Most founders obsess over the pitch deck. Rodrigo Sepulveda Schulz — venture capitalist who has seen 15,000 startups — says the real filter is something most people overlook entirely. In this clip he breaks down the three non-negotiables he looks for in every founder: ambition, integrity, and groundedness. And why in the age of AI, soft skills are the only thing that truly can't be replaced. Watch the full episode to hear everything else he's learned from four careers and 15,000 startup pitches.

Full episode with Rodrigo on Perception Paradox podcast.

guest Rodrigo:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rsepulveda/

hosted by Zivile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/

Rodrigo Sepulveda Schulz has lived five careers in one lifetime. Born in Chile, raised in Thailand, 36 years in Paris, now Madrid.

He's been a management consultant, a serial entrepreneur, a venture capitalist who screened 15,000 startups and backed 50, a broadcaster with hundreds of episodes, and today the CEO of a European AI company he believes is genuinely worth fighting for.

In this episode we get into what it actually takes to build across decades without losing yourself, why Europe is being digitally colonised and what needs to happen before it's too late, the three things he looks for in every founder, and why a wine exam made him happier than any multimillion dollar deal ever did.

And what does he love more than tech or wine? You'll find out at the end.

Connect with Rodrigo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rsepulveda/

rodrigosepulveda.com

Hosted by Zivile:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction - Who Is Rodrigo Sepulveda Schulz?
02:42 Reunion & The Lisbon Breakfast Memory
03:32 Leaving Paris After 36 Years - What It Really Felt Like
05:21 Wanderlust & Living in 87 Countries
07:05 The Career Nobody Plans - How It All Started
08:24 From Consulting to Entrepreneur: The Netflix Copycat
11:00 Inventing Himself as an Angel Investor
12:09 The Broadcaster Nobody Talks About - 800 Episodes
14:11 Why He Became a CEO Again at This Stage of Life
14:42 The Wine Exam That Made Him Happier Than Any Deal
16:53 Nature vs. Zeros and Ones - Why Wine Changed Everything
17:25 How to Turn Around a Company That's Stagnating
20:11 What He Actually Looks For in a Founder
22:01 Solo Founders vs. Co-Founders - Has the Game Changed?
25:31 The Question He's Been Trying to Answer for Years
27:00 Europe Is Being Digitally Colonised - And Most Don't See It
29:28 If You Were Starting a Company in Europe Today
31:00 The 5 Stages of AI - Where the Real Opportunity Is
32:25 Final Thought - The One Language That Connects Us All

But what if uncertainty isn't the problem?

In this Paradox Byte, innovation strategist and technology leader Bas Wouterse shares why embracing uncertainty has shaped both his career and his life - and why the things we fear often become less intimidating once we understand them.

Would you rather have certainty - or possibility?

Full conversation with Bas is available on Perception Paradox podcast.

Connect with Bas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baswouterse/Hosted by Zivile (Zivi): https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/

What if success isn't about becoming a unicorn - but simply making the world a little better?

In this episode of Perception Paradox, Zivile sit down with Bas Wouterse - technology leader, innovation strategist, magician, and one of the most thoughtful people she met through the startup ecosystem.

Over the past two decades, Bas has built technologies that save lives - from augmented reality systems for spinal surgeons to healthcare innovations that received FDA approval and a TIME Magazine Innovation Award. Yet this conversation quickly becomes about something much bigger than technology.

They explore:

• Why your own mind can become your biggest prison• Why not every startup needs to become a unicorn• What AI will never replace about being human• The surprising lesson he learned after flying 48 hours to the Amazon - only to discover someone had unplugged his cables• How augmented reality is making operating rooms safer• Raising children, redefining success, and what money actually buys you• Why you should stop looking at the next mountain - and appreciate the one you're already standing on

This episode is about innovation, curiosity, purpose, and the stories we tell ourselves.

Because sometimes the biggest breakthroughs aren't technological. They're personal.

Connect with Bas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baswouterse/Hosted by Zivile (Zivi): https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Connection

02:59 The Role of Magic in Life

05:49 Technology and Engineering Journey

10:46 Impact-Oriented Technology Development

17:17 Augmented Reality in Surgery

20:48 The Importance of Human Interaction

24:30 Navigating Development Challenges

28:12 Startup Patterns and Insights

33:44 The Pursuit of Happiness vs. Wealth

35:46 Reinventing Yourself: The Five-Year Cycle

37:59 Embracing Uncertainty in Life

39:13 Demystifying Technology for the Masses

41:46 Proud Innovations and Their Impact

42:48 Unlearning Authority and Finding Your Path

44:26 Teaching Values to the Next Generation

45:59 Breaking Free from Mental Constraints

46:34 Defining Identity Beyond Work

47:43 Accidental Journeys: Lessons from Brazil

57:16 Starting Over: Insights for New Beginnings

01:00:33 Living in the Present: Enjoying the Journey

01:03:39 Relationships and Shared Goals

Can you ever truly observe a culture without changing it?

In this Paradox Byte, anthropologist, entrepreneur, and author Valerie Won Lee shares the story of spending a month living with a remote Pacific Island community - and the unexpected lesson that completely changed the way she thinks about people, leadership, and human behavior.

What began as a journey to understand another culture became a lesson in observation, influence, and the invisible ways we shape the environments we enter.

