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

Dr. Raj Shah's journey comprises numerous transformative endeavors, spanning his roles at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, to his current position as President of the Rockefeller Foundation.  In his recent publication, "Big Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens," he illuminates the power of the big bet mindset—a belief that addressing problems boldly, rather than settling for incremental improvements, attracts partners capable of achieving transformational change.  In this week's episode, we had the honor of exploring the significant big bets he made throughout his career. The shared big bet mindset aims to inspire leaders at every level to reimagine possibilities on a grand scale. You won't want to miss this. KEY TAKEAWAYS 1/ 3 key elements of big bets: innovative solutions, unlikely partnerships and alliances, and a real focus on data results, measurement, and tracking. 2/ It is realistic to be optimistic about grand-scale changes. 3/ We know we can be successful, but it takes a big bet mindset to embark on these efforts. 4/ Keep taking the risks you took in your twenties and thirties as you get a little older; so that you can give yourself a chance to earn those rewards. 5/ Crossing boundaries and taking risks to reach your goals, to make things work. - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Build like a CEO: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/ceoseries FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

Rejection has been a recurring theme on this show, serving as a powerful catalyst for success.This week's Billion Dollar Bite features Kendra Scott's appearance in Austin, hosted by Beyond The Billion and Brown Advisory. From her initial setbacks in business to the journey of building a billion-dollar jewelry empire and the challenging decisions made along the way, we invite you to catch a glimpse of Kendra's success and the hardships she faced in this brief episode.Key Takeaways1/ Failure serves as a real-life business school: when you fail, you learn, and then you rise.2/ Prioritize hiring based on core values rather than titles.3/ Concentrate on building the best business; opportunities and resources will naturally follow.4/ Pivoting and taking risks are essential for achieving breakthroughs.5/ Select your investors as carefully as you would choose a spouse.--PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.comBuild like a CEO: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/ceoseriesFOLLOW SARAH:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobalInstagram: instagram.com/sarahchenglobalTwitter: twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

At Billion Dollar Moves, our ultimate goal has always been showcasing the often untold stories of what it really takes to achieve that coveted ‘unicorn status’ beyond what’s often humble-bragged about; to challenge today’s status quo of what ‘patterns of success’ looks like, that often does not look like you or me.Join us in our latest recap episode as we dive deep into the meaningful conversations that reshape the traditional definition of success. Let's embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment as we relive these beautiful inspiring snippets from this season. TIMESTAMPSNirvana ChaudharyInside a Billionaire's Mind: Nirvana Chaudhary, CG Group—Making Your Mark 8:51-9:51Rachel LimComing into her own: Rachel Lim, Co-Founder, Love Bonito 41:47-42:25Eric TodaMeta's Eric Toda on Building World-Class Brands & Rising with Authenticity 30:55-31:59GolaTurning Fear into Power: with Gola, Exiled Iranian Singer 21:14-21:39Nathaniel HardingInvesting in the Midcontinent with Nathaniel Harding, Cortado Ventures 44:56-47:29Jeff MaggioncaldaPivot or Persevere? | Coursera CEO Jeff Maggioncalda 34:50-35:44Lisa Edgar Investing in Venture Capital Funds | Lisa Edgar, Top Tier Capital 09:38-10:14--PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.comBuild like a CEO: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/ceoseriesFOLLOW SARAH:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobalInstagram: instagram.com/sarahchenglobalTwitter: twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

In keeping with the theme of my material from Helsinki, Finland just as one of the biggest events in Finland happens: Slush, today’s episode is with my friend, Taneli Tikka, truly one of the OGs of the Finnish startup ecosystem, who also actually started the Foundation that owns Slush!Taneli founded his first startup Taika Technologies at the tender age of 21. Before going bankrupt, Taika akin to Silicon Valley startup General Magic, had patented technology that helped companies like Nokia and Linux in their core development.A serial entrepreneur and investor, Taneli has had more than 10 exits with several highlights in his career from schooling Mark Zuckerberg about social media when he was CEO of IRC-Galleria, then Finland’s largest youth social media platform; to serving as CEO of a State Development Company, which today is known as the Finnish Climate Fund with something like~3.5B Euros in assets. From being raised by a single mom, to building and bankrupting a company and rising from the ashes to become Finland’s favorite and trusted veteran entrepreneur, let’s just say Part One of my conversation with Taneli Tikka is nothing short of inspirational. --FOLLOW TANELI:Twitter: https://twitter.com/tanelitikka/Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taneli_TikkaPODCAST INFO:Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.comBuild like a CEO: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/ceoseriesFOLLOW SARAH:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobalInstagram: instagram.com/sarahchenglobalTwitter: twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

