Webinar
Quantum Trends 2026: How Alumni Ventures is Riding the Wave of Hybrid Quantum Innovation
Alumni Ventures’ Chris Sklarin and Brandon Osian hosted a forward-looking session exploring how quantum technologies are entering a critical new phase—and what this shift means for venture investors participating through the Quantum Syndicate.
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Quantum technologies are rapidly moving from research labs into real-world, hybrid computing environments, with major implications for AI, high-performance computing, cybersecurity, and advanced simulation. In this webinar, the Quantum Syndicate team unpacked why 2026 marks an inflection point for quantum commercialization and how Alumni Ventures is positioned across the full quantum stack.
The session highlighted key trends shaping the space, including the convergence of quantum processors with GPUs and AI accelerators, the rise of hybrid quantum-classical workflows, and the growing importance of software, orchestration, and developer tools. The team also spotlighted select portfolio companies and walked through AV’s investment strategy for gaining diversified exposure to this rapidly evolving frontier.
Whether attendees were seasoned investors or new to deep tech, this session delivered timely insights into one of the most compelling areas of innovation.
Key Takeaways
- HomeUnderstand why the Quantum Decade is accelerating and what it means for venture capital
- HomeGet an inside look at AV’s investment approach and select Quantum Syndicate portfolio companies
- HomeLearn how to gain diversified exposure to a sector poised for long-term, exponential growth
Alumni Ventures is America’s largest venture capital firm for individual investors.
About your presenters
Overview
Chris Sklarin is Managing Partner of the Castor Fund at Alumni Ventures, where for over eight years he has led investments in transformative technology companies redefining how we compute, communicate, and cure. He has deployed more than $120 million across all stages—from seed to growth—building Castor Ventures and expanding the portfolio to over 150 companies. The Castor portfolio features industry leaders such as Algorand, Boldin, Capital RX, Enable, Groq, Ocient, Qedma, RapidSOS, Synchron, and Unlearn AI, each tackling high-impact problems with ambitious solutions.
With over 20 years in venture capital and more than a decade in product development and sales engineering, Chris has also held venture roles focused on enterprise and mobile investments, served as Director of Business Development at a biomedical venture accelerator and an early-stage firm, and sourced seed-stage deals at JumpStart, a nationally recognized venture development organization in Cleveland. Chris holds an SB in Electrical Engineering from MIT and an MBA from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley.
Funds actively worked on
- Castor Ventures
- Syndications
Investment Areas of Focus:
Chris targets companies at the forefront of software, AI, data infrastructure, and connectivity, backing teams that are not just innovating but reengineering the physical and digital infrastructure powering the modern world. He believes the next generation of breakthrough companies will emerge from foundational shifts in technology and is committed to supporting the leaders driving that transformation.
A core component of Chris’s strategy is leveraging the powerful innovation engine of the MIT ecosystem. As an MIT alumnus, he taps this network to source compelling investment opportunities and connect with top-tier investors. Chris’s investment approach is informed by his early career as a software and sales engineer, with technical expertise in databases, telecom systems, and software architecture. This hands-on background sharpens his diligence and ability to assess technical complexity and market viability.
Associate
Brandon is a graduate of the University of Texas, where he earned a BBA. He previously worked at Dimensional Fund Advisors as a LEAD Analyst. After 3.5 years on the Community Manager team at Alumni Ventures, Brandon recently transitioned to the investment team, where he focuses on venture investing and diligence. He is also pursuing a part-time MBA at NYU Stern with a concentration in Finance, Economics, and Entrepreneurship.