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

Faith, Finance, Technology w/ Fara Abdullah, Bitsmedia

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

04/04/24 • 45 min

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 had the pleasure of speaking 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 recent 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 today delves into various aspects, including the business landscape, the potential in faith-driven markets, and the interception of faith, finance, and technology.

TIMESTAMPS / KEY TAKEAWAYS

0:00 - Intro

02:52 - Market opportunities in the Muslim community; Bitsmedia’s business model

07:39 - Challenging the misconceptions and templatization of Muslims

10:49 - Thesis behind the 160 million annual downloads of Muslim Pro: faith in challenging times and the modern Muslim lifestyle

15:13 - Bitsmedia’s ideal consumer profile and the growth of user base

20:30 - Business models and the biggest revenue drive for Bitsmedia

24:11 - Decision making and resource distribution as the CEO

26:52 - The role of technology in shaping faith and vice versa

30:31 - The idea of moderation and ethical interpretations with use of technologies

32:41 - Bitsmedia’s role in the interception of faith, finance and technology

34:35 - Observed trends of religious behaviors and attitudes; the socialization of faith

37:01 - Fundraising and choosing the right partners

39:46 - Billion dollar questions

ABOUT BITSMEDIA

Bitsmedia 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.

About Muslim Pro

Muslim Pro's journey started with its inception as a utility app dedicated to fulfilling the daily spiritual and practical needs of Muslims worldwide. Under Fara's guidance, Muslim Pro has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from its original utility focus to become a pioneering platform catering to the diverse facets of the Muslim community.

Fara's strategic foresight has been vital to transitioning Muslim Pro into a holistic ecosystem for Muslims. Beyond spiritual and religious guidance, the platform now encompasses educational resources, AI-driven tools, and robust partnerships with key enablers, brands, and organizations within the Muslim sector.

PODCAST INFO:

Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com

Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal

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Building Billion Dollar Unicorns: How To Pitch, Overcome Rejection, & Succeed As A Modern Entrepreneur With Sarah Chen-Spellings [Masterclass]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal...

Building Billion Dollar Unicorns: How To Pitch, Overcome Rejection, & Succeed As A Modern Entrepreneur w/ Sarah Chen-Spellings | iDigress Podcast

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

09/19/24 • 51 min

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:

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/Reviews

Follow Troy's LinkedIn @FindTroy

Get Strategy Solutions & Services: GrowWithTroy.com

Follow Troy's Instagram @FindTroy

PODCAST INFO:

Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com

Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal

Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackselby/

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Women, Wealth, & Legacy: Purposeful Investing in AI w/ Jack Selby, Thiel Capital

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

11/14/24 • 11 min

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 Takeaways

0:00 - Intro

1:49 - Wealth & Legacy: Investing in Art and Film

4:48 - The Significance of Purposeful Investing

6:08 - The Rising Wave of AI Technologies and Women in Tech

8:15 - The Catalytic Impact of Capital: Work with Thiel Capital

About Jack Selby

Jack 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.

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PODCAST INFO:

Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com

Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal

Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves

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#80 - Julie Wainwright - Founder & CEO of The RealReal and Former Founder of Pets.com

CEO Series: Julie Wainwright, The RealReal

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

10/03/24 • 28 min

In today’s episode, we are amplifying the story of a resilient and visionary entrepreneur, Julie Wainwright. Known for her dramatic turnaround from overseeing the epic failure of Pets.com during the dot-com bust to creating the billion-dollar luxury consignment powerhouse, The RealReal, Julie’s journey is an inspiring tale of innovation, resilience, and strategic brilliance.

And while we'll also talk about her departure from the reveal and the challenges reported today – it is unquestionable that her journey from absolute failure to growing and scaling is a testament to her resilience and innovation. This is why she's next in the Billion Dollar Moves CEO series.

This conversation explores the valuable lessons from Julie’s storied career, her fearless approach to failure, and her bold steps in founding Ahara, her latest venture in personalized nutrition at age 67.

