Billion Dollar Moves™ with Sarah Chen-Spellings | Global Venture Capital

We’re back—kicking off our 2026 season live from SXSW Austin with the Ayana Foundation. Featuring: Allison Ellsworth on scaling Poppi from kitchen experiment to a $1.95B sale to Pepsi; Rachel Roy on creative control, brand ownership, and navigating legal battles; Theresa Fette on the identity shift after exit—and choosing yourself over the title. From Shark Tank moments to hard decisions behind the scenes, this is a candid look at what happens after the spotlight. If you're building, scaling, or thinking about your next move—this one’s for you. Timestamps/Key Takeaways 00:00 Panel Introduction: Women of the New Frontier 01:40 Meet the Panelists: Origins in Soda, Fashion, and FinTech 04:14 The Poppy Story: From Oil & Gas to Probiotic Soda 06:16 Launching in a Pandemic: The Rebrand and the Power of TikTok 09:19 Why Embarrassment is a Secret Weapon for Success 10:20 Rachel Roy on 25 Years of Creative-First Design 12:22 Lessons from a Namesake Brand: Why Names Matter in Business 15:25 Theresa Fette on Luck, Law, and the 50% Opportunity 18:28 Understanding Self-Directed IRAs and the Bitcoin IRA Pivot 21:05 Fighting for Your Name: Rachel Roy’s New York Supreme Court Battle 25:26 The Shark Tank Turning Point: Getting the Deal with Rohan Oza 27:14 Founder Advice: Knowing Your Value and Staying the Face of the Brand 31:36 Negotiating the Exit: Turning a $27M Offer into $100M 34:48 Choosing Partners: Aligning Core Values and Saving Your Soul 37:19 The Power of the Board Seat: Retaining Control vs. Valuation 40:45 Can You Scale and Stay Authentic? The Future of Poppy and Pepsi 43:08 The Identity Crisis After an Exit: Life as an Intuitive Leader 48:42 Audience Q&A: What Investors Really Look for in a Founder 51:21 Testing for Resilience: The Number One Marker for Success 53:14 Advice to a Younger Self: Navigating Stress, Lawsuits, and Motherhood 56:04 Final Takeaways: Why Failure is Inevitable and Fun is Fuel -- About the speakers Allison Ellsworth is the founder of Poppi, a prebiotic soda brand she scaled from her home kitchen to a massive $1.95 billion exit to Pepsi. Rachel Roy is a world-renowned designer and the founder of her namesake brand, Rachel Roy Design, who has spent over 25 years navigating the complexities of creative control and brand ownership. Theresa Fette a serial entrepreneur and tax attorney who pioneered the self-directed IRA space in FinTech, successfully exiting three companies and currently leading Bitcoin IRA and Digital Trust. -- Billion Dollar Moves Podcast | The Top Global Venture & Business Podcast for Founders & Funders | Backed by HubSpot Podcast Network Conversations with billionaires, unicorn founders, and the world’s leading funders. Hosted by Sarah Chen-Spellings, Billion Dollar Moves examines how enduring companies — and the capital behind them — are built. Through long-form conversations, the show explores decision-making under uncertainty, capital allocation, and the inflection points that shape category-defining businesses. From early platform backstories to allocator frameworks used across private markets, the focus is on judgment, incentives, and long-term value creation — beyond headlines and hype. New episodes weekly. Built for those who take the long view. PODCAST INFO: ⁠Podcast Website⁠ |⁠ Watch on Youtube⁠ |⁠ Join the Community⁠ FOLLOW SARAH: ⁠LinkedIn⁠ |⁠ Instagram⁠

The future of food and climate resilience in Southeast Asia is being shaped as much in cassava fields and starch factories as it is in boardrooms. In this episode of Billion Dollar Moves, Ho Ren Hua, CEO of Thai Wah Public Company Limited, joins Sarah to unpack how he is reinventing a 77-year-old family starch business into a regional agri-food and bio-materials platform built on “innovation and sustainability from farm to shelf.” We go inside his operator playbook: leading 3,500 people through crisis with the principle “I can lose money, but I cannot lose a life,” transforming legacy vermicelli and tapioca products into higher-value ingredients and using distribution as a moat across Asia and beyond. For investors, founders, and family-business leaders thinking in decades, this is a rare look at what long-term, values-led execution really takes. Timestamps/Key Takeaways02:10 – Legacy, trees & being “rooted”06:10 – Stepping into a 77-year-old family business12:32 – F4 framework: Farm, Factory, Family, Food15:15 – Making circularity real: factories, water, solar & biogas19:48 – Managing talent across China & Southeast Asia + AI workforce23:24 – From noodles & starch to circular-economy platform26:51 – Innovation & ROSECO: building new revenue engines28:26 – Rockefeller Foundation, deployment & blended finance32:19 – Time horizons, synthesis & “go slow to go fast” --About Ho Ren HuaHo Ren Hua is CEO of Thai Wah Public Company Ltd, a leading Southeast Asian starch and consumer foods group founded in 1947, now expanding across multiple markets in Asia. Previously, he was Executive Director and Country Head, China for Banyan Tree Holdings, helping cement its position as a leading luxury hospitality brand in China, and began his career at Bain & Company in New York, Hong Kong, and China in private equity and strategy. He has served on boards including UN Women Singapore and Wharton China Alumni Club, and currently sits on the boards or advisory councils of Banyan Tree Holdings, the Asia Pacific Agri-Innovation Summit, and Singapore Management University. He holds a BS in Economics (Hons) from The Wharton School and is a graduate of the CEIBS Advanced Management Programme. --Billion Dollar Moves Podcast | The Top Global VC Podcast for Founders & Funders | Backed by HubSpot Podcast Network In venture, every move can make—or break—a billion-dollar outcome. Hosted by Sarah Chen-Spellings, award-winning entrepreneur, investor, and venture insider, Billion Dollar Moves pulls back the curtain on the strategies, stumbles, and breakout moments that define the world’s most iconic companies. From boardroom power plays to investor backchannels, you’ll hear the untold stories behind iconic companies like YouTube, Canva, and Vimeo, and go inside the minds of those moving capital at firms like Sequoia, Lightspeed, and beyond. Whether you're chasing your first $10M—or your next billion—this show is your front-row seat to how the smartest founders and funders win. Think raw, unfiltered, no-BS insight—designed to help you move faster, smarter, and bolder. This isn’t just another business podcast. This is your billion-dollar playbook. PODCAST INFO: Podcast Website | Watch on Youtube | Join the Community FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn | Instagram | X/Twitter

The biggest industrial transformation of our lifetime is happening now and it’s not AI. It’s climate industrialism. Shawn Xu, Partner at Lowercarbon Capital (founded by Chris Sacca), discuss how Lowercarbon backs outlier founders, why “cheaper, better, faster” wins over green premiums, and where the biggest opportunities are emerging: energy, carbon removal, fusion, materials, resilience, and the AI-power bottleneck. If you’re an investor, founder, or operator ; or just tracking where smart money is moving- this episode is a must-watch. ---- Join Venture Nordics, the top investor program in Europe, designed for international GPs, LPs and Family Offices eager to explore opportunities in the New Nordics (Scandinavia & Baltics). Taking place in Helsinki, Finland, alongside Slush, the world's largest venture capital gathering. The 7-day program offers: Exclusive networking with Finnish and Nordic investors Deep insights into the Finnish startup and venture ecosystem Complimentary Slush ticket with access to curated side events A cottage getaway with the fellow participants to further bond and create long-lasting connections The program is free of charge, powered by Helsinki Partners (backed by the City of Helsinki). Participants only cover their travel and accommodation. Only 10 investors will be selected. Register your interest now at www.venturenordics.vc to be the first to know when applications open. ---- Timestamps / Key Takeaways 03:36 – The climate industrial revolution & “unfuck the planet” 12:30 – AI, energy demand & the $500 billion program 17:00 – From Silicon Valley kid to VC 23:23 - Becoming a climate investor in a trillion dollar market 37:32 - “Greedy capitalist” & a Series A $900M fusion round 44:54 - 40-Page memo, the biggest lessons on conviction 57:41 - Q&A: The one “billion dollar move” takeaway ---- About Shawn Xu Shawn is a Partner at Lowercarbon Capital, focused on backing audacious founders building bold solutions to the climate crisis. An accomplished early-stage investor, he was previously a Partner at On Deck’s venture fund and accelerator, backing companies across 20+ countries and earning a founder NPS of 100. He also invested at Floodgate and First Round Capital’s Dorm Room Fund, was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 (Venture Capital), and has partnered with ~50 companies, helping founders go from zero to one—from ideation to product-market fit. Follow Shawn: https://lowercarbon.com/team/shawn-xu/ Resources: Chris Sacca — How to Succeed by Living on Your Own Terms | Tim Ferriss https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIBo69EsAzw Chris Sacca Interview (Full Episode) | The Tim Ferriss Show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqaXz2BPsfY Chris Sacca: Drifting Back to Real | Dialectic with Jackson Dahl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acwhhgGGdX8 ---- Billion Dollar Moves Podcast | The Top Global VC Podcast for Founders & Funders | Backed by HubSpot Podcast Network In venture, every move can make—or break—a billion-dollar outcome. Hosted by Sarah Chen-Spellings, award-winning entrepreneur, investor, and venture insider, Billion Dollar Moves pulls back the curtain on the strategies, stumbles, and breakout moments that define the world’s most iconic companies. From boardroom power plays to investor backchannels, you’ll hear the untold stories behind iconic companies like YouTube, Canva, and Vimeo, and go inside the minds of those moving capital at firms like Sequoia, Lightspeed, and beyond. Whether you're chasing your first $10M—or your next billion—this show is your front-row seat to how the smartest founders and funders win. Think raw, unfiltered, no-BS insight—designed to help you move faster, smarter, and bolder. This isn’t just another business podcast. This is your billion-dollar playbook. PODCAST INFO: Podcast Website | Watch on Youtube | Join the Community FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn | Instagram | X/Twitter

In this Billion Dollar Bite, Joel Sandhu (Co-Founder of Top-Tier Access; Partner at Investors Capital) breaks down the forces reshaping private markets. From the great normalization post-2021, to how LPs actually underwrite managers, to why family offices are rewriting their approach to access and alignment. We unpack the real liquidity picture, the rise of GP-led secondaries, and why the “elastic mid-market” may be the most compelling place to generate outsized returns in the decade ahead. If you’re a GP, LP, or allocator navigating this cycle, this is a must-listen. Watch the full episode here: https://billiondollarmoves.com/podcast-episode/from-family-offices-to-private-equity-power-plays-w-joel-sandhu-top-tier-access/ Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 01:40 - Key Takeaway #1: The market reset & picking managers 11:09 - SCS’s takeaway: Underwriting & selection is KEY 12:48 - Key Takeaway #2: The Family Office advantage & why they need a new model 18:18 - Key Takeaway #3: The future of venture, secondaries & the “elastic” mid-market 28:48 - Closing remarks About Joel Sandhu Joel is co-founder and Partner at Investors Capital, a Riyadh-based fund of funds. With an investment strategy primarily focused on buyout, the platform offers investors across the globe access to top decile funds that is well-diversified. Prior to this, Joel co-founded TTA, a Brussels based fund of funds in Private Equity. TTA brings institutional grade PE to the family office and HNWI segment. FOLLOW JOEL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelsandhu/ - Billion Dollar Moves Podcast | The Top Global VC Podcast for Founders & Funders | Backed by HubSpot Podcast Network In venture, every move can make—or break—a billion-dollar outcome. Hosted by Sarah Chen-Spellings, award-winning entrepreneur, investor, and venture insider, Billion Dollar Moves pulls back the curtain on the strategies, stumbles, and breakout moments that define the world’s most iconic companies. From boardroom power plays to investor backchannels, you’ll hear the untold stories behind iconic companies like YouTube, Canva, and Vimeo, and go inside the minds of those moving capital at firms like Sequoia, Lightspeed, and beyond. Whether you're chasing your first $10M—or your next billion—this show is your front-row seat to how the smartest founders and funders win. Think raw, unfiltered, no-BS insight—designed to help you move faster, smarter, and bolder. This isn’t just another business podcast. This is your billion-dollar playbook. PODCAST INFO: Podcast Website | Watch on Youtube | Join the Community FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn | Instagram | X/Twitter

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Rynning (AMYP Ventures; Piëch/Porsche family office) and Anulika Malomo (HarbourVest & impact advisor) to unpack what it really takes to future-proof portfolios in 2025 and beyond. From AI’s existential risks to global liquidity crunches, China’s DeepSeek shock, secondaries, midstream renewable opportunities, and the rise of long-term family office strategies — this conversation cuts through hype and surfaces where capital and opportunity are truly misaligned. If you’re an LP, GP, family office, or allocator thinking long-term, this is a must-listen. Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro: A modern Piëch/Porsche family office and PE global investment lens 04:26 - Why future-proofing portfolios matters in 2025 and beyond 09:14 - How LPs and family offices are navigating liquidity crunch: Secondaries, IPO freeze & new exit pathways and timeframe 16:49 - Capital vs. Opportunity: Where the biggest disconnects lie 21:07 - Impact vs. Harm (e.g., the crypto-climate paradox) 24:14 - Practical guide on how to allocate capital while “future-proofing” 26:37 - Are we optimistic? The Next-Gen & AI dilemma 28:19 - Q&A: What they’re NOT investing in? Panelists: Chris Rynning, Managing Partner, AMYP Ventures Anulika Malomo, Non-Executive Director, HarbourVest Global Private Equity Hosted by: Sarah Chen-Spellings, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Beyond The Billion - Billion Dollar Moves Podcast | The Top Global VC Podcast for Founders & Funders | Backed by HubSpot Podcast Network In venture, every move can make—or break—a billion-dollar outcome. Hosted by Sarah Chen-Spellings, award-winning entrepreneur, investor, and venture insider, Billion Dollar Moves pulls back the curtain on the strategies, stumbles, and breakout moments that define the world’s most iconic companies. From boardroom power plays to investor backchannels, you’ll hear the untold stories behind iconic companies like YouTube, Canva, and Vimeo, and go inside the minds of those moving capital at firms like Sequoia, Lightspeed, and beyond. Whether you're chasing your first $10M—or your next billion—this show is your front-row seat to how the smartest founders and funders win. Think raw, unfiltered, no-BS insight—designed to help you move faster, smarter, and bolder. This isn’t just another business podcast. This is your billion-dollar playbook. PODCAST INFO: Podcast Website | Watch on Youtube | Join the Community FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn | Instagram | X/Twitter

