In this episode, we dive into how he built Vianova, a mobility data platform used by cities to make better decisionsaround transport and infrastructure. He shares what it’s really like to sell to governments, validate a product in public, and pitch an idea before the market is ready.

00:00:00 - Introduction to Vianova and Its Mission

04:26:00 - The Journey of Thibault Castagne: From Finance to Mobility

12:41:00 - The Evolution of Vianova: Data-Driven Urban Mobility

16:06:00 - Challenges in Partnering with Cities and Governments

20:06:00 - Vianova's Presence and Market Focus

24:17:00 - Navigating Urban Mobility Challenges

27:27:00 - The Entrepreneurial Journey: Personal Insights

31:34:00 - Lessons from the Startup Experience

37:13:00 - Funding and Investor Relations

41:11:00 - Building a Strong Technical Team

45:55:00 - Finding Momentum in Entrepreneurship

Chandralika Hazarika is a walking power surge.

No tech background, no co-founder, no safety net—and yet, she’s partnering with global fashion giants to bring AI to your online shopping cart.

As co-founder of Bigthinx 3D AI, she’s building cutting-edge tech that powers 3D body scans, virtual try-ons, and digital twins for the world’s biggest fashion and luxury brands.

(You know that moment when you wish you could see a 3D view of the bag you’re about to buy online? That’s her tech.)

In this episode, we talk:

⚡ Turning rejection into rocket fuel

⚡ Building credibility without a tech CV

⚡ Selling to big brands before the market was ready

⚡ Showing up bold in rooms that want you quiet

Chapters

00:00:00 - Revolutionizing Fashion with AI

00:07:27 - The Journey from Architecture to Fashion Tech

00:14:52 - Overcoming Challenges in the Fashion Industry

00:19:35 - Navigating Funding in Fashion Tech

00:25:39 - Building a Strong Founding Team

00:31:29 - Global Expansion and Headquarters Strategy

00:34:41 - Challenges Faced During Growth

00:38:30 - Personal Impact of Entrepreneurship

00:40:20 - Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

00:42:13 - Competitive Advantages in the Market

00:44:09 - Motivation and Team Development

Cristina Jäger spent years advising millionaires at UBS—then left it all to fix what the industry ignores: the gender wealth gap.

In this episode, she shares how Her Financial Freedom was born from a few conversations over Prosecco and turned into a fast-growing platform that’s helping thousands ofwomen invest with confidence.

We cover:

💸 Real estate vs. market investing

👶 The ETF plan she started for her 4-week-old niece

⚠️ The biggest mindset mistakes women make about money

🧠 What Europe can learn from Hong Kong billionaires

If you’ve ever thought“I’ll start investing when I have more money” — this episode is for you.

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction to Financial Empowerment

00:03:01 Cristina's Early Influences and Career Path

00:05:59 Wealth Management Insights from Asia and Europe

00:09:06 The GenderWealth Gap and Financial Literacy

00:11:54 The Birth of Her Financial Freedom

00:14:56 Transitioning from Banking to Entrepreneurship

00:17:53 Mission and Vision of Her Financial Freedom

00:20:57 Addressing Misconceptions About Wealth

00:23:47 The Importance of Financial Education for Women

00:27:26 Gendered Communication and Its Impact on Financial Confidence

00:30:35 The Importance of Early Investment

00:33:54 Starting Small: Building Financial Confidence

00:39:37 Transforming Financial Education for Future Generations

00:46:35 Creating a Supportive Community for Women in Finance

In this episode, we sit down with Yury Vasilkov, CEO of Gamaya, to talk about what it really takes to build momentum in deep tech. From overcoming a failed product launch to finding the right market (hello, sugarcane farmers 🧃), Yury shares the behind-the-scenes of navigating pivots, raising funding, and introducing AI into one of the most traditional industries on earth.

00:00:00 - Introductionto Gamaya and Yuri's Journey

00:03:10 - Transitioningfrom Corporate to Startup Leadership

00:05:53 - ChallengesFaced in Previous Startup Experience

00:08:57 - NavigatingGamaya's Early Challenges

00:11:52 - StrategicChanges and Business Model Pivot

00:15:01 - BuildingTrust with Farmers and Driving Adoption

00:18:02 - Innovatingin Agriculture: Overcoming Resistance to Change

00:24:05 - BuildingCustomer Relationships and Trust

00:28:26 - ExpandingProduct Portfolio and Market Reach

00:32:05 - NavigatingChallenges in Business Growth

00:34:20 - PersonalChallenges and Leadership in Uncertainty

00:41:23 - FindingMotivation and Balance in Entrepreneurship

00:42:52 - Passion forAgriculture and Technology

"Sell first. Build later." That’s the mindset that helped Tanguy Frecon, co-founder and CEO of Prolong, raise €1.5M before even launching his company.

Prolong is reshaping the fashion industry by making after-sales a brand asset—helping companies integrate care, repair, and maintenance services seamlessly. But building astartup from scratch is never smooth sailing.

How do you convince investors and clients to bet on an idea that doesn’t exist yet? What happens when your startup goes head-to-head with industry giants? And what’s thehardest lesson Tanguy learned along the way?

Listen now to find out.

