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

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

Lead, build, and invest better. Join award-winning entrepreneur and investor Sarah Chen-Spellings as she travels across the globe in search of what she calls the 'unexpected leader'. Every week, we 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. Billion Dollar Moves is proud to be part of the Hubspot Podcast Network with 10 million downloads a month as a group.

  1. 6D AGO

    Lightspeed’s $500M Bet on India’s Tech Boom w/ Shuvi Shrivastava

    India’s startup ecosystem is at a tipping point. With unicorn valuations correcting and global VCs recalibrating their bets, what does the future hold?  In this episode of Billion Dollar Moves, we sit down with Shuvi Shrivastava, Partner at Lightspeed, one of the world’s most influential venture firms, to unpack India’s rise, venture capital shifts, and the billion-dollar opportunities ahead. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or just someone tracking the next big global tech shift—this episode is packed with insights, bold plays, and lessons from the frontlines of India's venture boom. Timestamps/Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 02:00 - How Shuvi landed at Lightspeed; The evolution of india’s startup ecosystem 04:47 - Privatisation in India and the cultural shifts 07:17 - India’s unicorn boom and global market corrections 11:47 - Lightspeed’s India strategy & forth fund at $500M 16:19 - The rise of India in the global supply chain; the blooming advance engineering industries 17:44 - India’s robust IPO pipeline and exit landscape 19:42 - The surprising slow AI adoption in India; what makes a venture-backable company in India 24:18 - Billion Dollar Questions About Shuvi At Lightspeed India Partners, Shuvi Shrivastava invests in early-stage consumer and fin-tech startups in India and Southeast Asia. In a previous role she sourced DarwinBox at its Series A and also sourced ed-tech startup Byju's which was recently valued at $8 billion. She has also worked as a consultant with Bain & Co., led business development and operations at an early-stage computer vision startup, Drishti Tech, in Silicon Valley (raised close to $15 million from Andreessen Horowitz and Emergence Cap), and ran her own startup Uttr Labs. FOLLOW SHUVI: https://x.com/shuvi https://www.linkedin.com/in/shuvi-shrivastava/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

    29 min
  2. MAR 13

    From Family Offices to Private Equity Power Plays w/ Joel Sandhu, Top Tier Access

    In this episode, we take you inside Europe’s private equity pilgrimage at SuperReturn in Berlin, where the biggest names in venture capital and private equity gather to shape the future of investing. Featuring Joel Sandhu, co-founder of Top-Tier Access, a platform that connects family offices with the world’s top private equity and venture capital managers. With years of experience navigating the complexities of private markets, Joel shares his candid insights on the industry’s evolution, the changing role of family offices, and what separates the best investors from the rest. We dive into the latest trends in private capital—from market shifts and liquidity challenges to the rise of secondaries and why profitability is now king. Whether you’re an investor, founder, or just curious about how private capital really works, this episode is packed with unfiltered insights you won’t want to miss. Let’s dive in! Timestamps/Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 02:00 - The Private Equity pilgrimage in Berlin; networking and market trends 06:55 - From ’20-’21 deal activity to a historical norm; performance across asset classes 09:40 - Who is Joel Sandhu? The story behind co-founding Top Tier Access 13:34 - The evolution of Venture Capital & Family Offices; how Family Offices think about risk, returns, and impact 17:57 - Takes on impact and purposeful investment; investing in Private Equity vs. Venture Capital; growth vs. buyout funds 23:20 Building a winning investment portfolio 28:21 - Selecting emerging managers and the impact of diversity 30:38 - What makes a good GP? 34:16 - The rise of secondaries: LP-led vs. GP-led 40:49 - The landscape and opportunities of Mid-Market; AI’s impact on Private Equity 41:47 - Billion Dollar Questions - About Joel Sandhu Joel is the founder and Managing Partner of TTA, a Brussels based fund of funds in Private Equity. TTA brings institutional grade PE to the family office and HNWI segment. FOLLOW JOEL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelsandhu/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves   FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

