TEAM

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  Aurélie NICOLAS

  General Partner

  With nearly a decade of experience in tech investing, Aurélie is driven by a deep passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. She began her career investing in healthcare sectors—including biotech, medtech, and digital health—before moving into FinTech at a leading asset management firm, where she served as an active board member across several portfolio companies.

  Today, as a Partner at Wind, Aurélie is excited to fully align her investment focus with her convictions, backing impactful technologies that drive sustainable change.

  Fun facts: A green tech enthusiast, Aurélie enjoys experimenting with home composting systems. She’s also an avid tennis player and finds her adrenaline fix through kitesurfing.

• 

  Célia FAVENNEC

  Head of ecosystem

  Célia brings a fresh perspective shaped by hands-on experience in creative strategy, branding, and social-first campaigns at leading agencies and companies. Her international academic journey has taken her from Paris to the University of Edinburgh and Universidad Europea de Madrid, enriching her approach with a global and cross-cultural lens.

  At Wind, she leverages this diverse background to shape the fund’s dynamic brand and ecosystem, while supporting and amplifying the visibility and impact of the portfolio. Her ability to bridge creative storytelling with strategic thinking helps position Wind—and the startups it backs—at the forefront of innovation.

  Fun facts: Outside of work, Célia can usually be found behind a camera, getting lost in a new city, or soundtracking her days with carefully curated playlists.

• 

  Helen O’REILLY – DURAND

  Chief Marketing Officer

  Helen is a strategic marketing and communications expert with deep experience in the VC and startup ecosystem. She has worked with international institutions, government, and innovative companies to build brands and manage reputation. Previously, she led communications & PR for France’s Ministry of Finance’s SME financing initiative during the economic crisis. Today, she shapes Wind’s brand and visibility as CMO. Helen is also co-founder of the French Tech Journal, a go-to source on France’s tech scene.

  Fun fact: Helen has a knack for creative DIY and loves giving old furniture a stylish second life. When she’s not wielding a paintbrush, you’ll find her swimming laps or unwinding with yoga.

• 

  Louis LORRACH

  Investor

  
  Louis is an Investor at Wind, where he focuses on deeptech and climate adaptation startups. He completed his studies in engineering and finance at École Polytechnique, including a final specialization in finance at the London School of Economics. This dual background gives him both strong analytical skills and a deep commitment to sustainable innovation.

  He began his career in M&A at Rothschild & Co., then moved to the European Investment Bank, where he specialized in infrastructure banking. Motivated by a long-standing passion for public interest and ecological transition projects, Louis joined Wind to help identify and support groundbreaking climate solutions.

  Fun facts: A former alpine troop member, Louis is an avid skier, hiker, and football player — and has a soft spot for sleeping in igloos.

• 

  Olivier MOUGENOT

  General Partner

  As General Partner at Wind, Olivier brings a unique blend of impact investing expertise and entrepreneurial experience. He began his career at Goldman Sachs as an analyst and later at BNP Paribas, where he focused on infrastructure finance and developed a strong interest in renewable energy and sustainable innovation.

  Olivier went on to lead the early-stage fund of a French impact VC and managed a European accelerator, supporting over 125 startups — including Yubo and Welcome to the Jungle. Prior to that, he co-founded the tech company LocalEyes, which was later acquired by BeMyEye.

  Fun facts: A true adventure seeker, Olivier is passionate about surfing, biking across countries, belting out karaoke hits, and getting creative in the kitchen — often with delightfully unexpected results.

• 

  Perrine BLANC

  Chief Financial Officer

  Perrine began her career as a Credit Analyst at Bpifrance before joining Deloitte as a Senior Financial Auditor. She then spent nearly four years managing a diverse investment portfolio at Mission M, the family office of entrepreneur Alexandre Mars. In 2023, she brought her financial rigor and sharp analytical mindset to Wind as CFO.

  She holds a Master’s degree in Management and Finance, which complements her hands-on experience across audit, credit, and portfolio management.

  Fun facts: Never one to shy away from a challenge, Perrine has completed both a half and full marathon. When not training, she loves discovering new places around the globe.

• 

  Thierry VANDEWALLE

  Founding partner

  Entrepreneur and investor with over 25 years of experience across Europe and Asia, Thierry has co-founded and successfully exited multiple ventures — including WCube, a leading data analytics firm acquired by Publicis, and another company sold to L’Oréal. A graduate of both engineering school and HEC Paris, he combines deep technical knowledge with business acumen.

  Before co-founding Wind with Xavier in 2015, Thierry worked and lived in San Francisco, Singapore, Shanghai, and Brussels, building a global perspective on innovation and tech. He has also been a Business Angel to numerous tech entrepreneurs and served as a Partner at ISAI for four years. Today, in addition to his role at Wind, he manages endowment funds supporting long-term institutional missions.

  Thierry is also a former auditor at the Institut des Hautes Études de Défense Nationale and serves as a Reserve Officer in the French Air Force.

  Fun facts: Passionate about all things mobility, Thierry is an adrenaline enthusiast — from Ironman races and kitesurfing to wingfoiling, sailing, and even flying with the Air Force Reserve.

• 

  Thibaud DECHAUD

  Investor

  Thibaud combines a technical and strategic mindset, holding a dual degree in Industrial Engineering & Applied Mathematics from Mines de Nancy and Finance & Strategy from Sciences Po Paris. His career reflects this duality: blending analytical rigor with a strong understanding of financial markets and impact-driven innovation.

  He gained hands-on experience in sustainable investing across private equity, private debt, and public markets at Lombard Odier, Mirova, and Rivage Investment. At Wind, Thibaud focuses on climate adaptation, with particular expertise in AI applied to energy and industrial efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable building materials, and circular economy solutions in waste and water management.

  Fun facts: A decorated kickboxing champion and avid mountain biker, Thibaud thrives on challenges — both in and out of the ring.

• 

  Valentine VEILLON

  Investor

  Valentine is an engineer with a background in data science from ISEP (École d’Ingénieurs du Numérique), complemented by international studies in China and South Korea. She later pursued a dual Master’s degree from HEC Paris and École Polytechnique, where she launched a system designed to ensure the reliable issuance of carbon credits.

  Her journey into venture capital began with internships at top-tier investment firms, where she focused on deep tech and climate innovation. At Wind, she brings her entrepreneurial drive and climate expertise to support breakthrough technologies in carbon solutions, industry & manufacturing, and water & ecosystem conservation.

  Fun facts: A natural tinkerer, Valentine enjoys working hands-on with hardware. She’s also an enthusiastic tennis and badminton player — and has recently taken up triathlon.

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  Xavier GURY

  Founding partner

  Engineer, computer science graduate, serial entrepreneur, and seasoned investor, Xavier co-founded his first company at just 19 — launching WCube alongside Thierry, which was later acquired by Publicis Groupe. He then moved to Asia, working with major US and Asian players such as Take2 Interactive, Tencent, and DeNA.

  Over the past 25 years, Xavier has led multiple successful exits and supported startups across Paris, Singapore, and San Francisco. As an active investor and advisor, he opened offices in Singapore and Berlin and played a key leadership role at Via ID, the investment arm of the Norauto / Midas group, for four years. In 2015, he co-founded Wind with Thierry, driven by a shared passion for innovation and long-term impact.

  Fun facts: A true tech enthusiast, Xavier is always exploring the latest gadgets. Outside the world of startups, he’s an avid diver and is constantly working on perfecting his tennis serve.