This CEO leads the world’s largest ticketing platform, powering millions of events globally and driving substantial revenue—$326.1 million in 2023 alone. Julia Hartz, as the co-founder and CEO of Eventbrite, she took Eventbrite public, only to face a near-collapse when the pandemic brought in-person events to a sudden halt. Despite the unforeseen challenge, Julia steered Eventbrite through turbulent times, and the company continues to thrive today as a publicly listed entity.This resilience and leadership are why she’s our next feature in the Billion Dollar Moves CEO Series!TIMESTAMPS/KEY TAKEAWAYS0:00 - Intro01:47 - Key Takeaway #1: Sometimes you need to just trust the flow of life09:24 - Key Takeaway #2: Stay focused through the abundance of opportunities.11:55 - Key Takeaway #3: Know your nutrients13:22 - Nutrient 1 - Your First Customers15:25 - Nutrient 2 - Capital but not using it16:46 - Nutrient 3 – Talent as fuel19:15 - Key Takeaway #4: Find the Right Habitat20:51 - Key Takeaway #5: Cultivate Healthy Paranoia26:14 - Some actionable questions for youAbout JuliaJulia Hartz is an American entrepreneur, investor, and the co-founder and CEO of Eventbrite, a global ticketing and event technology platform. She is known for her leadership of Eventbrite during the COVID-19 pandemic and empowering women in the technology industry.Sources:Eventbrite ft. Julia Hartz - A thriving events company took 14 years to build and nearly disappeared in 14 days | Crucible MomentsHow I Built This with Guy Raz: Eventbrite - Julia HartzJulia Hartz: Crucial Startup NutrientsStanford Seminar - Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders: Kevin and Julia Hartz of EventbriteWhat Eventbrite Did Early to Create ‘Sustainable’ Success | Review First Round-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

Last month at INBOUND 2024 in Boston, we took the main stage with Glenda McNeal, Chief Partner Officer at American Express, to explore how partnerships are transforming innovation and driving sustained business growth.In this episode, we dive into how American Express builds and leverages its global strategic partnerships to enhance customer value and stay competitive. Tune in to discover key insights into successful partnership strategies and learn how to create relationships that lead to extraordinary results.TIMESTAMPS/KEY TAKEAWAYS0:00 - Intro03:20 - Quick rapid fire with Glenda04:13 - Skill sets learned since childhood: communication, resilience & values07:57 - The power of influence09:37 - Deep focus on Gen Z and millennials as consumer targets; Formula One13:44 - Strategy to understand Gen Z and millennials as consumers: AI tools and data analysis15:28 - Lessons learned building a strategic partnership across the world18:02 - Advice to smaller brands to build business relationships20:42 - The next trend to watch out for22:59 - The art of partnership: It takes a long time to build it. It takes seconds to actually lose it. 25:16 - Call to action for growth leaders; being centered as who I am28:53 - One final takeaway: THE Billion Dollar MoveAbout Glenda McNealGlenda McNeal is the company’s first Chief Partner Officer. She defines American Express’ partnership strategy and leads key strategic initiatives and negotiations for the company across travel, technology, retail, media, sports, and entertainment. She leverages partnerships to bring innovation and additional value to American Express’ suite of products, services, capabilities, and experiences that engage customers and drive generational relevance of American Express Membership.Glenda has a track record of success in managing complex global relationships, negotiating critical partner agreements, and leading business development initiatives that drive growth and innovation. She previously served as President of Strategic Partnerships. Prior to this role, she was Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Global Client Group, where she drove transformative outcomes for both direct-to-consumer and B2B companies.She is a member of the American Express Executive Committee and is an Officer of the company. She serves on the boards of Nordstrom, Inc. and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and is on the Board of Councilors for the USC Marshall School of Business. FOLLOW GLENDA:https://www.linkedin.com/in/glendamcneal-Original Video:Inbound - Building Bridges: The Power of Partnership-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/sarahchenglobal

