Redefining What's Possible in Computing Through Topological Quantum Innovation
QDaria aims to lead the quantum revolution with breakthrough Fibonacci anyon technology, to deliver unmatched stability and scalability. Our fault-tolerant quantum computers will transform industries and solve humanity's greatest computational challenges.
Caroline Woie
Chief Content Officer (CCO)
Caroline Woie, QDaria's Chief Content Officer, is a seasoned director, photographer, editor, and journalist with over two decades of experience in film, television, and documentary sectors. Her storied career includes notable collaborations with Norwegian broadcasters like NRK, where she contributed to productions that garnered Emmy nominations and Gullruten awards. At QDaria, Caroline applies her extensive media expertise to translate the often complex world of quantum computing into captivating, easily digestible stories. She oversees the development of video content, press materials, and strategic campaigns, ensuring that QDaria's breakthroughs resonate with both technical audiences and the broader public. In building cross-platform narratives that span social media, broadcast channels, and live events, Caroline highlights the transformative potential of quantum research. Her knack for orchestrating large-scale productions dovetails with QDaria's innovative culture, enabling her to guide creative teams in presenting quantum technology with compelling clarity. With a passion for documentary storytelling and a drive to communicate the significance of next-gen solutions, Caroline plays an integral role in shaping QDaria's brand and amplifying its global impact.
Milen Kouylekov
Chief AI Officer (CAIO)
Milen Kouylekov, QDaria's Chief AI Officer, has built his career around pioneering research in Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning, and large-scale computational infrastructures. He has contributed significantly to multilingual service platforms and text analytics projects, including Linguagrid and Galateas, which focused on understanding user behavior through language analysis. At QDaria, Milen leverages his expertise to integrate advanced AI capabilities seamlessly into the company's quantum initiatives. This includes spearheading projects where machine learning models are optimized by quantum hardware, driving innovations in text mining, semantic technologies, and knowledge extraction. Milen's dedication to collaborative research extends internally, where he guides cross-functional teams to adapt academic breakthroughs into market-ready products. By fostering an environment that values experimentation and data-driven iteration, he ensures that AI remains a core pillar in QDaria's mission to revolutionize computing. In a world moving rapidly toward quantum-enhanced solutions, Milen's leadership in NLP, ML, and large-scale system design not only complements QDaria's hardware innovations but also lays the groundwork for transformative applications across industries ranging from healthcare to finance, solidifying QDaria as a powerful force at the nexus of AI and quantum technology.
Emanuele Lapponi
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Emanuele Lapponi serves as QDaria's Chief Technology Officer, bringing extensive experience in Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing to the rapidly evolving field of quantum computing. Earning a PhD in NLP from the University of Oslo, Emanuele held pivotal leadership roles including Lead Machine Learning Engineer at Fremtind, where he spearheaded R&D projects in claim automation, fraud detection, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems. He also led a data science team at Kindly, developing a sophisticated NLU platform. At QDaria, Emanuele's role is to ensure that quantum computing innovations integrate seamlessly with AI infrastructures, maximizing their potential for finance, healthcare, and other critical industries. His ability to translate complex business requirements into technically feasible solutions unites stakeholders from corporate and academic realms. In addition, Emanuele promotes a culture of collaboration, guiding multidisciplinary teams as they explore the frontiers of AI-quantum synergy. His strategic oversight includes research roadmaps, platform development, and continuous evaluation of emerging trends, guaranteeing that QDaria remains at the cutting edge of technological convergence. By bridging classical machine learning with quantum breakthroughs, Emanuele helps forge new paradigms that position QDaria as a global leader in quantum innovation.
