Female VC Lab

In this episode of the Female VC Lab Podcast, Barbara Bickham hosts Marcia Dawood, a venture partner with Mindshift Capital. Marcia shares her journey into the world of venture capital, sparked by an unexpected introduction to angel investing. Realizing the gender disparity in funding, she teamed up with Heather Hennion to establish Mindshift Capital, focusing on investing in women-led companies globally. The conversation delves into their investment thesis, targeting innovation in tech, fintech, food tech, edtech, and health tech. Marcia highlights the complexities and rewards of global investing, learning to navigate different markets to support groundbreaking ideas.

Marcia discusses her fascination with people's mindsets and relationships with money, emphasizing the importance of democratizing investing. She highlights her initiatives to educate and invite more people, especially women, into the investing realm through her podcast "The Angel Next Door" and her book "Do Good While Doing". Reflecting on the future, Marcia envisions a more accessible private investing landscape, akin to the evolution seen in public markets, and advocates for expanding the definition of an accredited investor. Tune in to explore how these changes could foster greater inclusivity and innovation in the venture capital world.

In this riveting episode of Female VC Lab, we delve deep into the transformative potential of smart cities, particularly through the lens of AI and data-driven urban planning. Live from CES 2025, they unpack insights from a panel of experts in weather forecasting, urban design, and civic technology.

Join us as we explore how AI can predict extreme weather events far beyond historical patterns, and how it can help cities prepare for unprecedented challenges. Learn about the revolutionary concept of probabilistic forecasting and its implications for emergency preparedness. We also discuss the idea of citizen-centric smart cities, where technology elevates the convenience and inclusivity of public services.

However, it's not all about shiny new tech. Daniel and Barbara also tackle the pressing issues of data management, standardization, and the ethical use of AI. They highlight the importance of public-private partnerships and the need for robust data systems to build truly smart cities.

From the Amazonification of government services to the ethical development and deployment of AI, this episode covers a spectrum of topics that are shaping the future of urban living. We wrap it up by discussing the broader implications of AI, including job displacement, privacy concerns, and the potential for misuse by authoritarian regimes.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the convergence of technology, urban planning, and ethical considerations in building the cities of tomorrow. Tune in and get inspired about the future of smart cities!

E108 - Liz Kukka: Innovating Purpose and Impact through Tokenized Lending

In this enlightening episode of the Female VC Lab podcast, host Barbara Bickham sits down with Liz Kukka, CEO of Purpose For Profit. Liz dives deep into her groundbreaking work with Purpose For Profit, a tokenized lending fund dedicated to building affordable, mixed-income housing. 

Discover how they are leveraging blockchain technology to provide below-market-rate loans, offering a transparent and revolutionary way to fund and manage real estate projects. Liz also discusses the motivation behind their innovative funding structure, the challenges nonprofits face in raising capital, and the potential of crypto assets to make a real-world impact.

Tune in to hear Liz share her insights on the future of venture capital and digital assets, the importance of affordable housing, and her personal journey towards creating a more equitable financial system. Whether you're an investor, a tech enthusiast, or someone interested in social impact, this episode offers valuable perspectives on how financial innovation can drive meaningful change.

Key Takeaways:

Don't miss this episode packed with innovative ideas and practical insights. Listen now to learn from one of the leading voices at the intersection of finance, technology, and social impact!

Episode E107: Julia Krieger - Pari Passu Venture Partners

In this enlightening episode of the Female VC Lab Podcast, host Barbara Bickham sits down with Julia Krieger, the dynamic force behind Pari Passu Venture Partners. Julia shares her journey to becoming a venture capitalist, driven by her passion for building and creating. She reveals the innovative model of Pari Passu, which focuses on individual SPVs and robust support systems to ensure the success of their diverse portfolio.

Barbara and Julia delve into the meaning and inspiration behind the name "Pari Passu," emphasizing equal footing and deep founder support. Julia also discusses the importance of having operatives on the cap table who bring invaluable experience and insights to the businesses they invest in.

Listeners will gain insights into Julia’s current personal growth journey, highlighted by her reflections on The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer. Julia shares her philosophy of "flow versus force," explaining how this mindset can influence leadership and operational success.