What is our 'true dharma' and how can we build without burnout?--Once seen as the face of failure on the New York Times, Suneel Gupta understands the road to success is not always smooth and requires more than unrelenting grit. Things of course turned around for him, where as CEO of RISE Suneel helped thousands of people in their physical and mental health journey. The company was named “App of the Year” and partnered with then first lady Michelle Obama before being acquired by the NASDAQ-listed company One Medical Group. In 2022, with its acquisition of One Medical Group, RISE is now part of Amazon.Now, a bestselling author, renowned speaker, Harvard Medical School visiting scholar, Suneel helps others achieve sustainable peak performance by embracing simple habits to bolster emotional resilience and engagement. Core to that is what he captures in his book “Everday Dharma”; today we unpack the wisdom of the pages on mindfulness, play in work, and how we can rise to our essence as leaders. --Links:Everyday Dharma by Suneel GuptaFOLLOW SUNEEL:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneelkgupta/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneelgupta/ Website: https://www.suneelgupta.com/PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.comBuild like a CEO: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/ceoseriesFOLLOW SARAH:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobalInstagram: instagram.com/sarahchenglobalTwitter: twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

Lisa Edgar has been a trailblazer in the venture industry, a veteran with over two decades in the business backing many of the brand name venture firms we know today from Accel to Benchmark.  We chat about: Her journey in building Top Tier Capital Partners — a leading fund of funds and direct investing platform What it takes to build an enduring firm Current venture markets, challenges and opportunities This episode is brought to you by Helsinki Partners. Whether you’re looking to set-up or expand your company, find quality deal flow and investment opportunities, the best location for your event or congress, visit or find your new career in Finland’s capital, Helsinki, they’re your go-to! PS: Helsinki Partners is unveiling an exclusive 2-week program at Slush for international VC fund managers and LPs eager to dive into the dynamic Nordics and embrace the Finnish venture ecosystem! 📣 Be the FIRST to know when applications open:  https://tinyurl.com/bdm-helsinki - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Build like a CEO: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/ceoseries FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

Named one of Forbes’ Most Powerful Women, Melinda French Gates needs no introduction. Over the last twenty years through her work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, one thing has become clear to her: If you want to lift a society up, you must invest in women. In comes our next guest, Erin Harkless Moore, Senior Director of Investment for Pivotal Ventures, a Melinda French Gates company created to do exactly that. To accelerate social progress in the U.S by investing in women’s power and influence. As a member of Pivotal’s Executive Leadership Team, Erin leads the organization’s fund, and direct investment decisions, overseeing a diverse portfolio of investments that drive breakthrough innovations and drive impact for people in the US. With nearly 20 years of investment experience, building customized portfolios for endowed institutions and family offices, serving most recently as Managing Director at Cambridge Associates, we talk about everything from challenging the status quo to her investment strategy. You don’t want to miss this!TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Intro02:04 - Erin's career, passion, profit, purpose05:53 - The premium of 'track record'07:58 - Investment in diversity initiatives under attack10:53 - Where does the resistance come from?12:30 - The role of consultants16:01 - Melinda French Gates' point of impact18:20 - Investing in women is not charity24:24 - Getting to a 'yes' as an LP30:22 - Cracking the patterns of historyLinks:Pivotal Ventures | A Melinda French Gates Company: https://www.pivotalventures.org/Investing | Pivotal Ventures: https://www.pivotalventures.org/investingBreaking With Tradition: https://www.pivotalventures.org/articles/breaking-with-tradition-pitchbook-venture-capitalPODCAST INFO:Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.comBuild like a CEO: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/ceoseriesFOLLOW SARAH:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobalInstagram: instagram.com/sarahchenglobalTwitter: twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

True to the saying 'nice guys finish last'; so many of us have accepted that as in the case of Steve Jobs, 'abrasiveness' was part of his genius.But what if there was another way?What if leaders could be kind; and that there is a tangible value to kindness in business?Now all of us probably know the term “goodwill” from an accounting context: In this capitalistic world in many ways; this value is decided by the buyer.Now our next guest argues that in reality, goodwill which should mean a whole lot more than an accounting concept, is earned and cannot be bought; and that if done correctly — can be worth a whole lot.This as he saw in his tenure as the unlikely “least qualified CEO” of Ashley Stewart, a popular plus-sized clothing brand serving and employing predominantly Black women: where he reinvented the co from the brink of bankruptcy: with what he argues was a recipe of “kindness” that shocked the world.PROFILE: James Rhee: https://www.redhelicopter.com/James Rhee is an acclaimed impact investor, founder, CEO, goodwill strategist, and educator who empowers people, brands, and organizations by marrying capital with purpose. He is an award-winning thought leader on topics such as multidimensional transformation, the intersection of capital, race, and gender, the future of capitalism, and values-based investing and leadership. The story of the remarkable transformation and re-imagination of Ashley Stewart, one of the country’s largest clothing brands serving plus-sized Black women, under James’s enlightened leadership as chairman, CEO and investor (2013-2020), has served as proof to millions of people, as well as the world’s leading businesses and organizations, that one can do better by being better.James bridges seemingly unconnected people, communities, and industries under an inclusive and innovative umbrella. James serves as a member of the Advisory Council of JPMorgan Chase’s Advancing Black Pathways, a Founding Member of Ashoka E-to-E, and the Advisory Board of CEO Action for Racial Equity. He is a Strategic Advisor to start-ups creating the world in which we want our children to live, and formerly served as Chair of the Innovation Committee of the National Retail Federation, and a board member of Conscious Capitalism and the American Repertory Theater. He is a client of both UTA and LGR Literary.As an investor, James helped manage billions of dollars of growth and distressed capital at two leading Boston-based institutions before ultimately founding his own impact platform called FirePine Group, where he has stewarded the capital of some of the world’s most sophisticated investors. He has been the lead investor and a board director across multiple successful platform investments. Before his career in business and finance, James Rhee was a high school teacher and an editor of the Harvard Law Review.He is writing a book and devotes time to Howard University as the Johnson Chair and Professor of Entrepreneurship. He also serves on the faculty at MIT Sloan School of Management as a Senior Lecturer and EIR @ MIT Leadership Center.PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.comBuild like a CEO: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/ceoseriesFOLLOW SARAH:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobalInstagram: instagram.com/sarahchenglobalTwitter: twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

