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Meet the Founders
Gretell and Julien combine startup experience + investor perspective + AI and operational expertise to help mission-driven founders build businesses that last.
Gretell Otano
Gretell knows what it’s like to be in a founder’s shoes. She co-founded a digital health tech startup, scaled it from pre-seed through growth, and ultimately led it as Chief Growth Officer to a successful strategic acquisition. That firsthand journey—navigating investor pitches, building teams, and making the tough calls—shapes how she supports other entrepreneurs today.
With degrees in Chemical Engineering and Environmental Engineering (Georgia Tech), Gretell brings 15+ years of both technical rigor and business acumen. She has held leadership roles across a wide range of organizations—from AI startups to PE-backed companies to S&P 500 leaders—giving her unique perspective on what it takes to scale at every stage.
In addition to her operating roles, Gretell has worked in private equity, served on boards, and actively invests through the Houston Angel Network, giving her a sharp understanding of what investors look for when backing early-stage companies.
At Greju, Gretell focuses on growth strategy, fundraising readiness, and operational excellence—helping founders in clean energy, climate, and health tech translate vision into traction and scale with confidence.
Julien Debard
Julien brings 20+ years of global leadership at the intersection of AI, energy, and technology. At Amazon Web Services (AWS) and now Databricks, he has focused on accelerating the adoption of AI and advanced analytics, enabling companies to unlock new business models and efficiencies. Earlier in his career at Schlumberger (SLB), Julien built his reputation by leading large-scale operations, managing P&L, and guiding multicultural teams of over 1,000 people worldwide.
His strength lies in blending strategic vision with operational discipline—whether scaling new businesses, turning around underperforming units, or driving innovation through partnerships. With dual engineering degrees (Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech; Industrial Engineering, ENSAM, Paris), Julien understands both the technical and commercial sides of complex industries.
Fluent in English and French, with proficiency in Spanish, Julien is passionate about applying technology and sustainable practices to solve global energy and health challenges.
At Greju, he helps founders harness AI-driven strategy, operational scaling, and financial performance management—building resilient businesses that last.