Holding on to Unicorns and Rainbows
A podcast for female founders and leaders in health and tech, and for everyone who believes innovation should make the world better.Kerstin and Elena are two scientists, businesswomen in the pharma and biotech space, and mothers. They are passionate about health, innovation, and the women shaping the future, but they also know the real-life juggle of combining business, ambition, and family life.This podcast is about bold ideas, scientific breakthroughs, startups, and meaningful change, but also about the small shifts that can have a big impact. It is about more than tech. It is about personal stories, behind-the-scenes realities...
Disruptive Ideas Need the Biggest Cheer Squad: On Pitch Decks and More
In this episode, Elena and Kerstin talk about pitch decks, storytelling and why even the best scientific ideas need to be communicated clearly.
They discuss how to distill complex messages, build a stronger narrative and use structure, visuals and simple language to make ideas easier to grasp.
From investor decks to scientific communication, the episode explores why good data rarely speaks for itself and why disruptive innovation often needs an especially strong “cheer squad” to get the right people on board.
#PitchDecks #ScientificCommunication #HealthTech #BiotechStartups #VisualStorytelling #FemaleFounders #StartupCommunication
LinkedIn Kerstin Papenfuss: ht...
Tracking Hype: Are We Measuring What Matters?
Can health data actually change behavior, or are we just getting better at measuring?
In this episode, Elena and Kerstin explore the world of health tracking technologies, sharing insights from their personal experiments with devices like Fitbit, Oura Ring, and continuous glucose monitors.
They discuss the potential benefits, limitations, and future possibilities of health data, with a particular focus on behavior change, data integration, and what it would take for tracking to truly improve health outcomes.
LinkedIn Kerstin Papenfuss: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerstin-papenfuss/ <...
Working Smarter Not Harder: Lessons from a Business Strategist
In this episode, hosts Kerstin and Elena welcome Merel Brouwer, a business coach specializing in productivity and scaling businesses.
Merel shares her transformative journey from the corporate world to establishing her own consulting and coaching practice. She emphasizes the importance of building scalable systems through a structured methodology, ensuring both quality and growth. Merel advocates for a scientific approach to business, focusing on data-driven decision-making and key metrics.
Throughout the conversation, Merel provides valuable insights into balancing entrepreneurship with family life, ultimately creating a business that supports one's ideal lifestyle.
<...From Science to Startup: Founding Ovo Labs
In this episode, Elena and Kerstin welcome Melina and Agata, co-founders of Ovo Labs, a startup focused on improving egg quality and fertility treatments.
They discuss their backgrounds, the journey of founding Ovo Labs, the science behind egg aging, and the emotional impact of infertility.
The conversation highlights the importance of innovative solutions in reproductive health and the challenges faced by startups in the biotech industry.
#FemTech #FertilityTech #ReproductiveHealth #EggQuality #BiotechStartups #WomenInSTEM
Homepage Ovo Labs: https://www.ovo-labs.com/
LinkedIn Agata...
2025 Retrospective and the 2026 Game Plan
In this end-of-year episode, Kerstin and Elena reflect on their personal and professional journeys throughout the year.
They discuss the challenges faced in the biotech investment sector this year, celebrate their wins, and share insights on navigating the ups and downs of business.
The conversation also touches on the impact of AI, the importance of maintaining personal connections, and their aspirations for the upcoming year, 2026.
#BiotechInvestment #YearInReview #AIImpact #FounderJourney #TechTrends2026 #Resilience
LinkedIn Kerstin Papenfuss: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerstin-papenfuss/
<...Exercise: How Do We Boost Perseverance With This Miracle Pill?
In this episode, hosts Kerstin and Elena discuss the importance of exercise for health and longevity, sharing personal experiences and insights on how to incorporate physical activity into busy lives.
They explore strategies for making exercise enjoyable, the role of accountability, and the impact of childhood sports on adult fitness habits.
The conversation also touches on innovations in fitness technology and the importance of building sustainable habits for long-term well-being.
#Longevity #HealthSpan #ExerciseScience #HabitFormation #FitnessTech #HealthyAging
LinkedIn Kerstin Papenfuss: https://www.linkedin...
Navigating Modern Life: The "Minimal Viable Product" Approach
In this episode, Elena and Kerstin discuss the challenges of modern life, including feelings of overwhelm and loneliness, particularly among parents.
They introduce the concept of the MVP (Minimal Viable Product) approach to life, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing essential tasks and lowering expectations to reduce stress.
The conversation touches on societal pressures, the impact of urban design on community connections, and the need for conscious choices in distributing responsibilities at home.
They also explore cultural differences in parenting and the effects of COVID-19 on social interactions, concluding with a call to action...
Where Are Our Female Founders?
In this inaugural episode of 'Holding on to Unicorns and Rainbows', hosts Elena and Kerstin discuss the landscape of female founders in deep tech startups.
They share their personal journeys, the challenges women face in entrepreneurship, and the motivations that drive them to start their own ventures.
The conversation highlights the importance of support systems, the perception of risk, and the need for greater awareness and initiatives to encourage female entrepreneurship.
The episode concludes with thoughts on future initiatives to foster diversity in the startup ecosystem.
#FemaleFounders #DeepTech #WomenInSTEM...
