Wharton Tech Toks

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 conversation, Wesley Tillu, a Wharton MBA graduate and partner at S32 Ventures, delves into the dynamic world of AI and deep tech investing. He shares his journey from engineering and banking to venture capital, highlighting key challenges faced by tech giants and the rise of agile startups. Wesley reveals insights into identifying valuable AI startups and successful founders, alongside discussing innovative business models in content monetization. Tune in for expert advice on navigating the competitive VC landscape!

In this engaging chat, Jonathan Arena, a design founder with a rich background at Facebook, Cruise, and Patreon, shares insights on blending creativity with business. He discusses how his time at the Rhode Island School of Design led him to Harvard Business School and shaped his career choices. Arena emphasizes the importance of community in fostering collaboration among founders, especially in tech, and the crucial role design advisors play in startups. He also navigates the challenges of leadership in design, highlighting the need for accountability and creativity in fast-evolving environments.

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. 

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.