In this episode Tanika Mehra interviews Tanay Kothari, Co-founder & CEO of Wispr Flow , an AI-powered voice-first productivity tool designed to help professionals communicate faster and more naturally. Wispr Flow is pioneering a screen-free, voice-first future where professionals can dictate messages, edit text with natural voice commands, and boost productivity 3x faster than typing . Backed by NEA, 8VC, and top AI leaders , Wispr Flow has raised $26M to redefine the way we interact with te...
Jun 04, 2025•32 min
Join us for this episode with Dr. Craig Joseph, Chief Medical Officer at Nordic Global and co-author of Designing for Health . Craig shares his journey from practicing pediatrics to becoming a national thought leader in healthcare IT and clinical informatics. We dive into his experience with EHRs like Epic and Cerner, the challenges of designing tech doctors actually want to use, and where AI fits into the future of patient care. This is a great episode if you're exploring careers at the interse...
May 20, 2025•39 min
Join us for this episode with Leigh Engel, Senior Product Manager for Enterprise AI at NVIDIA. Leigh’s journey spans media, consulting, and big tech firms like Apple and WPP before landing in product leadership at one of the world’s top AI companies. We explore her career pivots, how she balances innovation with user-centered design, and her take on evaluating AI models like GPT-4 and Llama for enterprise use. This is a great episode if you're curious about breaking into AI product management or...
May 17, 2025•47 min
In this episode, Julien Guiot sits down with Ryan Graciano, Co-Founder and Head of Product at Credit Karma to discuss the story behind Credit Karma, exploring how the company disrupted personal finance by offering free credit scores and personalized financial insights. We dive into the challenges and opportunities of building trust in the finance sector, Credit Karma’s innovative approach to user-centric design, and their strategy for scaling a fintech business sustainably. Key questions include...
May 15, 2025•36 min
Francesca Migliori is a global digital and e-commerce executive with expertise in omnichannel strategies, CRM, and startup advisement. Join us in this exciting episode as Debbie Cheng (Wharton Class of 2026) and Francesca Migliori discuss her journey from Wharton to investment banking to leadership roles across various organizations including Gucci and Loro Piana. She shares riveting stories leading digital transformation initiatives that enhance customer engagement and market expansion, as well...
May 08, 2025•46 min
Join us for this episode with Elizabeth Pemmerl, Chief Revenue Officer at GitHub. Elizabeth shares her journey from early roles in marketing and PR to leading revenue strategy at one of the world’s most influential developer platforms. We discuss her decade-long rise through GitHub, how the company is leveraging AI, and what it takes to lead with both ambition and balance. This is a must-listen if you’re curious about breaking into tech leadership, scaling within an org, or understanding how AI ...
May 06, 2025•33 min
In this episode, Julien Guiot sits down with Ian Samuels, Founding Partner at New System Ventures, to discuss how the firm backs ambitious founders building solutions for a decarbonized future. Ian shares his perspective on investing in hard tech, the role of government in accelerating climate innovation, and why now is the moment for deep, systems-level change. The conversation covers topics like climate infrastructure, the intersection of policy and capital, and what it takes to scale breakthr...
Apr 18, 2025•36 min
Please join Julien Guiot for this episode with Vas Natarajan, a partner at Accel, a leading global venture firm. In this episode, we dive into Vas’ background, his path into venture, and more specific questions around how Vas spots lasting value in the AI space or how startups can overcome the distribution advantages of incumbents today. Additionally, we discuss how to identify strong founders and what unique traits B2B founders need to have to be successful. This is a fascinating episode from a...
Apr 10, 2025•37 min
In this episode, Julien Guiot sits down with Jake Wieseneck, Principal at Maniv Mobility, to explore the firm's strategic approach to investing in transportation innovation and mobility technologies. Jake shares insights into how Maniv identifies and supports early-stage startups that are digitizing and decarbonizing the movement of people and goods. They discuss key trends shaping the future of mobility, including advancements in electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and urban transportation s...
Apr 03, 2025•36 min
Join us for this episode with Claire Lecarpentier, Director of Product Strategy & Operations for Platform AI at ServiceNow. After experiences in consulting and corporate venture, Claire transitioned to Product Strategy at leading enterprise service provider ServiceNow. This is a great episode if you are interested in learning how to transition from consulting or banking into the technology industry, especially at AI-driven firms. If you like the show, make sure to share it with a friend, and...
