Olivier began his career as a Telecom Engineer before holding various Technical Sales positions. In 1997, he became Commercial Director of Aqsacom, a telecommunications company specializing in network management.

As a co-founder and Managing Partner of Karista, Olivier is involved in the overall management of the firm, focusing in particular on business development aspects. He is investing in Digital and Engineering fields. He represents Karista at the board of several portfolio companies such as Nexdot and Precogs. He was also an investor and board member of various successful companies including DBV Technologies (listed on Nasdaq: DBVT), AlephD (acquired by AOL) and Sequans Communication (listed on NYSE: SQNS).

Olivier holds a MSc in Micro-Electronics from the University of Bordeaux and an MBA from Paris IAE.

Catherine’s career began at Institut Curie as molecular biology researcher. She then joined Ile de France Innovation where she assisted several Biotech and MedTech companies in their development.

Joining Karista in 2003, Catherine is the Managing Partner in charge of the Healthcare portfolio. She is involved in the overall management of the firm, particularly involved in fundraising activities and investors relations. Catherine is investing in Healthcare and Digital Health ventures. She represents Karista at the board of several portfolio companies such as Acticor Biotech, Eyevensys and Incepto. She was also part of the board of Echosens (acquired by Furui Group), Erytech Pharma (listed on Nasdaq: ERYP), Nanobiotix (Listed on Euronext: NANO) and many other successful companies.

Catherine holds a MSc in Molecular Biology from University Pierre and Marie Curie and graduated in Innovation Management from AgroParis Tech.

Yvan-Michel began his career in 1991 in the software industry. He spent 10 years in marketing, business development and management at large international software vendors and was the European Marketing and Development Director at US-based Engineering Animation Inc. (now Siemens PLM).

Since 2001, Yvan-Michel works in the Venture Capital industry and is an active contributor of the investment and innovation ecosystem of high growth startups. He is board member of several innovative companies such as Web Geo Services and TheGreenData. He was an investor and a board member of Comiteo (acquired by Natixis) and GreenPoint (acquired by WebHelp). He is focusing on Digital & Tech ventures and is particularly in charge of the Paris Region Venture Fund at Karista.

Yvan-Michel holds a MSc in Computer Science from ESIEA.

Baudouin started his career in Canada as Lean Manufacturing Engineer. In 2009 he joined Bureau Veritas where he was responsible for the development and launch of new certification services worldwide, leading several insider start-up and scale-up assignments with focus on business development.

Joining Karista in 2014, Baudouin is mainly involved with Healthcare and Digital Health ventures. He also actively contributes to fundraising and overall development of the firm.  Baudouin is a board member or observer of different portfolio companies: Implicity, Pherecydes Pharma, Tricares and Watchfrog.

Baudouin holds a MSc in Engineering from the University of Technology of Compiègne and graduated from ESSEC Business School. He also studied in Spain (Universidad de Valladolid) and Canada (University of Waterloo).

Benjamin started his career in the venture capital industry at Clipperton Finance, a corporate Finance advisory firm dedicated to high-tech companies and Gimv a pan-European private equity and VC firm. He then joined Ares & Company a strategy consulting firm focused on the Financial Services industry, before moving to Happn, a dating app with more than 75M users, where he was in charge of strategic partnerships.

Benjamin joined Karista in 2018 and is mainly looking at Digital ventures. He is a board member or observer of AdmoTV, CozyCozy, UpFactor, Misakey, Tallano Technologies and TheGreenData.

Benjamin graduated from EDHEC Business School and studied in Hong Kong (HKUST) and South Africa (University of Stellenbosch).

Michael started his career in 2011 at Grant Thornton where he advised major companies as an M&A consultant. He then moved to Canada to lead the North American strategy and business development of Sicame, a leading company in energy transmission & distribution. From 2016 to 2018, he was the co-founder & CEO of a NewSpace tech start-up specialized in innovative small satellite optical systems for Earth Observation.

Michael joined Karista in 2018 to shape our SpaceTech fund, CosmiCapital. He has a strong focus on Tech and Digital Health investments. He is a board member or observer of Incepto, Exotrail and MyPL.

Michael holds a MSc in Engineering from ENIM and graduated from ESSEC Business School. He also studied in Canada (McMaster University).

Agathe began her career in 2007 as legal counsel at Integragen, a Biotech company developing genome analysis and In-Vitro diagnostics where she led all legal and IP company matters. In 2011 she joined Emertec, a venture capital firm dedicated to CleanTech, and was in charge of financing and legal matters of the company’s portfolio.

Joining Karista in 2017 as General Secretary, she leads legal aspects, as well as compliance, reporting, risks and back office processes.

Agathe graduated in Biotechnology and Business Law (University of Tours). She also studied in Norway where she graduated in European Commercial Law (University of Oslo).

Elodie began her career in 2001 as Sales Associate for a cosmetic products wholesales group, then moved to Nornes, an international trade and transportation company where she assisted the CEO.

Joining Karista in 2010, Elodie is responsible for administrative management. She manages Karista’s administration and is the main contact for the accounting, social and legal matters. She is also in charge of daily office management, procurement and leads several back-office processes. At last, she is involved in the planning and logistics of events held by the firm.

Elodie holds a scientific bachelor’s degree and a BSc in Cosmetology from Ecole Françoise Morice in Paris.

Anaïs’ career began at JetPack Data, a data-visualisation startup incubated by Microsoft at Station F, as business developer. She then launched and led an online art gallery, gathering a participatory community on social media. She joined the marketing team of UHU thereafter, a Bolton Group company, where she was in charge of consumer strategy and product development. 

Joining Karista in 2021, Anaïs is responsible for deal flow management. She is in charge of spotting innovative startups in line with our investment thesis. She is also involved in research activities, focusing in particular on Karista’s development strategy. 

Anaïs holds a Master in Management from ESCP Business School.

Emmanuel’s career started at Axiohm where he successfully developed the company’s export range as an industrial product range manager. He then joined the team of Target Partners in Munich as an investment director where he successfully financed a wide range of startups in the software (NXN), DeepTech (Cube Optics) and digital marketplace (Mercateo) industries. From 2014 to 2018, Emmanuel was a SFAF administrator and hosted the think tank regarding the valuation of companies. Wanting to share his experience with the new generation he began to teach Risk Management at Skema Business School in 2018.

Emmanuel joined Karista in October 2020 to help deploying the SpaceTech Fund, CosmiCapital, launched in partnership with CNES, and bring his knowledge of international investments and technologies.

Emmanuel holds a Msc in Engineering from Ecole Centrale Paris and an MBA from INSEAD. 

Ilana’s career began in Shanghai, as an Event Manager at Riviera Events, a premier event company. She then moved to Chicago to work as an Account Manager at Laughlin Constable, a communication and press relation agency, where she helped create and launch communication campaigns for the Northwestern Medicine account. Coming back to France she worked in the tourism industry for brands such as Voyageur du Monde and Relais & Châteaux in communication and client relationship management.

Joining Karista in 2020, Ilana manages Karista’s communication and online presence. She is in charge on putting forward both the activities of Karista and its participations. She is also involved in the organization of the company’s events.

Ilana holds a Master in Communication and Strategy from Paris-Dauphine University.