Liam Boogar-Azoulay
22m
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Selected - The Sesamers Podcast
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Highlights
From Bus Driver to Blogger: A Unique Career Path
Liam's journey into the tech world is nothing short of fascinating. Starting in LA as a bus driver to pay for college tuition, he ventured into the world of startups after moving to France and starting a blog about the local startup scene. His journey began in 2011, and as he recalls, "I started a blog as a creative outlet," choosing the thematic colors of orange and black as the blog started in the spooky month of October. Little did he know that his creative outlet - Rude Baguette - would later become France's leading startup blog. As the blog quickly gained traction, he began exploring ways to better monetize the opportunity.
The Impact of Events (and English) on the Tech Ecosystem
From his community of readers, Liam noticed a demand for connections between startups, VCs, and founders. Readers would write to him to be put in touch with relevant parties that Liam had connections with or wrote about. Out of respect for the ethos of maintaining an editorial independence, Liam did not want to facilitate direct connections. Nevertheless, this was the window of opportunity he needed: to bridge this gap, Liam started organizing events as opportunities for networking among readers and in this way, giving them the opportunity to arrange meetings amongst themselves during the events. They soon discovered that one of the best filters for competitive startups was the fact that they had to participate in English. Naturally, any startup or participants interested in an international audience were willing to participate in English events.
The Rise of SaaS: What You Need to Know
During the conversation, Liam sheds light on the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, explaining its fundamental principles. He emphasizes the importance of high gross margins in venture capital and how SaaS businesses excel in this regard. SaaS companies leverage predictability and recurring revenue streams, making them appealing to both investors and entrepreneurs. Understanding the SaaS playbook involves finding a niche, excelling in it, and delivering what customers are willing to pay for, all while ensuring they're delighted with the product. Liam's years of experience in the venture capital and SaaS space becomes apparent in how he details the perspective investors have in this domain. He shares insights for founders of SaaS startups to understand how to better capture investor interest.
From Marketing to Revenue Strategy: The Transition at Scaleway
Liam's career evolved from marketing into the role of Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at Scaleway. He shares his perspective on marketing's role in revenue generation. Marketing, brand-building in particular, plays a vital role in driving organic demand generation, leading to lower customer acquisition costs for companies with strong brands. At Scaleway, this understanding allows the team to predictably forecast revenue and strategically plan product development.
Facilitating Great Conversations: Event Organizers Take Note
Liam's experience in organizing events highlight the value of facilitating meaningful conversations within the tech community. He emphasizes that events with a clear editorial focus, designed to foster engaging discussions, are the events that result in more lasting impacts. These conversations create valuable connections and contribute to the growth of the tech ecosystem, making them a crucial element of the industry.
This conversation with Liam provides a glimpse into the dynamic and ever-evolving world of tech startups, the power of events, and the strategic insights needed to thrive in the SaaS landscape.
Liam's journey from bus driver to tech influencer and CRO at Scaleway serves as a testament to the exciting opportunities that await those who embrace the tech scene with both passion and creativity.
Speaking of events, Liam will be at Station F in Paris on November 17th for Scaleway's first ai-Pulse event; a one-day technical conference dedicated to AI innovation, research & implementation đ
Find Liam on:
- LinkedIn: liamboogar
- Twitter/X: @LiamBoogar
Find Ben on:
- LinkedIn: bcostantini
- Twitter/X: @bencostantini
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Broadening Horizons Through Deep Tech
Céline Farcet's journey at L'Oréal R&I exemplifies a profound evolution in corporate innovation, transitioning from material science to spearheading tech partnerships.
She shifted her focus from academia to startup collaborations, particularly in Deep Tech, to enhance L'Oréal's innovation pipeline. "I was super curious about it," Farcet explains, highlighting her proactive move towards more open and collaborative innovation models.
This strategic shift in tech partnering strategies underscores L'Oréal's commitment to integrating sustainable technology and deep tech collaboration into their corporate fabric.
Innovation at L'Oréal: A Global Perspective
The scope of Farcet's role at L'Oréal is truly global. Her activity spans across the U.S., Israel, Asia, and Europe.
This international strategy allows L'Oréal to "scan globally all the innovations that could come from the ecosystem of startups."
This ensures that only the most fitting advancements are chosen, aligning with their strategic challenges. Such global scanning is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving cosmetics sector.
Pioneering Projects and Partnerships
Farcet shares insights into some exciting projects, such as L'Oréal's acquisition of Lactobio. This Danish microbiome startup (the microbiome isthe community of microorganisms, such as fungi, bacteria and viruses, that exists in a particular environment) is part of L'Oréal's portfolio alongside Gjosa, a Swiss company. Gjosa developed a low-flow showerhead in partnership with L'Oréal.
