Investing in Hard Tech
Join us for a special live-studio recording of Silicon Valley Unplugged (SV Up): Investing in Hard Tech — an inside look at how visionary investor Nicolas Sauvage is investing in the next wave of deep-tech innovation.
Hosted by Jillian Sun, former Vice President at Goldman Sachs and Stanford GSB alumna, this session features Nicolas Sauvage, President of TDK Ventures, as the special guest. With over two decades of experience in product, technology, and venture leadership, Nicolas has been at the forefront of investing in AI, energy storage, advanced materials, and hard-tech startups that are redefining what’s possible in the physical world. At TDK Ventures, he champions founders tackling audacious challenges — from electrification and robotics to climate tech — helping them scale breakthrough science into impactful global businesses.
To kick off the event, David Leikam will present his NS Design CR6-string fretless electric cello, combining a uniquely designed musical instrument with high fidelity sound technology. Listen to how David composes purely improvised music in the moment with the vocabulary of music composition for cutting edge sound techniques and the creation of living audio environments.
Together, Jillian and Nicolas will unpack how investors evaluate hard-tech opportunities, what it takes for startups to succeed in capital-intensive sectors, and how corporate venture funds are fueling the deep-tech renaissance across Silicon Valley and beyond.
This is a live studio event with limited seating, offering attendees the chance to experience the production in person and engage directly with the speakers. The recorded episode will later air on Comcast’s local broadcast network and be digitally distributed worldwide.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear from one of the most insightful voices in hard-tech investing — right here in Silicon Valley.
Agenda
6:00pm Door Opens
6:00 - 6:30pm Network Session
6:30 - 6:45pm SV Spotlight Performance
6:45 - 7:45pm Panel Discussion
7:45 - 8:00pm Q&A
Free tickets permit studio entry but without guaranteed for seating. You may have to stand during the entire duration of the recording session. Admission tickets with guaranteed seating is available for purchase on our website at https://www.sparknify.com/event-details/investing-in-hard-tech
About Silicon Valley Unplugged
SV Unplugged (SV Up) is a monthly live studio panel discussion filmed in the heart of Silicon Valley. Each episode brings together founders, investors, academia, and thought leaders for candid conversations on the impact of technology on our lives and the future of innovation. Designed to capture the spirit of Silicon Valley, SV Up offers an authentic, unplugged look at the ideas and debates shaping tomorrow’s world. For ticketing information, please visit https://www.sparknify.com/silicon-valley-unplugged
Jillian Sun
Former Vice President at Goldman Sachs, where she spent nearly a decade advising global institutional investors on technology, hardware, and semiconductors. Having recently earning her master’s from Stanford Graduate School of Business, she now researches and advises on the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem and industrial competitiveness, bridging finance, innovation, and policy.