    46 min
  3. MAR 6

    Women, Wealth, & Innovation: Female Founders and Funders Driving the Future

    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 Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 02:32 - Ella Jade (ROOBBA): AI-driven furniture business & disruptive marketing 06:15 - Fatou Diagne (Bootstrap Europe): Venture debt as an alternative to equity financing 08:27 - Mohadeseh Abdullahi (Molten Ventures): Investing in 81 funds to support early-stage startups & the rise of women-led funds 12:33 - Wiem Gharbi (Ankar AI): Inefficiencies in AI and intellectual property & the solutions ahead 15:47 - Venture debt; “Women are more risk-averse” 20:44 - Ella Jade’s fundraising strategy 25:03 - LP’s view: Specialised funds, rise of female GPs, & 2025 outlook 28:16 - AI investment strategy; the pressure to transform into AI-driven startups 32:08 - Q&A: Academia and entrepreneurship 35:37 - Q&A: The Billion Dollar opportunity for female founders 39:08 - Q&A: Blockchain and funding 40:46 - Final takeaways Panelists Ella Jade CEO & Co-Founder, ROOBBA Mohadeseh Abdullahi Investor, Molten Ventures Fatou Diagne Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Bootstrap Europe Wiem Gharbi Co-Founder, Ankar AI Moderated by: Sarah Chen-Spellings Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Beyond The Billion Read full recap here: https://beyondthebillion.com/the-billion-dollar-brew-london-edition/ PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

    47 min
  4. FEB 27

    CEO Series: Serena Williams, Serena Ventures

    As we celebrate Black Excellence this month, Serena Williams is the perfect feature for our Billion Dollar Moves CEO Series, where we unpack the strategic plays behind the world’s most iconic leaders. Serena Williams is more than a tennis legend—she’s a blueprint for reinvention, resilience, and generational impact. With 23 Grand Slam titles, four Olympic gold medals, and a net worth exceeding $340 million, Serena’s dominance on the court is undeniable. But here’s the real game-changer: only $95 million of that fortune came from tennis. The rest? Built through strategic investments, brand partnerships, and a deep commitment to empowering the next generation. From breaking barriers in a country-club sport to becoming a powerhouse in business and venture capital, Serena has mastered the art of winning—both in sport and in wealth creation. Let's dive in to her #BillionDollarMoves! Timestamps/Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 04:46 - Key Takeaway #1: Owning Who You Are, Your Trajectory & Staying The Course 10:08 - Key Takeaway #2: Unbreakable Resilience: Rising from Adversity 16:13 - Key Takeaway #3: The Business of Serena: From Court to Commerce— You Are Your Biggest Product 20:26 - Key Takeaway #4: Investing with Purpose 26:49 - Key Takeaway #5: Reclaiming Joy, Redefining Power at your own pace 29:10 - Recap: Serena William’s Billion Dollar Moves ABOUT SERENA WILLIAMS Serena Williams is widely regarded as the greatest women’s tennis player of all time, with 23 Grand Slam titles and an unmatched legacy in the sport. Beyond tennis, Serena has built an empire that extends into business, fashion, and philanthropy. She founded Serena Ventures, investing in women- and minority-led businesses, and has used her platform to advocate for gender equity in sports and maternal healthcare awareness. Her impact led to changes in WTA ranking policies for mothers returning to the sport, and her personal journey—from overcoming injuries to becoming a mother and business leader—continues to inspire generations.  FOLLOW SERENA: https://www.instagram.com/serenawilliams/ https://x.com/serenawilliams https://www.youtube.com/@SerenaWilliams Resource: The BoF Podcast | Serena Williams: ‘Pressure Is a Privilege’ The Story Behind Serena Williams | the Score Serena Williams’ opening monologue for The 2024 ESPYS What Serena Williams Gave the World | TIME Serena Ventures Raises $111 Million to Invest in Diversity | Amanpour and Company Life after tennis: Serena Williams on business ventures, family and her farm Serena (2016) | Full Documentary | Universal Documentaries Game, Set, Legacy: Serena Williams on Her Impact in Sports and Beyond #SerenaSaturday with Bryan Stevenson of Equal Justice Initiative How Serena Williams Wants to Conquer Wall Street | The Deal Game, Set, Legacy: Serena Williams on Her Impact in Sports and Beyond - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

