Selected - The Sesamers Podcast

The Power of Ambition in Scaling VivaTech  Julie Ranty emphasizes the importance of ambition in scaling Viva Technology from its inception. "We were reaching for the stars right from the beginning," she said, reflecting on the initial goal to make VivaTech a global event. This ambition attracted top-tier speakers, companies, and innovations, helping to establish VivaTech as the largest European Te...

Recorded live at VivaTech 2024 in Paris, we sat down with Paola Telfer , founder and CEO of Sens.ai . Sens.ai is at the forefront of mental wellness technology, using innovative AI solutions to transform how we approach mental health. This interview highlights Paola's journey, her groundbreaking product, and the future of mental wellness technology. The Inspiration Behind Sens.ai Paola Telfer's jo...

Recorded live at VivaTech 2024 in Paris, this podcast episode features Dr. Olivia Lesslar. She is a leading expert in integrating technology and medicine. Dr. Lesslar shares her journey from traditional medicine to the tech industry, highlighting her work in psychoneuroimmunology - the term used to describe the interactions between one's emotional state, nervous system function, and immune system...

The Origins of Ircam Amplify and Its Mission As CEO, Nathalie Birocheau begins by introducing IRCAM , a renowned French institution founded 40 years ago by Pierre Boulez . "Ircam was created to imagine a place where musicians, composers, scientists, and engineers could work together to invent the future of music," Nathalie explains. This innovative environment has been instrumental in advancing au...

From Journalism to Tech Event Leadership Omid Ekhlasi began his career as a journalist before transitioning into marketing. This background equipped him with a unique perspective on storytelling and audience engagement. He explains, "My background is in journalism, and I went into marketing, which helped me understand the different stages of company building." Building and Investing in Startups Om...

Journey to Becoming a Chief Product Officer Adrienne Jan shared her career trajectory, starting from Orange to becoming Scaleway 's Chief Product Officer. Her journey took her from France to California and back, working with startups and major companies like AEG . She emphasized the importance of international experience, saying, "Go work abroad. It gives you a lot of interesting insights on cultu...

Broadening Horizons Through Deep Tech Céline Farcet's journey at L'Oréal R&I exemplifies a profound evolution in corporate innovation, transitioning from material science to spearheading tech partnerships. She shifted her focus from academia to startup collaborations, particularly in Deep Tech, to enhance L'Oréal's innovation pipeline. "I was super curious about it," Farcet explains, highlighting...

This podcast episode was recorded onsite at JEC World . From Aerospace to Advocacy Stephan Savarese's career evolved from aerospace engineering to climate advocacy, a testament to adaptability. Initially immersed in R&D, a significant moment at COP 21 ignited his shift towards environmental solutions. Consequently, TechnoCarbon was born. At its core is Carbon Fiber Stone , reflecting a profound co...

This interview was recorded onsite during JEC World , March 5-7, 2024, in Paris.  Reinforce 3D's Origin: Blending Engineering with Business Acumen Blanca Garro's ascent to CEO of Reinforce3D combines her engineering background with sharp business insights. Her story begins with a chemical engineering degree, which led her across Europe, where she discovered the additive manufacturing sector. Reali...

This podcast episode was recorded onsite at JEC World . The Chemistry of Composites: Driving Industry Evolution Chris Skinner's transformation from a chemist to a visionary leader in strategic marketing at Owens Corning is a tale of the composites industry 's evolution. "We're at the forefront of merging material science with market demands, a testament to our dedication to innovation in composite...

Unplanned Encounters: From a Casual Meetup to a Tech Event Influencer While some paths are meticulously planned, Zivile’s entrance into the tech event space was as spontaneous as it gets. Ben recalls how Zivile transitioned from a casual encounter at an event to a prominent contributor on the Sesamers blog. Zivile remarks, “It was an accident... but sometimes the best opportunities in life are not...

Embracing a Non-linear Path to Impactful Innovation Cecilia Tham's journey to the helm of Futurity Systems is anything but traditional. From Hong Kong to the U.S., and then to Barcelona, her path is a testament to the power of embracing non-linear career trajectories. "I went from starting a co-working space to opening a fab cafe and then a school for women in tech," Cecilia shares. This diverse b...

