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

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

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

  • Data & Disruption: From MySQL to Truecaller w/ Tom Henrikkson, OpenOcean

    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 TAKEAWAYS


    0:00 - Intro

    01:49 - Parenting: risk taking and philosophy as a VC

    05:17 - “Entrepreneurship is the worst thing that you can do”; the evolution of entrepreneurship in Finland

    09:10 - How to go on after failing first four investments

    12:38 - Investing in software; MySQL

    15:44 - Joining Nokia back in 2002; what made Nokia ahead of the others?

    20:38 - Jyri Engerstrom & the innovator’s dilemma; Podia, the now Twitter

    25:01 - From Nokia to OpenOcean

    30:20 - 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 craze

    38:03 - An anti-portfolio

    39:52 - Billion Dollar Questions



    About Tom Henriksson


    Tom 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/


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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


    FOLLOW SARAH:

    LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal

    Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

    46 min
  • CEO Series: Julie Wainwright, The RealReal

    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:

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

    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


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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


    FOLLOW SARAH:

    LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal

    Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

    29 min
  • Unveiling the Power Shift: Private Wealth’s Impact on Venture Capital

    This week, we’re bringing you an exclusive panel discussion from the Arctic15 LP Summit 2024. Moderated by Sarah Chen-Spellings, this conversation dives deep into the evolving venture capital landscape, driven by the influx of private wealth.


    Joining Sarah are Tor-Oskar Karlberg, Investment Director at Stephen Industries; Ville Solja, Owner & Investor at Kiilto Ventures; and Nydia Zhang, Investment Director at Ferretto Capital.


    Together, the panel explores how family offices and high-net-worth individuals are transforming the venture space, the driving factors behind this shift, and the unique opportunities it presents for both investors and entrepreneurs.


    Tune in now for insights into the strategies family offices are using to shape the future of venture capital!


    TIMESTAMPS / KEY TAKEAWAYS


    0:00 - Intro

    04:02 - Where do venture stands in family offices’ portfolio? 

    07:53 - Building the portfolio; using funds as an entry point to deal flow

    09:55 - The investment landscape of family offices in Asia; “we need to know who we are before we start to look for what we like”

    14:01 - Involvement in direct investments as a next-gen in family offices; “we need to be more active; not only because we find strong purpose, we actually need to do in order to survive.”

    16:42 - Purposeful investing and making impact as family offices

    21:54 - Outlook for the current and the next cycle; how is Asia faring as a region

    27:16 - Audience questions


    Full Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKnKGKd_4WI

    Panelists:

    Tor-Oskar Karlberg- Investment Director, Stephen Industries

    Ville Solja – Owner & Investor, Kiilto Ventures

    Nydia Zhang – Investment Director, Ferretto Capital

    Moderator: 

    Sarah Chen-Spellings – Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Beyond The Billion


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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


    FOLLOW SARAH:

    LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal

    Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

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

    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:

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


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    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


      FOLLOW SARAH:

      LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal

      Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal

      Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

      52 min
    • [BITE] $5Bn Supply Chain Giant Building Under the Radar w/ Johanna Småros, RELEX Solutions

      This week, we are resurfacing our conversation with Johanna Småros, co-founder of RELEX Solutions, one of Finland's leading unicorns. In our conversation, we delve into the unique path of RELEX Solutions, which was bootstrapped for more than 10 years and built “The Finnish Way” - practical and transparent.


      From bootstrapping for over a decade to transforming the company into a global leader, her story is a testament to innovation, resilience, and strategic vision.

      This is why, Johanna is next on the list of #BillionDollarMoves we should all learn from.


      TIMESTAMPS / KEY TAKEAWAYS

      0:00 - Intro

      02:29 - Lesson #1: Don't Underestimate Academic Foundations

      05:16 - Lesson #2: Do It Your Way: The Finnish Way of Building

      07:03 - Lesson #3: Find Your Unique Approach in a Saturated Space

      10:56 - Lesson #4: Leverage Existing Champions to Drive Global Ambition

      15:11 - 3 Actionable Questions for You


      If you enjoyed this, tune in to full episode with Johanna!

