Wharton Tech Toks

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 is shaping enterprise strategy. If you enjoy the show, share it with a friend and drop us a comment!

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 breakthrough technologies. Tune in for a compelling discussion on how visionary venture capital can help catalyze the transition to a more sustainable and resilient economy.

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 leading investor in the infrastructure and AI space so be sure to give it a listen. 

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 solutions. The conversation also delves into the challenges and opportunities within the evolving automotive landscape and how strategic investments can accelerate the transition to cleaner, smarter transportation systems. Tune in for an engaging discussion on the intersection of venture capital and the sustainable transformation of global transportation. 

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 feel free to leave a comment, too!

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 like what makes corporate-startup partnerships effective and how capital-intensive businesses offer unique opportunities in climate tech. Tune in for an insightful conversation on how strategic partnerships and thoughtful venture investment are powering the clean energy revolution.

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!

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.

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 unique perspective and insights Jonathan offers in this episode!

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 Americans move throughout urban areas. If you are curious about cities, transportation, or just great design, be sure to listen to this episode.