Roxanne Varza

Roxanne Varza is a prominent figure in the French startup ecosystem, currently serving as the Director of Station F, the largest startup campus in the world, located in Paris, France. Born in 1985 in Palo Alto, California, to Iranian parents, Varza has a diverse background that combines American and Iranian heritage. She grew up in Silicon Valley, which influenced her career trajectory in technology and startups.

Education and Early Career

Varza holds a bachelor's degree in French literature from UCLA and pursued further studies at Sciences Po Paris and the London School of Economics, obtaining dual master's degrees in International Business and International Economic Policy. Her early career included roles at Business France, where she advised Silicon Valley companies on entering the French market, and at Microsoft, where she led startup initiatives in France.

Role at Station F

Since its inception in 2017, Varza has been instrumental in establishing Station F as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Under her leadership, the campus has seen significant growth in the French startup landscape, with funding and the number of unicorns increasing dramatically. Varza has been recognized as a key influencer in the tech sector, earning titles such as "the young empress of startups" and "queen of tech" in French media.

Angel Investing and Contributions

In addition to her role at Station F, Varza is an active angel investor and a scout for Sequoia Capital, having made over 60 investments in various startups. She is also known for her advocacy for women in technology, co-founding organizations like Girls in Tech in Paris and London, which aim to empower women in the tech industry.

Personal Life

Varza is married to Ning Li, co-founder of the furniture company Made.com, and they have a daughter. She became a French citizen in 2017 and continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of technology and entrepreneurship in Europe.123