Apr 01, 2025•36 min
In this episode, we sit down with Pete Schork, a Principal at the Broadscale Group, to discuss the firm's unique approach to investing in climate, energy, and industrial solutions. Pete explains how Broadscale strategically leverages partnerships with large corporations and family offices to scale impactful climate technologies, highlighting their investments in electric vehicle infrastructure, renewable energy financing, and decarbonization platforms. In this episode we explore key questions li...
Mar 27, 2025•36 min
In this episode, we sit down with Selina Tobaccowala, co-founder and CEO of HomeBoost, to discuss her journey as a serial entrepreneur and tech leader. From her early days at Evite to scaling SurveyMonkey, Selina shares key lessons on building and growing successful tech companies. We also explore how HomeBoost is using AI to revolutionize home energy efficiency. Don’t miss this insightful conversation with one of the industry’s most innovative leaders!
Mar 25, 2025•25 min
In this episode, we sit down with Wesley Tillu, a Wharton MBA graduate and partner at S32, to discuss the evolving landscape of AI and Deep Tech investing. Wesley shares insights on identifying lasting value in AI startups, where value will concentrate in the sector, and his journey into venture capital, including his time at In-Q-Tel, the CIA’s venture arm. Tune in for a compelling conversation with a leading investor at the forefront of Deep Tech innovation.
Mar 20, 2025•36 min
Please join us for this episode with Design Founder Jonathan Arena and Debbie Cheng (Wharton Class of 2026). Jonathan has held design leadership roles at Facebook, Cruise and Patreon, and has served as a Design Advisor to many early stage companies. In this episode, we discuss how studying at the Rhode Island School of Design impacted his choice to attend Harvard Business School and the different career choices he made thereafter, ultimately leading him back to the founding role. Don’t miss the ...
Mar 18, 2025•43 min
Please join us for this episode with Joseph Cohen, the CEO and Co-Founder of Infinite Machine. Joseph is a multitime founder whose last startup was a design software company called Universe. Frustrated by the state of urban transit in New York, Joseph and his brother decided to apply the same passion for design to creating a new electric scooter. In this episode we discuss the issues with the current state of urban transit, and how using a new approach to design and technology can shift the way ...
Feb 28, 2025•36 min
Please join us for this episode with Liam Collins, a Wharton MBA Class of 2025 member and the co-founder / CEO of Proxis, a Y Combinator backed startup. Liam and his co-founder created Proxis to help companies distill large language models into smaller, more useful and faster models for specific tasks. In this episode we dive into all things AI, the life of being a founder, what it is like being part of YC, and how the business has taken off since launch. If you are interested in entrepreneurshi...
Feb 25, 2025•37 min
Join us for this show with Anush Vinod and Meera Patel, two Wharton MBAs leading Aplos, a PE backed software company aiming to re-invent accounting software for non-profit organizations. In this episode we dive into what it is like working for a PE backed startup, the unique nature of selling to non-profit organizations, and the types of challenges Anush and Meera face on a daily basis. This is a great episode if you are interested in learning more about the life of an operator at a PE backed st...
Feb 20, 2025•29 min
Please join us for this episode with Yicheng 'YC' Sun, Senior Portfolio Director of Healthcare at IDEO, a globally acclaimed design and innovation firm. YC leads a multi-million dollar portfolio in healthcare and emerging technologies, such as AI, XR, and connected devices. He collaborates with startups and Fortune 500 companies to create human-centered products that empower personal wellbeing and unite a fragmented healthcare system. Embracing the mindset of a player-coach, YC also shares his e...
Feb 18, 2025•36 min
Please join us for this episode with Anastasia Pavolvic, the CEO of Eion. Eion helps agriculture companies reduce their carbon emissions through enhanced rock weathering, a technique of natural carbon capture well suited for agriculture among other industries. In this episode, we dive into how this solution actually works, the benefits to both farmers and others who claim the carbon credits as well as how the business model for Eion works. This is a fascinating episode on a promising technology ...
