Yvan-Michel Ehkirch
InvestorManaging Partner at Karista
Paris, France
Writes $600K – $6M checks · typically $3.3M
About
Yvan‑Michel Ehkirch combines a decade as a software operator at companies like Dassault Systèmes with VC experience since 2001, specializing in industrial-scale European deeptech scale-ups and financing capital-intensive early-to-growth transitions.
Invests in
BiotechCybersecurityDeep TechDefense TechHealthtechMedical DevicesSpace Tech
Experience
- KaristaManaging Partnercurrent2011 — presentParis Area, France
- Board member or observerInvestor, Board Director or Observercurrent2012 — present
- Industry and Innovation teamsNew Ventures Advisorcurrent2012 — present
- ESIEABoard member2005 — 2012Paris Area, France
- I-Source GestionPartner2001 — 2011
- Engineering Animation, Inc. (now Siemens PLM)Director Marketing & Business Development Europe1999 — 2000
- Dassault SystèmesManager, Marketing & Sales1996 — 1999
- Sherpa Corporation, FrancePre Sales Consultant1991 — 1996
- AFD - Agence Française de DéveloppementVolontaire à l'Aide Technique (Volunteering French National Service)1990 — 1991Pointe-à-Pitre
Education
- ESIEA - École d'Ingénieur·e·s d'un numérique utileEngineer, Computer Science, Electronic, Automation1985 — 1989
Skills & more
Venture Capital26Entrepreneurship33Start-ups23MergersPrivate Equity7Angel Investing8Business Strategy2Corporate Development11New Business Development3Business Development3Management Consulting1Strategy9
+12 more
Go-to-market StrategyInnovation ManagementBusiness ModelingStrategic PartnershipsStrategic ConsultingM&A experienceExecutive ManagementMergers & AcquisitionsE-commerceCapital-investissementEntrepreneuriatStart-up- AMF — Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) – France
From Yvan-Michel's professional profile.
Same school
Also attended ESIEA - École d'Ingénieur·e·s d'un numérique utile3
Shared employers
Also worked at Dassault Systèmes19
Nicolas DessaigneGeneral Partner at Y CombinatorAlice SteenlandCSO, Signify at Giant Ventures Global LlpOmri BenayounGeneral Partner at Partech VenturesBoris GoldenGeneral Partner at Partech VenturesRomain LavaultGeneral Partner at Partech VenturesPierre PlanchePartner at Griffin Gaming Partners
+ 13 more
Also worked at AFD - Agence Française de Développement4
Investments
Board seats
CysecExotrailHeex TechnologiesRevers.ioStereolabs
Investor
ComitéoSevenhugsWebGeoServices
Per the firm's website.
Colleagues at Karista
Agathe Biard
Chief Compliance Officer at Karista
Alain Gavin
Venture Partner at Karista
Alexandra Desproges
Office Manager at Karista
Amine Benmoussa
Partner at Karista
Anna Casal
Head of Communication at Karista
Baudouin Hue
Partner at Karista
Benjamin Zerbib
Investment Director at Karista
Catherine Boule
Managing Partner at Karista
Network1
Investors connected to Yvan-Michel in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.


