Get ready to uncover actionable insights on turning setbacks into comebacks, understanding untapped markets, and always putting the customer first. Let’s get started!

Timestamps / Key Takeaways

00:00 - Intro

02:30 - Key Takeaway 1: Failure is just the cost of success— be one with it

07:27 - Key Takeaway 2: Just because it’s never been done before, doesn’t mean it can’t be done

11:56 - Key Takeaway 3: Just get started. Do the damn thing, expand and stay focused.

14:50 - Key Takeaway 4: “Your customers vote everyday with their purchases. Pay attention”. Customer-Centric Approach

18:35 - Key Takeaway 5: “Your business is an opportunity for you to make an impact.”

23:06 - Post-note: Initially successful, The RealReal's market cap dropped significantly - why?

About Julie Wainwright

Julie Wainwright began her illustrious career at Clorox as one of their first undergraduate hires in brand management, providing her with a solid foundation in profit and loss management and data analysis. Transitioning to the tech industry at the young age of 25, she joined Software Publishing amid the competitive landscape of Microsoft and Visicalc. Demonstrating remarkable initiative, Julie volunteered to handle international operations, leading efforts to establish international distribution from London by the age of 27. Her early experiences laid the groundwork for a dynamic career characterized by innovation and leadership.

Sources:

How Julie Wainwright Built The RealReal To Be A Billion-Dollar Business | Forbes

Greycroft Co-Founder Ian Sigalow on Investing $1 Billion Right Now | StrictlyVC Download

PODCAST INFO:

Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com

Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal

Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves

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[BITE] Redefining CVC with Intel Capital's $20B Portfolio w/ Nick Washburn, Intel Capital

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

12/26/24 • 15 min

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 Takeaways

0:00 - Intro

01:15 - 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 Remarks

Full Episode:

Inside Intel Capital: How a Multi-Billion Dollar Portfolio Sets the Standard for CVCs w/ Nick Washburn, Intel Capital

About Nick Washburn

Nick 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.

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Unveiling Unicorn Pathways: How to Become a Unicorn w/ Leah Barto, Endeavor Global

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

03/14/24 • 19 min

In venture capital, pattern recognition is a valuable skill.

Investors often analyze various pieces of a puzzle, employing pattern recognition to assess whether a company might be on the path to success.

This week’s Billion Dollar Bite features Leah Barto, Senior Director of Research at Endeavor Global, who leads a team to redefine pattern recognition through the lens of data journalism.

Endeavor has dedicated its mission to uncover unicorns worldwide, employing a data-driven approach and producing a comprehensive study titled “Where Do Unicorns Come From?”

We’ve discussed the intriguing findings of this robust research, unveiling the factors that drive entrepreneurial ecosystems to thrive, and challenging stereotypes about what success should look like.

You won't want to miss this!

Timestamps/ Key Takeaways

0:00 - Intro

2:15 - Endeavor’s mission, data journalism, “Where Do Unicorns Come From?” & the multiplier effect in startup ecosystems

5:37 - Takeaway #1: Educational backgrounds & debunking the myth of the elite educational pedigree.

6:29 - Takeaway #2: Entrepreneurial experience & age

7:58 - Takeaway #3: Global citizens - mostly with a migration background & advice for funders

9:35 - Takeaway #4: Pattern recognition - backgrounds and innovation made by unicorn founders from US versus emerging markets

11:30 - Takeaway #5: Solution to underrepresentation of female founders

14:33 - Takeaway #6: Hande Cilingir’s success story

16:32 - Takeaway #7: Scaling & paying it forward

About Endeavor Insight

Endeavor Insight is the research division of Endeavor that provides data-driven analysis and visualizations showing what makes entrepreneurial ecosystems thrive. Our research team of economists, data scientists, and policy analysts specialize in understanding the needs of high-impact entrepreneurs and evaluating the networks that enable them to scale and pay it forward.

Where Do Unicorns Come From?

