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

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

In this conversation, tennis icon and venture capitalist Serena Williams shares her journey from winning 23 Grand Slam titles to becoming a powerhouse in business. She discusses embracing authenticity and resilience while navigating the challenges of being a Black woman in sports. Serena emphasizes the significance of investing in diversity through her firm, Serena Ventures, and advocates for empowering future generations. Her insights on reclaiming joy and redefining power offer a game-changing perspective on success beyond the court.

Prasad Vanga, Founder and CEO of Anthill Ventures, specializes in speed scaling for early-stage startups, boasting a diverse portfolio with 45% female founders. He discusses India's booming economy and the need for capital flow into women-led ventures, which still receive less than 10% of total funding. Prasad reveals his innovative approach that blends corporate scalability with startup agility. He emphasizes the growing role of family offices in India and the importance of diverse leadership in reshaping the ecosystem. A must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs!

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 worldwideAbout FleurFleur Pellerin is a French businesswoman, former civil servant and Socialist Party politician who served as a French government minister from 2012 to 2016CEO & Founder of Korelya Capital, European VC Fund. French Junior Minister for SMEs, Innovation and the Digital EconomyFOLLOW FLEUR:https://www.instagram.com/fleurpellerin/?hl=enhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleur_Pellerinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/fleurpellerin/-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

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 Takeaways0:00 - Intro01:46 - First impressions of Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurial spirit; perspective on wealth02:55 - Critical strategies for Saudi Arabia entrepreneurs to succeed in Western markets04:11 - Building a $1 million versus $100 million business05:41 - The influence of Robert’s immigrant background on his leadership06:24 - How to choose an idea to double down on08:07 - Unexpected lessons learned from 21 years of Shark Tank12:32 - Investment made through Shark Tank; are those good deals?14:02 - The opportunity for women-led innovation in Saudi ArabiaAbout Robert HerjavecRobert 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.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

Reflect on the resilience that can emerge from rejection, with stories from founders like Melanie Perkins, who turned setbacks into success. Explore the innovative paths of startups navigating challenges in fundraising. Discover the importance of purposeful investing that champions diversity, especially in tech. Delve into effective leadership strategies that foster impactful partnerships. Finally, engage with a bold campaign redefining women’s health narratives, breaking down stigmas and sparking vital public dialogue.

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 Takeaways0:00 - Intro01:24 - The Engine Behind Today’s Digital World04:52 - Lisa Su’s MIT and the Early Career Years07:16 - The AMD Turnaround10:56 - Pioneering Supercomputing with El Capitan13:24 - The Challenges Ahead: Chip Industry and AMD16:26 - Lisa Su’s Leadership Philosophy and Style18:29 - 5 Questions for Leaders Inspired by Lisa Su’s JourneyAbout LisaDr. 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:WikipediaFOLLOW LISA ON X | FOLLOW LISA ON LINKEDIN Resources:Lisa Su, Chair and CEO, AMD | Behind the Tech with Microsoft's CTO Kevin Scotthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd65Ok379ZIAMD's CEO Wants to Chip Away at Nvidia's Lead | The Circuit with Emily Changhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ve5SAFPYZ8CEO of the Year Lisa Su Talks Competition and Collaboration in the Semiconductor Industryhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIokM_4i1i0 How to Build a Thriving AI Ecosystem with Lisa Su, CEO of AMDhttps://a16z.com/how-to-build-ai-ecosystem-lisa-su-ceo-of-amd/AMD CEO Lisa Su on the AI revolution | Decoder with Nilay Patelhttps://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 Tangenhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-good-company-with-nicolai-tangen/id1614211565?i=1000581623355 How Chip Giant AMD Finally Caught Intel | CNBChttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gLm0Jo0cnk-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'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 Takeaways0:00 - Intro01:15 - 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 RemarksFull Episode:Inside Intel Capital: How a Multi-Billion Dollar Portfolio Sets the Standard for CVCs w/ Nick Washburn, Intel CapitalAbout 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:LinkedInPODCAST 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

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 Takeaways0:00 - Intro02:36 - Billion Dollar Questions04:52 - The pivots in Tingting’s career - from hedge fund manager to yoga teacher to today’s Moove08:46 - The journey of becoming the first executive hired of a Nigerian-founded startup11:10 - Leadership qualities to seek in founders; the co-founder dynamics15:56 - Driving financial inclusion in mobility industry; obstacles faced and solutions provided in Nigeria22:03 - Surprising learnings from gender analysis; managing volatility in different markets27:03 - Pulling out from Egypt and Kenya: key learnings31:40 - Strategic partnership with Uber and beyond34:38 - Building a global business from early - partnership with OEM and making impact40:23 - Hardest lessons learned; “always in fundraising mode”About TingtingTingting 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.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

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.TIMESTAMP0:00 Intro04:00 The face of failure on The New York Times06:46 The alignment and arrival fallacy08:15 Behind the success with Rise app11:24 Deeper questions from the next generation: meaning or money?15:30 Burnout among successful people17:13 The role of resting and paradox of productivity19:55 The need to perform and living up to expectations21:43 Chisel back to dharma through questions26:07 The struggle to monetise while living up to purpose29:32 Expressions of dharma34:18 Work and play as adults37:29 Jealousy as an indicator of your dharma40:28 Takes on racial hate and identity in US43:01 Billion Dollar QuestionsAbout 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.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