      From Bootstrapped Startup to Finnish Tech Unicorn: RELEX Solutions' Rise w/ Johanna Småros, RELEX Solutions

      🎙️Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/bdm-johanna 

      🎞️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3moRBN0M5r0

      🌐 Website: https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/from-bootstrap-to-finnish-tech-unicorn-relex-solutions-johanna-smaros/ 


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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


      FOLLOW SARAH:

      LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal

      Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal

      Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

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

      This week’s episode features Nick Washburn, Senior Managing Director at Intel Capital. If you're an investor—or aspire to be—this conversation is a masterclass you won't want to miss.

      For those who might not be familiar, Intel Capital is the venture capital arm of Intel Corporation, and it's long been considered the gold standard in the industry. They've backed legendary companies like Red Hat, VMware, and DocuSign, among others. Over the past three decades, they've seen more than 250 of their portfolio companies go public and have had another 500 successful exits. And since 2018 alone, Intel Capital has seen approximately $12 billion in market cap companies hit the public markets.

      From the intricacies of reserve strategies to the common pitfalls that even seasoned VCs can stumble into, we’ve covered it all.

      This insider look at the art and science of venture investing, especially from someone with Nick's experience, is packed with valuable insights. So, trust me, this is one conversation you don't want to miss!


      TIMESTAMPS / KEY TAKEAWAYS

      0:00 - Intro

      01:32 - Lessons from ice hockey: “Go to where the puck was going”

      02:39 - Shaping founders to be less output-focused; “All of the biggest outcomes are extreme outliers and there is no path.”

      04:26 - Pattern matching; “Try to not focus necessarily on the background, but more of their understanding of the problem statement and why they feel best position to solve it.”

      06:45 - The two sins in venture: sins of omission and commission

      10:06 - The hyped AI field and what matters more to the devs and customers?

      13:43 - Cybersecurity; singular platform versus best tools

      16:10 - Core competency of Intel Capital in investment; “I invest both in developer tools and infrastructure software; if I don't look at them in the right aperture, I get it wildly wrong.”

      19:49 - Inside Intel Capital: north of 250 IPOs and 500 exits in the past 30 years

      24:19 - What has Intel Capital done right in structuring?; “You should lead with the goal and then reverse it in the process.”

      27:48 - Nick’s personal journey from law school to investments; the imposter syndrome

      31:44 - The anti-portfolio; FreshPaint: “They have not pivoted. They just reposition because that's where the market demand was coming.”

      35:06 - On guiding founders; Charles Hudson’s “When to Intervene”

      38:43 - The dynamics of Intel’s investment committee and strategy framework

      42:17 - Takes on current market conditions

      43:38 - Billion Dollar Questions


      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.


      FOLLOW NICK:

      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

      49 min
    • [REPLAY] Faith, Finance, & Technology w/ Fara Abdullah, Bitsmedia

      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 are revisiting our conversation 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 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 delves into various aspects, including the business landscape, the potential in faith-driven markets, and the interception of faith, finance, and technology. 

       

      TIMESTAMPS

      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


      3 Key Insights:

      1/ The market is HUGE and there’s something for everyone.

      With the global Muslim population surpassing 2 billion as we’re speaking now, the market needs continue to evolve.

      Beyond facilitating religious practices, there's a plethora of avenues to explore, from educational content for children to virtual community building and financial services.

       

      2/ Infusion of technology is inevitable in today’s world; we cannot simply steer away from it.

      “Regardless of how afraid we are of it, how much we want to preserve certain things, this technology wave is coming,”

      Despite concerns, the inevitable wave of technology presents significant opportunities.

      According to Fara, embracing this wave requires courage while prioritizing community safety and moderation.

       

      3/ See the market potential beyond complexity.

      While the complexity of faith-related businesses may deter some, more and more investors recognize the immense potential within this market.