Link: https://endeavor.org/unicornpathways

PODCAST INFO:

Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com

Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal

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[REPLAY] Investing with Penny Pritzker & Building a Robust Venture & Growth Practice w/ Momei Qu, PSP Partners

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

02/22/24 • 41 min

“If you can show strong growth in this environment, that means you’re getting corporate budgets at a time when corporate budgets are tightening.”

As we continue to emerge from the belt-tightening era in investment and venture, now is an opportune moment to revisit an episode featuring Momei Qu, Managing Director of PSP Growth.

Momei carved her own path in leadership, having worked with one of the trailblazers, the esteemed Penny Pritzker, former United States Secretary of Commerce and American billionaire businesswoman known for family investments in Hyatt Hotels and Marmon Group.

Today, Momei, who leads PSP's venture capital and growth equity initiative, shares her leadership lessons, from collaborating with a trailblazer to building a robust venture and growth practice and focusing on the future of B2B SaaS despite the valuation slashes we've witnessed.

TIMESTAMPS / KEYTAKEAWAYS

0:00 Intro

0:55 Recognizing the gap in commercializing technology

2:40 Joining Merrill Lynch and stepping into venture

06:01 Skillset as both engineer and venture investor; upbringing and exposure to deals

8:10 Working with Penny Pritzker's private investment group; “If you don't ask for something, you might not get it.”

12:28 PSP’s collaborative strategies: ventures, multi-family and industrial properties, private equity, etc; “I've been pleasantly surprised, the unexpected piece of how collaborative everyone has been, and how much better it has been to unlock the power of the whole platform.”

17:07 Takes on allocation and balancing investments for family offices

19:11 Investing in adversed time and building a robust venture practice; on me too companies

21:28 Solutions that go hand in hand with the market and the focus on B2B SaaS

24:44 Notable patterns in SaaS

27:42 Takes on B2B SaaS application and AI technologies: security and responsibilities

30:50 Takes on founder’s limits and ethics in AI tech innovation

32:45 Diligence as an investor

34:24 Billion Dollar Questions

Billion Dollar Moves is THE show for the audacious next-gen leaders.

Unfiltered. Personal. Inspirational.

Tune in to learn from world's foremost funders and founders, and their unicorn journey in the dynamic world of venture and business.

From underestimated to iconic, YOU too, can make #billiondollarmoves — in venture, in business, in life.

PODCAST INFO:

Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com

Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal

Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves

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Breaking Barriers: Why “Taboo” Brands Win with Shama Amalean Skinner (Former COO, Thinx Inc.)

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

01/25/24 • 39 min

From a market that was almost nonexistent in 2015, hitting double digits with a ~25% CAGR by 2018, Femtech and women's health industry have been long underestimated until the rise of Thinx and similar brands revolutionized the industry.

Today’s guest is Shama Amalean Skinner, an entrepreneur, a trailblazer in the world of feminine care, and a business leader who has broken barriers and challenged societal norms with her previous position as COO at Thinx Inc. Shama played a pivotal role in transforming Thinx into a household name, ultimately paving the way for the mass adoption of reusable products in an industry dominated by single-use disposables.

For the first time, Shama reveals how she would have done things differently from an operator's standpoint and expresses real frustration about how the Femtech market is still grossly underfunded, despite its massive potential. Whether you're looking to finally crack mass retail this year for your product or working through some challenging personal questions and navigating startup life, this is another episode I think you'll love.

TIMESTAMPS & Key Takeaways

0:00 Intro

03:15 Takeaway 1: Three potential opportunities Shama saw in Thinx

04:48 Takeaway 2: Changing consumer behaviour and skepticism regarding period underwear #1: Create a movement destigmatizing periods

06:26 #2: Increase brand awareness with controversial subway ads

08:32 #3: Converting followship into purchases and revenue with product education and word of mouth effect

10:17 Takeaway 3: Changing mind and creating loyalty globally with advocacy work

13:01 Takeaway 4: Business model and revenue numbers for feminine care market

14:05 Takeaway 5: Framework for a successful brand: branding, product, and team

15:32 Takeaway 6: Shama’s take on what should COOs have in mind as priorities

17:13 Takeaway 7: Strategies against supply chain issues

19:44 Takeaway 8: Create redundancy in supply chain

20:27 Takeaway 9: What makes a good COO?

