Webinar
Quantum Trends 2026: How Alumni Ventures is Riding the Wave of Hybrid Quantum Innovation
Join Alumni Ventures’ Chris Sklarin, Jin, Mason, and Brandon for 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.
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 upcoming webinar, the Quantum Syndicate team will unpack why 2026 marks an inflection point for quantum commercialization and how Alumni Ventures is positioned across the full quantum stack.
The session will highlight 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 will also spotlight select portfolio companies and walk through AV’s investment strategy for gaining diversified exposure to this rapidly evolving frontier.
Whether you’re a seasoned investor or new to deep tech, this session will deliver timely insights into one of the most compelling areas of innovation. Reserve your spot to learn how Alumni Ventures is positioning investors to capture the upside of quantum as the stack becomes real.
Why Attend?
- 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 seven 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.
EVP of Office of Investment
Jin has worked at the intersection of innovation, investing, and business building for over 20 years. He was an executive at Raytheon Technologies, a private equity investor with Coller Capital, and started his career with the Boston Consulting Group. He has also held senior and advisory positions at VC and private equity-sponsored companies. Jin has a Ph.D. in physics from Oxford University and graduated with a Diploma in physics from Cologne University in Germany.
Investor Relations Manager
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.
Before joining Chestnut Street Ventures, Mason attended Waseda Business School in Tokyo, Japan where he earned an MSc in Finance and wrote a master’s thesis linking founders’ attributes and strategic partnerships to firm performance in new ventures. While attending Waseda Business School, Mason was selected as a G51 Venture Scholar and participated in the Global Venture Catalyst where he served as a graduate startup advisor. Mason also holds a BA in Economics from The University of Texas at Austin.