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

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 Takeaways00:00 - Intro02:06 - The journey of Fishburners and its impact on Australian startups04:21 - 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 flow13:01 - Lessons from a founder-turned-investor; blooming tech scene in Australia startups17:44 - Importance of community; success stories of Fishburners21:29 - Martin’s journey as a founder: from funding to exits30:20 - Billion Dollar QuestionsAbout Martin KarafilisCritically 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 MARTINhttps://www.instagram.com/martinkarafilis/https://www.instagram.com/martinkarafilis/-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

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 Takeaways0:00 - Intro2:01 - Action in Shruti’s kitchen: Food, tradition, and family values11:44 - Serving the Ornam Sadhya; food and sustainability14:17 - From India to US, Shruti’s first touch of entrepreneurship17:36 - Influence of her parents - S.D. & Kumari Shibulal20:27 - 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 profitability25:22 - Why Tamara? Building upon concepts of Eco-Tourism29:39 - Shruti’s leadership and the Shibula family’s philanthropic initiatives32:07 - Key challenges in the hospitality industry37:01 - What is success for Shruti Shibulal? Job creation as one tangible way for change40:23 - Takes on global view of India’s food and culture45:29 - Sambal Survey48:15 - Billion Dollar QuestionsAbout ShrutiShruti 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.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

From Breaking Into Y Combinator to Reshaping A $58Bn Furniture Resale Industry w/ Reham Fagiri, AptDecoIn 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 Takeaways0:00 - Intro01:50 - Billion Dollar Question04:15 - From business school to Goldman Sachs to the conceptualize of AptDeco08:57 - The Co-Founder relationship with Kalam Davis13:53 - Deficiency in the now, $58Bn furniture resale industry; breaking through Y Combinator18:48 - Growth hacking; the journey to hit the J-curve; AptDeco’s in-time delivery26:39 - The explosive growth between 2014-2017; unsuccessful attempt to raise Series A29:19 - Expanding through B2B partnerships; building warehouse return solutions for brands35:54 - Key factors to raise $19M capital; being the first black female to break into Y Combinator41:30 - What needs to change in venture ecosystem for minority founders?44:20 - Final message to founders alikeABOUT REHAMReham 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 REHAMhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/reham-fagiri-97683b1/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 this replay episode, we’re thrilled to spotlight Jyri Engeström, a serial entrepreneur whose early ventures led to successful exits to Google and Groupon. Now a General Partner at Yes VC, the fund he co-founded with Caterina Fake of Flickr, Jyri continues to shape the future of startups. He's also investing in bold new ventures alongside Petteri Koponen at Lifeline Ventures, one of Finland’s leading VC firms. Join us as we explore the cutting-edge opportunities shaping tomorrow, insights from Jyri’s time in Silicon Valley, and why Finland could soon be a global startup hub!Watch the full video here.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 Questions-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 this episode, we're diving into an engaging, power-packed conversation with Jack Selby, an investment leader of "PayPal Mafia" fame. Joining us from Beyond The Billion family office event in Singapore earlier this year, Jack brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective on venture capital and film production alike.Join us as we discuss everything from strategic investing to the intersections of art and finance, exploring the bold moves that define Jack’s career.Timestamps / Key Takeaways0:00 - Intro1:49 - Wealth & Legacy: Investing in Art and Film4:48 - The Significance of Purposeful Investing6:08 - The Rising Wave of AI Technologies and Women in Tech8:15 - The Catalytic Impact of Capital: Work with Thiel CapitalAbout Jack SelbyJack Selby is a prominent venture capitalist and independent film producer known for his early work with PayPal and ongoing leadership roles in tech and investment. He gained fame as one of the original “PayPal Mafia” members, having helped scale PayPal before its sale to eBay in 2002. After the acquisition, Selby co-founded the macro hedge fund Clarion Capital Management with Peter Thiel.Selby now leads Thiel Capital, Thiel's Los Angeles-based family office, from Arizona, and he also heads AZ-VC, a venture capital firm he launched in 2021 to invest in high-potential tech startups in Arizona. In addition to his investment career, Selby has a passion for film production, with credits as an independent producer on movies like Memory starring Jessica Chastain and His Three Daughters starring Elizabeth Olsen, showcasing his interests beyond the tech world.His diversified work across venture capital, finance, and film illustrates his adaptability and broad industry interests, influencing both business and media landscapes.FOLLOW JACK:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackselby/-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

