are making a bet that quantum tech will move out of the lab at last."
Anastasia Marchenkova evaluates ambitious quantum claims by asking concrete technical and manufacturing questions to separate plausible timelines from hype. Quantum technology investment is resurging, with Q1 2025 funding at $1.25 billion and McKinsey projecting a $198 billion market by 2040. Investors across global tech centers are betting on commercialization beyond the lab. Despite rising capital, convincing investors remains difficult because translating scientific advances into timely, impactful pitches requires deep technical explanation. Marchenkova works with venture capitalists and founders to vet technologies and improve founder communication, applying a pragmatic, no-nonsense approach to assess viability and fundraising readiness.
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