In this episode of the OVNIs Podcast, Matthieu Stefani welcomes Rebecca Miller, Chief of Staff at OVNI Capital, for an in-depth conversation about her unconventional path from engineering and entrepreneurship to venture capital. Rebecca shares candid lessons from building (and shutting down) startups, navigating chaos, admin debt, and failure, and how those experiences shaped her operational rigor and long-term vision.
Together, they explore what it really means to be a Chief of Staff in an early-stage VC fund: operating at the intersection of strategy, finance, and execution, scaling an international team, and bringing clarity to fast-moving decisions without killing the creative chaos. A sharp, honest discussion on ambition, humility, and what it takes to build a European VC platform with global reach.
[00:00:00] Introduction & welcome to the show
[00:01:20] Rebecca Miller’s background: culture, identity, and early career
[00:02:55] From engineering to entrepreneurship: first startups and early lessons
[00:04:55] Blockchain, NFTs, and the reality of building in emerging tech
[00:06:05] “Chaos doesn’t punish you immediately — it sends the invoice later”
[00:08:30] Admin debt, bureaucracy, and why founders underestimate operations
[00:10:30] From founder to VC: entering venture capital through operations
[00:12:20] Learning to think differently: how investors read risk and conviction
[00:14:50] Why OVNI is becoming an international fund (Europe ↔ US)
[00:17:00] European precision vs US speed: working across cultures
[00:18:40] Inside OVNI: growth, chaos, strategy shifts, and scaling the fund
[00:21:20] How investment decisions are really made at early stage
[00:23:50] Founder humility, probabilities over certainties
[00:26:40] What a Chief of Staff actually does (and why it matters)
[00:30:00] Loyalty, trust, and navigating tension at the top
[00:33:10] Skills that matter most for operators today
[00:35:20] The “puppy and beer” rule for founders and teams
[00:37:50] Tools, CRM, and AI in daily VC operations
[00:39:30] The hidden weight of bureaucracy in Europe
[00:42:20] Long-term vision for OVNI and personal ambition
[00:44:10] Aiming high: building a European Sequoia
[00:46:20] Closing thoughts & goodbye
📌 Disclaimer – Financial Information & Investment
The content shared in this podcast (including episodes, excerpts, descriptions, associated posts, and YouTube videos) is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute:
- investment advice,
- a recommendation to buy or sell financial instruments,
- portfolio management advisory services,
- an offer of financial securities or a solicitation to acquire any financial instrument,
- banking or financial solicitation within the meaning of Articles L.341-1 et seq. of the French Monetary and Financial Code.
This podcast is not an investment services provider (ISP) nor a financial investment advisor (FIA) within the meaning of French and European regulations (AMF / MiFID II).
📘 No Guarantee – Financial Risks
The information discussed reflects the personal opinions of the speakers, based on their professional experience.
It may be incomplete, subject to change, or not applicable to your personal situation.
All investments involve risks of partial or total loss, particularly in the case of private investments, technology assets, or venture capital transactions.
Past performance is not indicative of future results.
👤 Listener Responsibility
Each listener / viewer remains solely responsible for their investment decisions.
Before making any decision, it is strongly recommended to consult:
- a licensed professional financial advisor,
- an investment services provider, or
- a financial investment advisor (FIA) registered with ORIAS.
🔒 Potential Conflicts of Interest
The speakers may be involved in companies, investment funds, or transactions mentioned.
No statement should be interpreted as a commitment or a guarantee of performance.
Distribué par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.