In this episode, we sit down with Tom Henriksson, General Partner at OpenOcean, to dive into the world of venture capital and scaling groundbreaking software companies. From his pivotal role in growing MySQL into a billion-dollar exit to leading Nokia’s mobile ad business, Tom shares invaluable insights on what it takes to navigate the competitive VC landscape and drive success for data-driven software companies reshaping industries today.We also explore the unique challenges of venture investing, the critical importance of scaling early, and even how fatherhood has influenced his approach to leadership. If you're curious about building category-defining startups in Europe or just craving an inspiring conversation with one of the best in the game, this episode is for you!TIMESTAMPS / KEY TAKEAWAYS0:00 - Intro01:49 - Parenting: risk taking and philosophy as a VC05:17 - “Entrepreneurship is the worst thing that you can do”; the evolution of entrepreneurship in Finland09:10 - How to go on after failing first four investments12:38 - Investing in software; MySQL15:44 - Joining Nokia back in 2002; what made Nokia ahead of the others?20:38 - Jyri Engerstrom & the innovator’s dilemma; Podia, the now Twitter25:01 - From Nokia to OpenOcean30:20 - Venture is tough business - how do we win in venture?33:12 - Why invest out of Finland and operate out of Finland?35:10 - Outlook for data software; the AI craze38:03 - An anti-portfolio39:52 - Billion Dollar QuestionsAbout Tom HenrikssonTom is a General Partner at OpenOcean and passionate about data-intensive software that is quick to love and built on strong technology. He is a big believer in accurate consumer profiling, marketing technologies, and intelligent automation of the enterprise. After recently driving strongly profitable exits for OpenOcean in Truecaller, LoopMe, Passfort, and TapDaq, Tom now holds board seats in Cambri, Leadoo Marketing Technologies, Operations1, and Workfellow. Tom’s previous experience includes investing in MySQL Ab, running Nokia’s Corporate BD, and launching and leading Nokia Interactive Advertising – the leading first-generation premium mobile ad-network. Tom scaled the business from scratch to $50 million in revenues in less than three years, including the acquisition of Boston-based Enpocket Inc.FOLLOW TOM:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-henriksson-63532/-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 engaging discussion, Julie Wainwright, a resilient entrepreneur known for pivoting from the infamous Pets.com to founding The RealReal, shares her inspiring journey. She talks about the critical lessons learned from failure and how innovation can transform industries. Julie emphasizes the importance of a customer-centric approach and encourages listeners to embrace setbacks as steps toward success. At age 67, she dives into her latest venture, Ahara, highlighting personalized nutrition and the need to stay adaptable in a changing market.

This week, we’re bringing you an exclusive panel discussion from the Arctic15 LP Summit 2024. Moderated by Sarah Chen-Spellings, this conversation dives deep into the evolving venture capital landscape, driven by the influx of private wealth.Joining Sarah are Tor-Oskar Karlberg, Investment Director at Stephen Industries; Ville Solja, Owner & Investor at Kiilto Ventures; and Nydia Zhang, Investment Director at Ferretto Capital.Together, the panel explores how family offices and high-net-worth individuals are transforming the venture space, the driving factors behind this shift, and the unique opportunities it presents for both investors and entrepreneurs.Tune in now for insights into the strategies family offices are using to shape the future of venture capital!TIMESTAMPS / KEY TAKEAWAYS0:00 - Intro04:02 - Where do venture stands in family offices’ portfolio? 07:53 - Building the portfolio; using funds as an entry point to deal flow09:55 - The investment landscape of family offices in Asia; “we need to know who we are before we start to look for what we like”14:01 - Involvement in direct investments as a next-gen in family offices; “we need to be more active; not only because we find strong purpose, we actually need to do in order to survive.”16:42 - Purposeful investing and making impact as family offices21:54 - Outlook for the current and the next cycle; how is Asia faring as a region27:16 - Audience questionsFull Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKnKGKd_4WIPanelists:Tor-Oskar Karlberg- Investment Director, Stephen IndustriesVille Solja – Owner & Investor, Kiilto VenturesNydia Zhang – Investment Director, Ferretto CapitalModerator: Sarah Chen-Spellings – Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Beyond The Billion-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