These examples highlight L'Oréal's dedication to diversifying its technology base and enhancing sustainability efforts. Furthermore, they reflect L'Oréal's strategic approach to improving product offerings through innovative external collaborations.
The Role of Events in Scouting Innovations
Participation in events like Hello Tomorrow is crucial for Farcet and her team.
These events help them identify and integrate cutting-edge technologies. "It's not enough to just meet [startups]," Farcet explains.
She emphasizes the importance of conducting meticulous technical due diligence. This process determines the potential cosmetic value of new technologies. Consequently, this thorough vetting ensures that only the most promising innovations meet L'Oréal's rigorous selection criteria.
Looking Ahead: Innovation at L'Oréal Through Sustainability and Tech Integration
Farcet is particularly excited about the role of sustainable technologies in meeting L'Oréal's future goals.
The 'L'OrĂ©al for the Future' program aims to transform LâOrĂ©alâs activity by taking into
account the complete value chain (upstream and downstream) by 2030. One of the commitments leads to increase in the incorporation of bio-based ingredients through sustainable processes without increasing
land use.
This ambitious plan requires continuous innovation and effective partnerships, leveraging both to maintain a balance between growth and sustainability.
Stephan Savarese
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From Aerospace to Advocacy
Stephan Savarese's career evolved from aerospace engineering to climate advocacy, a testament to adaptability. Initially immersed in R&D, a significant moment at COP 21 ignited his shift towards environmental solutions.
Consequently, TechnoCarbon was born. At its core is Carbon Fiber Stone, reflecting a profound commitment to green technology and CO2 negative growth.
Synthesizing Sustainability in New Materials
Carbon Fiber Stone stands as a beacon in TechnoCarbon's lineup. This composite is revolutionary, surpassing traditional materials in both robustness and eco-friendliness.
Savarese is confident in its potential. Ultimately, he sees this carbon-negative material redefining the industry and spearheading a shift towards sustainable composites.
Unity in Innovation: Forging Paths to Greener Futures
Indeed, collaboration has been instrumental in TechnoCarbon's rise. The company's journey, from a Paris-based incubator to global accelerators, showcases a series of strategic alliances.
These partnerships have been more than beneficial; they've been crucial. They have propelled Carbon Fiber Stone into the spotlight, emphasizing the collective drive for environmental innovation.
Challenging Skepticism: Pioneering with Carbon Fiber Stone
TechnoCarbon's bold vision initially faced industry skepticism. Yet, Savarese addressed these doubts with unwavering advocacy for Carbon Fiber Stone.
He has continually highlighted the importance of embracing new, sustainable materials. Through this, he demonstrates that innovation is not just about creating but also about convincing and converting the market to be change-ready.
Projecting Impact: TechnoCarbon's Aspirations for Carbon Fiber Stone
With regard to the future, Savarese anticipates TechnoCarbon will experience significant growth thanks to their innovative work in sustainable composites. He predicts a future where such materials are key to business success.
Furthermore, he urges entrepreneurs to establish ventures that align financial viability with environmental advancement. This foresight lays the groundwork for innovations that are both economically beneficial and vital for reducing carbon footprints.
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Reinforce 3D's Origin: Blending Engineering with Business Acumen
Blanca Garro's ascent to CEO of Reinforce 3D combines her engineering background with sharp business insights. Her story begins with a chemical engineering degree, which led her across Europe, where she discovered the additive manufacturing sector.
Realizing the need for more business-oriented knowledge, she pursued an MBA, bridging her technical expertise with a deeper understanding of business development. This unique blend of skills and her passion for technology spurred her decision to join Reinforce 3D.
She vividly expresses her excitement: "I really fell in love with the technology," emphasizing the allure of innovative potential.
3D Printing Innovations: Unveiling the CFIP Technology
Next, we delve into the heart of Reinforce 3D's innovation: continuous fiber injection process (CFIP) technology. Blanca eloquently demystifies this technology, highlighting its revolutionary impact on the composite sector.
Traditional composites involved layering fibers, but CFIP introduces a method to inject continuous fibers, enhancing the material's strength and functionality. Blanca's explanation makes this complex technology accessible to all, revealing how it offers a stronger and more versatile approach to manufacturing composites.
Eco-friendly Manufacturing: Sustainability in the World of Additive Manufacturing
Blanca emphasizes sustainability as a crucial driving force in today's manufacturing industry. She passionately talks about the need to innovate responsibly, focusing on "how to do more with less."
This approach is not merely a trend but a fundamental shift in how manufacturing processes are designed and executed. Her insight into Reinforce 3D's commitment to sustainability shows the industry's movement towards more environmentally conscious practices, where new technologies like CFIP play a pivotal role.