What are some key factors that contribute to a successful exit for a company? How can investors and founders align valuations with realistic outcomes? How have market conditions affected the fundraising landscape for companies? What opportunities exist for quality companies with strong fundamentals? What is the service mindset founders need to be really zooming in on? How does this differentiate successful companies? This week, we cover these crucial questions in a Billion Dollar Bite with Elodie Dupuy, Founding Partner of $200M growth equity firm, Full In Partners. Full episode: https://link.chtbl.com/bdm-elodie FOLLOW FULL IN PARTNERS: https://fullinpartners.com/ Full In Partners is a premier NYC-based growth equity firm founded in 2019. The firm is focused on backing high-velocity, high-efficiency software and internet businesses while building better outcomes through proactive operational and strategic support. -- On Billion Dollar Moves, we travel across the globe in search of the unexpected leader. Every week, it is our job to deconstruct the Billion Dollar Moves of unicorn founders & funders; many of them, underestimated long before they became iconic. Many of them, unexpected leaders, just like you. This show is about unfiltered conversations about success, failure, fear, and courage in the pursuit of the next big thing in tech and venture. -- PODCAST INFO: Podcast website Watch on Youtube Join the community FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

On Billion Dollar Moves we don't shy away from difficult conversations. A heads up, in today's conversation we will be talking about mental health, including suicide. Know that if you are struggling with your own mental health you are not alone, please reach out to a local mental health provider for support. For a list of free support lines available around the world, we recommend: https://bekind.findahelpline.comWe’re all about surfacing what we call the unexpected leader; unicorn founders and funders across the globe in the pursuit of the next big thing in tech and venture.But one thing I’ve always known beneath these conversations that I don’t always get to bring to the fore are the inevitable dark moments along the way, and the immense cost to our mental health.The anxiety and toll on our personal relationships, the toll on ourselves in taking these risks,So, in conjunction with World Mental Health Day, I’m thrilled to be bringing you a slightly different but very special episode that I think will be important to you as you build, lead, and invest better.Elisha and I cover so much in this conversation from:- What it means to really struggle with mental health and why we need to all pay attention- The need to address systemic issues, 'structural determinants' in mental health- Where capital can drive impact on mental health, the challenges and opportunitiesLINKSCotton On Foundation campaign in support of Born This Way Foundation: https://cottonon.com/US/co/charity-gi...Elisha London https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisha-lo...Prospira Global https://prospira.global/Kate Spade New York Social Impact: https://www.katespade.com/social-impactPROFILEElisha London is an entrepreneur and global mental health advocate.She is an advisor to leading global companies, donors, investors, brands and influential individuals on mental health and regularly speaks and writes on the topic.Across her career Elisha has established a number of national and global initiatives, and worked for organisations including the UK Department for International Development, PWC, the Overseas Development Institute and The World Bank. She was the founding UK Director of the Global Poverty Project (now “Global Citizen”), and following her own personal experience of mental ill health she was appointed as Campaign Director for the Head Together Campaign, spearheaded by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.In 2017 Elisha drew upon her experience to understand the huge gap that exists in addressing mental health around the world and founded United for Global Mental Health.She holds an MBA from TRIUM (NYU New York, LSE London, HEC Paris), and an MSc in Development Management from the London School of Economics.Elisha Co-Chaired the Global Futures Council on Neuro technologies in 2019 has been a regular member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Futures Council on Mental Health. In 2020 she was honoured for her leadership in global mental health when she was appointed as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader.PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: https://sarah-chen.com/billion-dollar...Build like a CEO: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/ceoseriesFOLLOW SARAH:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobalInstagram: instagram.com/sarahchenglobalTwitter: twitter.com/sarahchenglobal