From a North Dakota childhood shaped by reinvention to a $100M exit and a $35M investing run, Anne Mahlum’s story is a masterclass in conviction, resilience, and ownership. In this powerful episode, the founder of Back on My Feet and solidcore pulls back the curtain on the defining moments that shaped her rise. In this episode, you’ll learn: The unconventional decisions that shaped Anne’s rise What conviction looks like when the stakes are high Lessons from scaling solidcore far beyond virality How to turn adversity into fuel — not fear The ownership mindset every founder, investor, and leader needs to hear Whether you’re a founder, operator, or investor, Anne's philosophy is a blueprint for betting on yourself — loudly, unapologetically, and with full skin in the game. Before we dive in, a special thank you to our episode sponsor, ⁠Newton Street⁠ — a women-led strategic communications firm that brings people and ideas together to change the world. They advise global health organizations, philanthropies, family offices, high-profile leaders, social impact groups, and forward-looking companies tackling some of the most complex issues of our time. Their work sits at the intersection of influence and impact — and we’re proud to have them support this episode. Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 01:42 - North Dakota beginnings and how her father’s gambling addiction shaped her drive 03:40 - From running to purpose: The birth of Back on My Feet 05:51 - Reinvention & “This is my next thing” — solidcore 09:09 - “I went all in”: turning down the $75K offer & fighting against lawsuits while scaling 12:49 - Bootstrapping to 25 studios; the first PE deal with nearly $60M valuation 15:24 - “I wanted $100M and I did it,” — the exit from solidcore 18:43 - Growing $35M from the $100M; Anne’s investment playbook 23:03 - Billion Dollar Questions with Anne Mahlum 25:37 - Recap: conviction, ownership, and leadership that lasts About Anne Mahlum Anne Mahlum is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and keynote speaker. She founded Back on My Feet in 2007 — a nonprofit that uses running and community to help individuals experiencing homelessness achieve self-sufficiency. In 2013, she launched solidcore, a boutique fitness company; she bootstrapped it with her life savings (~US$175,000), scaled it to over 100+ studios, raised more than US$200 million, and eventually sold her shares in 2023. A self-made entrepreneur with a net worth exceeding US$100 million, Anne is now focused on investing, advisory work, writing, and speaking on leadership, boldness, and social change. FOLLOW ANNE: https://www.instagram.com/annemahlum https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-mahlum https://x.com/AnneMahlum - Billion Dollar Moves Podcast | The Top Global VC Podcast for Founders & Funders | Backed by HubSpot Podcast Network In venture, every move can make—or break—a billion-dollar outcome. Hosted by Sarah Chen-Spellings, award-winning entrepreneur, investor, and venture insider, Billion Dollar Moves pulls back the curtain on the strategies, stumbles, and breakout moments that define the world’s most iconic companies. From boardroom power plays to investor backchannels, you’ll hear the untold stories behind iconic companies like YouTube, Canva, and Vimeo, and go inside the minds of those moving capital at firms like Sequoia, Lightspeed, and beyond. Whether you're chasing your first $10M—or your next billion—this show is your front-row seat to how the smartest founders and funders win. Think raw, unfiltered, no-BS insight—designed to help you move faster, smarter, and bolder. This isn’t just another business podcast. This is your billion-dollar playbook. PODCAST INFO: Podcast Website | Watch on Youtube | Join the Community FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn | Instagram | X/Twitter

India’s venture ecosystem is at a turning point — and women are leading the charge. In this powerful conversation recorded live in Bangalore, we brought together four trailblazers shaping the future of innovation and capital: Vani Kola (Managing Director, Kalaari Capital), Priya Mohan (Former Partner, General Catalyst), Aarti Gupta (CIO, Family Office DM Gupta & Anikarth Ventures), and Shuvi Shrivastava (Partner, Lightspeed India). Together, we unpack how India’s venture model must evolve, what democratizing opportunity truly means, and how the rise of women investors and family offices is reshaping where the next billion dollars will go. Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 01:35 - Priya Mohan: India’s unique evolution and democratizing opportunities 05:01 - Vani Kola: Reflections on being an outlier and building Kalaari Capital 12:45 - Aarti Gupta: Inside India’s $1 trillion wealth moment as family offices 17:27 - Shruvi Shrivastava: India’s tech evolution, premiumization, and inclusion 21:49 - Rethinking the venture model; the General Catalyst–Venture Highway merger 24:44 - The power of smaller funds; lessons from Silicon Valley’s evolution 30:15 - Final takeaways Panelists: Dr. Aarti Gupta CIO, Family Office DM Gupta & Anikarth Ventures Shuvi Shrivastava Partner, Lightspeed India Vani Kola Founder & Managing Director, Kalaari Capital Priya Mohan Former Partner, General Catalyst Hosted by: Sarah Chen-Spellings Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Beyond The Billion Full Recap: https://beyondthebillion.com/the-billion-dollar-brunch-dell-bangalore-2024/ - Billion Dollar Moves Podcast | The Top Global VC Podcast for Founders & Funders | Backed by HubSpot Podcast Network In venture, every move can make—or break—a billion-dollar outcome. Hosted by Sarah Chen-Spellings, award-winning entrepreneur, investor, and venture insider, Billion Dollar Moves pulls back the curtain on the strategies, stumbles, and breakout moments that define the world’s most iconic companies. From boardroom power plays to investor backchannels, you’ll hear the untold stories behind iconic companies like YouTube, Canva, and Vimeo, and go inside the minds of those moving capital at firms like Sequoia, Lightspeed, and beyond. Whether you're chasing your first $10M—or your next billion—this show is your front-row seat to how the smartest founders and funders win. Think raw, unfiltered, no-BS insight—designed to help you move faster, smarter, and bolder. This isn’t just another business podcast. This is your billion-dollar playbook. PODCAST INFO: Podcast Website | Watch on Youtube | Join the Community FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn | Instagram | X/Twitter

Fired at 36 from his dream job at Time Inc., Michael Loeb turned rejection into the billion-dollar spark behind Synapse and Priceline.com. A true serial entrepreneur, Michael shares how he reinvented industries—from magazine subscriptions to online travel to healthcare—and why he believes the entrepreneurial gene shows up long before the first startup pitch. In this week's episode, we unpack the mind of a founder who built and sold multiple ventures, now running Loeb.nyc, a venture collective redefining how startups are scaled. Packed with wisdom on resilience, reinvention, and legacy, this episode is a masterclass in building with capital and conviction you won't want to miss! Timestamps/Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 01:48 - From Firing to Fortune: Turning a corporate setback into an $800 million exit 05:12 - The Entrepreneurial Gene: Why the lemonade stand still predicts success 09:30 - Synapse to Priceline: Inside one of the internet’s most iconic startups 12:03 - Betting on Healthcare Before GoodRx: How ScriptRelief scaled to millions 14:39 - Reinventing the Model: Building The Loeb.nyc — a venture collective under one roof 17:44 - Legacy & Family: Raising entrepreneurs and building impact that lasts 20:23 - Billion Dollar Questions About Michael Loeb Michael Loeb is a serial entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Loeb.nyc. After starting his career at Time, Inc., Michael co-founded the Synapse Group with then partner, Jay Walker. Under Michael’s direction, Synapse grew to become the largest seller of consumer magazine subscriptions worldwide, with its revolutionary and patented Continuous Service Model. Michael and Jay went on to form and incubate Priceline.com together at Synapse, leveraging a shared team of operators and capital. When Synapse Group was sold to Time Warner in 2006, Michael formed Loeb Enterprises with partner, Rich Vogel to ideate and develop new business concepts. The largest of those ventures was ScriptRelief, a pharmacy discount provider that has a membership in excess of 12 million Americans. In 2019, Loeb Enterprises rebranded to Loeb.nyc and boasts a portfolio of over 18 direct investments, most of which execute from Loeb.nyc headquarters in Manhattan. Under Michael’s visionary leadership, Loeb.nyc has established a new model for startup investments. By pairing exceptional strategic and executional talent with passionate founders, Loeb.nyc significantly de-risks startup launches. Michael sits on the board of several non-profit organizations and is an avid philanthropist. He currently resides in New York City with his wife and children. Follow Michael: LinkedIn https://www.loeb.nyc/ - Billion Dollar Moves Podcast | The Top Global VC Podcast for Founders & Funders | Backed by HubSpot Podcast Network In venture, every move can make—or break—a billion-dollar outcome. Hosted by Sarah Chen-Spellings, award-winning entrepreneur, investor, and venture insider, Billion Dollar Moves pulls back the curtain on the strategies, stumbles, and breakout moments that define the world’s most iconic companies. From boardroom power plays to investor backchannels, you’ll hear the untold stories behind iconic companies like YouTube, Canva, and Vimeo, and go inside the minds of those moving capital at firms like Sequoia, Lightspeed, and beyond. Whether you're chasing your first $10M—or your next billion—this show is your front-row seat to how the smartest founders and funders win. Think raw, unfiltered, no-BS insight—designed to help you move faster, smarter, and bolder. This isn’t just another business podcast. This is your billion-dollar playbook. PODCAST INFO: Podcast Website | Watch on Youtube | Join the Community FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn | Instagram | X/Twitter

When you build beyond yourself — what does legacy really look like? In this special crossover episode, our own host Sarah Chen-Spellings joins The Jasmine Star Show for a candid conversation on leadership, investing, and the power of women building boldly. From cutting million-dollar checks in her 20s to co-founding Beyond The Billion, Sarah shares how she turned a question “Where are the women?”, into a global movement mobilizing over $1.4 billion towards women-founded companies. Tune in to hear how to think bigger, do hard things, and build for generations. Timestamps/Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 02:09 - From Instagram DM to real-life connection 05:36 - How Sarah’s mother inspired her journey from Kuala Lumpur to boardrooms and billion-dollar funds 13:20 - Becoming an “accidental feminist” in venture capital: Lean In Malaysia & Beyond The Billion (launched as Billion Dollar Fund for Women) 17:11 - Moving to the U.S., and starting over without a network 20:47 - From volunteer to co-founding Beyond The Billion 23:59 - Hitting the $1B goal in nine months & the updated impact numbers 29:25 - Funding 101: How founders should think about capital 35:16 - How the business of venture capital works 37:25 - How to sell your dream to investors: Sarah’s 3-step framework to pitch with conviction 42:07 - Challenge yourself to do the hard things Watch the original episode here About Jasmine Star A world-class speaker, thought leader, podcast host, CEO, and entrepreneur dedicated to helping you reach your fullest potential - After getting her start in the entrepreneurial world as an internationally recognized wedding photographer, Jasmine became a speaker and business strategist for creative entrepreneurs - and spent almost a decade helping business owners across the world take risks and live their lives to the fullest. Jasmine then went on to found tech company Social Curator: a monthly subscription that serves as a digital marketing agency in your pocket, complete with an A.I. social media manager providing customized marketing content. As a top podcast host and keynote speaker, her goal is simple: to empower you to change the way you approach your professional and personal ambitions. Her approach is rooted in the desire to help you build the future you want and help you see your own potential - regardless of whatever stands in your way. Follow Jasmine: https://www.instagram.com/jasminestar/ https://www.youtube.com/@officialjasminestar https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jasmine-star-show/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-star/ - Billion Dollar Moves Podcast | The Top Global VC Podcast for Founders & Funders | Backed by HubSpot Podcast Network In venture, every move can make—or break—a billion-dollar outcome. Hosted by Sarah Chen-Spellings, award-winning entrepreneur, investor, and venture insider, Billion Dollar Moves pulls back the curtain on the strategies, stumbles, and breakout moments that define the world’s most iconic companies. From boardroom power plays to investor backchannels, you’ll hear the untold stories behind iconic companies like YouTube, Canva, and Vimeo, and go inside the minds of those moving capital at firms like Sequoia, Lightspeed, and beyond. Whether you're chasing your first $10M—or your next billion—this show is your front-row seat to how the smartest founders and funders win. Think raw, unfiltered, no-BS insight—designed to help you move faster, smarter, and bolder. This isn’t just another business podcast. This is your billion-dollar playbook. PODCAST INFO: Podcast Website | Watch on Youtube | Join the Community FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn | Instagram | X/Twitter

