Paula Menéndez Pausa

Founder & CEO

OLY Platform

About Me

Paula Menéndez is a second-time founder and CEO of Oly, a startup using AI to power the circular fashion economy. With a background in telecom engineering and an MSc in Entrepreneurship from HEC Paris and UC Berkeley, she combines tech expertise with business acumen. She previously co-founded ISLA Collective, working with brands like Fusalp and Aigle to upcycle excess inventory. That led to Oly — a platform that automates secondhand fashion listings across marketplaces. Oly now supports top luxury vintage stores and platforms like eBay and Vestiaire Collective, and is backed by Techstars San Francisco. Paula also founded La Tech Connects, a Paris-based network for women in startups focused on peer support and career growth. Passionate about sustainability and women in STEM, she’s on a mission to make secondhand fashion scalable and accessible through tech.

Hear My Insights

Founders Discussion - Women in Tech - Courage as a Catalyst for Growth

This session, powered by the Women's Forum, highlights that scaling up requires more than a smart strategy and ambition—it takes courage. Today’s entrepreneurs aren’t just building businesses; they’re reshaping the very narrative of innovation, leadership, and impact by choosing to grow on their own terms. Yet, growth is rarely a straight line. It means navigating a complex landscape of both real and perceived challenges—from access to funding and networks, to societal expectations and, often, internal doubts. Join us for this roundtable dedicated to the journeys of inspiring entrepreneurs. From doubts and challenges to success, they will share real-life experiences and the tools that helped them move forward. A space for open dialogue—to get inspired, ask your questions, and exchange ideas and perspectives.