Under The Hood X Le Studio

Join host Karine Sarkissian as she speaks with Andres Baehr, a venture capitalist and advocate for climate and social impact across Latin America. Andres shares an inspiring journey of purpose and perseverance. Discover the realities of fundraising in an emerging market, the cultural nuances influencing investment decisions, and why transparency and inclusion are vital for the future of venture capital. Stay tuned until the end for a special creative twist as Andres closes the episode with a freestyle performance.

Join host Karine Sarkissian in conversation with Sharon Ambrosio, Head of Venture Program at Tamar Ventures. Sharon shares how her journey from urban planning to startup accelerators shaped her unique perspective on supporting founders. She dives into the importance of Tamar’s pre-investment program, designed to equip entrepreneurs with the core fundamentals and pillars for long-term success. Discover how strong ecosystems, hands-on guidance, and founder-first support can transform the startup journey. Tune in for valuable insights and inspiration from an ecosystem builder dedicated to helping entrepreneurs thrive!

Join host Sophie Durey as she sits down with leadership and life coach Anne Amis to explore practical strategies for managing burnout and prioritizing mental health. Anne shares how to recognise the signs that it’s time to seek support, the value of leaning on your circle, and the power of letting go. Stay tuned until the end for a calming guided breathing exercise to help you reset and recharge. This episode is packed with wisdom, warmth, and tools you can use right away.

In this episode, the Tamar Ventures team dives into the rising tide of entrepreneurship far beyond the coasts. We sit down with Hannah McLean-Leonard and Benjamin Cook from the University of Wyoming to explore how a single university is helping transform an entire state into a startup engine. From grassroots mentorship networks to a bold, startup-style Venture MBA program, Wyoming is showing what it takes to build resilient innovation communities from the ground up. If you're curious about how rural regions are redefining what's possible in tech and entrepreneurship, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

In this episode, host Karine Sarkissian sits down with Katherine Sakovich, CMO at Mira Care, to talk about what it really takes to market a brand-new product in healthcare. Katherine shares how she helped turn a little-known fertility device into a trusted name in women’s health — all through a product-led approach, community building, and a deep focus on trust and education. If you're marketing in a regulated or complex space, her insights on early adoption, messaging, and customer behavior are a must-hear.

In this high-energy episode, host Sophie welcomes Lindsey Mignano — lawyer, entrepreneur, and fierce advocate for founders — to share her remarkable journey. Co-founder of a top startup law firm in San Francisco, Lindsey talks candidly about entrepreneurship, resilience, and why not every company should chase venture capital. She also unpacks what it takes to thrive in today’s venture landscape, especially for first-time and foreign founders. If you’re building a company — or thinking about it — this conversation is your new blueprint.

Join host Karine Sarkissian as she interviews Raida Daouk, Founder and Managing Partner at Amkan Ventures. Raida shares about her unique journey into venture and the importance of having conviction as a solo Fund of Fund GP. Her perspective into fund selection to find the right opportunities leaves us wanting more! Tune in for insights and more in this inspiring episode.

Join host Sophie Durey as she goes deep with Lyndsey Boucherle, partner at Better Ventures, on the intersection of venture capital and impact investing. Lyndsey breaks down what it truly means to invest with purpose — from backing mission-driven founders to pushing beyond conventional patterns to unlock the next wave of sustainable innovation. Whether you're an investor, founder, or simply curious about building a better future through business, this conversation is packed with inspiring insights and actionable advice. Have a listen!

In this episode, host Sophie Durey sits down with Helene Le Person, the dynamic Global Marketing Director at Convivialité Ventures. Helene shares her journey of moving to the Bay Area and unpacks the key cultural differences between American and French venture landscapes. She also breaks down the distinctions between Venture Capital and Corporate Venture, offering invaluable insights and success strategies. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with unique perspectives and actionable advice!

Karine Sarkissian sits down with Nazli Kandur, a talented designer at Le Studio, to explore the pivotal role of design in startups. From brand creation to development, they discuss why design is essential at every stage of a company’s journey. Tune in for practical tips, insights on collaborating with designers, and strategies to make your brand stand out.

