Raphaele Leyendecker

Raphaele Leyendecker is the Managing Director of the Techstars Sustainability Paris Accelerator, based in Paris, France. In this leadership role, she oversees a growing portfolio of 72 early-stage climate tech companies and recently directed the accelerator's fall 2024 cohort alongside her investment team. Prior to her current position, she worked extensively in strategic innovation and venture building alongside more than 55 major corporate partners, including Engie, Suez, and Schneider Electric. Leyendecker also previously served as the interim Chief Executive Officer for Elax Energie, gaining direct operational and management experience within the European cleantech sector. Throughout her broader career as an early-stage investor and startup board member, she has backed over 70 sustainability-focused enterprises. Her ongoing professional focus remains centered on funding and scaling startups operating across the energy, agriculture, waste management, and circular economy sectors.