Startups Decoded

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In this episode, we dive into the art of communicating complex science and technology concepts. Cindy Skalicky, an expert in executive communications and storytelling, shares her strategies for transforming intricate ideas into compelling narratives that resonate with both external audiences and internal teams. Cindy has helped leaders at Google, Microsoft, and JP Morgan Chase elevate their communication skills, ensuring their messages inspire action and drive innovation. If you’re ready to elevate your leadership communication, listen in and discover how to tell your story with clarity and confidence.

Ready to enhance your storytelling and leadership communication? Join Cindy Skalicky and learn how you can start crafting your story to propel your ideas forward.

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Cindy Skalicky - On-Point Communications

Executive Communications Expert & Storytelling Strategist

Cindy Skalicky is a passionate advocate for clear, compelling communication in science and technology. With a focus on guiding leaders to become top 5% communicators, she helps transform complex ideas into impactful stories. Cindy has partnered with industry giants like Google, Microsoft, and JP Morgan Chase, leading executive communications and storytelling strategies that inspire action and drive innovation. She specializes in helping leaders deliver their vision with clarity, confidence, and heart—especially during times of organizational change. Through storytelling, training, and coaching, Cindy ensures that leaders' messages not only resonate but also stick.

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On Point Communications 

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In this episode of Startups Decoded, we’re joined by Crystelle Desnoyer, an accomplished Executive Operator with extensive experience in scaling tech organizations across industries. From growing 26 global companies to her work as Chief of Staff at Techstars, Crystelle shares invaluable insights on how founders navigated 2024 and how they can prepare for sustainable growth in 2025.

We’ll dive into key topics such as supporting founders in 2025, how intentionality shapes a founder’s day-to-day work, and the role of OKRs in aligning teams and driving direction. Crystelle’s multifaceted experience offers actionable advice for scaling operations, fostering high-performing teams, and navigating the complexities of rapid growth.

If you’re a founder or part of an executive team, this episode is packed with insights to fuel your 2025 growth strategy.

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Crystelle Desnoyer

Crystelle is a seasoned operator specializing in scaling tech organizations, having helped grow 26 global companies across various industries. With experience spanning e-commerce, management consulting, and venture capital, she brings a multi-layered perspective to high-growth teams. As a member of CHIEF and CEOX, she actively supports female leaders in tech.

Most recently, as Chief of Staff at Techstars, she led CEO branding, business process improvement, KPI management, and stakeholder engagement. Previously, as VP of Marketing Operations at Pomélo+Co., she launched the brand in Europe, built and led three teams, and helped grow the company to $30M in under two years. Her expertise includes go-to-market strategy, business development, and scaling operations.

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In this episode of Method: Startups Decoded, Lucy Woolfenden, a founder and dynamic marketing leader with extensive experience in scaling early-stage startups and building high-performing marketing teams, joins us to explore how to transform valuable insights into actionable strategies that fuel growth. 

From hiring your first marketer to leveraging customer feedback, Lucy shares key lessons learned from her impressive career journey. you will gain practical advice on navigating marketing challenges, driving customer engagement, and creating a scalable marketing playbook tailored to startup success.

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Lucy Woolfenden

With over 20 years of experience in launching and growing tech startups, I am the Founder of The Scale Up Collective, a marketing strategy consultancy that helps post-seed to series B startups scale faster and easier. I am also an Angel Academe Member and a Women in FinTech Powerlist member

At The Scale Up Collective, we remove the guesswork from marketing growth by creating and executing potent go-to-market strategies based on deep audience insights. We work as an extension of your team, bringing in the right experts as and when they are needed and enabling you to reach your goals without breaking the bank. We have worked with 60+ startups across tech, SaaS, fintech, insurtech, and healthtech, and are on a mission to support over 1,000 startups in the next 5 years. I also coach and mentor startup founders and teams from disadvantaged backgrounds, as I believe that all good ideas deserve the chance to succeed.

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The Scale Up Collective

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In this debut episode, we tackle a critical question for the future of the climate tech industry: Does climate tech need a rebrand?

Featuring Helena Wasserman, co-founder of Investors for Climate, this episode dives into:

• How climate tech is perceived by investors and the public.
• The role of storytelling in overcoming funding challenges.
• The evolving identity of climate tech and its trends for the next year.
• Helena’s personal insights on scaling early-stage climate startups and catalyzing $40M in investments.

Share your thoughts and join the conversation!

Music Credit: Phondupe - Neptuno (Album Onykia)

https://open.spotify.com/track/061QrfGrHTYRQ1N3OnuQdC?si=035579bc1104472c

About Our Guest: Helena Wasserman is a climate investor, advisor, and co-founder of Investors for Climate. With over a decade of experience driving systemic change through organizations like the Clinton Foundation and Techstars, Helena has supported climate founders in raising capital, built a network of 300+ climate investors, and developed a diverse portfolio with one IPO success.

1) If you want to learn more about what I do, you can join my free weekly newsletter, every Saturday I share my insights on climate tech and what it takes to win. → sign up here: https://www.helenawasserman.com/unstoppable-newsletter

2) Investors for Climate is an invite-only network of investors. You can submit your profile to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3DtRv147We3_YAUgHBaDq8t-K-PowPBVMomoAr2k383uYuQ/viewform

3. If you want to join "Unstoppable” program where I support climate founders to unlock fundraising and growth. → apply to find out if you are a good fit. https://dibqh35jze6.typeform.com/to/D7OqSKza

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @iamhelenawass

Climate tech, climate investment, sustainable innovation, tech branding, Helena Wasserman, climate solutions, green tech, venture capital, early-stage investment, Andy Walsh