Investing in Hard Tech

Sparknify
1 day ago
1 min read

In this episode of Silicon Valley Unplugged, Investing in Hard Tech, we sit down with Nicolas Sauvage, President of TDK Ventures, for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation on what it really takes to build and back transformative deep-tech companies.

Hosted by Jillian Sun, this episode explores how frontier technologies move from lab breakthroughs to global impact. Nicolas shares insights from the investor’s seat—how TDK Ventures evaluates founders, what differentiates durable hardware and deep-tech startups, and where energy, materials, AI, and climate technologies are heading next.

Whether you’re a founder navigating early traction, an investor tracking the next platform shift, or simply curious about how real innovation gets funded, this conversation offers a grounded look at the decisions and philosophies shaping the future of technology.

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About Sparknify SV Unplugged

Silicon Valley Unplugged (SV Up) is a monthly live studio show with audience produced by Sparknify, broadcast across the Comcast network in Silicon Valley, and distributed across social and digital platforms. Each episode brings together visionary founders, technologists, and creators to discuss bold ideas at the intersection of innovation, humanity, and the future.

🌐 Visit https://sparknify.com/live-show for information on upcoming episodes, guest speakers, and how to attend future shows in person.

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Investing in Hard Tech

In this episode of Silicon Valley Unplugged: Investing in Hard Tech, Nicolas Sauvage, President of TDK Ventures, joins host Jillian Sun for a candid conversation on what it really takes to build and fund deep-tech companies. From evaluating founders to scaling hardware, energy, AI, and climate technologies, this episode unpacks how breakthrough ideas move from the lab to real-world impact—and what separates promising demos from enduring companies.

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