Get ready for a story that redefines resilience. This week, we're sitting down with Mary Seats, aka Mz Skittlez, the unstoppable entrepreneur who transformed a $300 hustle into the multimillion-dollar fashion brand, Cupcake Mafia.Mary's story defies the conventional startup path, and that’s exactly what makes it worth hearing. From building a multimillion-dollar brand to being fired from her own company, Mary has seen it all. After losing control of Cupcake Mafia, she bounced back stronger than ever, reclaiming her brand and launching The Icing Agency, a marketing powerhouse that has since grossed over $16 million.Her journey isn’t just about personal triumph—it's about inspiring all of us to invest in women-led businesses and redefine what’s possible. Buckle up for an episode that will challenge your patterns of success and leave you fired up to make your own #BillionDollarMoves!TIMESTAMPS / KEY TAKEAWAYS0:00 - Intro02:07 - Billion Dollar Questions with Mz Skittlez07:46 - The $50K order that led to “you have to find a distribution company”09:50 - From a dream-come-true to “you no longer own this company”15:54 - 3 lessons learned: Involve your lawyer, understand your value, and plan your exits20:39 - Mz Skittlez on pivoting: what moves the cash register and my customers’ experience?24:14 - The Icing Agency: the upward spiral to $16 million in revenue27:23 - Tips on building an effective brand and separating from personality: ‘Value over Price’30:53 - The Bakery CoWork: creating a space for all women regardless of background34:15 - Strategies that allows The Bakery CoWork to strive: #1 building a community36:22 - The Bakery CoWork: #2 Create multiple revenue streams from a single space38:02 - People-centered businesses: is it truly scalable?41:18 - Mz Skittlez’s Billion Dollar Move and legacyAbout Mary Seats 'Mz Skittlez'Meet Mary Seats, aka Mz Skittlez, a dynamic force in the business world. From marketing genius to resilient founder, she's made her mark.Despite facing challenges with her multimillion-dollar brand, Cupcake Mafia, Mary's resilience shone through. After setbacks and even dismissal from her own company, she didn't give up. Instead, she bounced back stronger.Fuelled by determination, Mary orchestrated a remarkable comeback. She not only regained control of her company but also launched The Icing Agency, a marketing powerhouse that grossed over $16 million.But Mary's impact goes beyond business success. Passionate about empowering women, she founded The Bakery Cowork, the largest female-focused co-working space in the U.S.Mary Seats's story is one of resilience, ambition, and lifting others up. She continues to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs, proving setbacks are just stepping stones to success. Mz Skittlez is shaping the business landscape with her fearless approach, leaving an indelible mark on entrepreneurship.FOLLOW MZ SKITTLEZhttps://www.instagram.com/mzskittlez/?hl=enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-seats-aa38419ahttps://www.youtube.com/@thesecretrecipetv-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’re thrilled to bring you an inspiring panel discussion from The Billion Dollar Series by Beyond The Billion, in partnership with Dell Technologies. On this global tour to fuel women-led innovation, we dive into Australia’s rapidly evolving venture landscape with some of the country’s top industry leaders. Featuring Carol Schwartz, Director of Trawalla Group; Alex Schuman, CEO of Carla Zampatti; Kristy Chong, Founder of Modibodi; and Rick Baker, Co-Founder of Blackbird VC — this powerhouse panel explores why the coming decade could be a game-changer for venture in Australia.We discussed why investing in women-led businesses is both smart and strategic, and how Australia’s unique mix of patience and passion is powering some of the most exciting opportunities in venture capital today. Tune in for insights that could inspire your own #BillionDollarMoves!TIMESTAMPS/KEY TAKEAWAYS00:00 - Intro02:59 - Rick Baker: Growth of the Australian venture industry over the last 12-13 years; the ongoing challenges in funding women entrepreneurs07:00 - Carol Schwartz: Opportunities for female entrepreneurs within family offices11:00 - Kristy Chong: Evolution from founder to investor15:11 - Challenges face by female founders in scaling businesses18:22 - Alex Schuman: Reestablishing the business based on their mother’s legacy with her sisters21:29 - Challenges in scaling a vertically integrated business in Australia23:39 - Diversity criticism against Blackbird and the VC ecosystem; The “Kiki incident” and commitment to improved diversity32:56 - Shift from personal direct investments to seeking women-managed funds39:39 - Track record issues for women leaving large VC firms; achieving significant portfolio support for female founders43:15 - Gender bias in the venture ecosystem; maintain perseverance admidst the hardship.48:41 - Government’s role in supporting diversity and entrepreneurship54:09 - Industry bias and potential within aged care57:12 - Gender investment gaps and how female founders could persevere; industry-wide programs: Giants, Foundry, and positive trends in female-led companies1:01:15 - Key takeawaysFull event recap:The Billion Dollar Brunch™ (Sydney 2024 Edition)About Our GuestsCarol Schwartz AOFounder, Female Led VenturesKristy Chong OAMFounder, ModibodiAlex SchumanCEO, Carla ZampattiRick BakerCo-Founder, Blackbird VC-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 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