This week, our host Sarah Chen-Spellings, venture capitalist, strategist, and co-founder of Beyond the Billion, takes the hot seat on the iDigress podcast, hosted by Troy Sandige!Sarah shares her insights on what it truly takes to build billion-dollar unicorns—from mastering the pitch to overcoming rejection and navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.Tune in to learn how she’s helping entrepreneurs thrive in today’s fast-paced market, and discover the critical strategies that turn setbacks into success.Original aired on iDigress Podcast with Troy Sandige: Building Billion Dollar Unicorns: How To Pitch, Overcome Rejection, & Succeed As A Modern Entrepreneur With Sarah Chen-Spellings [Masterclass]-Struggling to land that big pitch? Wondering why your path to success is filled with setbacks? Join us as we uncover what it really takes to build billion-dollar unicorns! Learn how to navigate failure, overcome rejection, stay resilient, and empower yourself—and others—in today’s competitive market with insights from venture capitalist and strategist Sarah Chen-Spellings in this masterclass episode.In this episode, we delve into the high-stakes world of entrepreneurship with Sarah Chen-Spellings, a venture capitalist, strategist, and co-founder of Beyond the Billion. Join us as we explore the journey of building billion-dollar unicorns, where success is not just about having a great idea, but mastering the art of pitching, navigating the inevitable rejections, and persisting through the toughest challenges.Sarah shares her unique insights on what it truly takes to succeed in today’s fast-paced entrepreneurial landscape. From her experience leading a global consortium investing over $1 Billion in women-founded companies to her work as a seasoned strategist and host of the "Billion Dollar Moves" podcast, Sarah offers invaluable advice for entrepreneurs aiming to make their mark.Whether you’re an emerging entrepreneur or a seasoned founder, this episode is your masterclass on how to pitch, overcome rejection, and ultimately succeed in the billion-dollar game. Learn the critical strategies that differentiate those who thrive from those who fall short, and discover the mindset needed to turn risk into reward.Key Takeaways: The art of pitching: How to craft a compelling pitch that stands out in a crowded market. Overcoming rejection: Proven strategies for turning setbacks into opportunities and building resilience. Navigating risk: Insights on how to manage and mitigate the risks inherent in scaling a business to unicorn status. The modern entrepreneur's mindset: What it takes to succeed in today’s competitive and rapidly evolving business environment. Entrepreneurial diversity: Strategies for bringing more diverse entrepreneurs—women, Black, Latina, Asian, and others—to the table and ensuring they have the resources and support needed to succeed in the billion-dollar game. Sarah's personal journey: Lessons from her experience co-founding Beyond the Billion and her role in shaping the future of venture capital. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights from one of the leading voices in venture capital and entrepreneurship. Connect With Troy: Rate & Review iDigress: iDigress.fm/ReviewsFollow Troy's LinkedIn @FindTroyGet Strategy Solutions & Services: GrowWithTroy.comFollow Troy's Instagram @FindTroy-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

This week, we are resurfacing our conversation with Johanna Småros, co-founder of RELEX Solutions, one of Finland's leading unicorns. In our conversation, we delve into the unique path of RELEX Solutions, which was bootstrapped for more than 10 years and built “The Finnish Way” - practical and transparent.From bootstrapping for over a decade to transforming the company into a global leader, her story is a testament to innovation, resilience, and strategic vision. This is why, Johanna is next on the list of #BillionDollarMoves we should all learn from.TIMESTAMPS / KEY TAKEAWAYS0:00 - Intro02:29 - Lesson #1: Don't Underestimate Academic Foundations05:16 - Lesson #2: Do It Your Way: The Finnish Way of Building07:03 - Lesson #3: Find Your Unique Approach in a Saturated Space10:56 - Lesson #4: Leverage Existing Champions to Drive Global Ambition15:11 - 3 Actionable Questions for YouIf you enjoyed this, tune in to full episode with Johanna!From Bootstrapped Startup to Finnish Tech Unicorn: RELEX Solutions' Rise w/ Johanna Småros, RELEX Solutions🎙️Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/bdm-johanna 🎞️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3moRBN0M5r0🌐 Website: https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/from-bootstrap-to-finnish-tech-unicorn-relex-solutions-johanna-smaros/ -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