The rules of private market investing are shifting; and so is the timeline for generating alpha. In this conversation from Arctic15 LP Summit earlier this year, leading allocators Selale Zaim (third-generation family business leader and venture investor) and Kim Groop (Co-Founder, First Fellow Partners) joined us to unpack how family offices and institutions are rethinking their playbooks. From compressed market cycles and delayed liquidity to the rise of co-investments, secondaries, and specialized family offices, we dive into how investors are navigating volatility, reshaping allocation strategies, and re-defining what it means to create long-term value. A must-listen for LPs, GPs, and founders who want to stay ahead in an increasingly dynamic private markets landscape. TIMESTAMPS / KEY TAKEAWAYS 0:00 - Intro 01:56 - Meet the Investors: From Family Conglomerates to Founder-Led Funds 04:43 - Returns, compression, and the shifting VC cycle 07:10 - Why family offices are splitting and specializing 09:06 - One unicorn in every 10 investments: Founder-first approach to investing 11:04 - Cracking the code on direct investments and avoiding negative selection 13:24 - Liquidity engineering: co-investments, secondaries, and partial exits 17:20 - Finland’s ecosystem and the rise of homegrown unicorns 18:42 - Cross-border collaboration among family offices 21:52 - Lessons learned: family business vs. financial returns 24:05 - AI and the new investment frontiers 26:57 - Audience Q&A; final takeaways Panelists: Kim Groop, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at First Fellow Partners Selale Zaim, Board Member at Inci Holding & Head of Investment Committee at Vinci Venture Capital Hosted by: Sarah Chen-Spellings, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Beyond The Billion - Billion Dollar Moves Podcast | The Top Global VC Podcast for Founders & Funders | Backed by HubSpot Podcast Network In venture, every move can make—or break—a billion-dollar outcome. Hosted by Sarah Chen-Spellings, award-winning entrepreneur, investor, and venture insider, Billion Dollar Moves pulls back the curtain on the strategies, stumbles, and breakout moments that define the world’s most iconic companies. From boardroom power plays to investor backchannels, you’ll hear the untold stories behind iconic companies like YouTube, Canva, and Vimeo, and go inside the minds of those moving capital at firms like Sequoia, Lightspeed, and beyond. Whether you're chasing your first $10M—or your next billion—this show is your front-row seat to how the smartest founders and funders win. Think raw, unfiltered, no-BS insight—designed to help you move faster, smarter, and bolder. This isn’t just another business podcast. This is your billion-dollar playbook. PODCAST INFO: Podcast Website | Watch on Youtube | Join the Community FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn | Instagram | X/Twitter

What does it take to build a billion-dollar fund from Australia — and back global unicorns like Canva, SafetyCulture, and Culture Amp? In this episode, we sit down with Rick Baker, Co-Founder of Blackbird VC, to unpack the journey from 530 investor rejections to becoming one of the most successful venture firms in the Southern Hemisphere. Rick shares the real stories behind meeting and backing Canva’s Melanie Perkins, scaling a multi-generational VC franchise, and why storytelling and diversity are key to building enduring funds. This is a masterclass on conviction, culture, and capital. Timestamps / Key Takeaways 00:00 Intro 02:01 The early days of Australia’s startup scene: Atlassian & the incoming of US VC firms: Sequoia, Accel, Benchmark, a16z and more. 05:27 From founder to investor: lessons from two failed startups 07:28 How 530 meetings led to Blackbird’s first $29M fund 11:02 The first Canva meeting and what convinced Rick to invest in Melanie Perkins 15:01 Luck vs pattern recognition; turning a $29M fund into 40x returns 17:43 Why funds should last longer than 10 years 19:39 Building a multi-generational VC franchise 21:22 Inside Blackbird’s blind hiring and bias-free investing 24:41 The future of AI and deep tech in Australia 29:02 The thesis of Blackbird VC and portfolio construction 32:00 Lessons from the Kiki incident: investing and accountability 35:13 Gender-lens investing, transparency, and joining Beyond The Billion’s pledge 43:02 “Would you have built Blackbird differently?” 44:25 Billion Dollar Questions About Rick Baker Rick Baker is a co-founder of Blackbird Ventures, a venture capital firm focussed on investing in the best global tech startups being formed in Australia. Rick has led the firm’s investments such as Canva, SafetyCulture, Baraja, Gilmour Space and Ovira. Prior to Blackbird, Rick ran MLC’s venture capital portfolio with investments of over half a billion dollars. Prior to MLC, Rick co-founded two successful software companies: IDC Global and Right Party Connect. Blackbird partners with founders at the very beginning and surrounds them with a community of other founders who have built successful technology companies before. The firm was founded in 2012 and currently manages $1.3 billion dollars. Follow Rick: - Billion Dollar Moves Podcast | The Top Global VC Podcast for Founders & Funders | Backed by HubSpot Podcast Network In venture, every move can make—or break—a billion-dollar outcome. Hosted by Sarah Chen-Spellings, award-winning entrepreneur, investor, and venture insider, Billion Dollar Moves pulls back the curtain on the strategies, stumbles, and breakout moments that define the world’s most iconic companies. From boardroom power plays to investor backchannels, you’ll hear the untold stories behind iconic companies like YouTube, Canva, and Vimeo, and go inside the minds of those moving capital at firms like Sequoia, Lightspeed, and beyond. Whether you're chasing your first $10M—or your next billion—this show is your front-row seat to how the smartest founders and funders win. Think raw, unfiltered, no-BS insight—designed to help you move faster, smarter, and bolder. This isn’t just another business podcast. This is your billion-dollar playbook. PODCAST INFO: Podcast Website | Watch on Youtube | Join the Community FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn | Instagram | X/Twitter

With record outflows from ESG funds and rising political scrutiny, the climate investing conversation is shifting dramatically. In this episode, we sit with Anna Herlin (KONE Family, Tiina and Antti Herlin Foundation) and Dr. Krista Halttunen (Halton Ventures) — two next-generation family office leaders driving sustainable innovation in the built environment. We asked: what comes next at the intersection of climate tech, venture capital, and LP strategies? Together, they unpack what it means to deploy patient and catalytic capital in an era of ESG fatigue; from decarbonizing steel and transforming HVAC systems to building data-driven frameworks that measure planetary boundaries. As allocators face rising pressure to balance returns, reputation, and regulation, this candid conversation explores how to future-proof portfolios and redefine value in the next economy. TIMESTAMPS / KEY TAKEAWAYS 00:00 – Intro 02:23 – ESG backlash and geopolitical landscape 05:25 – Where the capital is flowing now 08:20 – Efficiency as the new climate strategy 11:24 – Systems change vs. incremental innovation 14:12 – Building the Planetary Boundaries framework; beyond box-ticking and science-based investing 18:38 – How to spot Greenwashing & find true additionality 22:22 – Defining “Catalytic Capital for the New Economy” 25:55 – AI and Energy 28:19 – Hardware renaissance: Clean Energy, Green Steel & HVAC; “The Future Is Circular” 32:04 – Audience Q&A 37:06 – Where should Family Offices start in climate investments? Panelists: Anna Herlin, Board Member at TAH Foundation & Vice Chair at Security Trading Krista Halttunen, CEO of Halton Ventures Hosted by: Sarah Chen-Spellings, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Beyond The Billion Video Credit: Arctic15 LP Summit 2025 - Billion Dollar Moves Podcast | The Top Global VC Podcast for Founders & Funders | Backed by HubSpot Podcast Network In venture, every move can make—or break—a billion-dollar outcome. Hosted by Sarah Chen-Spellings, award-winning entrepreneur, investor, and venture insider, Billion Dollar Moves pulls back the curtain on the strategies, stumbles, and breakout moments that define the world’s most iconic companies. From boardroom power plays to investor backchannels, you’ll hear the untold stories behind iconic companies like YouTube, Canva, and Vimeo, and go inside the minds of those moving capital at firms like Sequoia, Lightspeed, and beyond. Whether you’re chasing your first $10M—or your next billion—this show is your front-row seat to how the smartest founders and funders win. Think raw, unfiltered, no-BS insight—designed to help you move faster, smarter, and bolder. This isn’t just another business podcast. This is your billion-dollar playbook. PODCAST INFO: Podcast Website | Watch on Youtube | Join the Community FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn | Instagram | X/Twitter

From living in motels and battling recurring infections to leading one of the fastest-growing feminine care brands in America, Beatrice Dixon’s story is as unlikely as it is inspiring. In this episode, Bea reveals how a dream sparked the formula for The Honey Pot, how she scaled from kitchen batches to Target’s Super Bowl ads, and why she walked away from a higher $450M offer to exit on her own terms. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or leader, this is a masterclass in resilience, conviction, and building generational wealth without selling your soul. TIMESTAMPS / KEY TAKEAWAYS 0:00 Intro 01:45 Chapter 1: Rock Bottom to Mindset Shift 03:26 Chapter 2: The Genesis of Honey Pot — a dream of grandmother’s recipe turned the formula that changed her life 07:01 Chapter 3: From Kitchen Batches to Target Super Bowl Ad 13:46 Chapter 4: Scaling with Capital — Why every founder must master money and Bea’s lessons on raising responsibly 16:36 Chapter 5: The Exit & Walking Away From $450M 18:05 Chapter 6: Modern Matriarch & Legacy Builder — on scrutiny, social media storms, and leading Honey Pot into the future 23:13 Bea Dixon’s 5 lessons: invest early, stay authentic, raise with clarity, exit on your terms, and scale with soul ABOUT BEA DIXON Beatrice Dixon is the CEO, cofounder, and chief innovation officer of The Honey Pot Company—the first complete personal wellness brand “made by humans with vaginas, for humans with vaginas.”® She has been named one of Goldman Sachs’s 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs, Worth’s Worthy 100, Forbes’ Top 100 Female Founders, Inc.’s Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs, Ebony’s Power 100, and Create & Cultivate’s 100. FOLLOW BEA: LinkedIn | Instagram Source: Healing from the Earth with The Honey Pot Founders | Black America | CUNY TV Honey Pot Founder Beatrice Dixon Talks Wellness, Black-Owned Business, & Shares Her Five Minute Face The Business of Making Money w/ Bea Dixon - Billion Dollar Moves Podcast | The Top Global VC Podcast for Founders & Funders | Backed by HubSpot Podcast Network In venture, every move can make—or break—a billion-dollar outcome. Hosted by Sarah Chen-Spellings, award-winning entrepreneur, investor, and venture insider, Billion Dollar Moves pulls back the curtain on the strategies, stumbles, and breakout moments that define the world’s most iconic companies. From boardroom power plays to investor backchannels, you’ll hear the untold stories behind iconic companies like YouTube, Canva, and Vimeo, and go inside the minds of those moving capital at firms like Sequoia, Lightspeed, and beyond. Whether you're chasing your first $10M—or your next billion—this show is your front-row seat to how the smartest founders and funders win. Think raw, unfiltered, no-BS insight—designed to help you move faster, smarter, and bolder. This isn’t just another business podcast. This is your billion-dollar playbook. PODCAST INFO: Podcast Website | Watch on Youtube | Join the Community FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn | Instagram | X/Twitter

From Wall Street to Silicon Valley's inner circle—this is the untold story behind one of tech’s most trusted capital stewards. In this episode, we sit down with Mike Anders, Partner at ICONIQ, the quiet powerhouse managing over $80B for tech’s most iconic names. Mike opens up about his activist roots, Wall Street disillusionment, and the journey to building a purpose-driven financial empire. We go behind the curtain of ICONIQ’s rise, the venture bets that paid off, the AI wave, and why collaborative philanthropy is their next big frontier. Timestamps 0:00 - Intro 02:11 - Roots & Activism: Academic upbringing and activist parents; “Start outside politics” 04:25 - Disillusionment & Reinvention: donor-advised funds (DAFs), discovering purpose in philanthropy & the pivotal first coffee with Divesh Makan 07:37 - Building ICONIQ: From Alibaba to enterprise software to data centers; the power of collective wisdom from founder clients 15:09 - Market, AI, & Culture: Surviving financial crises and market cycles; ICONIQ’s bet on AI; reflections on culture 26:31 - The Shift to Impact: The genesis of ICONIQ Impact and the CoLab model 31:06 - The Cost & The Legacy: Leadership, humility, and enduring values READ MORE: ICONIQ Impact Half a Billion Report Michael Anders | Partner, ICONIQ Michael Anders is a founding partner of ICONIQ, a global investment firm that channels ideas, talent, and capital to initiatives that advance society. Michael is also the founder and Chairman of ICONIQ Impact, which convenes ICONIQ’s extraordinary community of families, founders, and organizations to catalyze collaborative philanthropy for giving at scale. To-date, ICONIQ Impact has advised on nearly $600M in grants, tackling the world’s most urgent challenges, including climate change, education and economic mobility, ocean health and other impact areas. FOLLOW MIKE: LinkedIn | Instagram | X/Twitter Matti Navellou | Head of ICONIQ Impact, ICONIQ Matti Navellou is the Head of ICONIQ Impact, ICONIQ’s platform for collaborative philanthropy, which convenes ICONIQ’s extraordinary community of families, founders, and organizations to catalyze collaborative philanthropy for giving at scale. To-date, ICONIQ Impact has advised on nearly $900M in grants, tackling the world’s most urgent challenges, including climate change, mental health, women’s health and rights, refugee resettlement and poverty relief. Across her career, Matti has developed and launched several global human rights campaigns, including most recently at UNICEF HQ in New York, leading public advocacy campaigns for child rights. FOLLOW MATTI: LinkedIn | X/Twitter - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal X/Twitter: https://x.com/sarahchenglobal