Looking forward, Julia and Barbara explore future trends in venture capital, such as the increasing emphasis on value-add investors and the thoughtful selection of cap table participants. They also touch on emerging industries that promise interesting opportunities for investors.

Don't miss this engaging conversation filled with practical wisdom, future forecasts, and the innovative approach of Pari Passu Venture Partners. Tune in to discover how this unique venture capital model fosters a supportive, dynamic community for founders and investors alike.

Key topics discussed:

Julia Krieger's journey to venture capitalism

Unique SPV-focused model of Pari Passu Venture Partners

The significance of the name "Pari Passu"

Concept of "flow versus force" in leadership

Emerging trends and industries in venture capital

Pari Passu’s commitment to creating a supportive investment community

Contact Information: Julia Krieger - [email protected]

Tune in and be inspired by Julia Krieger's innovative approach to venture capital!

In this compelling episode of "Female VC Lab," host Barbara Bickham sits down with Keara Sauber, the dynamic CEO of Sauber Capital. With over 20 years of experience in the healthcare and technology sectors, Keara discusses her seminal journey from big pharma to venture capital. She shares her unique investment thesis, focusing on biotech diagnostics, women's health, and the importance of supporting female founders.

Listen in as Keara delves into emerging sectors like longevity and distinguishes between health span and lifespan, emphasizing preventative biotech diagnostics. She also shares her current reading habits, blending a mix of professional venture documents with personal interests in longevity and biohacking.

Barbara and Keara explore the future landscape of venture capital, highlighting the need for more specialization and collaboration among venture funds, private equity, and investment bankers. They also discuss how venture capital needs to adapt by offering diverse financial instruments.

Looking ahead, both Barbara and Keara ponder how venture capital will evolve over the next two years, stressing the importance of inclusive thinking and collaborative efforts to bring in more female voices and varied funding strategies.

Tune in for invaluable insights and forward-thinking discussions that are reshaping the world of venture capital, one investment at a time.

In this episode of the Female VC Lab Podcast, host Barbara Bickham sits down with Kt McBratney from Renew Venture Capital and Purpose Rounds. They dive deep into the critical role of venture capital in addressing societal challenges and supporting historically overlooked founders, particularly women and underrepresented groups. Kt shares insights on the importance of intersectionality in funding, the need to challenge exclusionary systems, and how opening up investment opportunities can empower diverse communities. They also discuss the evolving landscape of venture capital, the impact of Gen Z's values, and the necessity for innovation within the industry. Tune in to learn how Kt is working to create a more inclusive and equitable future in venture capital and how you can get involved in this transformative movement.

Welcome to Episode E104 of the Female VC Lab Podcast! In this engaging episode, host Barbara Bickham chats with Anne Gherini, the Chief Marketing Officer at Sierra Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on the future of enterprise. Anne shares her transition from being an operator to becoming a venture capitalist, highlighting her passion for early-stage investments and the dynamic nature of her role. She dives into Sierra Ventures' investment thesis centered on B2B software and discusses the exciting yet challenging landscape of venture capital, especially with the rapid advancements in AI. Anne also reveals her latest reads and offers insightful predictions about the evolving VC industry. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on the world of venture capital and the future of enterprise technology!

Welcome to another episode of the Female VC Lab Podcast! In today's episode, we're thrilled to host Katie Quilligan, an investor at Bank Tech Ventures. Katie shares her inspiring journey from working on the operator side at companies like American Express to becoming a venture capitalist driven by the passion to support women entrepreneurs. She dives deep into the unique investment thesis of Bank Tech Ventures, a strategic fund backed by over 100 community banks, and their mission to bridge the gap between traditional banking and modern technology. Katie also discusses how AI and innovation are transforming the banking landscape, the importance of balancing innovation with regulatory compliance, and her insights on the future of venture capital. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with valuable perspectives and actionable insights for aspiring investors and entrepreneurs alike.

Keri Findley,  is the founder of Tacora Capital,  an Austin, Texas based firm which does asset-backed private credit to venture-owned companies. Providing loans to youngish companies is an important part of the VC ecosystem, and Keri takes pride in helping young entrepreneurs grow their startups.