Feb 11, 2025•37 min
Please join us for this episode with Darcy Frisch, a Managing Director at Hearst Ventures. In this episode we discuss how Hearst Ventures as a corporate venture capital vehicle fits into the overall strategy of Hearst Ventures, how the media and entertainment sector has changed in the last 10 years and how it will be impacted by AI going forward. Additionally, we discuss some of the mechanics of a venture capital job such as evaluating founders, and serving on boards. If you are interested in le...
Feb 04, 2025•35 min
In this episode of Wharton Tech Toks , host Tanika Mehra sits down with Ish Dugal , a seasoned venture capitalist, to explore the evolving landscape of AI, venture investing, and what it takes to back the next generation of groundbreaking startups. Ish shares insights on cultivating long-term relationships with founders, the key qualities of successful entrepreneurs, and the underestimated trends in AI that could reshape industries. He also discusses high-stakes investment decisions, including t...
Jan 31, 2025•41 min
Please join us for this episode with Ali Javidan, Founder and CEO of Range Energy, a startup building an electrified truck trailer solution to help reduce carbon emissions and increase safety in heavy duty trucking. Ali started his career as a race engineer which eventually led him to be one of the first engineers at Tesla designing the roadster and sparking his interest in electric vehicles. This is a great episode as we dive into the benefits Range Energy's trailer solution creates for custome...
Jan 27, 2025•44 min
Please join us for this episode with Warren Hui, the co-founder of Soul Ventures and a General Partner at Type One Ventures. Warren started his career in investment banking but quickly became interested in all things technology especially AI which led him to working in venture. As an early investor in companies like Open AI, Warren has a nuanced and deep understanding of the AI space. As a result, in this episode we discuss questions such as where will value accrue in the AI sector and whether A...
Jan 23, 2025•35 min
Please join us for this episode with Christophe Defert and Mike D’Aurizio from HSBC Climate Growth Partners to discuss how their investments in climate startups are pushing the fight against climate change forward. In this episode we discuss how Christophe and Mike ended up in climate investing, the different types of capital needed for different types and stages of startups, and the role software plays in decarbonizing our world among other topics. Please share this episode if you enjoyed liste...
Jan 14, 2025•33 min
Join Manasi Patwa (Wharton '25) in her conversation with Shaq Vayda, Principal at Lux Capital. Lux is a leading venture capital firm investing in companies positioned at the cutting edge of advanced technology and has $5B+ in assets under management. In this discussion, Manasi and Shaq dive into key growth vectors within AI-driven biotech, recent developments in drug discovery technology, and shifts in the private markets investing landscape. Shaq also provides valuable insights regarding choosi...
Jan 08, 2025•33 min
Join us for this episode with Shawn Xu, a partner at Lowercarbon Capital which is a leading venture fund investing in Climate Tech. In this episode we dive into the differences between investing in both hardware and software startups, what the capital stack for more capital intensive startups should be, and how Shawn broke into the VC industry. Being on the founding team of a YC startup and a Wharton graduate, Shawn’s insight into the Climate Tech world is incredibly insightful. Please share the...
Dec 20, 2024•37 min
Join us for this episode with Andrea Hippeau, a partner at Lerer Hippeau to hear about her story as a generalist investor at a leading early stage fund. In this episode we speak about why it is advantageous to be a generalist investor vs a specialist investor, sectors that she has recently been excited about, lessons from her board experience, and advice on finding good founders. Let us know what you think of the show in the comments!
Dec 10, 2024•32 min
Please join us for this episode where we speak with Victoria Beasley, a partner at Gigascale Capital, a leading climate tech venture fund. In this episode we dive into the differences of investing in both hardware and software startups, how to identify good climate tech founders, and what qualifies as a climate tech investment. This is a fascinating episode with a great investor so please give it a listen!
Dec 04, 2024•28 min
Join us for an engaging conversation with Tanika Mehra and Jacqueline Cheong, Co-Founder & CEO of Artie (YC S23) 🚀. Jacqueline shares her inspiring journey from finance to entrepreneurship and how Artie is revolutionizing data streaming and replication in the tech world.
Nov 18, 2024•28 min
Join us for this episode with Tobias Citron, a principal at Primary Venture Partners focused on data / developer tools, AI, and cybersecurity. In this episode we discuss where Tobias thinks value will accrue in the AI space, how AI impacts cybersecurity and how he broke into the VC space. This is an amazing episode if you are interested in deep tech and investing so be sure to give it a listen.
Nov 14, 2024•37 min
