This week in the Boardroom, we had a fascinating conversation with Ilya Strebulaev, the Unicorn Whisperer. Over his 20-year career at the center of Silicon Valley’s startup gold rush, he has turned the art of investing in startups through Venture Capital and Private Equity, into a science. 

He is a tenured Professor of Finance and Private Equity at Stanford Graduate School of Business and a leading authority on venture capital, innovation, and entrepreneurship. In this episode, we dug deep into his insights on how the VC industry has evolved over time, what challenges and opportunities entrepreneurs and investors face in the current market, what makes Silicon Valley’s ecosystem unique and what lessons can be learned by other regions. Professor Ilya also describes some of the common mistakes and best practices investors make when valuing, selecting, and scaling companies. 

Listen in for an eye-opening glimpse into the future of VC and the new wave of groundbreaking innovations across the world. 

Whether you are an aspiring or seasoned entrepreneur, investor, or simply curious about the world of tech startups and innovation, you don’t want to miss this episode!

If you are interested in learning more about Prof. Ilya and his amazing work, follow the link here.

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In this week's episode, we dive into a conversation on the extraordinary life and work of Ahva Sadeghi, a changemaker leading the evolution of digital talent pipelines as a social entrepreneur, economist and C.E.O of Symba. 

Through deep reflections on culture and identity, Ahva shares childhood experiences, pivotal moments in her early career, and the fascinating evolution of her identity through the lens of her life’s work. We discover the inspiring journey that led Ahva to co-found an award-winning tech startup dedicated to democratizing workplace access through internships and apprenticeships in the USA, with global ambitions underway. 

Ahva also discusses the nuance behind how she built Symba, intentionally optimizing their solution to be attractive to investors as well as the final users. We also discuss the power of co-founder relationships and her approach to dealing with uncertainty. 

Brace yourselves for eye-opening insights into the future of early talent development in both the developing and developed world, alongside Ahva revealing Symba's impressive global growth aspirations! 

If you are interested in learning more about Ahva and the amazing work she does, follow the link here.

Find out more about Symba here.

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Forever on the move, forever setting trends, forever doing that which they say cannot be done, G-Money is a man that lives up to his motto. 

As a UK-born, Jamaican-rooted and Kenyan-bred international DJ, radio host and events extraordinaire, Gmoney has a lifetime of experience building communities around the prevailing sounds of a generation. 

In this episode, we explore how a multicultural upbringing and a life of travel have shaped and birthed the media personality we know today as well as the never heard before experiences and life stories that made him who he is today. In this profound and fascinating conversation, G Money opens up like never before, threading a hilarious, colorful, and rich story of his never-ending journey in pursuit of craft excellence. 

Some know him as a radio personality, others know him for bringing in some of the world's biggest acts to perform in Kenya, and others know him as a friend or colleague. Join us in the Boardroom to deconstruct the man behind the legend.

If you are interested in learning more about G-money and the amazing work he does, follow the link here.

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In the increasingly globalized world that we live in, it’s important for us to learn how to be keepers of our values as Africans as we live and work in different multicultural environments.

In today’s episode, we welcome Wadzanayi Mutema (Wadzy) to the Boardroom to unpack what it truly means to be culture custodians and global citizens. Wadzy is from Zimbabwe and has expansive experience working in various African countries such as South Africa, Mozambique, Uganda, Namibia as well as in Europe. 

She breaks down how living and working in multicultural environments has nurtured her ability to assimilate and adapt- and how she has translated such skills in identifying gaps in the workplace and designing solutions.Wadzy draws some comparisons between work culture in Africa and in Finland where she currently works and emphasizes how important it is to learn from the West but also be keepers of our own values as Africans when working in these different parts of the world.

If you are interested in learning more about Wadzy and the amazing work he does, follow the link here.

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With the advent of digital payments and similar finance innovations across Africa, important questions surface about the future of money, it’s role in our society and the tools that will eventually stand the test of time. 

To answer these questions we spoke to Tauriq Keraan, a digital payments veteran, former C.E.O of South Africa’s first digital bank known as Tyme Bank and the current Group Executive of Growth Projects at Tyme Group. In this conversation, we unpack the role that fintech and financial services have played in alleviating poverty, unlocking opportunities and disrupting traditional finance models across the global south. 

We also explore how Tauriq’s personal journey to pursue financial freedom early in his life, instilled a passion for equipping others who come from humble beginnings with wealth-building tools.  

Join us for another insightful guest episode discussion in the boardroom about the future of money, crafting a high-impact career and cryptocurrency in Africa.

NEWS:

If you are interested in learning more about Tauriq and the amazing work he does, follow the link here.

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From the peak of a stellar, accomplished and global career as a Fortune 500 executive, this week's guest reflects on the composition of what success means to us as Africans.

After spending 30 years building global brands, championing development and mobilizing cutting-edge ideas, Yaw Nsarkoh sits down with us to unpack the composition of the modern-day Pan-African.

In this episode, we take a walk down history lane, understanding Africa's complex struggle to decolonize and find her identity and the movements and icons that shaped our present. Yaw unpacks and investigates deep revelations about Africa's social, political and economic situation, unlike anyone we have ever spoken to before on the podcast.

Armed with a realistic view of our strengths as a people and his brilliant visibility as the former Executive Vice President of Global Markets at Unilever, Yaw hands us a blueprint for Africa's 21st Century rebirth into a potential global superpower.

Join us in the Boardroom for yet another inspiring, insightful and provocative learning experience with a real African Giant.

If you are interested in learning more about Yaw and the amazing work he does, follow this link here.

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Can you recall the most memorable workplace you've ever been a part of? What made it stand out? Was it the leadership, your colleagues, the work atmosphere, the compensation, or a combination of factors?

In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Gary Cookson in the Boardroom. Gary is not only a father of four and a dedicated husband, but he also runs a successful business called EPIC in his spare time, assisting clients in enhancing workplace performance.

Drawing from his extensive 25 years of experience in Human Resources and Hybrid Working, Gary emphasizes the significance of fostering meaningful relationships in the workplace, encouraging employees to bring their authentic selves to work, and highlighting the crucial role that human connection plays in fostering employee happiness.

In the current era dominated by hybrid work, Gary shares his insights on how organizations can create work environments that unlock the full potential of their employees and cultivate a work culture rooted in values and purpose.

Tune in for another masterclass on the future of work and learn how you can prepare yourself to thrive!

If you are interested in learning more about Gary and the amazing work he does, search 'Gary Cookson' on LinkedIn.

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We've all dreamt about it: getting into Stanford, Harvard, Oxford, you name it!

But oftentimes we stop in our tracks and give in to our doubts... am I talented enough? Are my grades good enough? Do they even know the obscure local schools I went to? Do they really consider people like me?

In this episode, we spoke to Breauna Marie Spencer- the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the Computer Science department at Stanford University. Her renowned research and advocacy work is dedicated to increasing the number of women and students of color enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

We discussed the historical myths, lived realities and barriers often set up to hinder minority groups from accessing elite universities and how her life's work has cumulated in breaking barriers and creating easier access for minorities to achieve their dreams at Stanford and beyond.

Join us as we unpack the life and work of one of the most dedicated, fun and accomplished diversity and inclusion experts in the game. Who knows, she might have just given us the blueprint for our next higher education adventure at a world-renowned university.

If you are interested in learning more about Breauna and the amazing work she does at Stanford, check out her profile here.

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How are you? Like really, how are you feeling?

This week's Founder-in-Studio collaboration brings into focus a topic loved and appreciated in the Boardroom: Wellness. As high-energy, ambitious entrepreneurs, young professionals and go-getters- we sometimes need to sit down with ourselves and those around us for a quick P.E.N check. Khushbu Kotak, a mental health advocate and the C.E.O. of Salama Minds joins us in the Boardroom as we investigate the cultural similarities and nuances in African and Asian communities surrounding our attitudes on mental health and wellness.

Join us as we explore how historical events, the weather and our varied upbringings dictate our relationship with our minds as we get older.

To find out more about Khushbu and the amazing work that she does check out this link:

https://linktr.ee/Salama_Minds?lt_utm_source=lt_share_link#243442550

Welcome to our 100th episode! With reflection and gratitude being guiding values in the Boardroom, we decided to bring back one of our first and most impactful guests, Dr. Mzamo Masito, the Chief Marketing Officer for Google Africa.

In this special episode, we explore the unique power of our minds and our ability to turn our situations, no matter how complex and varied, into success. Dr. Mzamo guides us along on his personal journey of transcending the limiting beliefs he had about wealth, time, freedom and accomplishment. We also deconstruct the opportunities presently available to African youth and our role in designing a future we can be proud of. We could not imagine a better way to cross into our 100th episode milestone.

Join us in the Boardroom to unpack the mindset, beliefs and stories behind one of our continent's most revered and accomplished thinkers.

If you are interested in learning more about Dr. Mzamo and the amazing work he does at Google Africa, check out his LinkedIn here.

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Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true