Wharton Tech Toks

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 entrepreneurship and AI this is definitely the episode for you! 

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 startup and if you are interested in software more generally. If you like the show, please give it a like! 

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 expertise as a sought-after conference speaker, workshop facilitator, startup advisory board member, and graduate-level lecturer. In this episode, Debbie Cheng (Wharton Class of 2026) and YC discuss the challenges and rewards of his work, the courses he teaches at the Stanford d.school, and career advice for designers, technologists, and business leaders alike.

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 that has the potential to make a real difference combating climate change. If you like the episode, please give it a like! 

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 learning more about the role of corporate venture capital funds, this is a great episode to listen to.

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 the ones that got away, and his perspective on how AI is transforming knowledge work.

Tune in for an engaging discussion on venture capital, risk-taking, and the future of tech innovation.

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 customers, the business model Range Energy is pursuing as well as Ali’s general thoughts on the future of clean transportation among other topics. This is a great chance to hear first hand from an entrepreneur how they are disrupting an established industry so be sure to give this episode a like if you enjoyed it.  

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 AI companies are actually worth their high valuations. This is a fascinating episode on a cutting edge topic so be sure to give it a listen.

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 listening to it.

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 choosing sectors of focus within investing and what strong sourcing entails.