Wharton Tech Toks

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.

Join us for this episode with Shawn Xu, a partner at Lowercarbon Capital which is a leading venture fund investing in Climate Tech. In this episode we dive into the differences between investing in both hardware and software startups, what the capital stack for more capital intensive startups should be, and how Shawn broke into the VC industry. Being on the founding team of a YC startup and a Wharton graduate, Shawn’s insight into the Climate Tech world is incredibly insightful. Please share the episode if you enjoyed it!

Join us for this episode with Andrea Hippeau, a partner at Lerer Hippeau to hear about her story as a generalist investor at a leading early stage fund. In this episode we speak about why it is advantageous to be a generalist investor vs a specialist investor, sectors that she has recently been excited about, lessons from her board experience, and advice on finding good founders. Let us know what you think of the show in the comments!

Please join us for this episode where we speak with Victoria Beasley, a partner at Gigascale Capital, a leading climate tech venture fund. In this episode we dive into the differences of investing in both hardware and software startups, how to identify good climate tech founders, and what qualifies as a climate tech investment. This is a fascinating episode with a great investor so please give it a listen! 

Join us for an engaging conversation with Tanika Mehra and Jacqueline Cheong, Co-Founder & CEO of Artie (YC S23) 🚀. Jacqueline shares her inspiring journey from finance to entrepreneurship and how Artie is revolutionizing data streaming and replication in the tech world.

Join us for this episode with Tobias Citron, a principal at Primary Venture Partners focused on data / developer tools, AI, and cybersecurity. In this episode we discuss where Tobias thinks value will accrue in the AI space, how AI impacts cybersecurity and how he broke into the VC space. This is an amazing episode if you are interested in deep tech and investing so be sure to give it a listen.

Join us for this episode with Ben Veres, CEO and Co-Founder of Kateri Carbon to understand how Kateri is turning ranchland into a carbon sink. Leveraging smart fencing and carbon measuring tools, Kateri is able to help farmers move their livestock around ranchland to avoid killing grass and turn the ranchland into a carbon sink. In return, Kateri is able to help generate carbon credits generating extra revenue for farmers. This is an exciting episode about how simple technologies can create significant climate outcomes.

Tune into the latest episode of the Wharton Tech Toks podcast! Zoe Barnswell and Tanika Mehra sit down with Jeffrey Burrell, Head of Social Impact and Sustainability at Riot Games, to discuss how gaming can drive global change. With 20+ years of experience spanning consulting, non-profits, and tech, Jeffrey shares insights on in-game fundraisers, engaging 180 million players in social impact initiatives, and his career journey. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in social impact, gaming, or tech leadership.

Saanya Ojha, a Partner at Bain Capital Ventures with a rich background in finance and tech, dives into the evolving landscape of cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity. She shares her journey from Goldman Sachs to venture capital, emphasizing the thrill of partnering with innovative founders. The discussion also explores the balance between early-stage investments and public companies, the impact of AI on cybersecurity, and the importance of building community in the tech space. Her global perspective enriches insights on navigating this dynamic industry.

Join MP Eisen (VP of Partnerships at Glean) and Manasi Patwa (Wharton MBA '25) as they dive into Glean's GTM and Partnerships Strategy.  Glean is the leading Work AI platform that connects and understands all of your company’s data, enabling everyone to find answers, generate content, and automate work with AI. Glean last raised a $260MM Series E in fall 2024 at a $4.6B valuation. In this episode, MP distills how Glean approaches its key cloud partnerships, collaborations with complementary technology players, and engagements with consultancies.