    33 min
  5. FEB 20

    The 10.8X Playbook: Scaling with Speed w/ Prasad Vanga, Anthill Ventures

    India is on the move. Now the world’s fifth-largest economy, it’s on track to hit $5 trillion in GDP by 2027, fueled by over 900 million people under the age of 35.  And yet, despite delivering outsized returns and capital efficiency, women-led startups still receive less than 10% of total venture funding. That’s why Beyond The Billion launched in India last year—to catalyze capital at scale for women-founded companies and reshape the future of wealth creation. As the founder & CEO of Anthill Ventures, Prasad has built a global portfolio of 75 companies spanning India, the U.S., Europe, Israel, and Southeast Asia. With two unicorns, an IPO, and an impressive 10.8x multiple over seven years, Anthill is redefining speed scaling across media, healthtech, and urbantech. Now, as Beyond The Billion’s newest consortium member, Prasad and Anthill are doubling down on fueling the next wave of game-changing startups.  In this episode, we unpack his journey—from his unique approach in blending corporate scalability with startup agility to the success of his portfolio with over 40% being female founders/co-founders. Let’s dive in! Timestamps/Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 02:26 - “To scale with speed, you don’t need capital” 05:00 - Prasad’s unique lens as a founder and investor; Anthill’s framework to drive success in early stage companies 09:16 - Platform strategy: from corporate to VC 11:41 - Anthill’s portfolio with female representation at 45% 14:15 - The rise of Family offices in India 16:55 - The investment landscape in India; the powerful young generation 19:11 - Anthill’s playbook to achieve 10.8X multiples; the exit opportunities in India 22:22 - Billion Dollar Question About Prasad Prasad Vanga is the founder & CEO of Anthill Ventures, a speed scaling platform for early growth stage startups in Urban Lifestyle. Anthill has built a global portfolio of 75 companies across India, US, Europe, Israel and SE Asia. With 2 unicorns, 1 Spac and 1 IPO, Anthill is at a 11.6X multiple over 7 years. In his current role Prasad leads global strategy, fund management and venture building at Anthill Prasad has over 20 years of experience in helping senior executives from large organizations like Nike, Nestle, Novartis and Google to drive business transformations. His expertise is to help senior leaders discover the core competence of their organisations and design a change management framework that allows them to leverage their culture to drive large transformations.  FOLLOW PRASAD: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prasadvanga/ About Anthill Anthill is a Speed Scaling Ecosystem that invests in, and scales, early-stage companies in Media, Urban Tech and Health Tech. Our DNA lies in our ability to make targeted and timely interventions to scale startups and transport them to stronger growth trajectories. Driven by a strong team across USA, Singapore, and India as well as Venture Partners and Mentors across the globe, Anthill has partnered with some of the most innovative Corporations and Governments in Asia to give startups valuable connections and resources needed to achieve rapid growth. MORE INFO: https://anthillventures.com - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

    27 min
  6. FEB 13

    La French Tech & Beyond: Shaping France’s 25K Startup Boom w/ Fleur Pellerin, Korelya Capital

    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 worldwide About Fleur Fleur Pellerin is a French businesswoman, former civil servant and Socialist Party politician who served as a French government minister from 2012 to 2016 CEO & Founder of Korelya Capital, European VC Fund. French Junior Minister for SMEs, Innovation and the Digital Economy FOLLOW FLEUR: https://www.instagram.com/fleurpellerin/?hl=en https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleur_Pellerin https://www.linkedin.com/in/fleurpellerin/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