This week’s episode features Nick Washburn, Senior Managing Director at Intel Capital. If you're an investor—or aspire to be—this conversation is a masterclass you won't want to miss.For those who might not be familiar, Intel Capital is the venture capital arm of Intel Corporation, and it's long been considered the gold standard in the industry. They've backed legendary companies like Red Hat, VMware, and DocuSign, among others. Over the past three decades, they've seen more than 250 of their portfolio companies go public and have had another 500 successful exits. And since 2018 alone, Intel Capital has seen approximately $12 billion in market cap companies hit the public markets.From the intricacies of reserve strategies to the common pitfalls that even seasoned VCs can stumble into, we’ve covered it all.This insider look at the art and science of venture investing, especially from someone with Nick's experience, is packed with valuable insights. So, trust me, this is one conversation you don't want to miss!TIMESTAMPS / KEY TAKEAWAYS0:00 - Intro01:32 - Lessons from ice hockey: “Go to where the puck was going”02:39 - Shaping founders to be less output-focused; “All of the biggest outcomes are extreme outliers and there is no path.”04:26 - Pattern matching; “Try to not focus necessarily on the background, but more of their understanding of the problem statement and why they feel best position to solve it.”06:45 - The two sins in venture: sins of omission and commission10:06 - The hyped AI field and what matters more to the devs and customers?13:43 - Cybersecurity; singular platform versus best tools16:10 - Core competency of Intel Capital in investment; “I invest both in developer tools and infrastructure software; if I don't look at them in the right aperture, I get it wildly wrong.”19:49 - Inside Intel Capital: north of 250 IPOs and 500 exits in the past 30 years24:19 - What has Intel Capital done right in structuring?; “You should lead with the goal and then reverse it in the process.”27:48 - Nick’s personal journey from law school to investments; the imposter syndrome31:44 - The anti-portfolio; FreshPaint: “They have not pivoted. They just reposition because that's where the market demand was coming.”35:06 - On guiding founders; Charles Hudson’s “When to Intervene”38:43 - The dynamics of Intel’s investment committee and strategy framework42:17 - Takes on current market conditions43:38 - Billion Dollar QuestionsAbout Nick WashburnNick 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 | X/Twitter-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

Muslims are projected to constitute more than 25% of the world's total population this year. To many in the industry, this isn't just a statistic; it represents a vast array of opportunities for the markets.This week, we are revisiting our conversation with Fara Abdullah, CEO of Bitsmedia, the brains behind the immensely popular Muslim lifestyle app, Muslim Pro. With a fresh injection of $20 million from its Series A funding round, featuring participation from Gobi Partners, alongside continued backing from existing investors CMI Capital Partners and Bintang Capital Partners, Bitsmedia is poised to enhance the faith experience through cutting-edge technologies. Our discussion delves into various aspects, including the business landscape, the potential in faith-driven markets, and the interception of faith, finance, and technology.  TIMESTAMPS0:00 - Intro02:52 - Market opportunities in the Muslim community; Bitsmedia’s business model07:39 - Challenging the misconceptions and templatization of Muslims10:49 - Thesis behind the 160 million annual downloads of Muslim Pro: faith in challenging times and the modern Muslim lifestyle15:13 - Bitsmedia’s ideal consumer profile and the growth of user base20:30 - Business models and the biggest revenue drive for Bitsmedia24:11 - Decision making and resource distribution as the CEO26:52 - The role of technology in shaping faith and vice versa30:31 - The idea of moderation and ethical interpretations with use of technologies32:41 - Bitsmedia’s role in the interception of faith, finance and technology34:35 - Observed trends of religious behaviors and attitudes; the socialization of faith37:01 - Fundraising and choosing the right partners39:46 - Billion dollar questions3 Key Insights:1/ The market is HUGE and there’s something for everyone.With the global Muslim population surpassing 2 billion as we’re speaking now, the market needs continue to evolve.Beyond facilitating religious practices, there's a plethora of avenues to explore, from educational content for children to virtual community building and financial services. 