Laura Smoliar

CEO, Quantum Denmark

2025 - Current

Building a new initiative for quantum companies headquartered at the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen; Quantum Denmark includes offices for companies and an event space as well as specialized laboratories with equipment suitable for development of technologies in all areas of quantum, including quantum computing, sensing, and communications. International companies can locate at Quantum Denmark to access resources (laboratories, funding, a vibrant quantum ecosystem) and market in Europe.

Managing Director

2022

Early stage investments in deep technology companies. See the portfolio at www.criainnovations.com.

Board Member (Past Chair)

2018

Founding Partner

2016

One of three founding partners, architect of hybrid fund structure that includes a sister philanthropic fund. The Berkeley Catalyst Fund (BCF) is focused on the vibrant startup ecosystem around UC Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, UC San Francisco, associated incubators and accelerators, and alumni throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Initiated in close collaboration with UC Berkeley’s College of Chemistry and the UC Berkeley Foundation, the fund is committed to sharing its returns with the College of Chemistry. The sector focus is biopharma, agriculture, medical device, clean air, clean water, energy storage, and sensors. The stage is primarily Seed and Series A. The Berkeley Catalyst Fund (BCF) has a hybrid structure, including a sister fund called the Berkeley Catalyst Philanthropic Fund (BCPF), which accepts donations. The BCPF is managed by the UC Berkeley Foundation. Note: I am no longer making new investments on this platform.

Executive Director, Taiwan Science & Technology Hub

2023 - 2025

The Taiwan Science & Technology Hub is an international bridge for science and technology talent, located in the heart of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. The Hub organizes an annual symposium, sponsors postdoctoral fellows, and connects, enables, and empowers our bilateral community through events in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taiwan, and beyond. See more at https://taiwansthub.stanford.edu/.

Board Member

2017 - 2025

Nelumbo was acquired by Kuraray Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) on April 1, 2025.

Board Member

2018 - 2023

Managing Director

2014 - 2022

Our team pairs deep innovation leadership experience with cross-cultural understanding to enable mutual success in international business between the U.S.A. and Asia. We connect technical understanding with market and manufacturing know-how for commercialization success across international boundaries.

Member of the Executive Advisors Network (XAN)

2016 - 2018

As a member of the Executive Advisors Network for Columbia Technology Ventures, I worked with entrepreneurs and inventors at Columbia University to facilitate the transfer of research innovations from the lab to the market, as well as supporting start-up efforts. At the time, Columbia Technology Ventures, the technology transfer office of Columbia University, managed more than 350 invention disclosures from faculty, 100 license deals and 20 new start-ups each year. CTV currently has over 1200 patent assets available for licensing across research fields such as biopharma, medical devices, software, cleantech, semiconductors, and material science. To learn more about CTV and available inventions, please visit www.techventures.columbia.edu.

Consultant

2013 - 2014

Consulting clients currently include optics & lasers, life science, and contract manufacturing companies.