{"id":2519,"date":"2022-02-08T16:38:39","date_gmt":"2022-02-08T11:08:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/?p=2519"},"modified":"2022-08-19T00:42:00","modified_gmt":"2022-08-18T19:12:00","slug":"venture-leaders-technology-2021-smarthelios-ceo-govinda-upadhayay-shares-his-silicon-valley-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/venture-leaders-technology-2021-smarthelios-ceo-govinda-upadhayay-shares-his-silicon-valley-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"Venture Leaders Technology 2021: SmartHelio\u2019s CEO Govinda Upadhayay shares his Silicon Valley experience"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;319122&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p id=\"bd51\" class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\"><em class=\"sc\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2521\" src=\"https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/the-golden-gate.jpeg\" alt=\"Venture Leaders Technology\" width=\"1400\" height=\"626\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/the-golden-gate.jpeg 1400w, https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/the-golden-gate-600x268.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/the-golden-gate-900x402.jpeg 900w, https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/the-golden-gate-300x134.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/the-golden-gate-768x343.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/the-golden-gate-350x157.jpeg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\"><em class=\"sc\">SmartHelio was one of the 10 most promising startups fighting climate change that was selected for the Venture Leaders Technology roadshow this year. Our CEO, <\/em><a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/govindaupadhyay\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\"><em class=\"sc\">Govinda Upadhayay<\/em><\/a><em class=\"sc\">, who travelled to the Silicon Valley along with 9 other entrepreneurs to strengthen our network, benefit from the valuable market exposure and hands-on business development, shares his experience.<\/em><\/p>\n<p id=\"6bb8\" class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\">For all those who do not know about this event, <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.venturelab.swiss\/Venture-Leaders-Technology-2021-10-startups-will-represent-Switzerland-in-Silicon-Valley\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">read here.<\/a> VentureLab has been organizing international roadshows for the Swiss National Startup Teams for the past 16 years. The ambitious entrepreneurs and their promising startups are introduced to high-class investors and potential customers in leading technology hubs such as Silicon Valley, Boston, New York, China, Hong Kong, and Barcelona.<\/p>\n<p id=\"5b92\" class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\">The <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.venturelab.swiss\/Venture-Leaders-Technology-2021-10-startups-will-represent-Switzerland-in-Silicon-Valley\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">Venture Leaders Technology 2021 program<\/a> is organized by <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.venturelab.swiss\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">Venturelab <\/a>and supported by <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dpd.com\/ch\/de\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">DPD Switzerland<\/a>, <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.epfl.ch\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">EPF Lausanne<\/a>, <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/ethz.ch\/de.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">ETH Zurich<\/a>, <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/intel-corporation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">Intel<\/a>, <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"http:\/\/www.kellerhals-carrard.ch\/en\/home\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">Kellerhals Carrard<\/a>, <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rothschildandco.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">Rothschild &amp; Co<\/a>, and the Canton of Vaud.<\/p>\n<p id=\"96b6\" class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\">After carefully reviewing 135 applications, a jury of seasoned investors and technology experts chose <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/smarthelioIOT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">SmartHelio<\/a> as one of <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.venturelab.swiss\/Venture-Leaders-Technology-2021-10-startups-will-represent-Switzerland-in-Silicon-Valley\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">the top 10 startups of Switzerland<\/a> that were ready to grow and expand their networks internationally.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"SmartHelio at Venutre Leaders Technology Roadshow 2021\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HutMuZPpqMM?feature=oembed&#038;width=840&#038;height=1000&#038;discover=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p id=\"9bd7\" class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\">The Venture Leaders Technology roadshow offered a one-week deep dive into the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem. The trip included several pitching sessions to US investors, startup-focused workshops, industry insights and visits to some of the popular institutes of excellence. Govinda stayed for an additional 10 days to get some inspiration from the silicon valley vibe and meet more investors and partners.<\/p>\n<p id=\"2ae6\" class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\"><strong class=\"mv jz\">The Startup Champions at ETH Zurich<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"f036\" class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\">The Venture Leaders experience began with the event <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.venturelab.swiss\/The-Venture-Leaders-Technology-and-Deeptech-inspire-their-audience-at-the-Startup-Champions-at-ETH-Zuerich-event\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">Startup Champions at ETH Z\u00fcrich<\/a> where the Swiss Startup National team was introduced to the audience. During the daylong event, the Venture Leaders Technology and the <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.venturelab.swiss\/10-Venture-Leaders-Deeptech-will-accelerate-their-global-expansion-during-their-international-roadshow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">Venture Leaders Deeptech<\/a> pitched their innovations, and serial entrepreneur and ETH alumnus <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/gaborcselle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">Gabor Cselle<\/a> shared his expertise on growing startups in an international environment.<\/p>\n<p id=\"b166\" class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\"><a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/fajer-mushtaq-0908\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">Fajer Mushtaq<\/a>, co-founder and CEO of <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.oxyle.ch\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">Oxyle<\/a>, was voted as captain for the Venture Leaders Deeptech, while <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/andrea-tassistro-73792080\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">Andrea Tassistro<\/a>, the founder and CEO of <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/foodetective\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">Foodetective<\/a>, was chosen as the captain of the Venture Leaders Technology.