Launched in 2015, daphni is a fund that aims to support entrepreneurs who want to give meaning to their work, including, to name but a few, those at Back Market, Swile, Hubcycle, and Karavela. You may be familiar with our whimsical offices on Rue Réaumur and our superb team, or perhaps you don't know us at all. It doesn't matter, because this podcast isn't about us, but rather about our community: the investors, entrepreneurs, and experts who are the cornerstone of our mission to build the world of tomorrow together.
Enjoy
To learn more about us: https://daphni.com/ (https://daphni.com/)
Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite (https://www.audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite) pour plus d'informations.
Ep 97: Tom Wallace-Smith (Astral Systems) – Rethinking Cancer Treatment with Nuclear Fusion
What if nuclear fusion could help transform the way we diagnose and treat cancer?
When we think of nuclear fusion, we tend to picture massive reactors, billion-dollar projects, and the pursuit of clean energy. But what if the same science could be used to save lives?
In this episode of Movers & Shakers, we sit down with Tom Wallace-Smith, nuclear physicist turned entrepreneur and co-founder of Astral Systems, a company developing compact fusion reactors to produce the medical radioisotopes used in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Today, the global supply of these life-saving isotopes relies on a handful of aging nuclear reactors. With shortages putting patient access to treatment at risk, Astral Systems is working to make isotope production more accessible, reliable, and scalable through its breakthrough multi-state fusion technology.
Alongside daphni investor Madison, we explore Tom's journey from working on nuclear submarines at Rolls-Royce to building his first reactor prototype during his PhD, and ultimately turning cutting-edge physics into a company with the potential to transform nuclear medicine.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How nuclear fusion works, and why it matters for cancer treatment.- The global medical isotope shortage and how Astral Systems is tackling it.- What makes multi-state fusion different from conventional fusion technology.- Tom's transition from nuclear physicist to startup founder and CEO.- The challenges of communicating complex science, raising capital, and building a multidisciplinary team.- Why curiosity, creativity, and diversity of thought are essential to scientific breakthroughs.From Star Wars Lego to nuclear reactors small enough to fit on a desktop, Tom's story is a reminder that some of the biggest breakthroughs can come from asking a simple question: What if there's a better way?
🎙️ Hosted by Erica and Madison from daphni.
daphni is an investor in Astral Systems
Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.
8 Sept 2026
Ep 96: Jasper Deprez (TerraSpark) - Bringing Solar Power Down From Space
What if the future of energy isn’t on Earth, but above it?
In this episode of Movers & Shakers, we sit down with Jasper Deprez, co-founder of TerraSpark, a startup working on one of the boldest ideas in energy: capturing solar power in space and transmitting it back to Earth.
Space-based solar power isn’t new. The idea has been explored since the 1970s. What has changed is the economics: launch costs have fallen, satellites have become cheaper to build, and solar technology has dramatically improved.
Jasper explains why TerraSpark believes now is the moment to turn decades of research into a real company and why their approach starts small, targeting places where reliable energy is particularly valuable before scaling “one orbit at a time.”
We also get into the realities of building deeptech: assembling a team capable of tackling an idea this ambitious, applying a bootstrapper’s mindset to capital-intensive technology, attracting the right customers and talent, and building a European company when conventional wisdom says what you’re attempting is too difficult.
At daphni, we're proud to back TerraSpark through our Blue fund.
Enjoy this conversation about energy, space, deeptech, and what it takes to turn a slightly crazy idea into something real.
Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.
23 Jul 2026
Comment le mentorat peut changer une vie | Florence Massenot (Télémaque)
Dans cet épisode de Movers & Shakers, nous recevons Florence Massenot, directrice de la communication et des relations publiques de Télémaque, une association qui agit depuis 2005 pour favoriser l'égalité des chances en accompagnant des jeunes issus de territoires fragiles.
Comment lutter concrètement contre le déterminisme social ? Pourquoi le mentorat peut-il changer une trajectoire de vie ? Et que faut-il pour redonner à chaque jeune les mêmes chances de réussir ?
Florence revient sur le modèle unique de Télémaque : un accompagnement de 5 à 6 ans combinant mentorat, ouverture culturelle et soutien financier. Elle partage également les résultats obtenus, les défis auxquels font face les jeunes aujourd'hui, et les histoires inspirantes de bénéficiaires dont le parcours a été transformé.
Au programme :• Le déterminisme social en France• Le mentorat école-entreprise• Pourquoi un accompagnement sur le temps long est essentiel• Comment Télémaque sélectionne les jeunes et les mentors• Des témoignages de parcours inspirants• L'évolution de l'égalité des chances en France• Les ambitions de Télémaque pour les prochaines années• Comment devenir mentor ou soutenir l'association
Chez daphni, nous sommes fiers de soutenir Télémaque à travers notre fonds de dotation Rainbow, qui accompagne des initiatives œuvrant pour une société plus inclusive et l'égalité des chances.
Pour en savoir plus sur Télémaque ou devenir mentor : https://www.telemaque.org
Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Contact Build da City. For. Good. by daphni
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