John Kristiansen
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
John Kristiansen brings over two decades of diverse leadership experience to QDaria, where he serves as Chief Operating Officer. With a notable background in real estate development, entrepreneurship, and executive management—including 20 years as a prominent property developer in Oslo—John offers a keen understanding of operational scalability in cutting-edge tech sectors. He co-founded the mobile service provider Hello Com, sits on the Board of New Adventure AS, and has excelled in guiding complex business environments to success. At QDaria, he aligns daily operations with strategic objectives, ensuring that the company's quantum computing infrastructure is robust, efficient, and ready to meet global demands. By emphasizing innovation and sustainable growth, John has played a pivotal role in streamlining internal processes, enhancing cross-departmental collaboration, and implementing frameworks that support QDaria's rapid expansion. His leadership style is grounded in creating a culture that not only nurtures talent but encourages bold thought and continuous learning—essential in attracting top professionals in the highly competitive quantum field. As QDaria challenges the boundaries of quantum innovation, John's operational insights and focus on strategic growth remain indispensable. His dedication to excellence has helped sustain QDaria's momentum as a global quantum leader, ensuring that governance, resource allocation, and process optimization keep pace with the company's visionary leaps forward.
Nick Saaf
Chief Sales Officer (CSO)
Nick Saaf, Chief Sales Officer at QDaria, merges customer relations expertise with an entrepreneurial spirit to excel in the quantum technology sphere. Initially honing his skills in high-end hospitality as a Head Sommelier, Nick later founded Alfresco Cookery s.r.o., diversifying his experience across both service and tech-focused ventures. At QDaria, he develops and executes strategic sales initiatives that drive market penetration in an industry known for its scientific complexity. His ability to communicate quantum solutions effectively to stakeholders—ranging from corporate clients to academic researchers—ensures that groundbreaking technology is both accessible and aligned with real-world business needs. Nick's approach pairs deep client satisfaction with forward-looking market vision, identifying key opportunities in sectors like finance, pharmaceuticals, and advanced data analytics. Under his leadership, QDaria has successfully entered multiple new markets, forging high-value partnerships that bolster the company's global reach. Beyond sales metrics, Nick fosters an environment where innovation and client-centricity intersect, reinforcing QDaria's commitment to transforming quantum research into tangible solutions. By staying abreast of industry trends and customer demands, he has secured the company's foothold in emerging areas while maintaining longstanding client relationships. Nick's overarching goal is to ensure that QDaria's quantum breakthroughs are adopted worldwide, fueling the company's rise as a transformative force in the quantum computing revolution.
Gaspar Alvarado
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Gaspar Alvarado is QDaria's Chief Financial Officer, commanding a robust portfolio in global procurement, category management, and financial strategy. Prior to joining QDaria, he shaped procurement frameworks for major tech companies like trivago, N26, and Accenture, consistently demonstrating his aptitude for optimizing resource allocation and fostering cost-effective innovations. In his role at QDaria, Gaspar ensures that the company's ambitious research objectives are underpinned by sound financial planning and rigorous oversight. His approach to budgeting and capital deployment balances fiscal responsibility with an entrepreneurial drive, allowing QDaria to invest boldly in topological quantum hardware, AI integration, and emergent R&D opportunities. With a keen eye for analyzing market risks and leveraging partnerships, Gaspar plays a pivotal role in steering the organization toward sustainable growth. He also collaborates closely with other C-level executives, aligning financial goals with operational milestones to keep the company's quantum and AI innovations on track. Ultimately, Gaspar's expertise in strategic sourcing and financial governance helps QDaria navigate the competitive technology landscape, ensuring that breakthroughs in quantum computing are matched by a solid foundation of financial stability.
Sharareh Movahed Shariat Panahi
Assistant Chief Executive Officer (ACEO)
Sharareh Movahed Shariat Panahi serves as QDarias Assistant Chief Executive Officer (ACEO), bridging the realms of legal acumen and project management to drive forward the companys quantum ambitions. With a background that spans law, corporate strategy, and operational leadership, she plays a pivotal role in ensuring that QDarias cutting-edge research aligns seamlessly with regulatory compliance and long-term business objectives. Shararehs steadfast dedication to organizational clarity has been instrumental in refining QDarias internal processes, offering guidance that helps individual teams stay focused while balancing innovation with due diligence. Her approach is at once humble—acknowledging the shared expertise of scientists, engineers, and executives—and bold, championing audacious goals that keep QDaria at the forefront of quantum discovery. Shararehs legal background enables her to anticipate potential hurdles in a rapidly evolving industry, proactively shaping agreements and frameworks that preserve QDarias innovative edge. Beyond her formal role, she cultivates an environment of mutual support and transparency, bridging the gap between technical teams and executive stakeholders. By uniting diligence, strategic vision, and a collaborative mindset, Sharareh fortifies QDarias ability to tackle emerging challenges—both operational and regulatory—on the path toward quantum breakthroughs. In doing so, she exemplifies QDarias core belief that transformative technology flourishes best under robust yet flexible governance.