🎙️ This is a Paradox Byte - a short story that changes the way you see the world.

Watch the full conversation with Valerie Won Lee on the Perception Paradox Podcast.

#Anthropology #HumanBehavior #Leadership #Culture #PerceptionParadox

Most of us think we're observing reality.

In reality, we're observing our own assumptions.

In this episode of Perception Paradox, Zivile sit down with Valerie Won Lee to explore why observation may be one of the most valuable skills for founders, leaders, and anyone trying to navigate an increasingly complex world.

Growing up across cultures and studying human behavior, Valerie shares how curiosity, cultural intelligence, and deep observation can completely change the way we make decisions, communicate, and build relationships.

We discuss:
• Why observation beats judgment
• How culture shapes our perception
• Identity and belonging
• Why curiosity is becoming a competitive advantage
• The lessons founders can learn from anthropology
• How to become a better observer-in business and in life

Sometimes the biggest shift isn't changing the world around you.

It's changing the way you see it.

Connect with Valerie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-won-lee/

Website: valeriewonlee.com

Hosted by Zivile Einikyte: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/ 

Chapters:

00:00 Navigating Cultural Identity

03:58 The Journey of Self-Discovery

06:25 Resilience Through Curiosity

08:36 Experiencing Different Cultures

13:29 Lessons from the Pacific Islands

20:56 Observing Cultural Dynamics

25:49 The Impact of Technology on Collective Wisdom

30:48 Building a Better Future

39:13 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Is the food industry underestimating the GLP-1 shift?

In this Paradox Byte from The GLP-1 Food Shock, recorded live at TUTTOFOOD 2026 in Milan, Johan Jorgensen, Giancarlo Addario, and Matteo Wagner explore how GLP-1 drugs could affect much more than weight loss.

From appetite and cravings to restaurant portions, food startups, wellness products, supplements, supply chains, and investment decisions — this conversation looks at why GLP-1 may become a major catalyst for change across the food industry.

The full episode, The GLP-1 Food Shock: Is Ozempic Rewriting the Future of Food?, was moderated by Zivile Einikyte for Perception Paradox at the International Startup Area organized by Sesamers.

Please note: this was recorded live on a busy trade show floor, so the sound quality reflects the live event setting.

This conversation is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

What happens to the food industry when millions of people start eating less?

In this live episode of Perception Paradox, Zivile Einikyte moderates The GLP-1 Food Shock, a Sesamers session recorded at the TUTTOFOOD 2026 International Startup Area in Milan.

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are changing appetite, cravings, portion sizes, and consumer behaviour. But what does this mean for restaurants, food retailers, food startups, investors, and the future of food?

Together with Johan Jorgensen, Partner at Sweden Foodtech, Giancarlo Addario, Operating Partner at Maia Ventures, and Matteo Wagner, Co-Founder of Cusin Food, we explore whether GLP-1 is a temporary hype, a wellness trend accelerator, or a structural shock that could reshape the food industry.

We discuss:

• How GLP-1 drugs are changing food consumption
• Why cravings for ultra-processed food may be declining
• What happens to snacks, sugary drinks, alcohol, restaurants, and portion sizes
• Whether “GLP-1 friendly” food is a real category or just marketing
• How food startups and investors are responding
• Why the future of food may be smaller, more nutrient-dense, and more intentional

This session was recorded live at the TUTTOFOOD 2026 International Startup Area, organized by Sesamers.

This conversation is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Please note: this was recorded live on a busy trade show floor, so the sound quality reflects the live event setting.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to GLP-1 and Its Impact on Food Industry

05:54 Personal Experiences with GLP-1 Medications

11:45 Market Trends and Consumer Behavior Changes

17:35 The Future of Food and Health Innovations

23:53 Investment Strategies in the Evolving Food Sector

30:04 Final Thoughts and Recommendations for Food Startups

A short bite from our conversation with MIT engineer and author Ted Yang: why neural networks aren't new, the one thing AI still can't optimize (hint: humans are in the loop), and how over-optimizing can strip out the human touch.

Full episode out now.

The smarter AI gets, the more your humanity matters. MIT engineer, 13-time founder, and self-described "recovering hedge fund guy" Ted Yang joins Zivile to flip the AI conversation on its head - away from fear and job loss, toward using it as a tool to perform, think, and live better.

We talk about what's truly worth optimizing (and what isn't), how Ted used AI to write his book Ageless Peak Performance, why polished writing now reads as "fake," the idea that you can stay at your peak longer with the right tools, and why face-to-face connection is still the most underrated technology we have.

📘 Ageless Peak Performance → AgelessPeakPerformance.com

Hosted by Zivile Einikyte · Perception Paradox

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/

Chapters

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

04:26 AI and Human Performance

05:45 Challenges in Scheduling and Optimization

08:19 The Human Element in AI

11:43 Using AI for Writing and Creativity

14:42 Managing AI Subscriptions and Tools

15:48 Optimizing Workouts and Nutrition

17:59 The Motivation Behind Writing Again

20:49 The Human Aspect of AI

23:02 The Importance of Physical Books

24:33 The Value of Human Connection

26:06 Navigating AI's Impact on Communication

26:36 Identifying the Ideal Reader

29:30 Book Promotion and Distribution Strategies

33:05 Getting Started with AI

36:53 Where to Find More Information