This podcast episode explores the potential of optical computing as a transformative technology in the field of computing. The episode discusses the advantages and challenges of optical computing, its potential to replace traditional electronics in compute architectures, and its role in revolutionizing the computing industry. The speakers also highlight the urgent need for optical computing due to the impending slowdown of Moore's Law and the exponential growth of data demand. Additionally, the episode discusses the global landscape of photonics talent, the differences between quantum computing and optical computing, and the challenges and opportunities of both technologies. Finally, the episode touches on investment opportunities and business models for startups in the photonics field, as well as the potential exit strategies and acquisition scenarios for deep tech startups.