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\"><strong class=\"mv jz\">Gearing up for the roadshow at Schlieren<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"7fc0\" class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\">To prepare for the international roadshow, the entrepreneurs met at the startup space in Schlieren. During the workshop, the startups had the chance to exchange ideas, learn more about each other\u2019s innovations, and get their pitches ready for Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n<p id=\"c89e\" class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\">Sharing his experience at the meeting, Govinda Upadhyay, the CEO of <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">SmartHelio<\/a>, said, \u201cThe kick-off meeting was a great opportunity to get to know our friends who will travel to the US with us. For the roadshow, we are excited about the opportunity to be exposed to the US startup scene and connect with investors \u2014<a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.venturelab.swiss\/Meet-SmartHelio-cofounder-Govinda-Upadhyay-and-find-out-how-the-Venture-Leader-Technology-extends-the-lives-of-solar-assets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\"> SmartHelio<\/a> is aggressively looking into launching in the US, so this roadshow comes at the perfect time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"abd7\" class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\"><strong class=\"mv jz\">Welcome to San Francisco!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"686c\" class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\">The week-long roadshow in and around San Francisco included investor pitches and feedback sessions with <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/tonischneider\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">Toni Schneider<\/a> from <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/trueventures.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">True Ventures<\/a>, <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/philippstauffer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">Philipp Stauffer<\/a>from <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fyrfly.vc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">Fyrfly Ventures<\/a>, <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/grantallen\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">Grant Allen<\/a> from <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/seventures\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">SE Ventures<\/a>, <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/bennarasin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">Ben Narasin<\/a> from Tenacity Venture Capital, and <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/christopherbkim\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">Chris Kim<\/a> from <a class=\"au xn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/unionlabs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener ugc nofollow\">Union Labs<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p id=\"df8f\" class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\"><strong class=\"mv jz\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2523\" src=\"https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/SF.jpeg\" alt=\"Venture Leaders Technology\" width=\"1400\" height=\"1050\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/SF.jpeg 1400w, https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/SF-600x450.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/SF-900x675.jpeg 900w, https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/SF-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/SF-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/SF-350x263.jpeg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\"><strong class=\"mv jz\">Swiss Startup Pitching Night<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"ee19\" class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\">The Swiss startup pitching night was a wonderful experience as after a long-time we all got the opportunity to meet more than 120 people in-person \u2014 investors, incubators, corporates, visitors and industry experts. It was an enlightening session to meet people from different backgrounds. We received some positive feedback on the solution which we have developed to accelerate clean energy adoption globally. We felt very encouraged to observe that people considered climate change very seriously and were looking up to companies like ours for tackling it.<\/p>\n<p id=\"b61c\" class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\">Pitching session, meeting lawyers, taking group pictures, doing rehearsals, attending branding and pricing workshops, visiting Google office, Union Labs and Stanford University, we enjoyed every second of this one-week in San Francisco.<\/p>\n<p id=\"723a\" class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\">It was a great experience for me. Silicon valley is the place for dreamers and people and companies are ready to support you. It was inspiring to see the high energy of people and their problem solving attitude. People encourage each other to think big and solve the real-world unsolved problems.<\/p>\n<p id=\"4e1f\" class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2520\" src=\"https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/GU-at-SF.jpeg\" alt=\"Venture Leaders Technology\" width=\"1400\" height=\"871\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/GU-at-SF.jpeg 1400w, https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/GU-at-SF-600x373.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/GU-at-SF-900x560.jpeg 900w, https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/GU-at-SF-300x187.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/GU-at-SF-768x478.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/GU-at-SF-350x218.jpeg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\">Overall this roadshow provided SmartHelio with a much needed perspective on how to launch our offerings into the US market. If I have to summarize my Silicon Valley experience in once sentence, I would say:, \u201cIf you want to change the world and get inspiration, Silicon Valley is a place to be.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"b6a5\" class=\"ws wt vw mv b wu wv pw ww wx wy py wz xa xb xc xd xe xf xg xh xi xj xk xl xm kd bw\" data-selectable-paragraph=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.venturelab.swiss\/Meet-SmartHelio-cofounder-Govinda-Upadhyay-and-find-out-how-the-Venture-Leader-Technology-extends-the-lives-of-solar-assets\">Read more about our technology for solar plants&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;319122&#8243;] SmartHelio was one of the 10 most promising startups fighting climate change that was selected for the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":2521,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2519"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2519"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2519\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2521"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2519"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2519"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smarthelio.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2519"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}