      And just like any business, expertise and strategic vision are essential to harnessing these opportunities effectively.


      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.


      -


      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

      44 min
    • Why Serial Entrepreneurs Make Top VCs: Google & Groupon Exits; Oura & Kickstarter Investments w/ Jyri Engeström

      We’re thrilled to feature Jyri Engeström, a serial entrepreneur who found early success with exits to Google and Groupon. Now an investor, Jyri continues to shape the startup landscape as a General Partner at Yes VC, the fund he co-founded with his partner, Caterina Fake, co-founder of Flickr. At the same time, Jyri makes significant strides in building and investing in startups alongside Petteri Koponen at Lifeline Ventures in Finland.


      We delve into the opportunities and technologies shaping the future, lessons Jyri has learned from his time in Silicon Valley, and how Finland is positioning itself as a global startup hub. Jyri’s deep understanding of network theory, social dynamics, and his curiosity about emerging markets—from space colonization to geopolitical shifts—makes this an episode you won’t want to miss.


      TIMESTAMP / KEY TAKEAWAYS

      0:00 - Intro

      02:41 - The Innovator’s Dilemma, Sociology, & bi-continental life in Finland & the US

      06:20 - Working in Nokia to founding Jaiku

      08:56 - Google’s acquisition of Jaiku

      12:52 - Selling Ditto to Groupon; “I knew to kill the app immediately after the acquisition,”

      16:09 - Lessons learned as a serial entrepreneur; leadership

      19:01 - New chapters with True Ventures and Yes VC; patterns of success in portfolio 

      25:04 - Yes VC’s super early stage approach; thoughts on legacy

      32:06 - Identifying the potential unicorns; how to be curiosity-driven, continuously

      37:00 - Minting the unicorns & the anti-portfolios

      39:37 - The founder product fit; Petteri Koponen’s pattern of success

      44:48 - Raising children; parallel entrepreneurship

      49:58 - The liquidity & exit landscape and deal flow in Finland today

      54:11 - Jyri's trajectory for the next five years; messages to global investors

      56:29 - Billion Dollar Questions


      Brought to you by Helsinki Partners


      The third edition of Founders to Finland Program helps international scale-up

      founders build their business network in the Nordics. This 7-day program takes place

      in Helsinki in November, and its 15 selected participants get to experience the magic

      of the Slush startup conference and valuable side events with a free ticket. Expect

      hyper-relevant networking, personal introductions to local companies, and tailored

      info sessions to learn more about the innovative spirit of the Finnish scale-up culture.


      Learn more and apply by September 1!



      ABOUT JYRI


      Jyri has invested in several unicorns including Unity, Oura, Iceye and Boom Supersonic. Jyri’s entrepreneurial journey began with Jaiku, a mobile social networking service he co-founded with Petteri Koponen and sold to Google in 2007. He sold his second company Ditto, a recommendation service, to Groupon in 2012. In 2020 he founded Primary Diagnostics, a healthcare platform serving tens of millions of people across the U.S.


      For four years Jyri was at True Ventures, a leading Silicon Valley venture fund, where he invested in e.g. Iceye, the world’s largest radar satellite constellation, with Lifeline. Alongside Lifeline Ventures Jyri is Partner at Yes VC, a venture firm he co-founded with Caterina Fake in San Francisco. Yes VC has notable investments in carbon capture, post-fossil energy, space and AI. Jyri combines company-building with venture investing. “Entrepreneurship is a skill. It takes discipline and practice. Each company we build improves our hit rate going forward.”


      FOLLOW JYRI:

      LinkedIn | X/Twitter | Instagram | Podcast: Startup-Ministeriön


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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


      FOLLOW SARAH:

      LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal

      Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal

      Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

      1 hr 2 min
    • Journey after YouTube w/ Steve Chen, Draco Evolution

      This week's episode is proudly brought to you by Tatler Gen.T.