Daniel Mo Houshmand
CEO & Founder
Daniel Mo Houshmand leads QDaria with a distinctive fusion of scientific expertise and visionary leadership. His strong background in Applied Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Fine Art, and Design underpins his ability to navigate the complexities of quantum computing through an interdisciplinary lens. Specializing in Quantum Machine Learning and "AI Whispering," Daniel aims to steer QDaria's research in Topological Quantum Hardware, Q-AI integration, and Experimental Quantum Mechanics. Beyond day-to-day leadership, he champions quantum education and collaborative initiatives that will expand industry-wide knowledge. Under his guidance, QDaria aims to become Norway's foremost quantum computing company, translating cutting-edge theory into real-world solutions for finance, healthcare, and more. Daniel's commitment to global discourse is evident in his invitation to speak at IQT New York (October 2024), the exclusive Davos Innovation Week (January 2025), and his vision for QDaria's ambitious roadmap to launch 7–12 independent, cutting-edge emerging companies by 2025–2030. His leadership has positioned QDaria among the top 25 most promising startups worldwide (top 5 in Europe), earning nominations for the Global Impact Award, Disruptive Technology Excellence Award, and Innovation Pioneer Award. With a keen focus on Topological Quantum Computing and Fibonacci anyons, Daniel envisions a future where quantum breakthroughs will fundamentally transform industries. His unrelenting drive and passion for harnessing quantum technology underscore QDaria's dedication to solving humanity's greatest challenges.
Nils Bjelland Grønvold
Chief Culture Officer (CCO)
Nils Bjelland Grønvold, widely recognized as "Nils m/Skils," serves as QDaria's Chief Culture Officer. A renowned improvisational rapper and performer, Nils built a dynamic career leading groups like RatPack, RIP Crew, and Stor Overraskelse, gracing stages such as the Roskilde Festival and Norway's Fritt Ords Ærespris events. At QDaria, he leverages his creative energy and deep understanding of audience engagement to cultivate a vibrant internal culture that inspires ingenuity and inclusivity. Nils's hands-on experience in rapid ideation and collaboration—core aspects of successful improvisation—translates into a corporate environment where risk-taking and out-of-the-box thinking are both celebrated and structurally supported. He works closely with leadership and HR to develop programs that encourage open dialogue, foster diversity of thought, and unify employees around QDaria's mission to push the frontiers of quantum innovation. As the organization grows, Nils ensures that each individual's creative potential is recognized, helping to sustain an environment that not only attracts top talent but retains it through shared purpose and dynamic engagement. In fusing artistic expression with groundbreaking science, he embodies QDaria's commitment to shaping the future through collaborative, human-centered innovation.
Daria (Søreide) Houshmand
Developer (Intern) & Board Member
Daria (Søreide) Houshmand stands at the intersection of art, technology, and quantum innovation as a Developer Intern and Board Member at QDaria. With a strong affinity for mathematics, physics, and programming, she dove into the realm of generative AI at an early stage, embracing GPT-2 in 2019 to create novel AI-powered applications. Her portfolio spans autocoding, app development, and e-commerce solutions, reflecting her fascination with how emerging technologies reshape everyday experiences. At QDaria, Daria contributes to ongoing R&D efforts, focusing on ways to integrate AI solutions into quantum computing platforms—a pursuit aligned with her broader vision of designing tools that are both technologically advanced and human-centric. Whether shes assisting in code reviews, prototyping new AI-driven features, or participating in strategic discussions at the Board level, Darias multipronged approach pushes QDaria to explore untapped frontiers. Her inquisitive nature and collaborative spirit enrich the organizational culture, demonstrating that the fusion of creative perspectives and rigorous technical expertise can drive meaningful breakthroughs in quantum research. As she continues developing her skillset, Daria embodies QDarias commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators who will pioneer the quantum revolution.
