Industry Voices

Gemma Monclús
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Welcome to "Industry Voices". Hosted by Gemma Monclús, this podcast dives into the most relevant conversations shaping consumer, culture, and venture.

  1. 18/09/2025

    The Playbook Behind Celebrity & Creator-Founded Brands: What Really Works - Scott Van den Berg

    In this episode, Gemma Monclus talks with Scott Van den Berg, founder of HotStart VC, whose team has worked on over 55 celebrity and creator-founded brands, including Feastables with MrBeast and The Honest Company with Jessica Alba. They unpack: How HotStart evaluates celebrity and creator-led brands Why some, like Skims and Fenty, endure while others fade The importance of celebrity–product fit, storytelling, and community What it takes for a celebrity to be more than just a face on the packaging If you’re curious about what makes celebrity-founded brands succeed and what causes them to flop, this episode is for you.

    17 min

  2. 14/08/2025

    How to Spot White Space in Consumer: The Investor’s Playbook for 2025 - Anne Kurtz

    In this episode, Gemma Monclus talks with Anne Kurtz, early-stage investor, brand strategist, and expert at spotting untapped opportunities in consumer — about how to identify real white space in the market and back brands with staying power. They unpack: How to spot consumer opportunities before they hit mainstream awarenessThe difference between being early… and being too earlyWhy “unsexy” categories like elder care and postpartum health are ripe for innovationHow investors can avoid chasing hype and instead build conviction around lasting brandsThe role of capital, branding, and timing in determining which ideas scale If you’re curious about the future of consumer investing, overlooked market gaps, or how to back brands with real staying power, this episode is for you.

    15 min

  3. 06/08/2025

    Why Venture Funds Need to Reimagine Content Strategy to Win - Elena Popovici

    In this episode, Gemma Monclus talks with Elena Popovici; growth strategist, ecosystem builder, and advisor to VC funds and underrepresented founders, about why content is no longer a nice-to-have, but a strategic edge in venture capital. They unpack: How content has shifted from a marketing tool to core infrastructure inside forward-thinking fundsWhy funds that act like media brands are winning the trust of top founders and LPsWhat separates content that resonates from generic “thought leadership”How strong positioning, storytelling, and community-first strategies can shape the perception of a fund long before a pitchReal examples of content-led growth from inside Europe’s innovation landscapeIf you're curious about the future of VC visibility, founder-first thinking, or how content can become your fund’s sharpest differentiator, this episode is for you.

    13 min

  4. 23/07/2025

    From Ritual to Retail: Building Banu & Lessons from Sephora Accelerate - Roz Samimi

    In this episode, Gemma Monclus talks with Roz Samimi, founder of Banu and part of the Sephora Accelerate 2024 cohort, about building an acne care brand that treats people, not just pimples. They unpack: Why acne, a condition affecting over 50 million Americans, is still underserved despite the category’s projected $17B market size How Banu is formulating with intention, prioritizing ingredient rigor, clinical testing across all skin tones, and emotional clarity What it means to design acne care for adults, not only adolescents, and why so many legacy brands still miss the mark The role of community, empathy, and science in Banu’s brand architecture What Roz has learned from being part of Sephora’s Accelerate program and how it’s shaped Banu’s early strategy If you're interested in the future of skincare, the redefinition of acne as a long-term skin type, or how to build an emotionally intelligent beauty brand from day one, this episode is for you.

    15 min

  5. 10/07/2025

    Single-Round Pre-Seed, A Smarter Bet for UK VC? - Kiran Mehta

    In this episode, Gemma Monclus talks with Kiran Mehta, a former VC turned operator, about a contrarian approach to early-stage investing: single check funds that invest once and never follow on. They unpack: Why the traditional VC logic of follow-on investments might be flawedHow single check funds can reduce signaling risk and align interests better between founders and investorsThe cultural and market differences between UK and US venture ecosystems, especially regarding exit sizes and founder secondariesThe challenges founders face with multi-round investors and the importance of clear capital strategiesKey disciplines needed to make single check fund models work consistently in today’s marketIf you want to rethink venture capital norms and explore a bold thesis on how early-stage funding could evolve, this episode is for you.

    11 min

  6. 02/07/2025

    Women, Wealth, and the Power of Tailored Financial Learning - Ayesha Ofori

    In this episode, Gemma is joined by Ayesha Ofori — founder of Propelle, a female-focused investment platform backed by Google, Atomico, and Goldman Sachs, to explore the evolving landscape of financial education for women. We cover: The $31.8 trillion women control globally and the persistent gender wealth gap How technology, AI, and behavioral insights are personalizing financial education The unique financial behaviors and goals shaping women’s investment strategies The challenges and opportunities in creating tailored wealth-building tools for diverse female segments Why nimbleness and deep listening are key to driving meaningful change in financial services for women A thoughtful, insight-rich episode for anyone interested in the future of finance, fintech innovation, and empowering women to take control of their financial futures.

    11 min

  7. 26/06/2025

    What Should Investors Monitor in Fashion, Beauty & Wellness in 2025+? - Suad Fakih

    In this episode, Gemma is joined by Suad Fakih — investor, operator, and founder of Suad’s Gems — to unpack the seismic shifts shaping the future of consumer brands. We cover: The white space in resale and infrastructureHow loyalty is evolving through experiences and cultureThe rise of science-led beauty, AI diagnostics & wellness convergence6 traits that define high-potential brands todayWhy the biggest opportunities lie in invisible layers: backend tech, infra & supply chainsAnd how investors can better track changing consumer behavior A thoughtful, insight-rich episode for anyone investing in (or building) the future of fashion, beauty and wellness.

    16 min

  8. 19/06/2025

    Will Luxury Ever Let Go of Control? — Carlota Rodben

    Joining me is Carlota Rodben — author, entrepreneur, and former Head of Innovation at CHANEL, to explore how the foundations of luxury are being redefined. We unpack: 💎 Luxury resale as a cultural shift, not just a trend. 🔗 The role of blockchain in provenance. From LVMH’s Aura to Prada’s NFTs, we explore how traceability is becoming a new marker of authenticity. 📦 The end of distribution as we knew it. 🧠 And what it all means for brands seeking to balance heritage with modern relevance. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone watching how tech, culture, and consumer values are transforming legacy industries.

    14 min
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About

Welcome to "Industry Voices". Hosted by Gemma Monclús, this podcast dives into the most relevant conversations shaping consumer, culture, and venture.

Information

  • Creator
    Gemma Monclús
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Gemma Monclús
  • Show Website
    Industry Voices