How do you build a cross-border VC fund that backs female founders before the world sees their value? In this #MeritIn Motion series, we sit down with Marisa Warren, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of ALIAVIA Ventures and Founder of the ELEVACAO. A former Microsoft and SAP exec turned entrepreneur and investor, Marisa shares how she’s rewriting the rules of venture, by backing high-growth female founders across the U.S. and Australia before they're on anyone else’s radar. Backed by Carol Schwartz, the Forrest Family Office, the Denholm family and more, Marisa and co-founder Kate Vale (ex-Google, Spotify) are proving that investing in diverse teams isn’t charity—it’s smart capital. Tune in now to learn more about generating cross-border alpha, and why Aussie startups may just be VC’s best-kept secret. Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 02:21 - From teenage hustles to Microsoft, SAP, and Workday; built SAP’s SME channel and scaled Microsoft cloud partner revenue 07:35 - The gender gap in VC; founded ELEVACAO to support women in tech 14:24 - Building ALIAVIA: a cross-border VC fund amid the pandemic; creative loan structure to beat the “no track record” barrier 18:38 - Fund strategy & the edge of cross-border dynamics: Australian startups are often undervalued, capital-efficient, growth-ready 24:48 - LP co-investment as a value driver; founder red flags & must-haves 31:14 - Portfolio focus & the influence of AI on Future of Work and HealthTech 35:10 - The maturity of Australian startup scene; LP alignment and stakeholder management 39:52 - Looking ahead: Fund II at $25M; Fund III to follow with potential growth fund 42:41 - Billion Dollar Questions ABOUT MARISA WARREN Marisa Warren is the Founder and Managing Partner of ALIAVIA Ventures, investing in female-founded tech startups across the U.S. and Australia. Established in 2021, ALIAVIA has delivered it's first exit, Loupe Art to Stingray, and invested in 12 early stage companies. She’s also the founder of ELEVACAO, a not-for-profit that helped 175 women raise over $120 million in funding, leading to 5 exits. FOLLOW MARISA: https://www.aliavia.vc/ https://www.elevacao.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisawarren - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal X/Twitter: https://x.com/sarahchenglobal

When Guild Education’s co-founder Rachel Romer suffered a life-threatening stroke, the company’s future rested in the hands of Bijal Shah — then on maternity leave, recovering from a traumatic birth. In this intimate and deeply strategic conversation, Guild’s now-CEO shares what it took to step up, scale a mission-driven business, and guide 70,000+ employees toward career mobility. From building slum workforce programs in India to powering skills transformation for giants like Walmart, Chipotle, and Disney—Bijal unpacks what it means to lead through adversity, design with empathy, and operate for long-term resilience. This episode is for anyone thinking about the future of workforce development, durable marketplaces, or leadership when it matters most. Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 02:11 - From Visa to slum development in India to scaling Guild 03:58 - Joining Guild: The founding vision, team conviction, and social enterprise thesis 07:51 - Evolution of the business model from content creation to a scalable marketplace 09:11 - Customer-led transformation: Meeting both employer and employee skill demands 12:41 - Workforce shifts: Aging population, AI disruption, and the half-life of skills 14:58 - Measuring impact: 70,000 learners, 2.6x retention boost, customized talent solutions 18:03 - Building long-term partnerships over short-term revenue: Walmart, Chipotle, Disney and more major clients 27:40 - Stepping into the CEO role: Permission to lead, guidance from the board, Rachel’s trust 39:45 - Billion Dollar Questions ABOUT BIJAL SHAH Bijal Shah is the CEO of Guild, a talent development company partnering with leading employers to help them build the talent needed for today and the resilient workforce of tomorrow. Guild works with organizations like Chipotle, Discover, Target, and Providence Health to provide seamless pathways for talent mobility that enhance the employee experience and activate internal talent to achieve business goals. Bijal has been named a CNBC Changemaker, and Guild has been recognized as one of TIME’s Most Influential Companies, CNBC’s Disruptor 50, LinkedIn’s Top Startups, and received Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas award. Prior to Guild, Shah held leadership roles across data analytics at Ibotta and corporate strategy at Visa. She served on the Board of Directors of Girls Inc. and was named one of Denver Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. Shah graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and the MIT Sloan School of Management. She lives in Denver with her husband and children. FOLLOW BIJAL LinkedIn | Instagram - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal X/Twitter: https://x.com/sarahchenglobal

This week we sit down with Jeffrey L. Bowman — former Ogilvy senior partner turned founder of Reframe Consulting and Reframe AI Technologies — for a bold, unfiltered look at what it really means to future-proof your business. Jeffrey doesn’t just talk about diversity as a moral imperative; he reframes it as a growth strategy rooted in data, market opportunity, and long-overdue correction. From revealing how legacy data sets exclude entire populations to unpacking the $100 billion blind spots companies ignore when they leave women and people of color out of their TAM, he challenges conventional thinking on every front. He pulls no punches—calling out performative DEI, synthetic AI datasets, and the emerging “woe is me” narrative among young men. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or operator, this is a provocative, insight-rich conversation on how to build boldly for the world that is, not the one that was. Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 01:53 - Why Reframe? Widening the lens on TAM (Total Addressable Market) and reevaluating go-to-market strategies that exclude women and minorities 06:08 - This is a business risk, not a moral issue - exclusion is leaving billions on the table 08:01 - MetLife case study: refocusing segmentation led to 2x growth in digital product lines 11:04 - Historical data sets, current AI and most TAMs are inherently biased 18:14 - Future-proofing for brands; ELF Beauty case study 23:23 - Global lens on consumers today; How exclusive is your TAM? 27:53 - Monocultural vs. cross/polycultural strategy; Amazon case study in addressability 33:38 - Responsible AI & women in tech 37:06 - Power and capitalism: “To build the America we love, we must accept the new America: diverse, cross-cultural, and polycultural.” 39:49 - Masculinity and the “Lost Boy Syndrome” 43:24 - Billion Dollar Questions About Jeffrey L. Bowman Jeffrey L. Bowman is the CEO and founder of Reframe AI Technologies and Reframe Consulting Services. He is an inventor, pioneer of a change operating system and inclusive experience design approach that helps leaders accelerate and operationalize inclusive change and growth at scale. Bowman is a two-time award-winning Wiley published author and Campaign US 40 Over 40. A former senior partner and managing director at Ogilvy & Mather in New York City, one of the world’s largest advertising and communications agencies. It was there Bowman pioneered the industry’s first cultural practice that modernized the marketing and communications industry. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Campaign, The Economist, Fast Company, NBC (Today Show), Fortune to name a few and he speaks frequently at industry and trade events across the United States, Europe, and South America. FOLLOW JEFFREY: https://jeffreylbowman.com LinkedIn | Instagram - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal https://x.com/sarahchenglobal

Named one of Forbes’ Most Powerful Women, Melinda French Gates needs no introduction. Over the last twenty years through her work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, one thing has become clear to her: If you want to lift a society up, you must invest in women. This week's replay featured Erin Harkless Moore, Senior Director of Investment for Pivotal Ventures, a Melinda French Gates company created to do exactly that. To accelerate social progress in the U.S by investing in women’s power and influence. As a member of Pivotal’s Executive Leadership Team, Erin leads the organization’s fund, and direct investment decisions, overseeing a diverse portfolio of investments that drive breakthrough innovations and drive impact for people in the US. With nearly 20 years of investment experience, building customized portfolios for endowed institutions and family offices, serving most recently as Managing Director at Cambridge Associates, we talk about everything from challenging the status quo to her investment strategy. You don’t want to miss this! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro 02:04 - Erin's career, passion, profit, purpose 05:53 - The premium of 'track record' 07:58 - Investment in diversity initiatives under attack 10:53 - Where does the resistance come from? 12:30 - The role of consultants 16:01 - Melinda French Gates' point of impact 18:20 - Investing in women is not charity 24:24 - Getting to a 'yes' as an LP 30:22 - Cracking the patterns of history Pivotal Ventures | A Melinda French Gates Company Investing | Pivotal Ventures Breaking With Tradition | Pitchbook - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal X/Twitter: https://x.com/sarahchenglobal

In this episode of our mini series #MeritInMotion, we’re joined by Rosalind Bazany, Head of ESG and Impact at Antler, one of the world’s most active and selective early-stage VCs. As a pledge partner of Beyond The Billion, Antler has helped deploy capital into nearly 3,000 women through its founder residencies—without any diversity quotas. From her childhood to managing hedge funds through the global financial crisis, Ros brings systems-level thinking to investing in outliers. We explore how Antler is rewriting the rules of venture by backing overlooked markets and underestimated founders across 27 offices and six continents—with a third of its capital going to women-led startups. Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 02:11 - Ros’ global roots that shaped her adaptability & curiosity; joining Antler 06:21 - Inside Antler’s highly selective global model: 160,000+ applications annually, 27 offices on 6 continents, 1500+ investments made 08:03 - Antler VS Y Combinator; backing PEOPLE before ideas: commercial viability and adaptability as key early traits 12:55 - Female founders with real returns under Antler’s portfolio; driving returns with intentionality, not hard quotas nor mandates 24:22 - Impact ≠ Concessionary Returns 27:46 - Exits and long-term view with liquidity on horizon 30:19 - Sustainability as strategy: backing the outliers; leveraging Antler’s global programs to source the best of the best 39:35 - Looking ahead for Antler 42:26 - Gender lens is not a filter but a strategic aperture 46:07 - Billion Dollar Questions Read Beyond The Billion's Our Next Billion Momentum Report 2025 here. About Rosalind Bazany Ros Bazany is Head of ESG and impact at Antler and currently based in Singapore. Ros is responsible for leading the overall strategy design and implementation of Antler’s ESG and impact proposition to deliver long-term value for Antler’s stakeholders. This includes oversight of firm level practices, founder engagement and investment decision making processes. Prior to this, she worked at the global asset manager Schroders for over 10 years, working with institutional and retail clients, including on a number of strategic ESG initiatives, across Europe and Asia. She started her career at the hedge fund BlueCrest and holds an MSc in Chemistry. She is passionate about making ESG and impact a tool to create value for our founders, Antler and the industry more broadly. Read more about Antler’s 2024 ESG and Impact Report: https://www.antler.co/sustainability Follow Ros & Antler: https://www.antler.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosalind-bazany-a225275/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal X/Twitter: https://x.com/sarahchenglobal

What happens when a viral creator becomes a deep tech investor—and then starts working on brain chips? In this episode, we go beyond the hype with Taryn Southern—early YouTube pioneer, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and now a leading voice in neurotechnology and AI. From releasing the world’s first AI-generated music album to working at the frontier of brain-computer interfaces with Blackrock Neurotech, Taryn opens up about redefining creativity and investing in future-defining tech. You’ll walk away with a practical AI prompt framework, hard truths about what it takes to bet smart on deep tech—and a powerful reminder of what it really means to be human in an age of machines. Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 01:43 - From Anthropology to youtube stardom—then diving into AI & Neurotech 07:04 - The first artist to release a full AI-generated music album: why AI enhances creativity, not threatens it 12:45 - Upskilling for the AI era; The G.R.I.P.E. framework: How to prompt ChatGPT like a pro 16:18 - The science and reality behind BCI; Blackrock Neurotech’s critical technologies for ALS patients, funding and capital 26:47 - The future of AI for women; AI investment advice & the questions you should be asking 32:24 - Billion Dollar Questions with Taryn Southern About Taryn Southern "Deeply thoughtful yet boundlessly optimistic." Taryn Southern is an award-winning storyteller and creative technologist exploring the intersection of emerging tech and human potential. Her groundbreaking creative experiments offer unique insights into how technology can help us unleash creativity, joy, wellbeing and productivity. Originally from Kansas, Taryn’s first foray into entertainment began at 17 when she competed in the semi-finals of American Idol. In 2007, after obtaining degrees in journalism and anthropology, Taryn uploaded her first video onto YouTube. Ten years and 750 million views later, this early YouTuber produced more than 1500 internet videos, at the forefront of the online content revolution. In 2007, she hosted and produced a TV series documenting her travels to meet her MySpace friends and uploaded her first viral video to YouTube. Over the next decade, she created over 1500 videos garnering more than 1 billion views, served as an early advisor to YouTube, Google VR and Snapchat product teams, and consulted for companies like Conde Nast and Marriott on digital content strategy and narrative design. FOLLOW TARYN https://tarynsouthern.com/ https://www.instagram.com/tarynsouthern/ https://www.youtube.com/TarynSouthern - PODCAST INFO: ⁠Podcast website⁠ | Watch on Youtube⁠ | ⁠Join the community⁠ FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn | Instagram | X/Twitter

Venture capital is changing—and so is India. In this episode, we dive deep with Ankita Vashistha, the trailblazing investor behind Saha Fund and Arise Ventures. From building Singapore’s first government-backed fund to leading a ₹500 Crore gender-lens powerhouse, Ankita’s story is one of grit, foresight, and redefining alpha. With 5 unicorns, 50+ investments, and a global accelerator reaching 5,000+ founders a year—this is more than investing. It’s revolution. Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 01:50 - #1 From Copycat to Category Creator – The Rise of India as a Global Builder 08:32 - #2 Gender Lens ≠ Charity. It’s Alpha. 17:53 - #3 The Venture Capital Playbook Needs a Reboot—For India 19:42 - #4 From Capital Allocator to Company Builder 21:47 - #5 Be Loud. Be Clear. Be Your Own Champion. 22:47 - Closing Remark:Legacy in Motion ABOUT ANKITA With over 16 years of experience in private equity, venture capital, innovation, diversity and impact investing, Ankita is a passionate and visionary venture capital investor and entrepreneur. Ankita founded and led two pioneering funds, StrongHer Ventures and Saha Fund, that invest in and promote women engagement, empowerment and entrepreneurship through digital technology and now leading her third fund - Arise Ventures. Ankita also co-authored of the book "Innovation at Scale", which covers how digital is transforming industries and creating opportunities for women. FOLLOW ANKITA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankitavashistha/ https://www.instagram.com/ankitasvashistha/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal X/Twitter: https://x.com/sarahchenglobal