Lillian Kristiansen
Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)
Lillian Kristiansen serves as QDarias Chief Human Resources Officer, bringing decades of experience across HR management, payroll oversight, and organizational development. Having held positions ranging from Lønningsansvarlig at Compass Group AS and Eurest AS to an HR Controller role at 4Service AS, Lillian has honed a deep understanding of the complexities in workforce administration and employee engagement. Her tenure spans critical phases of transformation in the Norwegian service sector, enabling her to navigate fast-paced environments with confidence and foresight. At QDaria, Lillian integrates her comprehensive background into innovative HR strategies that empower cross-functional teams to excel in the demanding field of quantum R&D. She focuses on creating an inclusive, supportive workplace where talent can flourish—ensuring that every staff member understands their integral part in QDarias mission to reshape computing through quantum technology. Lillians humble yet assertive leadership style fosters a culture of transparency and continuous improvement, embracing feedback loops to refine processes ranging from recruitment to professional development. By combining hands-on experience with a forward-looking perspective, she aligns HR initiatives with the companys broader strategic goals. Under her stewardship, QDarias human capital strategy drives the organizations bold vision forward, proving that the right people and the right culture form the bedrock of groundbreaking innovation.
Gry Hirkjoelen
Head of Networking
Gry Hirkjoelen, QDarias Head of Networking, excels at forging strategic alliances and cultivating key relationships that propel the companys quantum initiatives to new heights. With a background in social anthropology, administrative support, and service-oriented roles, Gry embodies a unique blend of analytical thinking and people-centric engagement. Her early experience as a service and administrative assistant at Asker Kommune and Adecco honed her talent for multitasking and project coordination, while her academic focus on geography and social sciences has sharpened her understanding of cultural and organizational dynamics. At QDaria, Grys role is both humble and bold, emphasizing meticulous relationship-building to strengthen QDarias internal cohesion and outward partnerships alike. She leverages her natural enthusiasm and strong communication skills to connect with potential collaborators, research institutions, and industry partners, ensuring that QDarias innovations are spotlighted in the broader quantum ecosystem. Grys knack for structuring dialogues and fostering positive interactions aligns perfectly with QDarias vision of collaborative advancement. By bridging the gap between diverse stakeholders—be they technical experts, executive leaders, or external vendors— she plays a key part in building the robust network that underpins QDarias pioneering work. In orchestrating opportunities across corporate, academic, and governmental spheres, Gry continues to define a networking strategy that drives mutual growth and helps shape the companys next chapter of quantum discovery.
Fredrik Krey Stubberud
Chief Information Officer (CIO)
Fredrik Krey Stubberud, Chief Information Officer at QDaria, is an accomplished IT professional with a strong grounding in service management, systems integration, and operational excellence. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology from the University of Oslo and has contributed to forward-thinking IT solutions at prominent companies such as Squarehead Technology and Olav Thon Gruppen. In his role at QDaria, Fredrik drives the adoption of innovative tools and processes, ensuring the company's IT infrastructure remains both robust and agile amidst the rapidly evolving landscape of quantum computing. By establishing secure networks, seamless data pipelines, and effective knowledge-sharing platforms, he supports cross-functional teams in leveraging quantum research to address real-world challenges. Fredrik's commitment to operational efficiency extends beyond technical oversight; he fosters inter-departmental collaboration to maintain alignment between business goals and IT strategy. Under his stewardship, QDaria's technology backbone integrates next-generation computing hardware, AI-driven analytics, and cloud-based services, all while adhering to the rigorous requirements of a security-conscious industry. With a vision for scaling QDaria's infrastructure in sync with the company's cutting-edge research, Fredrik ensures that the tech environment remains a catalyst for innovation. His leadership style emphasizes adaptability, continuous learning, and streamlined communication, laying a solid groundwork for QDaria's continued advancement in the quantum domain.
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