Join host Sophie Durey in conversation with Dr. Marc Moser, Head of Impact at Lightrock, as he shares his unique insights into the world of impact investing. A pioneer in the Swiss impact investing landscape, Marc discusses the importance of aligning investments with core values, drawing on his experience with the LGT investing firm. He also offers a glimpse into the broader European impact ecosystem. Tune in for valuable perspectives and inspiration in this insightful episode! https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-marc-moser-599b5b31/

Sophie Durey sits down with Sacha Ledan, Director at the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at Stanford GSB, to discuss his journey as a French American and his passion for supporting founders. Sacha shares his unique perspective on building programs at Stanford and highlights the school’s distinctive role in shaping Silicon Valley’s entrepreneurial spirit. Tune in to discover how Stanford’s approach continues to influence the world of startups! https://www.linkedin.com/in/sachaledan/

Sophie Durey sits down with Ken Vermeille, CEO and founder of Vermillion Sky, a top software development company. Ken shares key insights from his journey as a founder, from building his company to navigating fundraising. With a mission to empower entrepreneurs, Ken reveals how to create impactful products that resonate with users and drive business success. Tune in to learn how to elevate your work and make a lasting impact! https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennick/

Karine Sarkissian sits down with Roberto Tagliabue, founder of Alpha and Awake, to explore how AI is transforming the retail experience. Roberto shares his innovative approach to using AI for customer insights and acquisition, offering a fresh perspective from a designer, innovator, and founder. Don’t miss this exciting conversation full of forward-thinking strategies! https://www.linkedin.com/in/robtag/

Join host Karine Sarkissian as she interviews Florent Breton, the resilient founder of Paren. Florent shares his secrets to maintaining mental health, positivity, and perseverance throughout his startup journey. Discover the importance of a supportive community and how to turn setbacks into valuable lessons. Tune in for wonderful insights and unique perspectives in this inspiring episode! https://www.linkedin.com/in/florentbreton/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/paren-inc/

Join Sophie Durey as she dives deep with Guillaume Taylor, a pioneer in impact investing. Guillaume shares his journey from micro-finance to impact investing, emphasizing sustainability and intentionality. Learn how to drive positive change by considering all aspects of investments and offsetting potential negative outcomes. This episode is filled with insights on leading with passion and care. Don’t miss out on this inspiring conversation! https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillaume-taylor/ https://www.umbutu.ch/

In this episode, Sophie Durey is joined by Tracy Saad, founder and creative strategist at Trace Effect. Tracy shares the importance of reinventing how people think about politics and government. Through gamification and play, she takes individuals on a journey to make politics fun and accessible. A very timely episode today, we hope you’ll love it as much as we did! Learn more about Tracy here! Follow her on social!

Join Karine Sarkissian as she interviews Ed Kearny, the visionary founder of Valo, the world's first high-performance electric hydrofoiling vehicle. Ed's entrepreneurial journey is a creative, insightful adventure, from starting a graduation gown business to a photography startup, and finally achieving his dream with Valo. Discover his unique perspective on making an impact, adapting products/solutions to new generations, and finding the right support networks in the startup world. Tune in for inspiring insights and practical tips for future founders! Support their endeavor HERE! Learn more about Ed HERE!

Listen in as host, Karine Sarkissian explores the world of creative entrepreneurship with Jon Portman, designer, animator, and co-founder of Gentle Beast. In this conversation, Karine dives into Jon’s journey from art director to launching a dog training platform. Discover the challenges and triumphs he has faced, and gain insights into collaboration between creative and non-creative co-founders, navigating entrepreneurship, and leveraging storytelling in business. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, this episode offers inspiration and knowledge to fuel your own creative journey. Tune in to learn from Jon’s experiences and uncover the secrets to building an innovative company. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonportman/ https://www.gentlebeast.com/

Join us as we explore the world of female entrepreneur Katy Cottam, Founder and CEO of Luna Daily. In this conversation, host Sophie Durey dives into Katy’s journey from her beginnings in the cosmetics industry and a plant-based food startup to leading a pioneering brand dedicated to normalizing conversations around women's health. Discover the challenges and triumphs she has faced along the way and gain valuable insights into breaking societal stigmas, the power of being a generalist, and the importance of building a strong team. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a supporter of women’s health, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to fuel your own journey. Tune in to learn from Katy’s experiences and uncover the secrets to running a successful, purpose-driven company. Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-cottam-b6556043/?originalSubdomain=uk https://us.luna-daily.com/