With 25 years across engineering, operating, and venture capital, Itamar Novick knows what it takes to build billion-dollar companies—because he’s done it. From betting his life savings on Life360 (now $4.5B public) to helping 60+ startups raise Series A, Itamar shares the unfiltered playbook on solo capital, Pre-Seed power moves, and why he’s staying small in a mega-fund world. Tune in for tactical insights on fundraising, AI investing, and VC truths founders should know! TIMESTAMPS / KEY TAKEAWAYS 0:00 - Intro 02:10 - From Sandhill Road to solo GP: Itamar’s founder-focused philosophy 06:14 - Itamar’s bet on Life360: investing life savings and the $4.5B IPO journey 10:00 - Pivoting framework: ‘Time is money and money is time’ 13:42 - The birth of Recursive Ventures 15:14 - Rise of solo GPs: How Tech, AI, & LPs making it more feasible 18:02 - AI’s role in venture — replacing VCs? 21:18 - Pre-Seed investing strategy: Staying small, focused, and lean. 24:44 - Trend of Mega Funds as financial services firms 27:35 - Returning capital before IPOs: Liquidity and Secondaries 33:54 - AI investing deep dive: Infra vs. application layer; importance of Moat 40:14 - Founders’ pitfalls: dilution, anti-patterns, and mispriced valuations 44:03 - Billion Dollar Questions About Itamar Novick Itamar is a solo capitalist and the founder of Recursive Ventures, a pre-seed fund focused on fintech, AI and emerging tech startups. Itamar has been on all sides of the startup table: as a founder and executive, an institutional VC, and an angel investor. He has supported over 50 successful startups, including Deel, Honeybook, Placer, Credible (IPO), MileIQ (acquired by Microsoft), Automatic Labs (acquired by SiriusXM), Tile (acquired by Life360), SafeGraph, and Armory. He’s been recognized by Business Insider as a Top 100 global seed investor. As an operator, he helped take Life360 from Seed to IPO, scaling the business to over $250m in revenue. Before that, Itamar was a founding team member and head of Product at Gigya (acquired by SAP). He holds an MBA from Berkeley Haas and an undergraduate degree in computer science from the Tel-Aviv Jaffa College. FOLLOW ITAMAR: https://www.itamarnovick.com https://x.com/Itamar_Novick https://www.linkedin.com/in/itamarnovick/ About Recursive Ventures Recursive Ventures is a San Francisco based VC fund investing in US Pre-seed and Seed Tech Startups disrupting industries through use of Data and Artificial Intelligence. Recursive is managed by Itamar Novick with support from a seasoned group of Founders, Operators, and go-to-market experts. - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal X/Twitter: https://x.com/sarahchenglobal

Summer’s almost here—and with it, a moment to reflect on what it really takes to spark lasting, meaningful change. In a world where progress often feels slow and the stakes impossibly high, Dr. Rajiv Shah has spent his career proving that bold, system-shifting bets can work. From leading global vaccine efforts at the Gates Foundation, to reshaping food security policy at USAID, to now powering innovation at The Rockefeller Foundation—Raj’s story is one of grit, vision, and conviction. This conversation is a masterclass on making big bets: how to build unlikely alliances, act with urgency, and stay grounded in optimism—even when the odds feel stacked. If you’re a leader wondering “Where do we go from here?”—this one’s for you. Let’s dive in. Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 01:32 - Key Takeaway #1: The 3 key elements of big bets: 04:38 - Key Takeaway #2: It is realistic to be optimistic about grand-scale changes. 09:22 - Key Takeaway #3: Keep taking the risks, keep reinventing. 12:05 - Key Takeaway #4: Crossing boundaries IS part of the process 15:08 - A powerful reminder: every billion-dollar move starts with conviction, clarity, and courage. About Dr Rajiv Shah Dr. Rajiv J. "Raj" Shah was born to Indian immigrant parents who settled in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the late 1960s. He joined the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2001, serving in a range of leadership roles including Director of Agricultural Development, Director of Strategic Opportunities, Deputy Director of Policy and Finance and Chief Economist. During his time in Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, he was also responsible for developing the International Finance Facility for Immunization, which raised more than $5 billion for the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI). Throughout Obama administration, Raj was nominated to serve United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). As Administrator of USAID, he restructured $2.9 billion of global health investments to focus on cost-effective ways to save lives of children under the age of five in priority countries. On January 5, 2017, Raj Shah was sworn to serve as the 13th president of the Rockefeller Foundation, continuing the mission of the foundation to improve the lives of humanity around the world. In 2023, he authored the book "Big Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Occurs,”, offers insights into some of his experiences in philanthropic and public service work, as well as the lessons he has learned throughout his career on how to drive transformational change through a big-goal mindset. FOLLOW DR. RAJ Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter Rockefeller Foundation - Big Bets https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/bigbets - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal X/Twitter: https://x.com/sarahchenglobal

Her great-grandfather helped birth the VC industry. Her father, Tim Draper, made game-changing bets on Tesla, Hotmail, and Skype. But Jesse Draper? She’s carved her own path—first as a Nickelodeon actress, then as the creator of The Valley Girl Show, and now as the founding partner of Halogen Ventures. With over 75 female-founded companies under her belt, Jesse is proving that investing in women isn't charity—it's just good business. From battling biases in the boardroom to rewriting what venture capital looks like through the lens of the modern family, this episode is Jesse Draper like you've never heard her before. Let’s dive in! Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 01:52 - Jesse Draper’s early aspirations; family legacy & "Nepo Baby" pushback 05:21 - Starting a Tech talk show — The Valley Girl Show from her parents’ garage 10:16 - Pivoting to venture; early angel investments led to major returns: Laurel & Wolf with 26X return 13:17 - From Valley Girl persona to founding Halogen Ventures 21:28 - Thesis and conviction: Fund 1 raised $10.4M 27:27 - Childcare economy; Halogen doubling down on future of family 34:43 - Challenges with fundraising & biases; advice to women navigating wealth and power 47:50 - Billion Dollar Questions About Jesse Jesse Draper is a mother of 3 boys and founding partner of Halogen Ventures. Halogen Ventures is a Los Angeles based Venture Capital firm focused on early stage investing in consumer technology and strategic B2B software companies with a female in the founding team. Draper, the first solo female GP in Los Angeles, is also a 4th generation venture capitalist, the creator and host of Emmy nominated television series, The Valley Girl Show, and host of the MOMumental Podcast. She is a fierce advocate for investing in women and the opportunity for using technology and innovation to solve some of the biggest issues facing women and families today. Among her 70+ portfolio companies, are theSkimm, Babylist, ThirdLove, HopSkipDrive, The Flex Company, Squad (acquired by Twitter), Eloquii (sold to Walmart) and This is L (sold to P&G). Selected as one of the top 10 early stage female investors by Business Insider, Draper was also listed by Marie Claire magazine as one of the ‘50 Most Connected Women in America’, nominated by the NRF as a DealMakeHers, Variety’s Holly’s New Leaders, and Refinery29 30 Rising Stars.” Draper has been a contributor to Marie Claire, Forbes, and is a regular investor and tech personality showcased on Cheddar, CNBC, CNN. Following Jesse’s viral Medium piece, Investing in Women Isn’t a F*cking Charity, she’s become a leading voice of women in technology. Draper is also a Kauffman Fellow. FOLLOW JESSE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessedraper/ https://www.instagram.com/jessecdraper/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal X/Twitter: https://x.com/sarahchenglobal

In this AANHPI Heritage Month special, we go beyond the headlines to uncover the real strategies behind extraordinary leaders who happen to be Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander. From billion-dollar founders to high-conviction investors, this episode dives into the mindset, grit, and quiet strength that drive lasting impact—not just success. You'll hear unfiltered insights from Melanie Perkins, Canva; Steve Chen, YouTube; Cathy Gao, Sapphire Venture; Kimberly Yao, CloudEats; Lisa Su, AMD; Momei Qu, PSP Partner; and James Rhee, the red helicopter; as they redefine what it means to lead in today’s world. This isn’t just about representation—it’s about outperformance. TIMESTAMPS / KEY TAKEAWAYS 0:00 - Intro 0:52 - Key Takeaway #1: Entrepreneurial Grit and Innovation 09:06 - Key Takeaway #2: Leadership Lessons 15:37 - Key Takeaway #3: The Quiet Power of Humility 20:28 - Final takeaway: Treat grit as an input. Identity as insight. And never underestimate the quiet builders. WATCH THE FULL EPISODES: Journey after YouTube w/ Steve Chen, Draco Evolution https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/journey-after-youtube-steve-chen-draco/ Enterprise is Eating The World with Cathy Gao, Sapphire Ventures https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/enterprise-is-eating-the-world-cathy-gao-sapphire-ventures/ Bite: Evolving as a CEO That Your Company Needs with Kim Yao, CloudEats https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/bite-evolving-CEO-scaling-company-kim-yao-cloudeats/ Investing with Penny Pritzker and Building a Robust Venture & Growth Practice with Momei Qu, MD, PSP Partners https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/building-robust-venture-growth-practice-with-momei-qu-md-psp/ CEO Series: Lisa Su, AMD https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/ceo-series-lisa-su-amd/ CEO Series: Melanie Perkins, Canva https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/ceo-series-melanie-perkins-canva/ Leading with Kindness: The Power of Goodwill with James Rhee, Owner, Red Helicopter, TEDTalk Speaker https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/leading-with-kindness-the-power-of-goodwill-james-rhee-red-helicopter/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal X/Twitter: https://x.com/sarahchenglobal

Laurel Mintz is not your typical VC. At just 26, she stepped in to run her father’s Bassett Furniture business — managing 60 employees and learning leadership the hard way. From there, she launched ⁠Elevate My Brand⁠, a marketing powerhouse behind hundreds of consumer brands — many of which went on to raise capital. Today, she’s rewriting the VC playbook with ⁠Fabric VC⁠, a seed-stage fund turning marketing into a superpower for picking and growing winners. In this episode, Laurel opens up about her first LP check, flipping the script on fundraising, using proprietary diligence tools, and why investing in diverse founders isn’t charity — it’s a smart business model. If you’re a founder, funder, or future GP — this one’s a masterclass. TIMESTAMPS / KEY TAKEAWAYS 0:00 - Intro 02:12 - From lawyer to founder: interim CEO for Bassett Furniture; founded Elevate My Brand 05:19 - 16 years of marketing experience; first LP check into Halogen Ventures’ Jesse Draper 09:56 - Why Fabric VC? The data-backed diversity bet 13:00 - AI hype; secondary diligence layer using marketing listening software 17:27 - Sweat equity + marketing as a VC edge 21:32 - Fundraising lessons: the mindset shift and the rolling raise / rolling deploy strategy 23:31 - Empowering new female LPs & destigmatizing money talk 27:58 - Laurel’s exit strategy philosophy & her bets for the future 31:58 - Billion Dollar Questions ABOUT LAUREL As founder of Elevate My Brand, Laurel has spent 16 years turning bold ideas into measurable growth for over 400 powerhouse brands like Verizon, Paw Patrol, Zendesk, Geico and Squishmallows. Their marketing strategies don’t just look good—they drive visibility, profitability, and real results. In parallel, as General Partner at Fabric VC, Laurel invests in the next wave of consumer-tech, health, and fintech founders. With a marketer’s lens and a strategist’s mindset, she helps visionary startups scale smart and stay seen. Across both roles, her mission is simply described as fuel innovation and impact, elevate bold ideas, and build what’s next. FOLLOW LAUREL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurel-mintz - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://x.com/sarahchenglobal

Our guest today is none other than Jeff Maggioncalda, a visionary leader whose journey spans not just one but two groundbreaking fields. For 18 years, Jeff worked side by side with Nobel Prize winner and economist Bill Sharpe, as the founding CEO of Financial Engines, one of the earliest pioneers in the world of robo-advisors and algorithm-driven investment strategies that became the largest independent online retirement advice platform with more than $100 billion under management. sold for you know, a casual $3 billion. Fast forward to today, Jeff is at the helm of another HIGH IMPACT endeavor. As the former CEO of Coursera, he had led the charge to redefine education for the digital age; since joining in June 2017 and had helped the company grow to over 120 million learners and 7,000+ institutions, served by high-quality learning content from 300+ of the world’s top universities and industry educators. From what a good CEO is and how a game of Monopoly really started Jeff on this journey, our power-packed conversation is a CEO masterclass you need to buckle up for. Timestamps / Key Takeaways 00:00 - Intro 01:55 - From a game of Monopoly to Monte Carlo simulations 09:26 - Pivoting is important, but knowing when is difficult 12:55 - Jeff's take on AI: another form of technology, impact, and social concerns 16:18 - Using GPT to predict business strategies 19:10 - Coursera; Digital platform business models in online learning: why massive online open courses (MOOCs)? 29:20 - Being a growth company CEO: challenges & lessons. 32:40 - Technology, globalization, and AI drive future change. 38:10 - Billion Dollar Questions What is Coursera? Coursera Inc. is a publicly listed U.S.-based massive open online course provider founded in 2012 by Stanford University computer science professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller. Coursera works with universities and other organizations to offer online courses, certifications, and degrees in a variety of subjects. About Jeff Maggioncalda Jeff Maggioncalda is an American business executive and was the chief executive officer of Coursera until January 29th, 2025. FOLLOW JEFF: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmagg/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondol... FOLLOW SARAH: Instagram @sarahchenglobal LinkedIn @sarahchenglobal https://x.com/sarahchenglobal

This week, we sat down with father-daughter duo Evan and Ariel Segal of Segal Ventures, pulled back the curtain on how modern family offices can drive real impact. From investing in 94% women-led funds to creatively deploying donor-advised funds, the Segals share how they're rewriting the playbook on values-aligned investing. Tune in as they discuss building an ecosystem of trust, navigating today’s venture landscape, and why being additive—not extractive—is the future of capital! Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 02:18 - Evan Segal's journey: from Pittsburgh roots, CEO at 27, CFO at USDA, to impact investing and philanthropy 05:10 - Ariel Segal's path inspired by her father’s entrepreneurial journey 05:35 - Inside Segal Ventures’ over 50 venture funds (94% women-led), 180+ direct investments, spanning 800 startups 08:15 - Segal Ventures’ strategic check-writing; additive relationships over passive capital 09:14 - Weathering the political changes; “for us, making an impact is the key driver; that legacy becomes so much greater than just simply an investment” 14:51 - Portfolio growth from family offices view: balancing profit and purpose 22:38 - Post-2021 downturn: challenges in fundraising; importance of storytelling during fundraises; founder strategies to reallocate resources 29:27 - Creative use of capital, Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), and marketing 34:11 - Setbacks and barriers in venture to achieve purposeful investing; ‘smashing the patriarchy’ 41:46 - Final takeaways; Segal Ventures as a model for next-gen family offices: blending profit with purpose About Segal Ventures Segal Ventures is an early stage investment firm focused on women-led venture capital funds and companies. They provide capital in three ways: Intellectual: Strategic and tactical guidance to address business challenges with innovative approaches Social: Warm introductions to potential customers, vendors, investors & partners to expand your network Financial: Investment capital, plus advice for current or future rounds of funding About Evan Segal Evan J. Segal is a business leader, philanthropist, angel investor, social entrepreneur, author and adjunct professor. He was the President/ Owner of Dormont Manufacturing Company, the inventor and world's largest manufacturer of flexible stainless steel gas appliance connector. After a successful exit, Mr. Segal served as the Chief Financial Officer at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Nominated by President Obama and confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate, Mr. Segal also served on The White House Innovation and Information Policy Task Force and was the Co-Chair of the Federal CFO Council. In addition to leading The Segal Family Foundation, Evan serves as Founder & General Partner of Segal Ventures, Co-Founder of The 412 Venture Fund, Founder of Kiva Pittsburgh and Venture For America Pittsburgh. FOLLOW EVAN | LinkedIn About Ariel Segal Eck As Managing Director of Segal Ventures, Ariel advises fund managers and founders on strategies to fuel growth, providing valuable resources and cultivating community. With 15+ years of experience as an operator at tech startups, Ariel most recently led marketing at Foursquare, where she developed deep expertise across content, events, customer insights, social media, email, paid advertising and more. FOLLOW ARIEL | LinkedIn - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal X/Twitter: https://x.com/sarahchenglobal

In this episode, we dive into France's bold €54 billion climate investment plan with Raphaele Leyendecker, Managing Director of Techstars Sustainability Paris. As France positions itself as a leader in sustainable innovation, this massive initiative spans sectors from green energy to clean transportation. Raphaele unpacks how Techstars Sustainability Paris fits into this movement, the evolving role of European startups in climate tech, and the tangible ways global founders can engage with France’s green transition. With practical insights on market access, regulatory alignment, and ecosystem support, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone building for the climate era! Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 01:40 - Raphaele’s background & motivation to align career with meaningful sustainability work 04:24 - Techstars Sustainability Paris: The launch & vision 07:08 - European funding landscape: France’s €54B climate investment plan; BPI France 08:42 - Software VS Hardware Clean Tech companies in Europe; Deep Tech & Hardware in Climate Innovation 10:48 - European Climate Tech landscape & regulatory advantage; Techstars' role in facilitating soft landing and long-term expansion support 14:34 - Growing trends in Climate and Sustainability and the challenges in European market 19:00 - Profit & purpose alignment; 21:41 - The thrive of female founders in Clean Tech; how Techstars Paris is designing program around founder needs in deep tech 24:51 - 3 Key takeaways from Raphaele & Billion Dollar Questions About Raphaele Raphaele Leyendecker is the Managing Director of Techstars Sustainability Paris. Raphaele is a sustainability and digital entrepreneur, startup board member and early stage investor in over 40 startups. She is also versed in strategic innovation and venture building, working with 55+ corporations such as Engie, Suez, Schneider Electric, L’Oreal or Nespresso over the years. FOLLOW RAPHAELE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaeleleyendecker/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal X/Twitter: https://x.com/sarahchenglobal

In this insightful episode, we sit down with industry leaders dive deep into the challenges and opportunities for women in the venture capital realm. From the evolving investment landscape in Europe, strategies for securing funding, and the power of diverse leadership in driving billion-dollar growth — we’ve covered it all. With firsthand accounts from these funders and founders who are driving the future, get ready for actionable insights on how to navigate the startup ecosystem, overcome biases, and how to create a more inclusive future for innovation and capital. Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 03:56 - Fleur Pellerin: former French minister turned investor; current state of women in venture capital and French ecosystem 07:29 - Tatiana Jama: from an exited founder to SISTAFUND; data-driven insights on funding disparities and progress made 12:53 - Stephanie Nenta: founder driving the future with AI; challenges faced by women founders and structural biases in investment decisions 16:19 - Liz Matthews: corporate supporting diversity initiatives; why diversity in leadership is a winning strategy 18:42 - Difficulties faced while diversifying portfolio; Le French Tech and incentives as solutions 22:38 - The role of institutional investors & policymakers in solving the gender gap in funding 26:22 - Overcoming biases: strategies for fundraising & growth 29:58 - Leveraging AI and tech to drive long-term impact 31:45 - Audience Q&A 46:47 - Final takeaways and calls to action for funders and founders Panelists: Fleur Pellerin Former Minister of Culture of France Founder & Managing Partner, Korelya Capital Stephanie Nenta Mbianda Directrice Générale & Co-Founder, Xtramile Liz Matthews Senior Vice President, Brand and Advertising, Dell Technologies Tatiana Jama Founder & Managing Partner, SISTAFUND Moderator: Sarah Chen-Spellings Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Beyond The Billion Read Full Recap: https://beyondthebillion.com/the-billion-dollar-brew-paris-edition/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal X/Twitter: https://x.com/sarahchenglobal

Susan Wojcicki didn’t just lead YouTube—she shaped the digital age. From being Google’s 16th employee to orchestrating YouTube’s $1.65 billion acquisition, her vision transformed the platform into a global powerhouse. In this episode of Billion Dollar Moves CEO Series, we honor Susan’s legacy—from her groundbreaking leadership in tech to her unwavering commitment to innovation. As we reflect on her impact, her story remains a masterclass in bold decision-making, resilience, and the power of long-term vision. Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 03:35 - Key Takeaways #1: Spotting Unconventional Opportunities 06:49 - Key Takeaways #2: Navigating Controversy with Strategy and Empathy 09:51 - Key Takeaways #3: Empowering Others to Succeed 12:20 - Key Takeaways #4: Balancing Personal Challenges with Professional Resilience 14:41 - Key Takeaways #5: Betting on Long-Term Growth and Building Stakeholder Buy-In 18:18 - Mental Models to Think, Lead, Invest and Build Like Susan Wojcicki About Susan Wojcicki Susan Diane Wojcicki was an American business executive who was the chief executive officer of YouTube from 2014 to 2023. Her net worth was estimated at $765 million in 2022. Wojcicki worked in the technology industry for over twenty years. LEARN MORE ABOUT SUSAN: https://www.youtube.com/susanwojcicki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Wojcicki Sources: A conversation with YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki Susan Wojcicki on: How to Avoid Burnout In A Leadership Role & Learning To Celebrate the Small Wins YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki on Recode Decode Davos Annual Meeting 2022 - A Conversation with Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

India’s startup ecosystem is at a tipping point. With unicorn valuations correcting and global VCs recalibrating their bets, what does the future hold? In this episode of Billion Dollar Moves, we sit down with Shuvi Shrivastava, Partner at Lightspeed, one of the world’s most influential venture firms, to unpack India’s rise, venture capital shifts, and the billion-dollar opportunities ahead. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or just someone tracking the next big global tech shift—this episode is packed with insights, bold plays, and lessons from the frontlines of India's venture boom. Timestamps/Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 02:00 - How Shuvi landed at Lightspeed; The evolution of india’s startup ecosystem 04:47 - Privatisation in India and the cultural shifts 07:17 - India’s unicorn boom and global market corrections 11:47 - Lightspeed’s India strategy & forth fund at $500M 16:19 - The rise of India in the global supply chain; the blooming advance engineering industries 17:44 - India’s robust IPO pipeline and exit landscape 19:42 - The surprising slow AI adoption in India; what makes a venture-backable company in India 24:18 - Billion Dollar Questions About Shuvi At Lightspeed India Partners, Shuvi Shrivastava invests in early-stage consumer and fin-tech startups in India and Southeast Asia. In a previous role she sourced DarwinBox at its Series A and also sourced ed-tech startup Byju's which was recently valued at $8 billion. She has also worked as a consultant with Bain & Co., led business development and operations at an early-stage computer vision startup, Drishti Tech, in Silicon Valley (raised close to $15 million from Andreessen Horowitz and Emergence Cap), and ran her own startup Uttr Labs. FOLLOW SHUVI: https://x.com/shuvi https://www.linkedin.com/in/shuvi-shrivastava/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

In this episode, we take you inside Europe’s private equity pilgrimage at SuperReturn in Berlin, where the biggest names in venture capital and private equity gather to shape the future of investing. Featuring Joel Sandhu, co-founder of Top-Tier Access, a platform that connects family offices with the world’s top private equity and venture capital managers. With years of experience navigating the complexities of private markets, Joel shares his candid insights on the industry’s evolution, the changing role of family offices, and what separates the best investors from the rest. We dive into the latest trends in private capital—from market shifts and liquidity challenges to the rise of secondaries and why profitability is now king. Whether you’re an investor, founder, or just curious about how private capital really works, this episode is packed with unfiltered insights you won’t want to miss. Let’s dive in! Timestamps/Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 02:00 - The Private Equity pilgrimage in Berlin; networking and market trends 06:55 - From ’20-’21 deal activity to a historical norm; performance across asset classes 09:40 - Who is Joel Sandhu? The story behind co-founding Top Tier Access 13:34 - The evolution of Venture Capital & Family Offices; how Family Offices think about risk, returns, and impact 17:57 - Takes on impact and purposeful investment; investing in Private Equity vs. Venture Capital; growth vs. buyout funds 23:20 Building a winning investment portfolio 28:21 - Selecting emerging managers and the impact of diversity 30:38 - What makes a good GP? 34:16 - The rise of secondaries: LP-led vs. GP-led 40:49 - The landscape and opportunities of Mid-Market; AI’s impact on Private Equity 41:47 - Billion Dollar Questions - About Joel Sandhu Joel is the founder and Managing Partner of TTA, a Brussels based fund of funds in Private Equity. TTA brings institutional grade PE to the family office and HNWI segment. FOLLOW JOEL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelsandhu/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

In today’s world, the conversation around meritocracy and diversity remains more critical than ever. Last November at The Billion Dollar Brew (London Edition), hosted at RUSI, we tackled these pressing issues head-on with female founders and funders who are driving the future of innovation. Brought to you by Beyond The Billion, Dell Technologies and Dell Women's Entrepreneur Network (DWEN), our panel explored the financial pathways fueling women-led innovation—from venture capital and debt to non-dilutive funding and the evolving LP landscape. We dove into how emerging fund managers can navigate today’s capital environment, the rising influence of family offices, and why investing in female founders in AI, FinTech, and deep tech isn’t just about equity—it’s about smart business. Timestamps/Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 02:32 - Ella Jade (ROOBBA): AI-driven furniture business & disruptive marketing 06:15 - Fatou Diagne (Bootstrap Europe): Venture debt as an alternative to equity financing 08:27 - Mohadeseh Abdullahi (Molten Ventures): Investing in 81 funds to support early-stage startups & the rise of women-led funds 12:33 - Wiem Gharbi (Ankar AI): Inefficiencies in AI and intellectual property & the solutions ahead 15:47 - Venture debt; “Women are more risk-averse” 20:44 - Ella Jade’s fundraising strategy 25:03 - LP’s view: Specialised funds, rise of female GPs, & 2025 outlook 28:16 - AI investment strategy; the pressure to transform into AI-driven startups 32:08 - Q&A: Academia and entrepreneurship 35:37 - Q&A: The Billion Dollar opportunity for female founders 39:08 - Q&A: Blockchain and funding 40:46 - Final takeaways Panelists Ella Jade CEO & Co-Founder, ROOBBA Mohadeseh Abdullahi Investor, Molten Ventures Fatou Diagne Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Bootstrap Europe Wiem Gharbi Co-Founder, Ankar AI Moderated by: Sarah Chen-Spellings Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Beyond The Billion Read full recap here: https://beyondthebillion.com/the-billion-dollar-brew-london-edition/ PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

