Taking Deep Tech Public: The NanoXplore Playbook

Scaling a breakthrough technology from lab to global market takes more than vision — it takes relentless execution. In this episode, host Allison Dent speaks with Dr. Soroush Nazarpour, Founder and Chairman of the Board of NanoXplore, the world's largest producer of graphene, and the driving force behind VoltaXplore, a next-generation EV battery company.  Soroush has taken NanoXplore from a research idea to an international manufacturing powerhouse, serving clients like Ford, Paccar, and GE. Along the way, he's raised over $150 million, taken the company public, and built a fully vertically integrated business — all while laying the groundwork for VoltaXplore's entry into the fiercely competitive EV battery market. In this conversation, Allison and Soroush talk about spotting a commercial opportunity before the world was ready, the strategy behind vertical integration and M&A, and how to balance institutional capital with founder control. Soroush also shares how he's thinking about the future of EV batteries — and what it takes to lead two game-changing companies at once. If you're building in deep tech or wondering how to scale without losing strategic focus, this episode is for you. CEO Confidential is a podcast hosted by M&A expert and strategic advisor Allison Dent, offering candid conversations with founders, executives, and business owners who have navigated the real-world complexities of scaling, selling, and transforming companies. Follow Allison Dent on LinkedIn.