The Digital Lab: Accelerating Discovery at the Intersection of AI and Science with Ömer Omar

Join Ömer Omar, CEO and Co-founder of Apoello, for a strategic discussion on the future of materials discovery. A PhD in Theoretical and Computational Chemistry turned deep-tech entrepreneur, Ömer is bridging the gap between the academic laboratory and the global marketplace. In this episode, we explore how Apoello is utilizing AI to digitize the R&D process—shifting from months of costly trial-and-error to precision-guided discovery—and what it truly takes to successfully spin out a world-class research program into a scalable, venture-backed business.🎯 Insights You’ll Learn:The Digitization of Discovery: How AI is transforming materials science from a manual experiment-led field into a "click-and-compute" digital workflow.DiaDEM™ Platform: Lessons from building a 50M+ molecular database to accelerate breakthroughs in organic electronics and sustainable energy.The Spin-Out Journey: Navigating the transition from the University of Liverpool to securing private equity and pre-seed funding.Cross-Functional Leadership: How to manage the rare intersection of deep nuclear physics/chemistry and commercial growth strategy.Reducing R&D Friction: Practical methods for cutting discovery timelines and budgets by up to 80% through computational screening.Sustainable Tech: The role of digital tools in identifying high-performance materials for solar energy and carbon-neutral solutions.The Scientist-CEO Mindset: Translating complex theoretical data into value-driven propositions for industrial partners.🌍 Why This Matters:In 2026, the bottleneck for solving global challenges like climate change is no longer just funding—it is the speed of material discovery. Traditional R&D is too slow for the urgency of the energy transition. Ömer Omar and his team at Apoello are redefining the roadmap. By combining large-scale molecular data with high-temperature superconducting magnets and AI validation, they are providing researchers the tools to focus only on the most promising candidates. For Ömer, the goal is simple: remove the inefficiencies of trial-and-error so that the next generation of life-changing technologies can reach the market years ahead of schedule.👤 Expert Background:CEO & Co-founder of Apoello, a premier University of Liverpool deep-tech spin-out.PhD in Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, specializing in organic electronics and data science.Research Veteran who has directed multi-million-pound research programs and validated advanced computational workflows.Commercial Strategist focused on translating academic excellence into industrial impact.Award-Winning Innovator supported by SFC Capital, the British Business Bank, and the Sustainable Ventures Accelerator.🎙️ Hosted by Gary Fowler, CEO of GSD Venture Studios — global AI entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader spotlighting founders navigating the realities of building in the AI era.💡 Perfect For:Deep-tech investors, materials scientists, R&D directors, academic entrepreneurs, and leaders in the renewable energy and semiconductor sectors.🚀 Timely Topic:The era of "slow science" is ending. In 2026, the companies that win will be those that can simulate reality before they ever step into a physical lab. Ömer Omar is building the platform that makes that future possible today.Subscribe for more global founder conversations from GSD Venture Studios:https://gsdvs.com#MaterialsScience #DeepTech #Apoello #AIScience #SpinOut #SustainableTech #OmerOmar #GaryFowler #GSDVentureStudios