21:40 Takeaway 10: Business opportunities in Femtech and women health

24:33 Takeaway 11: What needs to change for women to progress in the capital spectrum in getting that innovation funding?

25:47 Takeaway 12: Founder’s lens: rejections at funding stage

28:39 Takeaway 13: Key to decision-making as Thinx going into retail

30:22 Takeaway 14: When is right time for founders or top performers to move on?

31:46 Takeaway 15: 3 questions you ask yourself to decide if you were to step away

32:30 Billion Dollar Questions

About Shama Amalean Skinner

Shama Amalean Skinner is an entrepreneur and executive working at the intersection of sustainability and consumer markets. She is the former chief operating officer of Thinx Inc, the revolutionary period and incontinence underwear company. At Thinx, she played a key role in launching, growing, and ultimately selling the company to a publicly listed corporation — effectively catalyzing the mass adoption of a reusable product in a category dominated by single-use disposables. Shama is an engaged consultant, board member, and advisor to innovative start-ups, venture funds, and nonprofit organizations. She is deeply committed to advocating for gender equity and helping solve the climate crisis.

Shama | LinkedIn

PODCAST INFO:

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Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal

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The LP View - Backing Emerging Managers in Adverse Times | PEVC Summit 2022

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LP Special: How Emerging Managers can win in 2024 with Adam Street Partners, IFC, Capria Ventures

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

01/18/24 • 38 min

The global economic uncertainty and a shift in focus towards sustainable growth are widely expected to impact the fundraising prospects for new vehicles, especially those focused on emerging markets or launched by first-time managers.

As Asia continues to present key growth opportunities, how are dynamics between LPs and GPs evolving? In the current environment, how should emerging managers approach LPs? Will the going be tougher for first-time fund managers raising debut vehicles? Will operating across different cycles prove to be an advantage?

Key Takeaways/Timestamps

0:00 Intro

3:12 Opening: Tsubasa Suruga (Moderator)

3:46 Takeaway 1: Tendency to just go re-ups & familiarity as part of assessment for investment

6:21 Takeaway 2: Bifurcation between first-time funds

7:40 Takeaway 3: Attributes of successful first-time fundraisers

12:36 Takeaway 4: LP’s view on first- or second-time fund managers

15:05 Takeaway 5: Diversifying strategies and portfolio: 2 types of LPs

17:54 Takeaway 6: Takes on new investors venturing into Asia market

20:04 Takeaway 7: How can GPs differentiate themselves in this current environment #1: Finding your niche

24:15 Takeaway 8: How can GPs differentiate themselves in this current environment #2: Seek diversity in team

26:03 Takeaway 9: Blending private sector capital with DFI capital in emerging market to create sustainable investments

30:32 Takeaway 10: Takes on impact and sustainable investing

32:11 Takeaway 11: How can GPs differentiate themselves in this current environment #3: Relationship building and identifying strengths

33:50 Takeaway 12: Sarah's Takes on US market

This is a snippet from a panel took place at PEVC Summit 2022, titled Backing Emerging Market and First Time Managers in Adverse Time. An insightful discussion was carried out on the VC market trends in Asia, challenges and what it takes for first time managers in this ever changing environment.

Speakers:

Soo Yar-Ping, Partner, Primary Investments, Adams Street Partners

Huai Fong Chew, Regional Lead, East Asia & the Pacific PE Funds, IFC

Dave Richards, Managing Partner, Capria Ventures

Sarah Chen-Spellings, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Beyond The Billion (launched as The Billion Dollar Fund for Women)

Tsubasa Suruga, Staff Writer, Nikkei Asia (Moderator)

FULL VIDEO:

PODCAST INFO:

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