    40 min
  7. FEB 6

    The Billionaire Mindset: Robert Herjavec on Risk, Wealth & Scaling to $1B

    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 Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 01:46 - First impressions of Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurial spirit; perspective on wealth 02:55 - Critical strategies for Saudi Arabia entrepreneurs to succeed in Western markets 04:11 - Building a $1 million versus $100 million business 05:41 - The influence of Robert’s immigrant background on his leadership 06:24 - How to choose an idea to double down on 08:07 - Unexpected lessons learned from 21 years of Shark Tank 12:32 - Investment made through Shark Tank; are those good deals? 14:02 - The opportunity for women-led innovation in Saudi Arabia About Robert Herjavec Robert 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.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

    18 min
  8. JAN 30

    Best of 2024: Masterclass in Leadership, Innovation, and Resilience

    As we step into 2025, let’s pause to reflect on the lessons that shaped us in 2024. This week on Billion Dollar Moves, we’re bringing you a curated collection of the most impactful insights from our incredible guests over the past year. From overcoming rejection and pioneering in business to purposeful investing, bold leadership, and breaking stereotypes, this episode is packed with strategies and stories that defined a year of transformation. Get ready to relive these moments and glean inspiration to make your own #BillionDollarMoves in 2025! Timestamps/Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 0:40 - Key Takeaway 1: Resilience Through Rejection and Growth – Failure is but part of the process 01:11 - Melanie Perkins: From over 100 VC rejections to building Canva into a $26B startup 02:07 - Iman Abuzeid: Rejection is the norm; tips for selective fundraising 04:09 - Key Takeaway 2: Pioneering in Business 04:43 - Julie Wainwright: Just because something hasn’t been done doesn’t mean it can’t 06:24 - Anjali Sud: Pivoting Vimeo into a SaaS platform and navigating public listing 09:15 - Steve Chen: The ‘One-Way Ticket’: “If I have an idea, I'm just going to regret it if I don't take this opportunity now to actually try it out.” 11:01 - Key Takeaway 3: Purposeful Investing 11:40 - Jack Selby: Impact of capital and investing in art, film, and women in tech 13:27 - Beyond ChatGPT: Balancing advancement with ethics in AI investments. 17:10 - Key Takeaway 4: Leadership and Strategic Vision 17:33 - Glenda McNeal: Building partnerships and consumer focus as a growth leader 19:20 - Key Takeaway 5: Breaking Stereotypes 19:40 - Shama Amalean Skinner: Redefining women’s health and addressing stigma through advocacy 22:06 - Closing Remarks Best of 2024 Full Episodes: CEO Series: Melanie Perkins https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/ceo-series-melanie-perkins-canva/ [BITE] Iman Abuzeid: Rise of A Rare Unicorn https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/resilience-black-female-unicorn-iman-abuzeid-incredible-health/ Anjali Sud: From Vimeo to Tubi https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/vimeo-tubi-anjali-sud-leveraging-disruption/ CEO Series: Julie Wainwright https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/ceo-series-julie-wainwright-the-realreal/ Steve Chen: Journey After YouTube https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/journey-after-youtube-steve-chen-draco/ Jack Selby: Purposeful Investing in AI https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/purposeful-investing-in-ai-jack-selby-thiel-capital/ Beyond ChatGPT: AI Insights and Impact w/ OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Trill Impact https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/beyond-chatgpt-openai-google-deepmind-trill-impact/ Glenda McNeal: The Power of Influence and The Art of Partnerships https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/power-of-influence-art-of-partnerships-glenda-mcneal-american-express/ Shama Amalean Skinner: Why ‘Taboo’ Brands Win https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/breaking-barriers-taboo-brands-shama-amalean-skinner-former-coo-thinx/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves   FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

    23 min
5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Lead, build, and invest better. Join award-winning entrepreneur and investor Sarah Chen-Spellings as she travels across the globe in search of what she calls the 'unexpected leader'. Every week, we 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. Billion Dollar Moves is proud to be part of the Hubspot Podcast Network with 10 million downloads a month as a group.

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