The Inception and Evolution of Bootstrap Europe Fourteen years ago, Fatou Diagne, along with her co-founder, Stephanie, embarked on a journey that would significantly impact the tech and life science sectors in Europe. Bootstrap Europe , born out of their vision, diverged from the traditional equity-based investment model, opting for venture debt – an alternative Fatou passionately advocates for....

Daniel Dumig's Corporate to Innovation Journey Daniel Dumig's transition from the corporate world to the realm of innovation is a fascinating journey. He recounts his early days leading marketing for major sports lifestyle brands and how that led to the creation of the TenKan-Ten Startup Accelerator under Asics . This venture further evolved into two separate entities – The MotherTrees and U-Skale...

Journey to Leadership: Pere Duran's Evolution in the Tech Event Industry Pere Duran's journey to becoming the director of " 4YFN " (Four Years From Now) is a classic tale of growth and opportunity. Starting as a sales coordinator and climbing up to the sponsorship director at Mobile World Congress , Pere's shift to a startup event was driven by a desire for new challenges. "I started being a sales...

Orchard : Pioneering Digital Music Distribution Scott Cohen’s journey into entrepreneurship began long before The Orchard's inception. In 1997, when the online world was still in its infancy, Scott and his partner foresaw the digital revolution of music. He recalls, "We saw a world where people would be creating and consuming music digitally, both on the computer and on the mobile phone." This vis...

Tech-Music Fusion Ben Bowler's blend of music and technology led him to the founding of Aux . A jazz and funk drummer by training and a tech enthusiast by passion, Ben leveraged his unique skill set to create innovative platforms for artists and the music industry. "I started out as a musician...at the same time, I've always been interested in computers," Ben shared. This dual interest laid the gr...

Music Industry Evolution Allen Bargfrede's eclectic career trajectory is a testament to his adaptability and foresight. As a music and technology lawyer, he has seamlessly transitioned into strategic advising and operational roles, shaping the way music companies and their investors navigate an ever-evolving industry. His work, especially with the Rethink Music initiative, has been pivotal in fost...

Career Diversity: Crafting Saudi's Music Future Paul Pacifico's journey to becoming the CEO of the Music Commission of Saudi Arabia is a tale of diverse experiences shaping an ideal role. With a background that spans from banking to music, Paul's multifaceted career has perfectly positioned him for this unique challenge. He mentions, “It requires all of the expertise from everything I've ever done...

From Diplomacy to Startup Dynamism Tom Miskin's journey is a testament to the transformative power of career shifts. With a background in international diplomacy and a stint at the British foreign office in Oslo, his introduction to the startup world came unexpectedly during a royal visit. As Tom recalls, "We introduced them to, I think, four startups, including reMarkable ... and No Isolation ......

Embracing Diverse Ecosystems in Venture Capital Susanne Najafi began her journey in venture capital with a distinct perspective: capital often remains in tight networks, missing out on the potential of diverse founders outside of these circles. "Almost all capital remains in very tight networks," Susanne explains, highlighting the opportunity in investing beyond these circles for better valuations...

Jenny's Slush-to-Startup Story Jenny Gyllander reflects on her remarkable journey, beginning with her deep involvement in Slush's growth and evolution, which significantly influenced her path into entrepreneurship. Having worked at Slush during its pivotal years from 2013 to 2015, she describes how these experiences fueled her passion for the startup ecosystem. Her career trajectory took her from...

  From Coffee Runs to CFO: Josefiina's Slush Ride Josefiina Kotilainen’s journey from a volunteer at Slush to its CFO is a testament to the power of ambition and hard work. As a student in 2013, she entered the startup arena, taking on roles that ranged from construction to stage assistance. This hands-on experience laid the groundwork for her ascent to a pivotal role at Slush, illustrating how gr...

Leadership Journey: From Volunteer to CEO Eerika takes us on her journey from stumbling upon Slush during her finance studies to becoming its CEO. A testament to the organic growth and opportunities within the Slush community, Eerika's trajectory highlights the significance of curiosity and seizing unexpected chances. Adapting and Innovating: Navigating 2020's Challenges Slush faced the daunting c...

Highlights The Birth of Six Cinquième: A Fusion of Creativity and Business Miro's journey into the world of startups begins with a unique blend of skills. With a background in business management and a knack for creative direction, he met Ash Finnegan, co-founder of Six Cinquième , during his foray into Montreal's music industry. They decided to combine their talents to create an agency that champ...