      On July 12th, we celebrated the groundbreaking launch of Draco Evolution Corp’s AI-driven ETF, now trading on the NYSE. We had the privilege to speak with the visionary co-founders, Jack Fu and Steve Chen, about their innovative ideas and the future of finance.


      This week, we dive deeper into Steve Chen’s journey co-founding and leaving YouTube, and why we should all take bold leaps in life.


      TIMESTAMPS / KEY TAKEAWAYS


      0:00 - Intro

      02:42 - 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.”

      04:16 - The real story of YouTube: “it was a dating video site”; “it was through these changes as you're pivoting around and figuring out exactly where this path is going to take you”

      09:00 - Google’s acquisition of YouTube; “He said, we’re making the largest acquisition ever made by Google,”

      11:48 - Behind key decisions: “The answer usually is in our heads already.”; the hardest lesson learned

      14:40 - Building legacy and impact; “What brings you happiness?”


      About Steve Chen


      Steve Chen is a Taiwanese-American Internet entrepreneur who is one of the co-founders and previous chief technology officer of the video-sharing website YouTube. After he co-founded the company AVOS Systems, Inc. and built the video-sharing app MixBit, he joined Google Ventures in 2014.


      TUNE IN TO PART 1


      Building Legacy & The Future of Finance w/ Steve Chen & Jack Fu, Draco Evolution

      🎙️Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/bdm-draco

      🎞️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzjmFfRequ8

      🌐 Website: https://www.billiondollarmoves.com/the-future-of-finance-steve-chen-jack-fu-draco-evolution-nyse/ 


      READ MORE:

      DRACO EVOLUTION’S STEVE CHEN AND JACK FU ON BUILDING LEGACY AND THE FUTURE OF FINANCE | Tatler Gen.T


      -


      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
    • CEO Series: Adi Tatarko, Houzz

      This week, we're diving into the remarkable journey of Adi Tatarko, Co-Founder and CEO of Houzz, a story that epitomizes resilience, innovation, and the strength of community. 


      Adi and her husband, Alon Cohen, turned their personal frustration into a global leader in the home renovation and design industry. What began as a side project evolved into a multi-billion dollar enterprise, now serving over 3 million professionals and 70 million users worldwide. 


      Let's unpack Adi’s #billiondollarmoves in today's CEO Series!


      TIMESTAMPS / KEY TAKEAWAYS


      0:00 - Intro

      1:44 - Lesson #1: Don’t underestimate the power of being open to opportunities

      4:52 - Lesson #2: Bootstrapping in the beginning is not the worst Idea

      8:50 - Lesson #3: Build for scale AND RESILIENCE by focusing on sound foundations

      13:38 - Billion Dollar Questions


      About Adi Tatarko


      Adi Tatarko is the co-founder and CEO of Houzz, an online platform for home remodeling and design she and her husband, Alon Cohen, started in 2009. The couple launched the website after they had trouble finding ideas for remodeling their house. Under her leadership, the company has become an influential marketplace in the design industry, connecting millions of homeowners with home professionals globally. Alon replaced Adi as CEO of the company in January 2024. 


      Prior to founding Houzz, Adi worked in international finance. She holds a BA in Economics from Tel Aviv University. Adi’s entrepreneurial acumen and deep understanding of the technology-driven consumer market make her a valuable addition to any venture capital portfolio.


      FOLLOW ADI | LinkedIn


      Source:


      How I Built This with Guy Rap | Adi Tatarko 


      'Maybe I'm Not A Typical Founder But So What?': How Houzz Cofounder Adi Tatarko Leads Uniquely | Forbes Women


      Outsider Insight: Adi Tatarko | Sequoia Capital


      Adi Tatarko (Houzz) at Startup Grind Silicon Valley


      Houzz CEO on how she took her idea to help homeowners remodel homes and turned it a global business | Yahoo Finance


      Houzz CEO: Empowering Users | Mad Money | CNBC


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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


      FOLLOW SARAH:

      LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal

      Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal

      Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

      17 min

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

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    Conversations with billionaires, unicorn founders, and the world’s leading funders.

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