2/ Infusion of technology is inevitable in today’s world; we cannot simply steer away from it.“Regardless of how afraid we are of it, how much we want to preserve certain things, this technology wave is coming,”Despite concerns, the inevitable wave of technology presents significant opportunities.According to Fara, embracing this wave requires courage while prioritizing community safety and moderation. 3/ See the market potential beyond complexity.While the complexity of faith-related businesses may deter some, more and more investors recognize the immense potential within this market.And just like any business, expertise and strategic vision are essential to harnessing these opportunities effectively.ABOUT BITSMEDIABitsmedia is a Singapore-based, technology company known globally as the developer and publisher of the Muslim Pro app – a highly-rated and comprehensive Muslim lifestyle app with more than 150 million downloads globally to date.The company is also the publisher of Qalbox, a global subscription video on demand (SVoD) entertainment streaming service aimed at the global Muslim community.-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

We’re thrilled to feature Jyri Engeström, a serial entrepreneur who found early success with exits to Google and Groupon. Now an investor, Jyri continues to shape the startup landscape as a General Partner at Yes VC, the fund he co-founded with his partner, Caterina Fake, co-founder of Flickr. At the same time, Jyri makes significant strides in building and investing in startups alongside Petteri Koponen at Lifeline Ventures in Finland.We delve into the opportunities and technologies shaping the future, lessons Jyri has learned from his time in Silicon Valley, and how Finland is positioning itself as a global startup hub. Jyri’s deep understanding of network theory, social dynamics, and his curiosity about emerging markets—from space colonization to geopolitical shifts—makes this an episode you won’t want to miss.TIMESTAMP / KEY TAKEAWAYS0:00 - Intro02:41 - The Innovator’s Dilemma, Sociology, & bi-continental life in Finland & the US06:20 - Working in Nokia to founding Jaiku08:56 - Google’s acquisition of Jaiku12:52 - Selling Ditto to Groupon; “I knew to kill the app immediately after the acquisition,”16:09 - Lessons learned as a serial entrepreneur; leadership19:01 - New chapters with True Ventures and Yes VC; patterns of success in portfolio 25:04 - Yes VC’s super early stage approach; thoughts on legacy32:06 - Identifying the potential unicorns; how to be curiosity-driven, continuously37:00 - Minting the unicorns & the anti-portfolios39:37 - The founder product fit; Petteri Koponen’s pattern of success44:48 - Raising children; parallel entrepreneurship49:58 - The liquidity & exit landscape and deal flow in Finland today54:11 - Jyri's trajectory for the next five years; messages to global investors56:29 - Billion Dollar QuestionsBrought to you by Helsinki PartnersThe third edition of Founders to Finland Program helps international scale-upfounders build their business network in the Nordics. This 7-day program takes placein Helsinki in November, and its 15 selected participants get to experience the magicof the Slush startup conference and valuable side events with a free ticket. Expecthyper-relevant networking, personal introductions to local companies, and tailoredinfo sessions to learn more about the innovative spirit of the Finnish scale-up culture.Learn more and apply by September 1!ABOUT JYRIJyri has invested in several unicorns including Unity, Oura, Iceye and Boom Supersonic. Jyri’s entrepreneurial journey began with Jaiku, a mobile social networking service he co-founded with Petteri Koponen and sold to Google in 2007. He sold his second company Ditto, a recommendation service, to Groupon in 2012. In 2020 he founded Primary Diagnostics, a healthcare platform serving tens of millions of people across the U.S. For four years Jyri was at True Ventures, a leading Silicon Valley venture fund, where he invested in e.g. Iceye, the world’s largest radar satellite constellation, with Lifeline. Alongside Lifeline Ventures Jyri is Partner at Yes VC, a venture firm he co-founded with Caterina Fake in San Francisco. Yes VC has notable investments in carbon capture, post-fossil energy, space and AI. Jyri combines company-building with venture investing. “Entrepreneurship is a skill. It takes discipline and practice. Each company we build improves our hit rate going forward.”FOLLOW JYRI:LinkedIn | X/Twitter | Instagram | Podcast: Startup-Ministeriön -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