As we celebrate Black Excellence this month, Serena Williams is the perfect feature for our Billion Dollar Moves CEO Series, where we unpack the strategic plays behind the world’s most iconic leaders. Serena Williams is more than a tennis legend—she’s a blueprint for reinvention, resilience, and generational impact. With 23 Grand Slam titles, four Olympic gold medals, and a net worth exceeding $340 million, Serena’s dominance on the court is undeniable. But here’s the real game-changer: only $95 million of that fortune came from tennis. The rest? Built through strategic investments, brand partnerships, and a deep commitment to empowering the next generation. From breaking barriers in a country-club sport to becoming a powerhouse in business and venture capital, Serena has mastered the art of winning—both in sport and in wealth creation. Let's dive in to her #BillionDollarMoves! Timestamps/Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 04:46 - Key Takeaway #1: Owning Who You Are, Your Trajectory & Staying The Course 10:08 - Key Takeaway #2: Unbreakable Resilience: Rising from Adversity 16:13 - Key Takeaway #3: The Business of Serena: From Court to Commerce— You Are Your Biggest Product 20:26 - Key Takeaway #4: Investing with Purpose 26:49 - Key Takeaway #5: Reclaiming Joy, Redefining Power at your own pace 29:10 - Recap: Serena William’s Billion Dollar Moves ABOUT SERENA WILLIAMS Serena Williams is widely regarded as the greatest women’s tennis player of all time, with 23 Grand Slam titles and an unmatched legacy in the sport. Beyond tennis, Serena has built an empire that extends into business, fashion, and philanthropy. She founded Serena Ventures, investing in women- and minority-led businesses, and has used her platform to advocate for gender equity in sports and maternal healthcare awareness. Her impact led to changes in WTA ranking policies for mothers returning to the sport, and her personal journey—from overcoming injuries to becoming a mother and business leader—continues to inspire generations. FOLLOW SERENA: https://www.instagram.com/serenawilliams/ https://x.com/serenawilliams https://www.youtube.com/@SerenaWilliams Resource: The BoF Podcast | Serena Williams: ‘Pressure Is a Privilege’ The Story Behind Serena Williams | the Score Serena Williams’ opening monologue for The 2024 ESPYS What Serena Williams Gave the World | TIME Serena Ventures Raises $111 Million to Invest in Diversity | Amanpour and Company Life after tennis: Serena Williams on business ventures, family and her farm Serena (2016) | Full Documentary | Universal Documentaries Game, Set, Legacy: Serena Williams on Her Impact in Sports and Beyond #SerenaSaturday with Bryan Stevenson of Equal Justice Initiative How Serena Williams Wants to Conquer Wall Street | The Deal Game, Set, Legacy: Serena Williams on Her Impact in Sports and Beyond - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

India is on the move. Now the world’s fifth-largest economy, it’s on track to hit $5 trillion in GDP by 2027, fueled by over 900 million people under the age of 35. And yet, despite delivering outsized returns and capital efficiency, women-led startups still receive less than 10% of total venture funding. That’s why Beyond The Billion launched in India last year—to catalyze capital at scale for women-founded companies and reshape the future of wealth creation. As the founder & CEO of Anthill Ventures, Prasad has built a global portfolio of 75 companies spanning India, the U.S., Europe, Israel, and Southeast Asia. With two unicorns, an IPO, and an impressive 10.8x multiple over seven years, Anthill is redefining speed scaling across media, healthtech, and urbantech. Now, as Beyond The Billion’s newest consortium member, Prasad and Anthill are doubling down on fueling the next wave of game-changing startups. In this episode, we unpack his journey—from his unique approach in blending corporate scalability with startup agility to the success of his portfolio with over 40% being female founders/co-founders. Let’s dive in! Timestamps/Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 02:26 - “To scale with speed, you don’t need capital” 05:00 - Prasad’s unique lens as a founder and investor; Anthill’s framework to drive success in early stage companies 09:16 - Platform strategy: from corporate to VC 11:41 - Anthill’s portfolio with female representation at 45% 14:15 - The rise of Family offices in India 16:55 - The investment landscape in India; the powerful young generation 19:11 - Anthill’s playbook to achieve 10.8X multiples; the exit opportunities in India 22:22 - Billion Dollar Question About Prasad Prasad Vanga is the founder & CEO of Anthill Ventures, a speed scaling platform for early growth stage startups in Urban Lifestyle. Anthill has built a global portfolio of 75 companies across India, US, Europe, Israel and SE Asia. With 2 unicorns, 1 Spac and 1 IPO, Anthill is at a 11.6X multiple over 7 years. In his current role Prasad leads global strategy, fund management and venture building at Anthill Prasad has over 20 years of experience in helping senior executives from large organizations like Nike, Nestle, Novartis and Google to drive business transformations. His expertise is to help senior leaders discover the core competence of their organisations and design a change management framework that allows them to leverage their culture to drive large transformations. FOLLOW PRASAD: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prasadvanga/ About Anthill Anthill is a Speed Scaling Ecosystem that invests in, and scales, early-stage companies in Media, Urban Tech and Health Tech. Our DNA lies in our ability to make targeted and timely interventions to scale startups and transport them to stronger growth trajectories. Driven by a strong team across USA, Singapore, and India as well as Venture Partners and Mentors across the globe, Anthill has partnered with some of the most innovative Corporations and Governments in Asia to give startups valuable connections and resources needed to achieve rapid growth. MORE INFO: https://anthillventures.com - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

From shaping France’s digital transformation as a government minister to leading a €750 million investment fund, Fleur Pellerin is a force to be reckoned with. In this episode, recorded in the heart of Paris, we sit down with Fleur, the founder of Korelya Capital, to explore her extraordinary journey—from her early days as an adopted child from Korea to breaking barriers in politics, tech, and venture capital. Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 01:56 - Billion Dollar Questions 03:44 - From an adopted child in Korea to a former minister of France; the influence of Fleur’s mother 07:30 - The journey from business school to politics; her impact on digital, cultural, and communications policies in France 10:22 - Three key factors behind La French Tech: Station F, policy initiatives, and ecosystem building 12:23 - The state of the French startup ecosystem today; Bpifrance and the government's role in the investment industry 15:11 - Fleur’s decision to transition into investing; building Korelya Capital 17:59 - Growing global interest in Europe, particularly from Asia 19:50 - Investment strategy: from tech to consumer brands, and backing Bolt 24:24 - The challenge of limited exits in European and Asian markets 26:48 - The role of family offices in the French investment landscape 28:38 - Emerging trends, strategies, and structures shaping the industry 30:21 - Lessons learned from mistakes and partnerships 33:56 - A message for funders and capital allocators on funding women; incentives for driving positive change 36:41 - One key takeaway for funders and founders worldwide About Fleur Fleur Pellerin is a French businesswoman, former civil servant and Socialist Party politician who served as a French government minister from 2012 to 2016 CEO & Founder of Korelya Capital, European VC Fund. French Junior Minister for SMEs, Innovation and the Digital Economy FOLLOW FLEUR: https://www.instagram.com/fleurpellerin/?hl=en https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleur_Pellerin https://www.linkedin.com/in/fleurpellerin/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

From a small Croatian village to building billion-dollar businesses, Robert Herjavec knows what it takes to turn risk into reward. In this special episode, recorded at Biban 2024 and brought to you by Monsha’at, we dive into Robert’s journey—bootstrapping his first company from his basement, making strategic exits to giants like AT&T and Nokia, and mastering the art of wealth creation. Whether you're aiming for your first million or your next billion, Robert’s insights on resilience, risk, and reinvention will leave you inspired to make your own Billion Dollar Moves. Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 01:46 - First impressions of Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurial spirit; perspective on wealth 02:55 - Critical strategies for Saudi Arabia entrepreneurs to succeed in Western markets 04:11 - Building a $1 million versus $100 million business 05:41 - The influence of Robert’s immigrant background on his leadership 06:24 - How to choose an idea to double down on 08:07 - Unexpected lessons learned from 21 years of Shark Tank 12:32 - Investment made through Shark Tank; are those good deals? 14:02 - The opportunity for women-led innovation in Saudi Arabia About Robert Herjavec Robert Herjavec is a Croatian-Canadian businessman, investor, and television personality. Herjavec founded BRAK Systems, a Canadian integrator of Internet security software, and sold it to AT&T Canada in 2000 for $30.2 million. FOLLOW ROBERT: Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

As we step into 2025, let’s pause to reflect on the lessons that shaped us in 2024. This week on Billion Dollar Moves, we’re bringing you a curated collection of the most impactful insights from our incredible guests over the past year. From overcoming rejection and pioneering in business to purposeful investing, bold leadership, and breaking stereotypes, this episode is packed with strategies and stories that defined a year of transformation. Get ready to relive these moments and glean inspiration to make your own #BillionDollarMoves in 2025! Timestamps/Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 0:40 - Key Takeaway 1: Resilience Through Rejection and Growth – Failure is but part of the process 01:11 - Melanie Perkins: From over 100 VC rejections to building Canva into a $26B startup 02:07 - Iman Abuzeid: Rejection is the norm; tips for selective fundraising 04:09 - Key Takeaway 2: Pioneering in Business 04:43 - Julie Wainwright: Just because something hasn’t been done doesn’t mean it can’t 06:24 - Anjali Sud: Pivoting Vimeo into a SaaS platform and navigating public listing 09:15 - Steve Chen: The ‘One-Way Ticket’: “If I have an idea, I'm just going to regret it if I don't take this opportunity now to actually try it out.” 11:01 - Key Takeaway 3: Purposeful Investing 11:40 - Jack Selby: Impact of capital and investing in art, film, and women in tech 13:27 - Beyond ChatGPT: Balancing advancement with ethics in AI investments. 17:10 - Key Takeaway 4: Leadership and Strategic Vision 17:33 - Glenda McNeal: Building partnerships and consumer focus as a growth leader 19:20 - Key Takeaway 5: Breaking Stereotypes 19:40 - Shama Amalean Skinner: Redefining women’s health and addressing stigma through advocacy 22:06 - Closing Remarks Best of 2024 Full Episodes: CEO Series: Melanie Perkins https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/ceo-series-melanie-perkins-canva/ [BITE] Iman Abuzeid: Rise of A Rare Unicorn https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/resilience-black-female-unicorn-iman-abuzeid-incredible-health/ Anjali Sud: From Vimeo to Tubi https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/vimeo-tubi-anjali-sud-leveraging-disruption/ CEO Series: Julie Wainwright https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/ceo-series-julie-wainwright-the-realreal/ Steve Chen: Journey After YouTube https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/journey-after-youtube-steve-chen-draco/ Jack Selby: Purposeful Investing in AI https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/purposeful-investing-in-ai-jack-selby-thiel-capital/ Beyond ChatGPT: AI Insights and Impact w/ OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Trill Impact https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/beyond-chatgpt-openai-google-deepmind-trill-impact/ Glenda McNeal: The Power of Influence and The Art of Partnerships https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/power-of-influence-art-of-partnerships-glenda-mcneal-american-express/ Shama Amalean Skinner: Why ‘Taboo’ Brands Win https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/breaking-barriers-taboo-brands-shama-amalean-skinner-former-coo-thinx/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

Happy 2025, movers and shakers! We're back for the 2025 season, and let me tell you—this is not just another episode. We’re kicking off the new year and the highly anticipated return of the Billion Dollar CEO Series! You asked for it, and we’re delivering—bigger and better than ever. To launch the series, we’re deconstructing #billiondollarmoves of none other than the unstoppable Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD. From spearheading game-changing innovations to orchestrating one of the greatest corporate turnarounds in tech history, Lisa’s story is one of resilience, vision, and leadership at its finest. So grab your coffee (or your GPU-powered supercomputer) and tune in, because this is an episode you do not want to miss. Let’s dive in! Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 01:24 - The Engine Behind Today’s Digital World 04:52 - Lisa Su’s MIT and the Early Career Years 07:16 - The AMD Turnaround 10:56 - Pioneering Supercomputing with El Capitan 13:24 - The Challenges Ahead: Chip Industry and AMD 16:26 - Lisa Su’s Leadership Philosophy and Style 18:29 - 5 Questions for Leaders Inspired by Lisa Su’s Journey About Lisa Dr. Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD, has spearheaded the company’s transformation into a global leader in high-performance and adaptive computing, driving advancements in computing and AI to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. Since joining AMD in 2012, she has held pivotal roles, including Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and later CEO, where she unified AMD’s operations, product strategy, and market execution into a cohesive, industry-leading organization. Lisa is TIME's CEO of the Year, one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI, received the 2024 Bower Award for Business Leadership, has been honored in multiple "most powerful women" lists for several years, and received the Distinguished Leadership Award from the Committee for Economic Development (CED). Learn more about Lisa: Wikipedia FOLLOW LISA ON X | FOLLOW LISA ON LINKEDIN Resources: Lisa Su, Chair and CEO, AMD | Behind the Tech with Microsoft's CTO Kevin Scott https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd65Ok379ZI AMD's CEO Wants to Chip Away at Nvidia's Lead | The Circuit with Emily Chang https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ve5SAFPYZ8 CEO of the Year Lisa Su Talks Competition and Collaboration in the Semiconductor Industry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIokM_4i1i0 How to Build a Thriving AI Ecosystem with Lisa Su, CEO of AMD https://a16z.com/how-to-build-ai-ecosystem-lisa-su-ceo-of-amd/ AMD CEO Lisa Su on the AI revolution | Decoder with Nilay Patel https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/amd-ceo-lisa-su-on-the-ai-revolution/id1011668648?i=1000629660416 Lisa Su CEO of AMD | In Good Company with Nicolai Tangen https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-good-company-with-nicolai-tangen/id1614211565?i=1000581623355 How Chip Giant AMD Finally Caught Intel | CNBC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gLm0Jo0cnk - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