Startup Leadership Insights: Navigating the Startup Landscape
Moreover, Blanca offers an honest perspective on the complexities of evaluating the market size and fundraising in the DeepTech ecosystem. She discusses the unique challenges faced by startups, especially in specialized sectors like composite materials.
Understanding market potential and attracting investors requires a nuanced approach, as Blanca explains: "It's really difficult to size my market." This candid admission sheds light on the daunting yet critical aspects of growing a tech startup in a rapidly evolving industry.
Tackling Gender Disparities in Tech and Engineering
Lastly, Blanca addresses the issue of gender disparity in the tech and engineering sectors. As a female CEO in a male-dominated industry, she brings a unique viewpoint on the challenges and opportunities for women in these fields.
The lack of female representation, especially in engineering roles, is a significant concern, as she points out the scarcity of women's CVs for engineering positions. Her perspective underlines the importance of striving for gender balance and the need for systemic changes to encourage more women to enter and thrive in these industries.
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The Chemistry of Composites: Driving Industry Evolution
Chris Skinner's transformation from a chemist to a visionary leader in strategic marketing at Owens Corning is a tale of the composites industry's evolution.
"We're at the forefront of merging material science with market demands, a testament to our dedication to innovation in composite materials," he states.
This integration of science into commercial success embodies the progress and adaptability at the heart of the composites industry.
Collaborative Innovation: Revolutionizing R&D in the Composites Industry
The research and development landscape in the composite industry is undergoing a significant transformation. "The era of solo achievements is evolving into a time of collaborative efforts," Chris Skinner notes.
He emphasizes that in this industry, success hinges on merging diverse talents to drive innovation. This evolution highlights a crucial trend: teamwork is becoming increasingly indispensable for advancing composite technology trends and material conversion strategies.
The Startup Booster: Igniting Innovation in Composite Materials
The Startup Booster Competition in JEC world stands as a testament to Owens Corning's commitment to innovation. It's not merely a contest; it's a visionary platform where emerging technologies gain momentum.
"We're crafting an ecosystem ripe for transformation," Skinner asserts, "where cutting-edge ideas meet opportunity and scalable solutions emerge."
The Pink Panther Effect: Strategic Branding in Composite Materials
Opting to color Owens Corningâs fiberglass pink and aligning it with the Pink Panther wasnât just about looks.
Skinner explains, âWeâve crafted a story that changes how customers interact with our products. This move has made them not only noticeable but also more engaging and memorable.â
He highlights how this approach isnât just branding ; itâs storytelling that resonates emotionally with users, adding a unique and lasting impact.
This strategy shows the effective use of narrative in creating a deep, lasting connection with customers.
Effective Branding in the Composite Industry: The Power of Now
Skinner highlights a crucial shift in marketing philosophyâfocusing on the present benefits that resonate with consumers.
"We're living in a time when the immediate application and advantage of a product take precedence," he says. Skinner encourages a marketing approach that emphasizes instant satisfaction, thus fostering an immediate connection between the product and its user.
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Embracing a Non-linear Path to Impactful Innovation
Cecilia Tham's journey to the helm of Futurity Systems is anything but traditional. From Hong Kong to the U.S., and then to Barcelona, her path is a testament to the power of embracing non-linear career trajectories.
"I went from starting a co-working space to opening a fab cafe and then a school for women in tech," Cecilia shares. This diverse background laid the foundation for her current role, where she scales impact through innovative technology.
Learning from Alpha Telefonica's Moonshot Approach: Advancing Exponential Tech Development
Ceciliaâs experience at Alpha Telefonica was a turning point, where she immersed herself in future-thinking methodologies. "It was a moonshot factory," she explains, revealing how such initiatives push boundaries to create technologies with exponential impact.
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The Art of Anticipating the Unpredictable in Future-Thinking Innovation
The core of Ceciliaâs work revolves around preparing for the unseen and making the unpredictable tangible. "By the time you think you need to be resilient for the future, it's already too late," she asserts.
Her focus is on weaving stories that help people understand and value the future before it becomes the present, especially in realms like AI.
Applied Futurism in Tech: Bridging Historical Insights and Future Technologies
Cecilia identifies herself as an "applied futurist," emphasizing a hands-on approach to futurism.
"Futures have a lot to do with the past," she states, highlighting the importance of collective memory in shaping what's to come. This perspective is crucial in developing strategies and solutions that are grounded in reality yet forward-thinking.
The Impact of Storytelling in Futurism
Finally, Cecilia touches on the significance of public speaking in her field. It's a vital tool for sharing her vision and connecting with potential collaborators. "It's a conversation with the audience," she says, highlighting the importance of engagement and storytelling in conveying complex ideas about the future.