00:00:00 - Introductionto Prolong and Tanguy's Journey

00:05:28 - Tanguy'sEntrepreneurial Background and Early Experiences

00:10:07 - BuildingProlong: The Concept and Team Formation

00:15:28 - FundraisingJourney and Initial Challenges

00:20:24 - NavigatingChallenges and Pivoting the Business Model

00:26:13 - TheImportance of External Perspectives

00:28:13 - KeyLearnings from Building Prolong

00:30:55 - SalesStrategy and Founder Involvement

00:32:01 - Goals andExpansion Plans for Prolong

00:34:15 - TargetMarket and Client Focus

00:35:16 - Data-DrivenAfter-Sales Solutions

00:36:29 - AIIntegration and Future Prospects

00:40:09 - Motivationand Vision for the Future

Quitting Corporate to Launch a Lingerie Empire – Tiffany’s Wild Ride

Ever thought about ditching your 9-to-5 to start your own thing? That’s exactly what Tiffany did. In this episode, Erika, Tiffany, and Vlada catch up on her leap from podcast host to full-time entrepreneur—building a lingerie brand with a bold twist: adaptive fashion.

The crew dives into the chaos of launching a business in France, why influencers are the new power players in marketing, and the unfiltered truth about going all-in on your dreams. Spoiler: It’s not all champagne and victory laps.

🔥 If you’re into startups, scale-ups, or just love a good “I quit my job” story, this one’s for you.

Episode Timestamps

00:00:00 - Introduction and Transition

00:01:12 - Tiffany's Departure and Vlada's Introduction

00:02:27 -Vlada's Background and New Beginnings

00:04:28 - The Podcast Experience and Learning Together

00:05:41 - Authenticity in Content Creation

00:06:11 - Exploring Entrepreneurial Journeys

00:08:58 - Tiffany's Transition from Corporate to Entrepreneurship

00:11:02 - Identifying Market Gaps and Personal Experiences

00:13:11 - The Evolution of Tiffany's Business Idea

00:15:40 - Reflections on Corporate Experience and Growth

00:17:02 - Deciding to Take the Leap

00:18:53 - The Roller Coaster of Entrepreneurship

00:20:41 - Language Learning and Cultural Integration

00:22:00 - Challenges of Starting a Business in France

00:24:11 - Navigating Company Registration and Ecosystem Connections

00:24:30 - Funding Strategies for Startups

00:26:04 - Influencer Marketing in the Fashion Industry

00:33:10 - Dreams and Aspirations for the Future

You’ve seen the cute baby announcements and the glowing pregnancy pics, but let’s get real—motherhood is a rollercoaster, and maternity leave? A whole other beast. In this episode, Erika and Tiffany sit down with Katie to unpack the messy, exhausting, and surprisingly hilarious parts of pregnancy, birth, and navigating work after baby. From breaking your water and not knowing it (yes, that happened) to the pressure of “having it all together,” this episode is an honest, unfiltered convo on what it really feels like to juggle career and mom life.

Episode Timestamps

00:00:00 – Welcome to the MOMentum Podcast

00:01:00 – The MOM Episode Begins

00:06:00 – Preparing for Birth: The Over-Researcher vs. The ‘Let’s Just Wing It’ Approach

00:14:00 – The Weird Things We Prioritized Before Birth

00:18:30 – The Reality of Maternity Leave: How Much Time is Enough?

00:28:00 – What We Wish We Knew Before Maternity Leave

00:32:00 – Going Back to Work: Exciting or Overwhelming?

00:40:00 – Final Thoughts: Every Mom’s Journey Looks Different (And That’s Okay)

Join Tiffany Monahan as she chats with fashion and tech expert Robin Barrett Wilson about the latest shifts in the fashion industry. They discuss the untapped potential of the 'Silver Generation,' how Gen Z is driving nostalgia trends, and the dual-edged impact and ethics of AI on creativity and quality in fashion.

Warning:
This episode includes a mention of suicide, which may be sensitive for some audience members. Listener discretion is advised.

Correction:
During the episode, it was mentioned that Anthony Hopkins participated in a campaign with Bottega Veneta. This is incorrect. The campaign was with Loewe. We apologize for the error.

• 00:00:00 – Introduction
  Tiffany Monahan introduces the episode, shares co-host Erika’s exciting news, and welcomes guest Robin Barrett Wilson.

• 00:02:00 – The 'Silver Generation' in Fashion
  Robin discusses the rise of the "Silver Generation" as a key consumer demographic and its impact on fashion brands.

• 00:06:30 – Early Adopters and Tech Savvy Over-50s
  How older consumers are embracing technology and leading the way in areas like AI adoption and sustainable fashion.

• 00:12:00 – Generational Contrasts in Fashion Consumption
  Exploring how Gen Z and over-50s differ in their approach to nostalgia, sustainability, and spending habits.

• 00:18:00 – Sustainability in Fashion: Challenges and Opportunities
  Robin explains the complexities of sustainable fashion and how consumer behavior influences brand strategies.

• 00:27:00 – The Resale Revolution
  Tiffany and Robin dive into the rise of resale and vintage markets, including personal anecdotes about preloved treasures.

• 00:34:00 – AI's Role in Fashion and Creativity
  A discussion on how artificial intelligence is shaping the industry, with insights into its potential and ethical considerations.

• 00:43:30 – The Essence of Fashion
  Robin reflects on the true meaning of fashion as a form of self-expression and creativity.

• 00:45:30 – Closing and Future Conversations
  Tiffany wraps up with gratitude for Robin’s insights and hints at a potential part two to continue the dialogue.