This week, we're taking you back into the dynamic world of corporate venture capital with a must-listen conversation featuring Nick Washburn, Senior Managing Director at Intel Capital — one of the most prolific and impactful CVCs, with over $20 billion invested across the tech ecosystem. Why now? Gearing up for 2025 — after the rollercoaster of recent years, investor sentiment is shifting dramatically. Institutional giants like pension funds and family offices are reportedly increasing their VC allocations by as much as 33% in the next 12 months! If you missed out the original episode, or would like to revisit these key takeaways — this episode is for you. Whether you're a founder, an innovator, or a capital allocator, Nick's wisdom is packed with actionable takeaways, and life lessons really, that will leave you energized and ready to seize the opportunities 2025 has to offer. Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 01:15 - Key takeaway #1: "Chasing the Puck" 02:55 - Key Takeaway #2: "The Anti-Pattern Matcher" 05:11 - Key Takeaway #3: "Building Legendary Companies" 08:51 - Key Takeaway #4: "Patience and Discipline in Venture" 12:06 - Key Takeaway #5: "Focus on What You Can Control" 13:55 - Closing Remarks Full Episode: Inside Intel Capital: How a Multi-Billion Dollar Portfolio Sets the Standard for CVCs w/ Nick Washburn, Intel Capital About Nick Washburn Nick Washburn is a Senior Managing Director of Intel Capital located in Denver, CO. He joined Intel Capital in 2014. Nick is a voting member of Intel Capital’s investment committee and co-manages Intel Capital’s cloud investment domain. He focuses on early-stage investments in cloud-native infrastructure, developer tools, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and data platforms. Nick currently serves as a director or observer on the boards of Augtera Networks, Fly.io, Freshpaint, Moderne, OtterTune, and Tetrate. He also works closely on Intel Capital’s investments in Anyscale and Upbound. In addition, Nick currently serves as a director on the board of the National Venture Capital Association, and he is a member of the Kauffman Fellows, Class 25. He is a proud father to amazing twin boys, he loves playing ice hockey, and he is an avid lover of all things outdoors, including skiing, mountain biking and rock climbing. FOLLOW NICK: LinkedIn PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

This week, we sit down with Tingting Peng, the Chief Transformation Officer of Moove, the African-born fintech tackling financial inclusion through innovative mobility solutions. With over $500 million raised in equity and debt financing, and a customer base of 30,000 drivers across global markets, Moove is redefining vehicle ownership and creating pathways to economic empowerment. Tingting shares her incredible journey — from navigating the high-stakes world of hedge funds to embracing purpose-driven leadership at Moove. She opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped her career, including the global financial crisis and her mid-career pivot into social enterprise. We also dive into her role in scaling Moove’s operations to $150 million in annual recurring revenue, building strategic partnerships with giants like Uber, and driving innovation in emerging markets. Get ready for a masterclass on resilience, leadership, and the power of purpose in building a successful business! Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 02:36 - Billion Dollar Questions 04:52 - The pivots in Tingting’s career - from hedge fund manager to yoga teacher to today’s Moove 08:46 - The journey of becoming the first executive hired of a Nigerian-founded startup 11:10 - Leadership qualities to seek in founders; the co-founder dynamics 15:56 - Driving financial inclusion in mobility industry; obstacles faced and solutions provided in Nigeria 22:03 - Surprising learnings from gender analysis; managing volatility in different markets 27:03 - Pulling out from Egypt and Kenya: key learnings 31:40 - Strategic partnership with Uber and beyond 34:38 - Building a global business from early - partnership with OEM and making impact 40:23 - Hardest lessons learned; “always in fundraising mode” About Tingting Tingting is Chief Capital, Strategy, and Impact Officer at Moove, a mobility fintech focused on revenue-based financing for gig workers globally. She is also an angel investor and advisor to startups across healthtech, climate tech, HR tech and fintech. As a former investment banker, hedge fund analyst and private equity investor, Tingting has extensive experience across private markets asset classes and a passion for building and scaling impactful businesses at the intersection of tech, finance, and wellbeing. She is a graduate of MIT with an MBA from London Business School. Tingting is a member of the Milken Institute’s Young Leaders Circle and has been recognised by Fintech Magazine as a Top 100 Women in Fintech 2023 and by the Financial Technology Report as a Top 25 Women Leader in Financial Technology of 2022. - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the lessons learned, the challenges faced, and the habits that have shaped our journey. This week, we are revisiting an episode that dives deep into these themes with Suneel Gupta. Once labeled the "face of failure" in *The New York Times,* Suneel turned his setbacks into powerful lessons, going on to become the founding CEO of RISE, a wellness company named App of the Year by Apple. Now a bestselling author, renowned speaker, and Harvard Medical School visiting scholar, Suneel studies the habits of extraordinary individuals to help us all lift our performance and deepen our sense of purpose. In this replay, Suneel shares actionable insights on building resilience, finding purpose, and creating habits that sustain us—perfect reflections to carry into the new year. Tune in for an inspiring conversation to help you close out this year strong and step into the next with clarity and intention. TIMESTAMP 0:00 Intro 04:00 The face of failure on The New York Times 06:46 The alignment and arrival fallacy 08:15 Behind the success with Rise app 11:24 Deeper questions from the next generation: meaning or money? 15:30 Burnout among successful people 17:13 The role of resting and paradox of productivity 19:55 The need to perform and living up to expectations 21:43 Chisel back to dharma through questions 26:07 The struggle to monetise while living up to purpose 29:32 Expressions of dharma 34:18 Work and play as adults 37:29 Jealousy as an indicator of your dharma 40:28 Takes on racial hate and identity in US 43:01 Billion Dollar Questions About Suneel Gupta “Today I write, speak and teach about the changing world of work and what we do internally in order to succeed externally.” Once seen as the “face of failure” in the New York Times, Suneel Gupta understands that the road to success is not always smooth. Suneel learned from his mistakes and went on to become a founding CEO of RISE, a breakthrough wellness company named App of the Year by Apple. As an author and visiting scholar at Harvard Medical School, Suneel studies the most extraordinary people on the planet to discover and share simple, actionable habits to lift our performance and deepen our daily sense of purpose. His work has been featured by major outlets including CNBC, TED, and the New York Times. Now a bestselling author, renowned speaker, Harvard Medical School visiting scholar, and host of a global Documentary Series, Suneel studies, discovers and shares simple, actionable habits that lift our performance and deepen our state of well-being. FOLLOW SUNEEL: Website | https://www.suneelgupta.com/ LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneelkgupta/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/suneelgupta/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

This week we’re diving into the journey of Martin Karafilis, CEO of Fishburners, Australia's largest and longest-standing startup community. Since 2011, Fishburners has supported over 45,000 entrepreneurs and facilitated more than $2 billion in capital raised. In our conversation, Martin shares his insights on Australia's evolving venture landscape, the importance of community in startup success, and why global ambitions are essential for local founders. Tune in for stories about pitching at Fishburners’ iconic events, investing in women founders, and lessons learned from building a tech startup to exit! Timestamps / Key Takeaways 00:00 - Intro 02:06 - The journey of Fishburners and its impact on Australian startups 04:21 - Takes on women-led startups; Why investing in women founders is a smart business decision. 06:41 - Australia’s startup ecosystem: challenges, opportunities, and the rise of domestic capital flow 13:01 - Lessons from a founder-turned-investor; blooming tech scene in Australia startups 17:44 - Importance of community; success stories of Fishburners 21:29 - Martin’s journey as a founder: from funding to exits 30:20 - Billion Dollar Questions About Martin Karafilis Critically acclaimed speaker and author with a wealth of knowledge across technology, business, startups, entrepreneurship and investment. As featured in publications such as Forbes, TechCrunch, Business Insider, The Financial Review. Having founded multiple companies, scaled operations globally, and developed some of the worlds most innovative products, Martin is widely known as one of Australia's leading serial entrepreneurs and business advisors. Martin maintains a unique lens on end to end operations leveraging both his technical and non-technical backgrounds. A leader for innovation who has a proven track record in strategic & operational planning, sales growth & customer acquisition, capital raising & funding, product design & management, people & culture, marketing, branding & public relations. Striving to drive emerging technologies, Martin uses his experience from large global corporates and growing startups to introduce world leading technology on local, regional and global levels. Martin follows a strict range of core values when carrying out business with a strong focus on creating environmental and social impact, ultimately trying to shape the world for the better through technology and innovation. Martin has strong expertise in growing businesses and building exceptional teams with a deep understanding of how political, cultural, social, economic and technological impacts shape international markets. FOLLOW MARTIN https://www.instagram.com/martinkarafilis/ https://www.instagram.com/martinkarafilis/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

Today’s episode of #BillionDollarMoves is truly special—the first-ever brother-sister co-hosted episode on this how! Sarah and Brian sit down with Shruti Shibulal, the visionary CEO of Tamara Leisure Experiences. From her roots in the Infosys legacy to building a trailblazing hospitality brand, Shruti shares her insights on scaling a purpose-driven business, leading with impact, and redefining sustainability in the luxury travel sector. Tamara Leisure Experiences has reported a threefold increase in revenue and is aiming for a 50% growth in its property count within the next few years. This is a conversation about shaping the future of tourism with innovation and purpose - you won’t want to miss it! Timestamps/Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 2:01 - Action in Shruti’s kitchen: Food, tradition, and family values 11:44 - Serving the Ornam Sadhya; food and sustainability 14:17 - From India to US, Shruti’s first touch of entrepreneurship 17:36 - Influence of her parents - S.D. & Kumari Shibulal 20:27 - How Shruti build her own path as the second generation; “We need to be thoughtful in the way we’re building,” 21:56 - The 3Ps - people, planet, and profitability 25:22 - Why Tamara? Building upon concepts of Eco-Tourism 29:39 - Shruti’s leadership and the Shibula family’s philanthropic initiatives 32:07 - Key challenges in the hospitality industry 37:01 - What is success for Shruti Shibulal? Job creation as one tangible way for change 40:23 - Takes on global view of India’s food and culture 45:29 - Sambal Survey 48:15 - Billion Dollar Questions About Shruti Shruti Shibulal is CEO and Director of Tamara Leisure Experiences. She strives to make Tamara synonymous with responsible tourism by incorporating principles of sustainability into the development and operations of each of Tamara's properties and creating impactful employment within their respective communities. Tamara operates resorts and hotels in South India, and has interests in Germany as well. Shruti is a Trustee of the Advaith Foundation and SD Foundation, organizations involved in providing educational opportunities and healthcare assistance to underprivileged sections of society. She is also a Trustee of WEP - Women's Education Project, which focuses on educating and uplifting young women from vulnerable backgrounds. Shruti is on the Governing Board of ATREE - Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment. In 2019, Shruti launched SAATHIYA - a hospitality skilling program which enables young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to become employable within the restaurant and hotel industries. Focussing on industry-relevant skilling, building careers, and creating a community, SAATHIYA has already shown positive results in improving the lives and prospects of its graduates. — FOLLOW SHRUTI: https://www.instagram.com/shruti_shibulal/ https://tamaraleisureexperiences.com/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

From Breaking Into Y Combinator to Reshaping A $58Bn Furniture Resale Industry w/ Reham Fagiri, AptDeco In this episode, we’re joined by Reham Fagiri, co-founder and CEO of AptDeco, the trailblazing furniture resale platform that’s transforming a $58 billion industry. What started as Reham’s frustration with selling furniture on Craigslist has grown into a powerhouse business with over $100 million in sales, innovative logistics, and booming B2B growth. As the first Black female founder to break into Y Combinator, Reham has raised more than $70 million while building a platform that’s redefining how we buy and sell furniture. From her beginnings at Goldman Sachs to launching a game-changing startup, this conversation is packed with billion-dollar insights and inspiration. Don’t miss it! Timestamps/Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 01:50 - Billion Dollar Question 04:15 - From business school to Goldman Sachs to the conceptualize of AptDeco 08:57 - The Co-Founder relationship with Kalam Davis 13:53 - Deficiency in the now, $58Bn furniture resale industry; breaking through Y Combinator 18:48 - Growth hacking; the journey to hit the J-curve; AptDeco’s in-time delivery 26:39 - The explosive growth between 2014-2017; unsuccessful attempt to raise Series A 29:19 - Expanding through B2B partnerships; building warehouse return solutions for brands 35:54 - Key factors to raise $19M capital; being the first black female to break into Y Combinator 41:30 - What needs to change in venture ecosystem for minority founders? 44:20 - Final message to founders alike ABOUT REHAM Reham Fagiri is the co-founder and CEO of AptDeco, the leading furniture resale platform that makes buying and selling furniture easy, efficient, and sustainable. AptDeco, built the first of its kind suite of resale technology and logistics solutions tailored to the furniture industry. Prior to starting AptDeco Reham worked at Goldman Sachs in various engineering and management positions focusing on designing, building, and launching new software applications for the firm. Reham holds a BSc. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania. She has served on the Fast Company Impact Council and Rewriting the Code advisory board, which works to advance women in business and tech. FOLLOW REHAM https://www.linkedin.com/in/reham-fagiri-97683b1/ PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal