Life Advice from an Investor of 7 Unicorn Startups | Korelya Capital, Fleur Pellerin | Deal Makers

TL;DR

Fleur Pellerin shares her journey from adoption to becoming a venture capitalist.

Transcript

If someone had told me, like when I was 12, you're going to be minister in the French government, I would have laughed, I would, I would never have thought it was possible. I was born in Korea, in Seoul, and then I was adopted by a French family when I was just a baby, like six months old, when some people in school were calling me the Chinese or s... Read More

Key Insights

• Fleur Pellerin was adopted from Korea by a French family, which shaped her identity and resilience in adapting to new environments.
• Her journey into the elite circles of France was marked by adapting to unfamiliar social norms and behaviors, which she found challenging yet rewarding.
• Pellerin emphasizes the importance of not using people for personal gain when building a network, advocating for genuine relationships.
• Her career path shifted from business to public service, driven by her interest in macroeconomics and public policies.
• As a former French minister, she played a significant role in maturing the French tech ecosystem, fostering entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Pellerin's venture capital fund, Korelya Capital, has successfully invested in seven unicorn startups, highlighting her strategic acumen.
• She aims to bridge European and Asian markets, leveraging her unique cultural background to create synergies for portfolio companies.
• Pellerin advises young adults to remain open to unexpected opportunities and to dare to break into spaces they initially feel they don't belong.

Questions & Answers

Q: What challenges did Fleur Pellerin face growing up in France?

Fleur Pellerin faced the challenge of being different, being the only Asian face in her school, and adapting to a new culture after being adopted from Korea. Despite these challenges, her parents instilled in her a sense of resilience and a drive to belong, which helped her navigate her unique identity.

Q: How did Fleur Pellerin's career path evolve over time?

Initially interested in business, Pellerin shifted her focus to public service due to her interest in macroeconomics and public policies. This led her to a career in the French government, where she served as a minister and later transitioned into venture capital, founding Korelya Capital to invest in startups.

Q: What impact did Fleur Pellerin have on the French tech ecosystem?

As a minister, Pellerin played a crucial role in fostering the French tech ecosystem, promoting entrepreneurship, and creating a supportive environment for startups. Her efforts helped mature the ecosystem, encouraging a shift in mindset towards global ambition and risk-taking among entrepreneurs.

Q: What is Korelya Capital, and what are its achievements?

Korelya Capital is a venture capital fund founded by Fleur Pellerin in 2016. The fund has successfully invested in seven unicorn startups, demonstrating its strategic investment approach. Pellerin's vision includes creating synergies between European and Asian markets, leveraging her cultural background to facilitate business growth.

Q: How does Fleur Pellerin view networking and relationships?

Pellerin emphasizes the importance of building genuine relationships rather than using people for personal gain. She believes in being authentic and forming connections based on mutual interest and respect, which she finds more rewarding and effective in the long term.

Q: What advice does Fleur Pellerin offer to young adults?

Pellerin advises young adults not to set boundaries for themselves and to remain open to unexpected opportunities. She encourages them to dare to break into spaces they feel they don't belong and to help shape their destiny by being proactive and adaptable.

Q: How does Fleur Pellerin's background influence her current work?

Pellerin's mixed cultural background gives her a unique perspective in bridging European and Asian markets. Her experience of adapting to new environments and cultures informs her approach to creating synergies and opportunities for the companies in her investment portfolio.

Q: What was Fleur Pellerin's experience in the French government like?

Pellerin describes her government role as complex, having come from a civil service background rather than a political one. Despite the challenges, she contributed significantly to policy-making and innovation in the tech sector, although she acknowledges the precarious nature of political appointments.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Fleur Pellerin shares her life story, from being adopted from Korea to becoming a French government minister and a successful venture capitalist. Her journey involved adapting to new environments and building a career without a traditional social network.

• Pellerin discusses her role in transforming the French tech ecosystem and her venture capital fund's success in investing in unicorn startups. She emphasizes the importance of genuine networking and not using people for personal gain.

• With a focus on bridging European and Asian markets, Pellerin leverages her mixed cultural background to create business synergies. She encourages young adults to embrace unexpected opportunities and break into unfamiliar spaces.