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

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 Takeaways00:00 - Intro01:55 - From a game of Monopoly to Monte Carlo simulations09:26 - Pivoting is important, but knowing when is difficult12:55 - Jeff's take on AI: another form of technology, impact, and social concerns16:18 - Using GPT to predict business strategies19:10 - 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 QuestionsWhat 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 MaggioncaldaJeff 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.comWatch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobalJoin 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 Takeaways0:00 - Intro02:18 - Evan Segal's journey: from Pittsburgh roots, CEO at 27, CFO at USDA, to impact investing and philanthropy05:10 - Ariel Segal's path inspired by her father’s entrepreneurial journey05:35 - Inside Segal Ventures’ over 50 venture funds (94% women-led), 180+ direct investments, spanning 800 startups08:15 - Segal Ventures’ strategic check-writing; additive relationships over passive capital09:14 - 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 purpose22:38 - Post-2021 downturn: challenges in fundraising; importance of storytelling during fundraises; founder strategies to reallocate resources29:27 - Creative use of capital, Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), and marketing34:11 - 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 purposeAbout Segal VenturesSegal 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 SegalEvan 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 | LinkedInAbout Ariel Segal EckAs 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.comWatch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobalJoin the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmovesFOLLOW SARAH:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobalInstagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobalX/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 Takeaways0:00 - Intro01:40 - Raphaele’s background & motivation to align career with meaningful sustainability work04:24 - Techstars Sustainability Paris: The launch & vision07:08 - European funding landscape: France’s €54B climate investment plan; BPI France08:42 - Software VS Hardware Clean Tech companies in Europe; Deep Tech & Hardware in Climate Innovation10:48 - European Climate Tech landscape & regulatory advantage; Techstars' role in facilitating soft landing and long-term expansion support14:34 - Growing trends in Climate and Sustainability and the challenges in European market19:00 - Profit & purpose alignment; 21:41 - The thrive of female founders in Clean Tech; how Techstars Paris is designing program around founder needs in deep tech24:51 - 3 Key takeaways from Raphaele & Billion Dollar QuestionsAbout RaphaeleRaphaele 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.comWatch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobalJoin the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmovesFOLLOW SARAH:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobalInstagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobalX/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 Takeaways0:00 - Intro03:56 - Fleur Pellerin: former French minister turned investor; current state of women in venture capital and French ecosystem07:29 - Tatiana Jama: from an exited founder to SISTAFUND; data-driven insights on funding disparities and progress made12:53 - Stephanie Nenta: founder driving the future with AI; challenges faced by women founders and structural biases in investment decisions16:19 - Liz Matthews: corporate supporting diversity initiatives; why diversity in leadership is a winning strategy18:42 - Difficulties faced while diversifying portfolio; Le French Tech and incentives as solutions22:38 - The role of institutional investors & policymakers in solving the gender gap in funding26:22 - Overcoming biases: strategies for fundraising & growth29:58 - Leveraging AI and tech to drive long-term impact31:45 - Audience Q&A46:47 - Final takeaways and calls to action for funders and foundersPanelists:Fleur Pellerin Former Minister of Culture of FranceFounder & Managing Partner, Korelya CapitalStephanie Nenta MbiandaDirectrice Générale & Co-Founder, XtramileLiz Matthews Senior Vice President, Brand and Advertising, Dell TechnologiesTatiana JamaFounder & Managing Partner, SISTAFUNDModerator:Sarah Chen-SpellingsCo-Founder & Managing Partner, Beyond The BillionRead Full Recap: https://beyondthebillion.com/the-billion-dollar-brew-paris-edition/-PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.comWatch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobalJoin the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmovesFOLLOW SARAH:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobalInstagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobalX/Twitter: https://x.com/sarahchenglobal

Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of YouTube and Google's 16th employee, shares her transformational journey in the tech world. She discusses the pivotal moments that led to YouTube's $1.65 billion acquisition and its evolution into a global platform. Wojcicki emphasizes the importance of spotting unconventional opportunities and navigating controversy with empathy. She also highlights the critical need for leadership in empowering others and balancing personal challenges with professional resilience, offering valuable insights on long-term growth strategies.

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 Takeaways0:00 - Intro02:00 - How Shuvi landed at Lightspeed; The evolution of india’s startup ecosystem04:47 - Privatisation in India and the cultural shifts07:17 - India’s unicorn boom and global market corrections11:47 - Lightspeed’s India strategy & forth fund at $500M16:19 - The rise of India in the global supply chain; the blooming advance engineering industries17:44 - India’s robust IPO pipeline and exit landscape19:42 - The surprising slow AI adoption in India; what makes a venture-backable company in India24:18 - Billion Dollar QuestionsAbout ShuviAt 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/shuvihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/shuvi-shrivastava/-PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.comWatch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobalJoin the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmovesFOLLOW SARAH:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobalInstagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobalTwitter: 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 Takeaways0:00 - Intro02:00 - The Private Equity pilgrimage in Berlin; networking and market trends06:55 - From ’20-’21 deal activity to a historical norm; performance across asset classes09:40 - Who is Joel Sandhu? The story behind co-founding Top Tier Access13:34 - The evolution of Venture Capital & Family Offices; how Family Offices think about risk, returns, and impact17:57 - Takes on impact and purposeful investment; investing in Private Equity vs. Venture Capital; growth vs. buyout funds23:20 Building a winning investment portfolio28:21 - Selecting emerging managers and the impact of diversity30:38 - What makes a good GP?34:16 - The rise of secondaries: LP-led vs. GP-led40:49 - The landscape and opportunities of Mid-Market; AI’s impact on Private Equity41:47 - Billion Dollar Questions-About Joel SandhuJoel 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.comWatch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobalJoin the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobalInstagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobalTwitter: 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 Takeaways0:00 - Intro02:32 - Ella Jade (ROOBBA): AI-driven furniture business & disruptive marketing06:15 - Fatou Diagne (Bootstrap Europe): Venture debt as an alternative to equity financing08:27 - Mohadeseh Abdullahi (Molten Ventures): Investing in 81 funds to support early-stage startups & the rise of women-led funds12:33 - Wiem Gharbi (Ankar AI): Inefficiencies in AI and intellectual property & the solutions ahead15:47 - Venture debt; “Women are more risk-averse”20:44 - Ella Jade’s fundraising strategy25:03 - LP’s view: Specialised funds, rise of female GPs, & 2025 outlook28:16 - AI investment strategy; the pressure to transform into AI-driven startups32:08 - Q&A: Academia and entrepreneurship35:37 - Q&A: The Billion Dollar opportunity for female founders39:08 - Q&A: Blockchain and funding40:46 - Final takeawaysPanelistsElla JadeCEO & Co-Founder, ROOBBAMohadeseh AbdullahiInvestor, Molten VenturesFatou DiagneCo-Founder and Managing Partner, Bootstrap EuropeWiem GharbiCo-Founder, Ankar AIModerated by:Sarah Chen-SpellingsCo-Founder & Managing Partner, Beyond The BillionRead full recap here:https://beyondthebillion.com/the-billion-dollar-brew-london-edition/PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.comWatch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobalJoin the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmovesFOLLOW SARAH:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobalInstagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobalX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal