Female VC Lab

Episode 119: Kim Flynn: XA Investments

Barbara Bickham — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Hi {{ first name | Impactful Listener }}!

Kim Flynn joins the Female VC Lab to discuss her journey in finance, the mission behind XA Investments, and how her firm is democratizing access to private markets for individual investors. She offers insights on industry trends, her reading list, and predicts the evolution of venture capital and investing over the next few years.

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Key Points Discussed

Kim’s personal career path and motivation for founding XA Investments
Making private market strategies accessible for individual investors
Challenges and innovations in fund structures (drawdown vs. evergreen funds)
Industry reading habits and staying informed
Trends in venture capital and strategies for retail access and risk mitigation

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Chapters

Kim introduces herself and her firm [00:10]
Kim’s inspiration for entering finance and investing [00:27]
Discussion on private market access and fund structures [02:06]
Industry publications and personal reading habits [05:12]
How venture capital is evolving for retail investors [07:33]
Contact info and educational resources [11:13]

Full Topic Guide

Expanding Access: How XA Investments Opens Private Markets to Individual Investors

Introduction

Kim Flynn, Co-Founder and President of XA Investments, is on a mission to expand private market access to individual investors. Through innovative fund structures and deep industry expertise, she’s helping reshuffle the traditional barriers separating retail from institution-grade investments.

The Inspiration behind XA Investments

Kim’s journey began with a passion for finance, leading her to investment banking and eventually asset management. Her motivation, as she explains at [00:27], stemmed from a desire to solve problems for individual investors and design high-performing products geared towards personal wealth and retirement. Recognizing the limited options available to most Americans, she focuses on democratizing investment opportunities that were once reserved for endowments and pension funds.

Private Market Strategies and Fund Structures

Institutional investors have long dominated private markets—real estate, private equity, and infrastructure—with allocations to illiquid, long-duration assets such as toll roads and airports, discussed by Kim at [02:06]. Most individuals have not had access to these asset classes due to restrictive fund structures and complicated tax implications. XA Investments tackles these obstacles by offering products that make private markets approachable, circumventing typical barriers like K1 tax forms and illiquid drawdown funds.

The transition toward evergreen funds, which recycle capital and reinvest over time, is facilitating more opportunities for retail investors. As Kim explains at [04:25], this shift allows individual investors to participate without the complexities and delays associated with traditional private funds. It’s a game-changer for U.S. private wealth, opening up participation in early-stage companies and previously inaccessible strategies.

Industry Insights: Learning and Staying Informed

Kim stays ahead by reading widely—Financial Times, Economist, Barron’s, Fundfire, Ignites, Citywire, Wealth Management, as well as history and romance books. She emphasizes the importance of combining industry reading with broader literature for context and depth, as highlighted at [06:27] with her example of reading The Tattooist of Auschwitz and watching related films to enrich her understanding.

The Evolution of Venture Capital

Retail investors are experiencing increased access to venture capital thanks to innovative fund structures and risk mitigation strategies. Kim notes at [07:33] that private equity funds are starting to allocate portions to venture, giving clients a taste of early-stage investing within diversified portfolios. Interval funds and listed closed-end funds are also playing a role in democratizing venture capital. The trend is toward diversified bets, enabling investors to participate in themes such as AI across multiple companies, rather than concentrated bets in single firms.

Kim believes the gatekeepers—financial advisors—are setting the stage for broader access through risk-managed approaches, whether through standalone venture funds or venture allocations within larger portfolios. The new wrappers, such as listed closed-end funds, are being repurposed from municipal bonds to venture and private equity, serving as an innovative entry point for investors seeking exposure to private markets at [10:14].

Resources and Staying Engaged

Kim shares that her firm regularly posts educational content on LinkedIn and offers a free monthly market update on their website, providing insights for both financial advisors and private investors [11:13].

Notable Quotes from the Guest

“We focus on opening up access to private market strategies because not everybody can buy private equity or venture capital. And so that’s our mission and our focus is opening up access.” 00:55
“I think that venture is going to be increasingly accessible…allocating in a diversified way...is a way to make venture capital approachable as opposed to putting an investment into a single firm.” 08:55

Fun Facts or Interesting Tidbits

Kim reads multiple books at a time—both industry publications and fiction, including romance novels and history books like The Tattooist of Auschwitz 06:27.
Evergreen fund structures are making private market investing more accessible for individual investors.
Listed closed-end funds, typically associated with municipal bonds, are now being repurposed for venture capital and private equity investments.

Episode Resource: Learning, Reading, and Listening

In the episode, the guest shared various resources she is currently learning from, reading, or listening to. Here are those resources:

Financial Times (ft.com)
The Economist (economist.com)
Barron's (barrons.com)
FundFire (fundfire.com)
Ignites (ignites.com)
Citywire (citywire.com)
Wealth Management (wealthmanagement.com)
The Tattooist of Auschwitz (book) (goodreads link)
Nuremberg Trials (movie) (no specific link provided)

These resources give insights into various aspects of finance, investments, and notable financial events, which can be highly beneficial for anyone interested in the field of venture capital or financial services.

Featured Guest Bio

Kimberly Flynn is President and Partner at XA Investments, where she leads product and business development focused on democratizing access to alternative investments. A CFA charter holder and former Senior Vice President at Nuveen Investments, she has launched 40+ closed-end funds and is a recognized voice in private market access and retirement income innovation.

Fund Information

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Best,
Barbara

Episode 118: Phylicia Koh: Play Ventures

Barbara Bickham — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 17:00:21 +0000

Hi {{ first name | Impactful Listener }}!

In this episode, Barbara Bickham welcomes Phylicia Koh, General Partner at Play Ventures, to discuss her unplanned journey into venture capital, the evolution of gaming and consumer investment strategies, and her perspective on the future of VC. Phylicia Koh shares the importance of practical experience, why some founders should reconsider VC funding, and how the fund is navigating a rapidly changing investment landscape.

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Key Points Discussed

Phylicia Koh’s unconventional path into venture capital and her belief in learning through action.
Play Ventures’ investment thesis: from gaming to consumer apps and infrastructure, leveraging gaming’s product and monetization know-how.
The critical importance of product-market fit for founders, and why practical execution beats theory.
Reflections on evolving VC structures, including access for retail investors and fund size strategy.
The coming evolution and diversification of the VC landscape, including new types of funds and broader access.

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Chapters

Background & Introduction ([00:00:02] - [00:00:58]):
Phylicia Koh shares her career journey and accidental entry into VC.
Investment Thesis ([00:04:06] - [00:08:28]): Motivations for expanding Play Ventures' thesis beyond gaming.
Product-Market Fit & Founder Execution ([00:10:29] - [00:14:14]): The realities of founder execution and advice on raising money.
VC Industry Evolution ([00:15:00] - [00:18:35]): Discussion on how the VC industry is changing and what's next.
Contact Info & Closing ([00:18:43] - end): How to reach Phylicia Koh

Full Topic Guide

Reimagining Venture Capital: Phylicia Koh's Take on Founders, Gaming, and the Future at Play Ventures

From accidental VC to redefining the investment thesis, Phylicia Koh shares her candid insights on building, backing, and surviving in a fast-changing world.

1. The Accidental Venture Capitalist

Unlike many who meticulously plan their career moves, Phylicia Koh entered the world of venture capital through serendipity. After eight years working in growth—and a necessary burnout break—she gave herself a year to experiment, consulting across industries and allowing her curiosity to lead the way. This openness ultimately brought her back to her network, connecting her with Play Ventures at their inception. Her journey highlights how unplanned experiences and learning-by-doing can foster empathy and insight in investors. According to Phylicia Koh, "I think it makes you a better VC when you don't want to be a VC."

2. From Gaming to Consumer: Expanding an Investment Thesis

Play Ventures began as a gaming-focused fund, capitalizing on the founders’ deep industry connections and insight. But as gaming matured—particularly free-to-play models—opportunity-driven adaptation became crucial. Seeing an intersection of user psychology, product design, and monetization, Play Ventures expanded to adjacent consumer applications, especially where gaming mechanics inform sticky consumer experiences. Phylicia Koh outlines how frameworks from gaming—like community-building, streaks, and feedback loops—now power companies far beyond games, as evidenced by investments like Bible Chat, a digital church platform.

3. The Value of Execution and Product-Market Fit

A recurring theme is the necessity of execution and tangible product-market fit. Phylicia Koh observes that tools like AI have empowered founders to quickly prototype MVPs, reducing technical barriers to entry. But speed is not enough: founders must prove demand before raising significant capital. Play Ventures prizes founders who "just go out and build it," showing both hustle and clarity around the market’s true needs. Sometimes, bootstrapping to profitability is the best move—and not every business should take VC money. Capital, after all, comes with expectations.

4. The Shifting VC Landscape

Venture capital is in flux. Phylicia Koh discusses the pressures facing mid-sized funds, the entry of retail investors via platforms like Robinhood, and the trend toward product innovation in investment instruments. Play Ventures has intentionally maintained a focused fund size, prioritizing efficiency and the aim to return capital rather than endless growth. In Phylicia Koh’s futurist outlook, evolving is essential: "It's evolve or die."

5. Advice for Founders & Final Insights

Not every path requires VC backing, and founders should understand both the cost and expectations of venture money. Building a profitable, owner-driven business is a win, and control is often more important than rapid scaling. Phylicia Koh emphasizes the breadth of routes to startup success—and teases a future where the industry grows even more accessible and innovative.

Notable Quotes from the Guest

Sometimes you don't need to take VC money…and maybe you just shouldn't take VC money as well because…[it] comes with its expectations.
- Phylicia Koh

Fun Facts or Interesting Tidbits

Play Ventures’ portfolio is globally distributed—with 30-40% in Europe, 15-20% in the US, and the rest worldwide.
One of Play Ventures’ earliest investments was a competitive interior decorating game—a genre some dismissed, but which grew successfully.
Phylicia Koh is currently reading a cheeky book on 2000 years of Papal scandals, seeing parallels between history and today’s evolving organizations!

Episode Resource: Learning, Reading, and Listening

In the episode, Phylicia Koh shared various resources she is currently learning from, reading, or listening to. Here are those resources:

Book: The Popes – A condensed, cheeky look at 2,000 years of Papal scandals and history.
- No direct link was provided in the episode, but it is likely referring to one of the popular books titled "The Popes." Here’s a possible option: The Popes: A Concise Biographical History by Eric John (Amazon)
App/Company: Bible Chat – An app described as a "digital church" connecting users to their faith and a religious community through daily engagement.
- Website: biblechat.ai

If you’re curious to dive deeper into the subjects Phylicia Koh is reading or exploring, these are great places to start!

Featured Guest Bio

Phylicia is a General Partner at Play Ventures, a leading early-stage VC fund that invests globally in gaming, consumer apps and gaming-adjacent tech. Phylicia has led investments into Alter, Arya (an AI couple intimacy platform), BibleChat (fastest growing AI-powered faith app) and Alinea's (Gen Z personal financial investing app).

Fund Information

Play Ventures is a leading early-stage gaming and consumer app venture capital firm, founded by gaming industry veterans Henric Suuronen and Harri Manninen, who made successful exits to King and Disney respectively. Play invests globally in pre-seed to Series A startups in gaming, consumer apps, and gaming adjacent technology.

Support The Podcast

Support the Female VC Lab Podcast by buying us a coffee here, grabbing some merch here, becoming a sponsor here or leaving a review here!

Got thoughts on this episode? Hit reply and let me know! I’d love to hear from you. 💌

Best,
Barbara

Episode 117: Kristina Chapple: 11 Tribes VC

Barbara Bickham — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 16:05:00 +0000

Hi {{ first name | Impactful Listener }}!

In this episode, host Barbara Bickham talks with Kristina Chapple, General Partner at 11 Tribes VC, about transforming the venture capital industry by focusing not only on business outcomes but also on founder well-being and resilience. Kristina shares how 11 Tribes takes a holistic approach to venture investing, prioritizing founders' relationships, health, and identity alongside company performance. The conversation covers the unique aspects of 11 Tribes’ investment thesis, the long-term effects of supporting founders as people, and predictions for the future of venture capital.

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Key Points Discussed

Redefining Venture Capital: Kristina discusses how 11 Tribes VC supports both the business outcome and the “founder outcome,” focusing on personal well-being, relationships, and holistic success.
Innovative Resilience Funding: The fund allocates an additional 2% of each investment for non-dilutive support targeting founder resilience—covering coaching, therapy, and even marriage counseling.
Leadership & Well-being Data: Active collaboration with academic research (University of Baylor) to measure the impact of investing in founders' well-being on leadership effectiveness and company performance.
Changing Exit Expectations: Kristina predicts founders will raise less capital and pursue more frequent exits in the $50M–$300M range, reshaping VC portfolio strategies.
Identity and Founder Health: Deep dive into the importance of founders separating their personal worth from company success in order to build healthier, more sustainable enterprises.

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Chapters

00:00 – Guest intro and background
00:18 – What inspired Kristina to become a VC
01:13 – The 11 Tribes thesis and supporting founders first
02:05 – Business outcome vs. founder outcome
04:15 – Founder resilience in practice: 2% capital allocation
07:17 – Leadership development and research collaboration
10:12 – Book recommendation: “Personal History” by Katharine Graham
11:52 – The future of VC and sub-$200M exits
14:41 – How to connect with Kristina & 11 Tribes VC

Full Topic Guide

Rethinking Venture Capital: Founders First with Kristina Chapple of 11 Tribes VC

Introduction

The traditional venture capital mindset prioritizes business metrics—valuation, revenue, and ultimately, exit price. But what if investors supported not only the company, but the people behind it? In this episode of Female VC Lab, Kristina Chapple, General Partner at 11 Tribes VC, shares how her firm is rewriting the playbook by investing in founder well-being and resilience—proving that thriving founders build thriving companies.

Beyond Valuations: Focusing on the “Founder Outcome”

For decades, the VC world evaluated success primarily by financial outcomes. Kristina reveals how her own journey—witnessing the destructive toll on founders and teams—led her to champion a new VC thesis. At 11 Tribes, the “founder outcome” is tracked alongside the business outcome: Are founders leaving the journey with their marriages, families, and health intact? Their approach recognizes that enduring relationships and well-being are as essential to long-term success as cap table returns.

How 11 Tribes Operates Differently

A core differentiator is 11 Tribes’ allocation of an additional 2% of every check (on top of their investment) as non-dilutive capital earmarked for founder resilience. This fund can be spent on coaching, therapy, health initiatives, marriage counseling, or other deeply personal, founder-chosen supports. Kristina shares that this was born from the realization that poor mental or relational health isn’t just a personal risk—it’s an existential risk to the company’s ability to survive the marathon journey to exit.

Investing in Leadership, Backed by Data

The thesis goes beyond good intentions. 11 Tribes is partnering with academic researchers at Baylor University to rigorously measure how founder self-investment correlates with leadership quality and financial outcomes. Early evidence suggests that when founders are grounded and supported in all aspects of their life, they lead more effectively and make better decisions even through turbulence. This, Kristina notes, is both a moral and practical advantage.

The New Era of Venture: Smaller Exits, Greater Impact

Looking ahead, Kristina predicts a sea change in venture capital. Founders are seeking—and often preferring—smaller, faster exits ($50M–$300M) rather than racing toward elusive billion-dollar outcomes. As the cost to build decreases and bootstrapping becomes more viable, both founders and investors can share in substantial wins without chasing moonshots. This means VCs must adapt their underwriting, portfolio construction, and expectations accordingly.

Lessons in Leadership and Identity

Kristina also touches on the enduring struggle founders face tying their identity to company success. Drawing inspiration from Katherine Graham’s autobiography, Kristina advocates for founders to nurture confidence and personal worth outside their business pursuits. Building a strong sense of self, supported by family and well-being, helps founders weather the inherent stress and unpredictability of entrepreneurship.

Conclusion

By placing the founder at the center, 11 Tribes VC demonstrates how a people-first approach is both kinder and wiser for building lasting companies. As Kristina’s work shows, supporting the human side of entrepreneurship holds the key to smarter, healthier, and yes—more profitable—venture outcomes.

Notable Quotes from the Guest

We allocate 2% of capital on top of our check...for founder resilience. It’s about putting our money where our mouth is. - Kristina Chapple
A founder’s worth as a human is not wrapped up into the success and performance of their company. - Kristina Chapple

Fun Facts or Interesting Tidbits

11 Tribes allocates a separate, non-dilutive founder resilience fund for every portfolio company.
Kristina’s team includes a marriage counselor as part of their founder support menu—by founder request!
Kristina is currently reading Katharine Graham’s “Personal History” to draw lessons on identity and confidence from the legendary Washington Post publisher.

Episode Resource: Learning, Reading, and Listening

Books

Personal History: An Autobiography by Katharine Graham
Find it on Amazon
(This is the autobiography of the former publisher of The Washington Post, discussed by Kristina Chapple in the episode.)

No additional books, podcasts, or other resources were mentioned in response to this question in the episode.

Featured Guest Bio

Kristina Chapple is a General Partner at 11 Tribes Ventures – an early-stage fund that proactively invests in the resilience of their founders.

Fund Information

11 Tribes Ventures is an early-stage investment firm that proactively invests into the resilience of entrepreneurs. We are radical in our allocation of resources to develop our founders, putting real dollars towards their mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Our approach is proving that healthy founders will lead to healthy returns without compromising mission or profitability.

Support The Podcast

Support the Female VC Lab Podcast by buying us a coffee here, grabbing some merch here, becoming a sponsor here or leaving a review here!

Got thoughts on this episode? Hit reply and let me know! I’d love to hear from you. 💌

Best,
Barbara

Episode 116: Eva Yazhari: Beyond Capital Ventures

Barbara Bickham — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Hi {{ first name | Impactful Listener }}!

In this insightful episode, host Barbara Bickham sits down with Eva Yazhari to discuss her journey into venture capital, the unique thesis at Beyond Capital Ventures, and the significance of conscious leadership in emerging markets. Eva breaks down how her firm supports scalable startups addressing essential needs in Africa and India, while fostering transparency, shared ownership, and community among founders.

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Key Points Discussed

Eva Yazhari’s unexpected path from math major to venture capitalist, and the foundational skills she gained in institutional finance.
The investment thesis at Beyond Capital Ventures: supporting conscious leaders building essential solutions for rising middle classes in Africa and India.
The importance of formalizing and scaling informal markets—especially in agtech and mobility—to unlock economic growth and opportunity.
How Beyond Capital Ventures diversifies with a multi-asset approach, expanding into senior secured lending in addition to VC investments.
Eva’s leadership style focused on alignment, shared success, and building a culture of above-the-line thinking.

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Chapters

00:20 Eva’s journey into finance and venture capital
02:34 Overview of the Beyond Capital Ventures thesis
04:11 Formalizing informal markets & agtech examples
07:10 Growth into a multi-asset firm & lessons learned
09:42 Perspectives on the evolution of venture capital
11:42 Eva’s leadership approach and creating shared ownership

Full Topic Guide

Unlocking Impact: Conscious Venture Investing in the Emerging World
How Eva Yazhari and Beyond Capital Ventures are Changing the Paradigm

Introduction
In Episode 116 of the Female VC Lab Podcast, Eva Yazhari, Managing Partner of Beyond Capital Ventures, shares her compelling journey from mathematics student to a pioneer in impact-focused venture capital. This episode delves into how Eva leverages her institutional finance background to enact transformative change in Africa and India while building strong, conscious founder communities.

From Math Major to Venture Capitalist
Eva’s entry into finance was serendipitous. As a math major at Columbia, a suggestion from a friend led her to investment banking, which in turn opened doors to the hedge fund world. There, Eva became employee number two at a rapidly growing fund-of-funds. During her tenure, the team raised $4.8 billion and built deep relationships across the industry. These experiences grounded Eva in both operational know-how and the importance of relational investment—insights she carried into launching her own VC fund.

A Conscious Investment Thesis for Real-World Needs
Beyond Capital Ventures is driven by a bold thesis: Invest in need-to-have products and solutions led by leaders who consider all stakeholders—customers, communities, governments, and the climate. As Africa and India’s middle classes surge, Eva argues, investing in businesses that are mindful of their broader impact isn’t just ethical—it’s essential for scale and sustainability.

Eva highlights sectors like healthcare, fintech, mobility, and increasingly, agtech. These areas are foundational to socioeconomic growth, and her firm seeks out startups that create lasting value, not just profit.

Scaling “Informal” Markets—From Agtech to Mobility
One core theme Eva discusses is the formalization of “informal” sectors—dynamic but fragmented parts of emerging market economies. Rather than displace the millions of smallholder farmers in Africa, Beyond Capital Ventures helps them scale and access financial systems. Eva spotlights Cinch, an agtech portfolio company that aggregates underutilized farmland, allowing smallholders to generate income and meet large commercial contracts—critical for sustainably feeding a growing population.

Similarly, in mobility, Eva’s fund backs ventures that not only innovate on hardware (like bikes) but also infrastructure solutions, such as battery swap networks. These investments enable underserved populations to leapfrog outdated systems and rapidly scale new technologies.

Innovating the Venture Model: Multi-Asset Strategies and Shared Success
Beyond traditional venture capital, Eva’s team recently launched a credit strategy, making senior secured loans to portfolio companies. These tools both diversify the fund and provide investors quicker, more reliable returns—a rarity in VC. Eva believes this hybrid approach increases resilience and aligns with her broader goals for impact.

Crucially, Eva fosters a culture of shared ownership. Beyond Capital Ventures extends carry (a share of fund profits) not only to every team member—including executive assistants—but also to founders. This incentive-based model creates alignment, builds community, and drives everyone toward collective success.

Building “Above the Line” Leadership
Eva’s commitment to conscious leadership is woven throughout her work. She’s focused on creating a culture where “above the line” behaviors—abundance, collaboration, and integrity—prevail. By modeling this daily, Eva aims to build stronger teams, better investments, and communities united by shared purpose.

Conclusion
This episode underscores that venture capital, when guided by accountability and vision, can profoundly transform emerging economies while driving strong returns. Eva Yazhari’s approach blends financial acumen with deep empathy, offering a roadmap for the future of impactful, inclusive investing.

Notable Quotes from the Guest

Viral VC Strategies: "VCs need three things. They need to invest, they source better, they need to invest better, and they need to add value. And then I'll throw in a fourth, which is my bonus, which is the exits start on day one. They need to exit better." - Eva Yazhari

The Future of Venture Capital: "The alpha is in the niche piece." - Eva Yazhari

Fun Facts or Interesting Tidbits

Beyond Capital Ventures makes every team member, including executive assistants, a participant in the fund’s carry.
Founders in the portfolio can earn a share of carry by reaching milestones or undergoing re-investment, fostering a sense of collective ownership.
The firm’s book recommendation: The Culture Code, guiding Eva’s team in scaling leadership and collaboration.

Episode Resource: Learning, Reading, and Listening

Here are the specific resources mentioned in this episode:

Book: The Culture Code
The Culture Code on Amazon
(Eva Yazhari referenced reading this book to grow her leadership capabilities.)
Book: The Good Your Money Can Do by Eva Yazhari
The Good Your Money Can Do – Official Book Website
(Eva mentioned her own book on conscious investing.)

These resources were highlighted by Eva Yazhari as influential to her continued personal and professional development.

Featured Guest Bio

Eva Yazhari is an experienced investor, author, and advocate for conscious capitalism. As Managing Partner of Beyond Capital Ventures, she leads early-stage investments in East Africa and India, focusing on essential sectors with the potential to impact millions.

Her investment portfolio spans over 50 equity and 9 debt deals, reaching more than 100 million customers and championing equitable ownership for all founders. Eva began her career on Wall Street as Vice President at EnTrust Capital, managing over $5 billion in investments.

She now brings that institutional expertise to mentoring founders and scaling purpose-driven companies in emerging markets. She serves on the boards of Viebeg Medical, Lal10, and CarePoint, and contributes strategic oversight across the BCV portfolio. She’s also a member of the Athena Leadership Council at Barnard College.

Eva is the author of The Good Your Money Can Do and co-hosts The Beyond Capital Podcast and The BCV Podcast.

Fund Information

We have been investing as a team in these markets for over a decade. We launched Beyond Capital Ventures to scale and invest in many more early-stage businesses primarily in healthcare, financial services, and agriculture, with a focus on distribution, economic development and emerging markets to there rest of the world.

Support The Podcast

I really appreciate Daphna Ziman sharing her new song Humanity, the spoken‑word piece she released on July 14, 2025, calling for unity, compassion, and healing in our world.

Humanity

Daphna Ziman · Single · 2025 · 1 songs

open.spotify.com/album/6LHNmZmqVHUPjVFxOLRp0X

Thanks to Million Podcasts for being featured in the following categories:35 Best Angel Investors Podcasts, 30 Best Female Investing Podcasts, 90 Best Alternative Investment Podcasts, 60 Best Female Finance Podcasts, 40 Best Impact Investing Podcast and 100 Best Venture Capital Podcasts list.

Support the Female VC Lab Podcast by buying us a coffee here, grabbing some merch here, becoming a sponsor here or leaving a review here!

Got thoughts on this episode? Hit reply and let me know! I’d love to hear from you. 💌

Best,
Barbara

Episode 115: Najada Kumbuli: Visa Foundation

Barbara Bickham — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 16:05:00 +0000

Hi {{ first name | Impactful Listener }}!

Welcome to another episode of the Female VC Lab podcast! In this insightful conversation, host Barbara Bickham sits down with Najada Kumbuli, Vice President and Head of Investments at Visa Foundation. Najada shares her inspirational journey from her childhood in communist Albania—where entrepreneurship was discouraged—to becoming a leader in impact investing. She discusses her passion for using capital not just for financial returns, but to drive measurable social good, and delves into Visa Foundation’s mission to empower small businesses and entrepreneurs around the world. Najada also offers her thoughts on the evolving landscape of venture capital, highlighting trends from AI to disciplined investing, and shares her favorite resources for staying on top of industry changes. Tune in for an episode filled with global perspective, practical insights, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference through investment.

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Key Points Discussed

Najada’s inspiring background and motivation for entering impact investing
The Visa Foundation’s focus on supporting small businesses worldwide through capital, digital tools, and financial skills
Reflections on the current and future state of venture capital, including market discipline, emerging markets, and social impact
How Najada and her team stay informed and adaptive in a fast-changing market
Resources available through the Visa Foundation for entrepreneurs, fund managers, and nonprofit leaders

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Chapters

00:00: Introduction & Najada's background
00:37: Najada’s inspiration for becoming an investor
02:30: The birth and evolution of impact investing & its synergy with venture capital
03:23: Visa Foundation’s investment thesis and global reach
04:39: Insights on learning, listening, and market trends
08:02: Najada’s hopeful forecast for venture capital’s evolution
11:45: Visa Foundation’s resources and how to connect

Full Topic Guide

Empowering Small Businesses Globally: An Inside Look with Visa Foundation’s Najada Kumbuli

The Journey and Motivation Behind Impact Investing

Najada Kumbuli’s personal and professional journeys are deeply entwined, rooted in her upbringing in communist-era Albania—a system that, as she recalls, "suppressed individual initiative and innovation." Witnessing the economic transitions from collective restraint to the dynamism of capitalism in Singapore and the U.S. shaped her worldview. She quickly became aware of the strengths and pitfalls of both systems: the community mindset of socialism and the creativity, yet inequality, stemming from capitalist markets.

This comprehensive perspective ignited Najada's passion for impact investing—well before it was formally defined. For her, it was and remains crucial that capital serves not just to generate financial returns but also measurable, long-term social impact. Today, as head of investments at Visa Foundation, she unites these philosophies, advocating for solutions that foster entrepreneurship while driving broader social good.

Visa Foundation’s Thesis: Small Businesses at the Core

Visa Foundation’s mission is “relatively simple,” Najada emphasizes: support small businesses and entrepreneurs by providing them with capital, digital tools, and financial skills. The rationale is clear—small businesses make up 90% of companies globally and generate close to 70% of jobs and GDP. Whether it’s nano-entrepreneurs in Nigeria or high-growth startups in India, Visa Foundation’s holistic approach ensures these businesses aren’t just surviving but are equipped to thrive through grants, investments, and skill-building programs.

The Art of Listening: A Key to Investment Agility

One standout theme from the episode is Najada’s deep commitment to listening. She values insights from her diverse team, their fund managers, local nonprofit leaders, and—importantly—the end users and founders themselves. Najada’s approach highlights not just the importance of data-driven decisions but the need for a nuanced understanding of the lived realities behind every metric.

Her regular consumption of business podcasts like "Acquired," coupled with constant monitoring of market signals, helps her stay ahead in an ever-shifting investment landscape. She stresses the value of adaptability, recognizing that nimble founders—and investors—must keep evolving.

The Future of Venture Capital: Discipline, Inclusion, and Impact

Looking ahead, Najada is hopeful—she predicts:

Continued energy around AI and deep tech, driving both investment focus and the required skill sets within VC.
A higher degree of discipline in valuations, capital allocation, and business fundamentals, especially after recent market excesses.
Greater investment into emerging markets, harnessing global innovation and challenging established Silicon Valley norms.
A generational shift towards responsible investing, with both founders and LPs seeking ventures that blend profit and purpose.

Not only does Visa Foundation prioritize these values internally—backing women-led funds and responsible VCs—but Najada hopes that the broader investment community will commit to similar standards.

Connecting with the Visa Foundation

To learn more about Visa Foundation’s work, Najada encourages listeners to visit their website, where they’ll find annual reports detailing impact strategies, investment partners, and resources for both fund managers and nonprofits. The foundation actively monitors inquiries submitted through its site, aiming to provide tailored support to those sharing their mission of inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Notable Quotes from the Guest

“Small businesses…are an integral part of the global economy and the local economy as well.”
- Najada Kumbuli

Fun Facts or Interesting Tidbits

International Roots: Najada was born and raised in Albania under communism and later moved to Singapore and the US, which shaped her holistic investment philosophy.
Book Choices: With two young sons, Najada’s current reading list is full of children’s books!
Listening Habits: She’s an avid fan of the “Acquired” podcast, which combines her love of business, investing, and history.

Episode Resource: Learning, Reading, and Listening

What are you learning, listening to, or reading these days?
As mentioned by Najada Kumbuli during the episode, here are the resources she’s currently engaging with:

Acquired Podcast
Podcast exploring business history, the evolution of companies, and leadership lessons.
https://www.acquired.fm/
Team Members and Partners
Najada highlighted that she learns from the diverse backgrounds of her team, fund managers, nonprofit leaders, and small business owners they support.
Market Signals and Industry Experts
She continuously monitors market trends, listens to industry advisors and experts, and emphasizes the importance of listening to data and metrics in investment decisions.

(While children’s books were humorously mentioned as part of her daily listening, the primary resource directly named was the Acquired Podcast.)

If you’re interested in these areas, check out the Acquired Podcast for deep dives into business stories, and stay engaged with industry updates and thought leaders as Najada does!

Featured Guest Bio

As Vice President, Head of Investments, Najada Kumbuli leads Visa Foundation’s investment and grant portfolio, enabling entrepreneurs and small businesses to thrive in the digital economy. Under her leadership, Visa Foundation has allocated over $240 million in private market capital and grants to advance global economic empowerment.

Fund Information

Visa Foundation seeks to support inclusive economies where individuals, businesses, and communities can thrive. Through strategic grant making, investing and partnerships, Visa Foundation focuses on fostering economic growth, supporting broader community needs, and providing humanitarian assistance in times of crisis. Visa Foundation is registered in the U.S. as a 501(c)3 entity.

Website

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Episode 114 - Erika Aquino - AQUINO GLOBAL VENTURES LLC

Barbara Bickham — Fri, 23 May 2025 16:05:00 +0000

Hi {{ first name | Impactful Listener }}!

In this enlightening episode, host Barbara Bickham sits down with Erika Aquino, an angel investor and strategic adviser based in Singapore with global reach. Erika shares her journey into investing, her community-focused investment thesis, how she leverages AI in her process, and her thoughts on the evolving intersection of technology and impact investing. The conversation dives deep into the importance of founder-funder chemistry and the need for meaningful, community-oriented venture capital.

🎧 Listen to the Episode

Key Points Discussed

Erika’s Path to Investing: Inspired by her father's legacy as a tech founder and angel investor, Erika took over her family business board seat and expanded their investment activities, focusing on impactful sectors.
Investment Thesis: Erika closely invests in women- and minority-owned ventures in sustainability, wellness, future of work, and education—often at the pre-seed through Series A stage.
AI & Investor Workflow: She describes how AI supercharges her research, deep diligence, and scheduling—cutting her time investment by up to 75%.
Founder Qualities: Beyond technical intelligence, Erika emphasizes the critical role of a founder’s emotional intelligence (EQ), attitude, and mindset.
Future of Angel Investing: Despite unchanged fundamentals, she predicts increased focus on global impact, AI integration, and the deepening connection between investment and community betterment.

🎧 Watch the Episode

Chapters

00:00 – Erika’s introduction & background
00:28 – Taking over the board and early angel investing
01:14 – Investment thesis: sector focus and personal motivation
02:15 – Current learning: the rapid evolution of AI and importance of EQ
03:38 – Books and research Erika's focusing on
04:09 – Interest in food sovereignty and agriculture
05:13 – The evolving role of angel investing and global impact
06:55 – How AI is changing the investment landscape
08:32 – Balancing AI and human touch in tech and business
09:56 – How to contact Erika

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Full Topic Guide

Redefining Impact: Erika Aquino on the New Wave of Angel Investing

How global perspective, founder EQ, and artificial intelligence are reshaping the world of early-stage investment.

Inspired Beginnings: From Family Business to Global Investment

Erika Aquino’s journey into the world of investing is both personal and deeply rooted in legacy. Growing up in the Philippines and witnessing her father build a successful tech company, Infinite O, she gained exposure to entrepreneurship and investing from an early age. When her father became ill, Erika stepped up to take his board seat, continuing not only the family business but expanding its vision. Early collaboration with her father on deal flow and evaluating opportunities laid the foundation for a rigorous, yet compassionate, investment style.

A Community-Driven Investment Thesis

Erika’s investment focus is guided by a commitment to social impact. As a Filipino citizen with global ties, she’s acutely aware of the power— and necessity—of deploying resources to communities that need them most. Her thesis centers on funding women- and minority-owned startups within sustainability, wellness, the future of work, and education, considering adjacent spaces like biotech and agriculture as well.

Erika tends to invest at the crucial early stages, typically from pre-seed to Series A. For her, the ultimate draw is finding founders and companies poised to make tangible differences in their immediate and broader communities.

AI as a Research and Due Diligence Powerhouse

The conversation quickly turns toward artificial intelligence, with Erika candidly observing that “AI just evolves every five minutes.” Rather than seeing this rapid change as a threat, she describes how AI is already an integral part of her investment workflow. From deep research and industry mapping to scheduling and founder backgrounds, AI has dramatically reduced inefficiencies, freeing her to focus on high-impact decision-making. The technology’s use cases aren’t limited to streamlining operations; Erika recognizes AI entrepreneurship in key sectors as critical to the next wave of investments.

The Human Dimension: Why Founder EQ Matters

Smart founders are commonplace—but, according to Erika, what truly distinguishes an investable leader is emotional intelligence. She recounts that “what sets you apart is your attitude, your lifestyle, your mindset, and the chemistry between the founder and the funder.” In her view, venture and angel investing will increasingly reward those who combine technical savvy with relationship-building and mission-driven motivations.

The Evolving Role of Angel Investing: A Global, Impactful Lens

Looking forward, Erika argues that the core structure of angel investing hasn’t fundamentally shifted—but the perspectives of investors have. Today’s climate, shaped by AI, international market volatility, tariffs, and shifting supply chains, demands a more globally responsible and community-oriented approach. She encourages peers to measure opportunities not just by profitability, but by their true effect on the ecosystem and those served.

Notable Quotes from the Guest

What sets you apart is your attitude, your lifestyle, your mindset, and… the chemistry between the founder and the funder. - Erica Aquino

With AI developing… I think the evolution [of angel investing] will be quite interesting. For me, it’s about founder-funder chemistry and the impact on the community. - Erica Aquino

Fun Facts or Interesting Tidbits

The Philippines is the world’s most disaster-prone country, making issues like food sovereignty and agricultural innovation especially urgent for Erika.
Erika admits that AI tools have decreased her research and diligence workload by up to 75%.
She’s deeply interested in exploring how “food giants” influence consumption—a passion stoked by her country’s natural disaster exposure.

Episode Resource: Learning, Reading, and Listening

Here are the resources Erika Aquino mentioned during the episode:

Pitch Decks
(No specific titles provided; refers to startup investment materials.)
Research Papers and White Papers
(No specific titles provided; general reference to industry and market research documents.)
Book: Food Free Will and How the Food Giants Exploit Our Addictions

Erika also mentioned ongoing learning about rapid developments in AI, founder EQ, and a growing interest in food supply and agriculture sectors.

Featured Guest Bio

Erika Aquino is a global citizen, angel investor, and advisor who believes profit and purpose go hand in hand. She backs bold founders creating impact, gives back through mentorship, and champions diversity. Her values-first work spans continents, focused on inclusion, growth, and meaningful change.

Contact:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-aquino
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamerikaaquino/
Email: hello@erika-aquino.com

Fund Information

Aquino Global Ventures invests in early-stage startups driving real impact in wellness, sustainability, and education. Focused on diverse founders, the fund provides capital, strategy, and a global network—supporting purpose-driven businesses to scale without compromising values.

Website: https://www.erika-aquino.com/ventures
Socials: https://www.erika-aquino.com/ventures

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From Gridiron to Growth: How Football Lessons Shape Peyton Manning's Second Act

Barbara Bickham — Wed, 21 May 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Hi {{ first name | Impactful Listener }}!

Peyton Manning achieved legendary status during his illustrious career in the National Football League, marked by Super Bowl victories and numerous accolades. However, as one speaker in the sources notes, in "quote, retirement," Peyton Manning seems even busier than he was during his playing days. His post-football ventures, including his long-standing partnership with Nationwide and the booming success of Omaha Productions, demonstrate a different kind of success, one built on a completely different skill set. But, as the sources reveal, the transition wasn't a leap into the unknown; it's deeply rooted in powerful lessons learned on the football field. These insights into leadership, preparation, planning, and resilience are not just applicable to sports but serve as a powerful framework for success in business and life's "second chapter" from the Milken Global Conference.

One of the most significant takeaways from football, according to Peyton Manning, is the concept of leadership. Playing quarterback naturally places you in a leadership role. However, he quickly learned that leadership is not automatic; it must be earned. Simply having a title, whether quarterback, president, manager, or CEO, does not make you a leader. For him, earning leadership meant earning the respect of his teammates. He recounts a humorous anecdote from his college days where, as a freshman entering the huddle, he tried to deliver a "big rah rah speech". A large offensive lineman, weighing about 330 pounds, quickly cut him off, telling him to "shut the blank up and follow the blank and play". This moment reinforced the fundamental truth that respect must be earned. To be influential, you must earn the trust of those you are trying to lead. This lesson about earning respect and trust is directly applicable to business, particularly in financial services, where companies like Nationwide must earn the trust and respect of their clients. It's about building that trust with clients, coaching them, and encouraging them to ask questions.

Beyond leadership, preparation is a core principle that has transferred seamlessly from football to Peyton's current endeavors. He cites a quote from former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Chuck Noll, which he received in high school: "Pressure is something that you feel alone, you don't know what you're doing". This quote resonated throughout his sports career and continues to apply to business and life. It underscores the importance of doing your homework, preparing thoroughly, and asking questions. Peyton admits he wasn't a quarterback who could throw the ball the farthest or outrun anyone. His edge came from preparation, studying opponents "out of sight in a week". This commitment to preparation remains with him today.

This focus on preparation ties into the crucial lesson of planning, especially when it comes to anticipating potential challenges and making adjustments. Peyton uses the example of calling audibles in football. An audible occurs when the quarterback changes the play at the line of scrimmage based on how the defense is lined up. While it might look spontaneous, like the quarterback is "winging it on the fly," every audible called had been practiced and discussed beforehand. They had a plan: "if the defense ever does this, this is what we're going to audible to". This plan might have been for that specific week's game, the next week's game, or even later in the season, but it was a predetermined response. "Winging it," he stresses, is not good on the football field, nor is it good in the financial industry. His message is clear: don't wait until something comes about and then figure it out. Have a plan for potential situations. He connects this directly to longevity, noting that people are living longer, perhaps to 100 years old, which requires a different type of planning. The advice is to plan now, figure it out now, and avoid "winging it," which can lead to negative outcomes, like interceptions in football or poor results in the financial world. While not every audible or plan works out perfectly, and sometimes you might second-guess a decision, having a plan and being able to adjust is key.

Another vital lesson is the necessity of continuous coaching and learning. Even after achieving significant success, Peyton believes everyone, including himself and financial coaches, needs to keep being coached. He played football until he was 40 but still feels coached today. He sought out honest and candid individuals – old coworkers, teachers, coaches – for guidance. He highlights his practice of visiting his college coach, David Cutcliffe, every NFL offseason, even in his 17th year. He would work on the most basic fundamentals, like taking a snap or calling a play in the huddle. While it might seem unnecessary for a seasoned veteran, the point is that the little things matter. Performance often declines when you stop focusing on these fundamental aspects. This principle applies equally to financial professionals coaching their clients.

Success in any field isn't linear; there will be adversity and mistakes. Peyton acknowledges that everyone will face these challenges, and the response is crucial. He reflects on devastating losses in playoff games that his teams probably should have won before finally reaching and playing in four Super Bowls. These losses were moments that could have broken an organization or led to personnel changes.
Instead, the teams stuck together, committed to improving, and eventually overcame the hurdles. He sees facing adversity as a great test, one that teaches perseverance. While you don't want to go through it, sometimes it's necessary to learn. Reflecting on whether you learn more from losing than winning, he mentions his father's experience with tough seasons with the Saints. His dad's main takeaway from his career wasn't the win-loss record but the relationships he made, indicating no regrets despite the tough times. Peyton personally identifies more with the sentiment expressed by Jimmy Connors: "I hate to lose more than I like to win," and disliking seeing happiness on opponents' faces after being beaten. This perspective underscores the deep drive to avoid failure while implicitly valuing the lessons it provides.

These lessons from the gridiron form the foundation of Peyton Manning's successful "second chapter." His partnership with Nationwide is a prominent example.He has represented them for 11 years, starting while he was still in the NFL. He was honored to be chosen and values their shared principles, including giving back to communities. He has witnessed firsthand Nationwide's evolution from primarily an insurance company to also a financial services provider. He feels this mirrors his own transition from being solely "Peyton Manning the football player" to also being involved in new ventures. Nationwide's role as an NFL sponsor allowed him to wear his actual Broncos jersey in commercials, which was a plus for him as a player. He enjoys doing the commercials and the Nationwide jingle has developed a life of its own, with people often repeating it to him. He is particularly proud of Nationwide's sponsorship of the Nationwide NFL Man of the Year award, which recognizes players for their community service. He considers it the most important award in the NFL because it highlights positive actions that might otherwise go unnoticed, encouraging more people to do good things. His experience at Nationwide events has shown him the company's focus on protecting and planning for their customers' and clients' futures, which he appreciates.

Another significant part of his post-football life is Omaha Productions. The company's name comes directly from the word "Omaha," which he used as an indicator word after calling an audible in football to signal that the ball was about to be snapped. The reason fans could hear this and other on-field communication was because the NFL turned up microphones on the sidelines about 12 years ago, which helped bring viewers closer to the game but also allowed opposing defenses to pick up on offensive signals. The "Omaha" audible gained notoriety, leading to a deal where he received a key to the city of Omaha and steaks. While he didn't know much about production companies while playing, being "so wired in" to his job as quarterback, retirement prompted him to explore new paths. Following the advice to figure out what he didn't want to do (like coaching or traditional broadcasting), the pandemic presented an opportunity for remote broadcasting. This led to the idea for the Manningcast with his brother Eli, initially thought to be a joke by Eli, who was surprised by the concept of getting paid to watch football from home. Omaha Productions produces the Manningcast. What Peyton likes about the company is that it not only produces shows he's in but also those he's not, allowing him to be an "offensive coordinator on the sidelines," helping others tell their stories. The goal is to produce positive, unifying content that brings people together. Examples include 'Peyton's Places' (history of football) and 'Sue's Places' with Sue Bird (history of college basketball). The Manningcast, while perhaps not drawing the same raw numbers as the main broadcast, attracts a different type of viewer, which the NFL values for broadening its audience. It also allows Peyton to work with his brother and, notably, do the show from his neighbor's garage in Denver, freeing up time to coach his kids' youth sports on weekends.

In conclusion, Peyton Manning's transition from celebrated athlete to successful entrepreneur and media personality is a powerful testament to the enduring value of lessons learned through dedicated practice and competition. The principles of earned leadership, meticulous preparation, proactive planning, continuous learning, and resiliently facing adversity that guided him on the football field are now driving his success in his "second chapter". His work with Nationwide underscores the importance of trust and planning for the future., while Omaha Productions highlights his ability to apply strategic thinking and build a team in a new industry, all while creating content that aligns with positive values. These insights demonstrate that the discipline and strategic thinking honed in sports can be incredibly valuable assets in navigating the complexities of business and life beyond the game.

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E113: Cheryl L. Evans, JD - Lifetime Financial Security (LFS) Program of the Milken Institute’s Finance

Barbara Bickham — Fri, 16 May 2025 16:15:00 +0000

Hi {{ first name | Impactful Listener }}!

In this episode of Female VC Lab, Cheryl L. Evans joins host Barbara Bickham from the Milken Institute’s Global Conference to discuss longevity, retirement planning, and the emerging wealth transfer impacting women and future generations. Drawing on her background in securities law and financial education, Cheryl shares actionable insights about financial security, the necessity of lifetime income, and challenges and opportunities for younger generations in today’s economic landscape.

🎧 Listen to the Episode

Key Points Discussed

The importance of financial security throughout one's life and the evolution of retirement planning concepts.
How longevity trends, generational wealth transfer, and gender are shaping financial futures.
Innovative retirement products like guaranteed income and their role in replacing declining pension plans.
Personalization of retirement and financial plans according to individual lifestyles and aspirations.
The future of venture capital, especially regarding women’s growing involvement and leadership as beneficiaries of the wealth transfer.

🎧 Watch the Episode

Chapters

00:14 Cheryl’s introduction and journey from securities law to financial security advocacy.
01:33 Discussing Gen Z, Millennials, and the unique headwinds they face in wealth-building.
04:16 Insights from the retirement lessons panel, longevity, and the evolving definition of retirement.
05:47 Decline of traditional pensions and rise of guaranteed income products.
10:05 The impact of longer life spans and the wealth transfer on venture capital and women’s economic empowerment.
13:21 Cheryl’s vision for more women in VC and actionable resources for getting involved.

Full Topic Guide

The New Era of Financial Security – Strategies for Lasting Impact

Opening the Conversation: From Law to Longevity (Introduction)

In Episode 113 of Female VC Lab, Cheryl L. Evans, Director of the Lifetime Financial Security Program at the Milken Institute, sits down with host Barbara Bickham to explore the shifting landscape of financial security. Having traversed a career from the Securities and Exchange Commission to coaching and global finance think tanks, Cheryl brings a unique perspective on helping individuals achieve security at every life stage.

Addressing the Needs of Younger Generations

The episode spotlights the hurdles facing Millennials and Gen Z: housing affordability doubts, student loan burdens, and uncertainties around traditional wealth-building paths. Cheryl describes how the Milken Institute is broadening its approach beyond retirement to include early-stage wealth building. She highlights a panel featuring experts from personal finance education, student debt solutions, major financial institutions, and women-focused investment platforms like Ellevest, focusing on both macroeconomic trends and tangible solutions.

Rethinking Retirement in the Longevity Economy

Retirement today is not what it once was. With more people living well into their 80s and beyond, retirement planning must evolve. The episode recaps a Milken panel—featuring thought leaders from Morningstar, Transamerica, and others—about adapting to this new reality. Key themes include the personalization of retirement strategies (“visualizing your life so you know how much you need”), the decline of pension plans, and the critical role of “lifetime income” or guaranteed income products (annuity-like investments within 401(k)s).

Guaranteed Income Products: A New Safety Net

As traditional pensions fade, Cheryl explains the industry's innovative response: embedding guaranteed income products into retirement plans. These options can offer financial security akin to pensions, though not typically adjusted for inflation. Yet, uptake is slow due to lack of awareness, legal complexities, and the need for employer and employee education. The conversation stresses why such products should be recognized as their own asset class and how they can help prevent poverty among retirees.

Wealth Transfer, Women, and the Future of Venture Capital

Cheryl addresses the “great wealth transfer,” with women positioned to inherit and control increasingly significant assets. Combined with the growing trend of older entrepreneurs and longer working lives, this shift could transform venture capital—potentially fueling more women-led startups and VC firms. Through initiatives like the Milken Institute’s Women’s Financial Security program, Cheryl advocates for empowering women with financial confidence and support, inspired in part by leaders like Gloria Steinem.

Personalization, Visualization, and Empowerment

A central message is the need for everyone to craft personalized financial plans based on their life visions. Cheryl highlights tools, expert advice, and the importance of being proactive—"plan the life so you know how you're going to fund it." The episode closes with resources for engaging with the Milken Institute and a look ahead at its high-tech Washington center focused on advancing the American Dream.

Notable Quotes from the Guest

Women Leading the Future of Venture Capital: "I'm hopeful that there'll be more women in VC, more women starting companies, running companies, and leading some of the current VC firms.” - Cheryl Evans

Fun Facts or Interesting Tidbits

Cheryl once facilitated a women’s financial confidence discussion circle led by Gloria Steinem in her New York home at age 91.
The Milken Institute is about to launch a high-tech center dedicated to financial security—right by the White House.
Most retirees today receive an average Social Security benefit of under $2,000/month, below what’s needed for basic living.

Episode Resource: Learning, Reading, and Listening

In the episode, Cheryl Evans shared various resources she is currently learning from, reading, or listening to. Here are those resources:

Wiser Than Me podcast by Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Listen on Spotify
Cheryl highlighted this as a great podcast where Julia Louis-Dreyfus interviews older women from a variety of backgrounds, sharing nuggets of wisdom and lived experience.
Let Them by Mel Robbins
Check it out on Mel Robbins' website
Cheryl referenced reading this book while traveling, noting its focus on allowing people to be themselves in all types of relationships.
Milken Resources
Lifetime Financial Security Report: https://milkeninstitute.org/report/shifting-retirement-paradigm-financial-security

Enhancing Retirement: Advancing Lifetime Income for All
https://milkeninstitute.org/content-hub/research-and-reports/reports/enhancing-retirement-advancing-lifetime-income-all

Our Afternoon with Gloria Steinem
https://milkeninstitute.org/article/our-afternoon-gloria-steinem

Addressing the Financial Headwinds Faced by Gen Z and Millennials https://vimeo.com/1076695634

https://www.aarpinternational.org/initiatives/future-of-work/future-of-work-five-megatrends-pov/2023/09/future-of-work-cheryl-evans

Featured Guest Bio

Cheryl L. Evans, JD, leads the Lifetime Financial Security (LFS) Program of the Milken Institute’s Finance pillar. She frequently discusses a variety of issues related to financial security and retirement savings and has been cited in publications such as US News and World Report, Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg News, MarketWatch, CBS News, Pensions & Investments, McKnight’s Senior Living, and TheStreet. Evans is the co-author of Shifting the Retirement Paradigm: Moving toward Lifetime Financial Security and Enhancing Retirement: Advancing Lifetime Income for All. She has also written for the Work Megatrends Section of AARP’s International website and has published several law review articles.

Evans has worked at CFA Institute, where she worked in its enforcement program, helped lead the research for its Future of Finance global initiative, and worked in its educational events and programs area, where she also spoke on issues faced by women in finance and law. She worked as special counsel at the US Chamber of Commerce, where she engaged in legal writing, public speaking, advocacy, and strategy work and was registered as a federal lobbyist. Evans was also a part of the Chamber’s economic crisis working group, contributed to two capital markets studies, led a large economic study, and led two academic working groups focused on securities litigation and corporate criminal law.

She spent over 11 years as senior counsel at the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). At the SEC, Evans worked in the Division of Enforcement, where she handled a variety of investigations, was a member of the WorldCom case team, served as the liaison to the Office of International Affairs, and was a part of a criminal fraud task force. She also worked in the division of Trading and Markets, where she approved financial products and interpreted trading rules, and in the division of Examinations, where she inspected compliance programs, at the SEC.

Evans was appointed to work as a special assistant US attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia prosecuting felony and misdemeanor criminal cases. She also served as a trial attorney in the Commercial Litigation Section of the US Department of Justice, where she worked at both the trial and appellate levels handling international trade cases, banking trials, and government contract bid protests, and she served as a judicial law clerk at the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Evans holds a BA from Marietta College, a JD from Rutgers Law School, and an LLM in transnational business practice from the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law and Salzburg Law School in Austria. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar.

LinkedIn
Email: cevans@milkeninstitute.org
Phone: (646) 988-9972

Fund Information

The Milken Institute Finance pillar addresses challenges across the financial system to increase access to capital, savings, and investments, particularly for underserved individuals, businesses, and communities. Our thought leadership, research, and insights influence private sector practices and public sector policies that improve equitable access, efficiency, and reliability of financial markets and institutions.

Milken Institute Website

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Steering American Innovation: Inside the Mission of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

Barbara Bickham — Wed, 07 May 2025 14:05:00 +0000

In an era defined by rapid technological change, the United States finds itself at a crossroads—where the power of innovation collides with national security, economic strategy, and global leadership. Few understand the stakes and the machinery of action better than Michael Kratsios, who currently serves as the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).

In a recent fireside chat, Kratsios unpacked how the White House is navigating the unprecedented pace of scientific advancement and its implications for everything from artificial intelligence to biotechnology. The OSTP is not merely a think tank nestled in the Executive Office—it is the nerve center for U.S. policy coordination on science and technology across the federal government.

A Mandate to Coordinate National Innovation

Kratsios began by setting the foundation: “OSTP is one of the four key policy offices in the White House,” he explained. “Alongside economic, domestic, and national security policy offices, OSTP plays a pivotal role in steering science and technology strategy.” But what makes this office unique is not just its purview—it’s the scale of its orchestration.

Science and technology policy in the U.S. is dispersed across numerous agencies: NIH handles health research, NSF focuses on basic science, the Department of Defense invests in high-end technologies for defense applications, and so on. The OSTP serves as the policy conductor, ensuring these various instruments play in harmony with the President’s vision.

So when the President declares, “America must lead in artificial intelligence,” it’s OSTP’s job to turn that declaration into coordinated action—making sure the Department of Energy, NASA, HHS, DOD, and others each contribute effectively to that goal.

The Golden Age of American Innovation

Kratsios framed the moment as a “golden age of American innovation,” a phrase echoed by President Trump in previous remarks. The role of the White House, he emphasized, is not to stifle innovation with heavy-handed regulation but to “promote and protect” it.

This dual strategy—promotion and protection—serves as a balancing act. On one side, the OSTP works to catalyze research, encourage private-sector breakthroughs, and foster a competitive edge in fields like AI, quantum information science, and nuclear energy. On the other, it’s equally focused on safeguarding these technologies through measures such as export controls and strategic investments to prevent adversaries from exploiting American innovation.

Artificial Intelligence: A Keystone Technology

No conversation about emerging technologies is complete without a deep dive into artificial intelligence. AI, according to Kratsios, is more than a scientific endeavor—it’s a national imperative.

“AI touches every part of our lives—from healthcare to defense to agriculture,” he noted. “We are focused on making sure the U.S. remains the world leader in AI development and responsible deployment.” Under his leadership, OSTP has driven major initiatives such as the American AI Initiative, designed to enhance research funding, build the AI workforce, and set standards for trustworthy AI.

Importantly, the OSTP approach is rooted in open innovation. Rather than building walls around AI technologies, the strategy promotes collaboration with universities, startups, and allies to create a vibrant and competitive ecosystem.

Quantum, Biotech, and Beyond

While AI often grabs headlines, Kratsios emphasized that it’s just one piece of a broader tech puzzle. Quantum information science, for instance, represents a revolutionary leap in computing and encryption. The OSTP has been instrumental in laying down a national strategy, including partnerships with the private sector to build quantum testbeds and infrastructure.

Biotechnology also sits high on the agenda. From pandemic preparedness to agricultural productivity, advances in biotech can improve lives and bolster economic resilience. The OSTP is working to ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of this space, both in innovation and in ethical frameworks for its use.

A Public-Private Future

Kratsios’ unique background—straddling the private and public sectors—has shaped OSTP’s approach to engagement. Before entering public service, he worked at Scale AI and invested in early-stage technology firms. This lens has made him a staunch advocate for integrating Silicon Valley dynamism into government strategy.

“We need to meet innovators where they are,” he said, underscoring efforts to streamline partnerships, reduce red tape, and attract private capital to national challenges.

OSTP has also been working to modernize research and development (R&D) infrastructure. This includes not only boosting federal R&D spending but also reforming tech transfer policies so discoveries in federal labs can make their way into market-ready solutions faster.

National Security Meets Innovation

Perhaps the most profound shift in recent years has been the convergence of national security and innovation. Technologies like semiconductors, AI, and hypersonics are no longer just academic or commercial—they are battlegrounds of geopolitical influence.

Kratsios spoke about “strategic decoupling,” including export controls that prevent sensitive technologies from being exploited by rival nations. But rather than isolating America, these policies are about smart engagement—ensuring the U.S. and its allies can cooperate on shared innovation goals while guarding against threats.

“We want to lead in building a trusted global ecosystem,” he explained. That includes setting global norms and standards that reflect democratic values, not authoritarian control.

Regulation with a Light Touch

Despite the growing importance of technology, Kratsios cautioned against heavy-handed regulation. The goal is to ensure innovation continues at speed, while still addressing real concerns such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and cybersecurity.

OSTP’s philosophy has leaned on “risk-based” regulation: allowing experimentation and scaling in low-risk environments, while tightening oversight where consequences are more serious—such as AI in medical devices or autonomous vehicles.

This regulatory posture is also designed to avoid a patchwork of conflicting state laws that could stifle national innovation. The OSTP is working with Congress, agencies, and industry to find the right balance.

The Next Generation of Talent

Kratsios ended with a forward-looking note on workforce development. To win the future, the U.S. must invest not only in technology, but in people.

From K–12 STEM education to community college reskilling programs, OSTP is spearheading initiatives to prepare the next generation of engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs. Diversity and inclusion are core components—ensuring the innovation economy is one where all Americans have a stake and a path to contribute.

Final Thoughts

As Michael Kratsios continues to lead America’s scientific and technological charge, one thing is clear: the role of the OSTP has never been more critical. At a time when the stakes of innovation stretch across war rooms, boardrooms, and classrooms, his office is the linchpin of national strategy.

Whether it’s shaping AI policy, building quantum infrastructure, or defending the innovation ecosystem from foreign threats, the OSTP’s work represents the heart of a 21st-century national agenda. In Kratsios’ words, “We are not just witnessing the future—we are building it.”

Click here to watch the full session

The AI Rollout: Navigating Innovation, Regulation, and Responsibility in a Rapidly Evolving World

Barbara Bickham — Tue, 06 May 2025 16:19:09 +0000

As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes every aspect of modern life—from education and healthcare to law and national security—governments, technologists, and the public are increasingly faced with critical questions: How do we foster innovation while safeguarding society? Who holds the reins when powerful AI tools can both empower and disrupt? And how can we ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical use across diverse industries?

These are the urgent issues explored at “The AI Rollout,” a timely and thought-provoking panel discussion held on May 5, 2025. Featuring leading figures from DeepMind, AWS, Apple, Perplexity, and legal experts specializing in intellectual property and AI regulation, the event brought together public and private sector voices for a conversation that underscored both the promise and the peril of AI.

Below, we’ll break down the key takeaways from the panel and reflect on what they mean for the road ahead.

1. We’re Living Through a Historic Technological Shift

The session began with a recognition of the moment we’re in: a pivotal juncture in the technological evolution of humanity. AI is not simply another tech wave—it’s a revolutionary transformation with far-reaching implications for society, governance, and human interaction.

Lila Ibrahim, COO at DeepMind and one of the top 100 minds in AI in 2023, noted that DeepMind was founded in 2010 with a mission to “build AI responsibly to benefit humanity.” Responsibility, she emphasized, was not an afterthought but a foundational principle. Governments have increasingly turned to firms like DeepMind for guidance on how to make this powerful technology safe.

This marks a shift: AI is no longer just the domain of engineers or entrepreneurs; it’s a matter of public policy, ethics, and national interest.

2. Government and Private Sector Must Collaborate on AI Safety

A recurring theme throughout the panel was the crucial importance of collaboration between public institutions and private innovators. While governments must establish safeguards and accountability frameworks, much of the knowledge and innovation originates from private labs and startups.

As Dimitri Shabanko from Perplexity AI pointed out, “We’re in an era where the models being created are not only more powerful but also more accessible.” This accessibility heightens the urgency for joint oversight. Perplexity, now one of the fastest-growing AI startups, exemplifies how quickly new players can scale—and why agility in regulation is necessary.

Emmanuel Dave Levy, who has worked at AWS and Apple leading public-sector initiatives, argued that adoption and safety are two sides of the same coin. “We can’t afford to let innovation stall, but we also can’t turn a blind eye to the real consequences of misuse,” he said. His unique vantage point bridging tech giants and government gave his remarks particular weight.

3. Transparency and Trust Are the Cornerstones of Progress

One challenge facing the AI industry is a pervasive lack of public trust. Black-box systems, deepfakes, and opaque data practices have all contributed to widespread skepticism. To earn public confidence, panelists agreed, AI companies must prioritize transparency and open communication.

This doesn’t just mean releasing whitepapers—it means explaining how models work, what data they are trained on, and what risks they carry. As Lila Ibrahim stated, “We must put in the work to earn society’s trust, especially as the capabilities of these systems increase.”

Sean Pack, a leading legal voice in intellectual property and AI governance, reinforced this point: “If we don’t have transparency, we won’t have legitimacy.” Legal frameworks must evolve in lockstep with technological capabilities to ensure enforceability, especially as generative AI produces vast amounts of synthetic content.

4. AI Regulation Needs to Be Agile, Not Reactive

While many countries are moving forward with national AI strategies and draft regulations, the panel warned that overly rigid or outdated policies could stifle innovation or push companies offshore. What’s needed, they argued, is agile regulation—frameworks that can adapt to rapid advancements without compromising oversight.

One idea floated was a “regulatory sandbox” model where companies could test new models under guided conditions with oversight from regulators. This would allow innovation to continue while still surfacing potential harms before they reach scale.

There was also discussion around international collaboration. With AI systems increasingly borderless, unilateral regulation is often ineffective. Panelists called for global standards and interoperability—a sort of “AI Geneva Convention” to ensure consistent rules on ethics, safety, and fair use.

5. The Future of Work Hinges on Proactive Training and Inclusion

Beyond safety and innovation, the rollout of AI has profound implications for employment, education, and inclusion. While AI has the potential to boost productivity and unlock new industries, it also risks displacing millions of workers if governments and institutions don’t act now.

Speaker after speaker stressed the importance of workforce reskilling, especially for mid-career professionals and marginalized communities. “If we don’t bring everyone along, the digital divide will become a chasm,” said Levy.

Panelists discussed a variety of strategies, including:

Public-private partnerships to deliver AI training
Apprenticeship programs for high school and community college students
Inclusion targets for historically underrepresented groups in tech
Support for small businesses to integrate AI responsibly

This isn’t just about economic inclusion—it’s also about building trust. A society that benefits broadly from AI is more likely to support its continued development.

6. Legal Challenges Are Emerging—and Evolving

From copyright infringement to biometric privacy, the legal questions surrounding AI are far from settled. Sean Pack offered a sobering reminder that the law is still playing catch-up. “In the absence of legal precedent, we’re relying heavily on interpretation,” he said.

Two pressing legal issues stood out:

Intellectual Property: Who owns content generated by AI? If a model is trained on copyrighted materials, does it infringe upon those rights? The answers are still murky and vary across jurisdictions.
Data Privacy and Consent: AI systems trained on user data raise critical consent issues. Europe’s GDPR has set a high bar, but other nations have yet to implement similarly strict standards.

The legal system’s slow pace creates a vacuum that must be filled by ethical frameworks and corporate responsibility. But as AI becomes further embedded in daily life, court decisions and legislation will eventually catch up—and reshape the industry.

7. Sustainability Must Be Part of the AI Conversation

One of the lesser-discussed but vital themes was environmental sustainability. Training and deploying large-scale AI models consumes significant energy. As the climate crisis accelerates, the industry must reckon with its carbon footprint.

Some suggestions raised:

Optimizing data center efficiency
Using renewable energy sources
Building smaller, more efficient models
Disclosing the energy usage of training processes

The panel agreed that sustainability cannot be an afterthought. “AI should be a force multiplier for sustainability—not an additional burden,” said Ibrahim.

8. We Need Ethical Guardrails—Not Just Technical Benchmarks

The discussion closed on a philosophical but urgent note: AI must be developed with an ethical north star. It’s not enough to simply make systems smarter, faster, or more accurate—we must also make them fair, inclusive, and aligned with human values.

This includes:

Addressing bias in training data
Designing models to prevent harmful outputs
Ensuring AI tools are accessible to people with disabilities
Preventing the use of AI for surveillance or manipulation

Panelists agreed that these questions won’t be solved by engineers alone. They require input from ethicists, social scientists, artists, and everyday users. “AI doesn’t just reflect our values—it shapes them,” said one speaker. “So we have a responsibility to get it right.”

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

“The AI Rollout” panel made one thing clear: the deployment of AI is not just a technical challenge, it’s a societal reckoning. We are being asked—collectively—to decide how this technology will shape our world. Will it empower or exclude? Safeguard or surveil? Transform or disrupt?

We need bold leadership, transparent dialogue, and agile regulation. But above all, we need a shared vision rooted in humanity, equity, and justice.

As AI continues to evolve, so too must our frameworks for trust, accountability, and responsibility. The rollout is already happening. Now it’s up to us to shape what comes next.

To watch the entire interview, click here.

Episode 112 - Mary King - Aligned Climate Fund

Barbara Bickham — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 16:05:00 +0000

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In this episode of the Female VC Lab Podcast, host Barbara Bickham sits down with Mary King, Vice President at the Aligned Climate Fund, the venture strategy of Aligned Climate Capital. Mary shares her journey into venture capital, discusses the fund's investment thesis focused on decarbonizing infrastructure, and offers insights into the evolving landscape of climate tech, energy innovation, and the future of venture capital.

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Key Points Discussed

Origins and Motivation: Mary’s path to climate-focused venture capital, mentorship, and early industry exposure.
Aligned Climate Fund Thesis: Investing in companies advancing the clean energy transition across sectors like clean energy, electric transport, infrastructure, and sustainable land use.
Approach to Energy Innovation: Interest in both intermittent and base load clean energy like solar, battery storage, and geothermal, with commentary on nuclear and waste-to-fuel technologies.
Emerging Tech and Distributed Solutions: Exploration of novel solutions such as point source carbon capture and microgrid technologies for resilience and distributed power.
VC Landscape Transformation: The anticipated role of AI and data in speeding up due diligence and investment processes, especially within climate venture capital.

🎧 Watch the Episode

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and guest background
00:24 Mary’s inspiration to join venture capital
00:50 Aligned Climate Fund’s investment thesis and focus
01:57 Discussion on geothermal, nuclear, and waste-to-fuel energy sources
03:40 Current areas of research: Power electronics and geothermal applications
04:53 Investment in point source carbon capture and the shift to distributed energy
07:12 Outlook on the evolution of venture capital and climate VC
09:21 How listeners can connect with Mary

Full Topic Guide

Accelerating the Clean Energy Transition: Inside Aligned Climate Fund’s Venture Strategy

The Road to Climate Venture Capital

Mary King took an unconventional journey into venture capital, ignited by a formative co-op experience at Hercules Capital in the Bay Area. Guided by a mentor who encouraged her to explore clean tech and venture investments, Mary’s career quickly aligned with her passion for environmental impact and sustainable innovation.

Aligned Climate Fund’s Investment Thesis

As the venture arm of Aligned Climate Capital, the fund’s core mission is to accelerate the global clean energy transition. Mary describes a dual strategy: one team acquires large-scale solar and battery storage assets, while the venture side—where she sits—targets seed through Series B companies offering proven solutions in clean energy, resilient infrastructure, electric transportation, and sustainable land use. Their emphasis is on businesses capable of meaningful climate mitigation, adaptation, or resilience today.

Exploring Diverse Energy Solutions

Mary highlights the broad range of projects the fund pursues, from intermittent renewables like solar to base load solutions such as geothermal. The fund recently invested in XGS, a company developing large-scale, closed-loop geothermal projects, exemplifying their commitment to diversified, resilient energy sources. While noting the massive potential of nuclear energy, Mary clarifies that nuclear is outside their current mandate. Waste-to-fuel technologies are also on their radar, but tend to be too early-stage or capital-intensive for their check sizes at this time.

Power Electronics, Distributed Energy, and the Move Toward Resilience

Keeping a finger on the pulse of emerging tech, Mary has been delving into power electronics that could bolster capacity and grid resiliency—an area with clear incentives for utility adoption. The conversation turns to distributed decarbonization, microgrids, and point source carbon capture (like their investment in CarbonClip), which offer flexible, resilient alternatives to traditional power structures. The fund actively explores geothermal for heating and cooling, as well as affordable housing applications where localized carbon capture at combined heat and power facilities could drive meaningful sustainability.

How Venture Capital is Evolving

Looking ahead, Mary forecasts a transformation in venture capital driven by AI-powered due diligence, enabling faster, more thorough deal flow and pattern recognition. For climate VC in particular, she anticipates that maturing technologies will "come down the risk and cost curve" more rapidly, opening new investment opportunities. The abundance of data and automation in analysis will empower investors to spot trends, provide preliminary feedback, and facilitate even greater innovation across cleantech.

Notable Quotes from the Guest

"I think once we are able to use AI tools as effectively as they will be able to be used in the next couple of years for diligence, I think we'll be able to see a lot more companies move through VC pipelines much faster." - Mary King

Fun Facts or Interesting Tidbits

Mary’s Venture Origin Story: Mary’s journey into venture capital started with a college co-op at Hercules Capital, where a mentor sparked her curiosity for the clean tech space.
Geothermal and Beyond: Aligned Climate Fund recently invested in a large-scale, closed-loop geothermal company—highlighting their commitment to various clean energy sources, not just solar.
Mary Really Reads Her LinkedIn DMs: Mary admits she actually reads (and tries to respond to) all her LinkedIn direct messages—so it’s a legit way to contact her!

Episode Resource: Learning, Reading, and Listening

In the episode, Mary King shared various resources she is currently learning from, reading, or listening to. Here are those resources:

Power electronics (Mary shared she is learning a lot about power electronics and solutions that increase capacity and resiliency for utilities.)
Geothermal for heating and cooling (Mary mentioned she is looking into geothermal applications for heating and cooling.)
CarbonClip (Mary mentioned an investment in a company called CarbonClip, which focuses on point source carbon capture. Learn more at https://www.carbonclip.com/ if available.)
LinkedIn (Mary noted she actively reads her LinkedIn DMs, suggesting she uses LinkedIn as an ongoing resource for connection and information. https://www.linkedin.com/in/marybking/)

No specific podcasts, books, or articles were named in this episode, but these topics and resources reflect Mary King's current areas of focus and interest discussed in the conversation.

Featured Guest Bio

Mary King is a Vice President on Aligned Climate Capital’s venture strategy, Aligned Climate Fund (ACF), leading deal sourcing, due diligence, and investment execution. ACF invests in early-stage companies utilizing proven technologies across clean energy, efficient buildings, electric transport, and sustainable land use. Previously, Mary worked as an investor at Backcast Partners.

Fund Information

Aligned Climate Capital closed its $85M second venture fund, ACF2, doubling its first fund’s size. ACF2 invests in proven, scalable technologies in clean energy, infrastructure, electric transport, and sustainable land use, with backing from the Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and others. Aligned has raised $145M through its venture strategy.

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Katelin Holloway, Founding Partner, 776: From Operator to VC Trailblazer

Barbara Bickham — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 16:05:00 +0000

Hi {{ first name | Impactful Listener }}!

In this enlightening episode of the Female VC Lab Podcast, host Barbara Bickham sits down with Katelin Holloway, founding partner at 776. Katelin delves into her transition from being an operator to a venture capitalist, her firm’s unique thesis agnostic approach, and the evolving landscape of venture capital, especially in the context of AI integration. With her rich background and passion for innovation, Katelin shares valuable insights into finding and supporting promising founders.

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Key Points Discussed

Katelin's journey from an operator to a venture capitalist and her motivation to scale her efforts in working with startups.
776's unique thesis agnostic approach that focuses on identifying and supporting outstanding founders, regardless of industry.
The impact of artificial intelligence on the venture capital ecosystem and Katelin's perspective on AI as an infrastructure shift.
The importance of providing more than just capital in venture investing, emphasizing the role of operational expertise.
Exploration of Katelin's interests, such as space tech and women's health tech.

🎧 Watch the Episode

Chapters

00:00 Introduction of Katelin Holloway and her role at 776
00:19 Katelin explains her motivation to become a venture capitalist
01:06 Discussion on 776's thesis agnostic investment approach
02:33 Katelin shares her current learning interests and media consumption
04:06 Katelin’s views on the evolving landscape of venture capital
05:27 How 776 integrates AI considerations into its investment strategy
07:05 How listeners can connect with Katelin

Full Topic Guide

Navigating Venture Capital with Katelin Holloway - Embracing Change and Innovation

Understanding 776's Investment Philosophy and the Role of AI in VC

From Operator to Investor: A Personal Journey Katelin Holloway’s transition from being an executive operator to a venture capitalist offers invaluable lessons for aspiring investors. With over a decade in the boardroom on the operational side, she resonates deeply with founders, understanding the nuances of building sustainable businesses. Her motivation to move into venture capital stemmed from her desire to scale her impact, allowing her to support multiple businesses simultaneously from an investor’s perspective.

776’s Thesis Agnostic Approach: Investing in Exceptional Founders The investment philosophy at 776 is notably different, embracing a thesis agnostic strategy. This approach focuses on identifying pioneering founders and providing them with capital, regardless of their industry. Katelin highlights this flexibility by citing the success of past investments like Coinbase and Instacart, emphasizing the importance of not being constrained by a rigid thesis, which could limit opportunities in emerging sectors.

The Role of AI: A Fundamental Shift in Business Landscape As AI continues to redefine industries, Katelin views it not as a standalone sector but as a transformative infrastructure shift. At 776, the integration of AI is seen as essential across all business models. Whether it’s enhancing operational efficiencies or pioneering technological advancements, the application of AI allows companies to maintain a competitive edge.

Beyond Capital: The Need for Operational Expertise in VC Katelin stresses that venture capitalists must offer more than monetary investments. With her operational background, she sees a growing trend where VCs with substantial operational experience are winning deals. This shift reflects a preference among founders for investors who can provide strategic guidance and industry insights, ensuring a mutually beneficial partnership.

Interests and Innovations: A Focus on Space and Health Tech With a personal passion for space tech and women's health tech, Katelin is enthusiastic about exploring groundbreaking developments in these fields. Her openness to diverse sectors ensures that 776 can support innovative solutions that address various global challenges.

Notable Quotes from the Guest

“We're fundamentally changing the way all businesses are built...every company is going to have an AI component.” - Katelin Holloway

Fun Facts or Interesting Tidbits

Katelin has a deep fascination with space exploration and the Artemis Accords, which focus on international cooperation in space activities.
Before venturing into capital investment, Katelin was deeply rooted in the world of operations, providing her with unique insights into the challenges faced by startup founders.

Episode Resource: Learning, Reading, and Listening

Artimes Accords - Policies relating to space and space exploration: The transcript doesn't provide a link, but you can search for the Artemis Accords online for more detailed information.

Remember, these resources were directly named in the episode when Katelin Holloway was asked about her current learning and reading habits. If you want to explore them further, consider looking them up to dive into these interesting topics!

Featured Guest Bio

Katelin Holloway is Founding Partner at Alexis Ohanian's early-stage venture capital firm, 776. A seasoned investor with over 20 years of operational experience at companies like Pixar and Reddit, Katelin backs transformative startups across diverse sectors. She invests in solutions that push the boundaries of human potential and resilience—advancing health, exploring new frontiers, driving sustainability, fostering creativity, and enriching the human condition. At 776, Katelin combines her operational expertise with a deep commitment to supporting founders as they navigate early-stage challenges and scale their visions. Katelin is dedicated to reshaping venture capital by empowering generational entrepreneurs to tackle humanity’s biggest challenges while driving exceptional returns.

Fund Information

Seven Seven Six is an early-stage venture capital firm with over $970M AUM and is focused on the intersection of product and people. Powered by the operating system Cerebro, at its heart, 776 is a technology company that deploys capital. The firm was founded in 2020 by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. Seven Seven Six invests across sectors, with investments spanning the creator economy, space, climate tech, sports, fintech, web3, healthcare, collectibles, AI, and more. Investments include Feastables, Stoke Space, Angel City FC, and Riverside. For more information, visit sevensevensix.com.

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Female VC Lab - Q1 Breakdown

Barbara Bickham — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 22:00:00 +0000

Hi {{ first name | Impactful Listener }}!

Introduction

Thank you for listening, we appreciate all your support.

This quarter we cover our HumanX experience, podcast metrics and what’s up for Q2 2025.

Podcast Metrics

Top 5 Downloaded & Listened-to Episodes

E102: Keri Findley: Tacora Capital
E106: Keara Sauber: Sauber Capital
E103: Katie Quilligan: BankTech Ventures
E108: Liz Kukka: Purpose Impact Lending Fund
E093: Genia Xasis: Berkana.VC

New Distribution Channels

We have upgraded our website and podcast site again to take advantage of the new features of the beehiiv platform.

The podcast is hosted on: https://podcast.femalevclab.com

The main site is hosted on: https://femalevclab.com

Major Podcasting Opportunities

HumanX we recorded 2 podcasts during the event. Expect the podcasts from Katelin Holloway of Seven Seven Six and Raj Patel AI Transformation Lead @ Holistic AI over the next couple of weeks.

We also MC’d 2 Stages there.

Track 2 - Finance Stage on March 10th, 2025

Session 1: Navigating the AI-driven finance revolution

Laura Spiekerman Co-founder at Alloy

Juan Pablo Ortega Co-founder & CEO at Yuno

Andrew Brown Founder & CEO at Check

Moderator: Laura Diorio Journalist at New York Stock Exchange Group

Session 2: AI for fintech leaders: Rethinking strategy in the age of intelligence

Tamara Steffens Managing Director at Thomson Reuters Ventures

Stephen Sikes COO at Public

Moderator: Gené Teare Senior Data Editor - Crunchbase

Session 3: Financing our AI future

Marc Bhargava Managing Director at General Catalyst

Moderator: Shirin Ghaffary AI Reporter at Bloomberg

Track 1 - Policy Stage on March 11th, 2025

Session 1: Adapting to the evolving AI regulatory landscape

Timothy Galluzi CIO at State of Nevada

Karen Silverman Founder & CEO at The Cantellus Group

Richard Schaefer CTO / CAIO at Lunar AI and Dept of Vet Affairs

Moderator Ben Moe CEO at Frame

Session 2: Redrawing boundaries: AI regulation on a global scale

Speaker David Danks Professor of Data Science, Philosophy, & Policy at University of California, San Diego

Lexi Reese Co-founder & CEO at Lanai

Nick Pickles Chief Policy Officer at Tools for Humanity

Moderator Dan Costa Editor-in-Chief at Worth Media

Session 3: The business leader’s playbook for AI governance

Ethan Goodhart Founder at EthicsGPT.AI

Navrina Singh Founder & CEO at Credo AI

Didem Un Ates Chief Executive at LotusAI

Adriano Koshiyama Co-founder at Holistic AI

Moderator Ben Moe CEO at Frame

What’s Coming

Milken Conference - May 4th, 2025 - Hope to see you there.

Conclusion

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Episode E110 - Marcia Dawood - Mindshift Capital

Barbara Bickham — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Hi {{ first name | Impactful Listener }}!

In this episode of the Female VC Lab podcast, guest Marcia Dawood shares her journey into venture capital, her investment focus at Mindshift Capital, and insights into angel investing. Marcia also discusses her efforts to democratize private investing, making it more accessible to a broader audience.

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Key Points Discussed

Transition from angel investing to venture capitalism and collaboration with Heather Hennion to create Mindshift Capital.
Challenges and rewards of investing in women-led companies globally, focusing on tech sectors such as fintech, edtech, food tech, and health tech.
The changing relationship between individuals and investing, particularly how women approach investment opportunities differently.
The potential evolution of venture capital driven by democratization and changing regulations around private investing.
The importance of education and representation in encouraging more diverse investment activities.

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Chapters

0:00 Introduction of Marcia Dawood and her role at Mindshift Capital.
0:21 Discovering venture capitalism through angel investing.
1:11 Investment thesis focusing on women-led global companies in tech sectors.
2:39 Discussion on mindset around money and democratizing investment.
6:26 Future of venture capital and need for expanded investment rules.

Full Topic Guide

Investing in Women Globally: A Venture Capitalist's Perspective

Introduction: The Evolution from Angel Investor to VC
Marcia Dawood’s journey into venture capitalism began with an unexpected invitation to an angel investing meeting 12 years ago. Her newfound interest in innovation and investment, coupled with the realization of a funding gap for women-led businesses, propelled her to deepen her involvement in various funds. It ultimately led to the formation of Mindshift Capital with Heather Hennion. This section explores how Marcia transitioned into venture capitalism, driven by a mission to support women globally.

Investment Thesis and Tech Focus
Mindshift Capital is steadfast in its commitment to supporting women-led companies globally, concentrating on four pivotal areas: fintech, food tech, edtech, and health tech. This section discusses the rationale behind choosing these sectors and the complexities of investing across borders, including compliance and the cultural nuances of global markets.

The Changing Landscape of Investment Mindsets
Marcia sheds light on a critical barrier in venture capital: the mindset around money and investment, especially among women. Her engagement with potential angel investors uncovers a notable gap—many perceive investing as an exclusive domain for the wealthy or well-connected. This section delves into her initiatives, including her own podcast and book, aimed at breaking down these barriers and making investment opportunities more accessible.

Democratization and the Future of Venture Capital
Looking ahead, Marcia envisions a venture capital landscape where private investing is democratized, allowing broader participation beyond traditional boundaries. With regulatory changes since 2016 making strides, she advocates for further opening up the sector to diverse investors. This section explores potential developments in the industry and the crucial role inclusivity plays in shaping the future.

Notable Quotes from the Guest

If we had more people investing in the companies and the type of change we want to see in the world, we would have a very different looking world.
- Marcia Dawood

Fun Facts or Interesting Tidbits

Despite challenges, Marcia and her team at Mindshift Capital strive to focus on tech innovations led by women that are truly making a global impact.
Marcia’s passion for investing led her to create "The Angel Next Door" podcast to demystify angel investing for everyone.

Episode Resource: Learning, Reading, and Listening

Podcast: The Angel Next Door
Link: The Angel Next Door Podcast
Book: Do Good While Doing Well
Available on Amazon and other bookstores: Do Good While Doing Well on Amazon
Podcast Episode on Republic: The Angel Next Door episode with the CEO of Republic.com
Link: The Angel Next Door Podcast

Please check the respective websites or platforms for the latest updates and availability.

Featured Guest Bio

Marcia Dawood is the author of Do Good While Doing Well, TEDx speaker, Podcast host, and an early-stage investor who serves on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee. She is a venture partner with Mindshift Capital and the chair emeritus of the Angel Capital Association (ACA), a global professional society for angel investors. She is also an associate producer on the award-winning documentary Show Her the Money.

Fund Information

Mindshift Capital is a global fund investing in women-led companies.

Mindshift Capital Website

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Welcome to the New Female VC Lab Website!

Barbara Bickham — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 17:00:00 +0000

Get your news where Silicon Valley gets its news 📰

The best investors need the information that matters, fast.

That’s why a lot of them (including investors from a16z, Bessemer, Founders Fund, and Sequoia) trust this free newsletter.

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Hi {{ first name | Impactful Listener }}!

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new website for the Female VC Lab Podcast! This fresh platform has been thoughtfully designed to enhance your experience and provide even more value to our incredible community of female investors, entrepreneurs, and supporters.

What’s New?

Streamlined Navigation: Our updated layout makes it easier than ever to explore episodes, discover resources, and connect with our community.
New Stories Section: Dive deeper into the insights and stories shared by our guests. Our blog is now called Stories and will feature episode highlights, industry trends, and actionable advice for aspiring VCs and entrepreneurs. Explore it here: stories.femalevclab.com.
Enhanced Content Access: You can now quickly find past episodes, guest information, and key resources to support your journey.

A Look Back at 2024

As we step into 2025, let’s take a moment to celebrate our achievements in 2024 by watching a video recap since updating the newsletter location in September 2024 below:

Thank you for all your support.

Join Us for What’s Next

This new website is just the beginning of an exciting year ahead. With a renewed focus on empowering female investors, we’re committed to delivering impactful content, actionable insights, and inspiring stories.

Explore the new site, check out our latest stories, and subscribe to stay up to date on new episodes. Thank you for being part of the Female VC Lab journey – here’s to an incredible 2025!

Explore the New Website!

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Smart Cities: The Future of Urban Living and AI Integration

Barbara Bickham — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 04:11:00 +0000

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In today’s fast-evolving urban landscape, the concept of smart cities is gaining traction. These urban areas leverage advanced technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the quality of life for residents while addressing pressing challenges like climate change and resource management. Let’s explore the fascinating developments in this field, as discussed during a recent panel at CES 2025.

Understanding Smart Cities

Smart cities are urban spaces where technology and data collection work hand-in-hand to improve daily life and streamline government operations. They employ tools such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and AI to offer services that are efficient, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of their citizens.

The Role of AI in Smart Cities

AI enhances decision-making processes by analyzing vast amounts of data, allowing city planners to anticipate and respond to various urban challenges. For instance, Sheree Boxstein, the head of The Weather Company, emphasized how AI is vital for predicting extreme weather events, which are becoming more unpredictable due to climate change.

Preparing for Extreme Weather

As climate change leads to more frequent hurricanes and floods, cities must be ready for unexpected events. AI can help model potential scenarios and design infrastructure that can withstand unprecedented weather patterns. For example, how do you build a bridge that can handle winds from a storm we’ve never seen before? AI analyzes climate data, creating a “crystal ball” effect that enables cities to prepare for the future rather than merely reacting to the past.

Probabilistic Forecasting: A Game Changer

One innovative approach discussed is probabilistic forecasting, which provides cities with a range of possible weather outcomes rather than a single prediction. This method allows for better emergency preparedness by informing officials of even the slightest chance of severe weather, enabling proactive measures such as resource allocation and evacuation planning.

Citizen-Centric Smart Cities

While AI enhances city infrastructure, it also transforms how residents interact with their local government. The concept of a citizen-centric smart city focuses on user-friendly experiences, akin to the seamless service of ordering from Amazon. Nadia Hansen, the CIO of Las Vegas, envisions a scenario where residents can access all city services through a single app, from reporting potholes to paying property taxes.

Empowering Citizens Through Technology

With AI and blockchain, citizens could even vote on how local taxes are spent, giving them a direct say in their community’s governance. The idea is to create decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) where residents can influence decisions on local projects, pushing the power back to the people.

The Data Dilemma

However, the path to smart cities is not without obstacles. One significant hurdle is the data itself. Cities collect vast amounts of data, but it often remains siloed within different departments, making it challenging to gain a comprehensive view of urban needs. As Hansen humorously noted during the panel, assumptions about what data residents seek can be wildly off base.

Standardizing Data Collection

Data standardization is crucial for building effective smart cities. Different cities manage and define data differently, leading to inconsistencies that hinder collaboration. For instance, creating a national database of bike routes is complicated because each city maps those routes in its unique way. We need clear standards for data collection and sharing before we can fully leverage AI’s potential.

Collaboration is Key

To overcome these challenges, collaboration between public and private sectors is essential. Governments have the data, but private companies often have the technology and expertise to analyze it effectively. Partnerships can create a “super brain trust” that combines resources and knowledge to tackle complex urban issues.

Human-AI Collaboration

As we move forward, it’s vital to maintain a balance between human intelligence and AI. While AI can process data at incredible speeds, human oversight ensures ethical considerations and qualitative judgments are upheld. For example, Barbara Bickham mentioned a company called Reliable, which integrates human intelligence with AI to tag data accurately.

Education and Public Awareness

To foster trust in AI, education and transparency are paramount. Hansen highlighted the need to train government employees on AI usage while also educating the public about its benefits and risks. By empowering citizens with knowledge, we can create a more informed and engaged populace ready to participate in the smart city evolution.

AI Trends Impacting Smart Cities

The rapid adoption of AI tools in everyday life is another trend that cannot be overlooked. From education to human resources, AI is becoming a staple across various sectors. However, this swift integration raises questions about the implications of automation on job markets and the nature of work itself.

Addressing Potential Downsides

While the benefits of smart cities are promising, we must also consider the potential downsides. Issues of trust, ethics, and privacy are central to discussions about AI in urban environments. As AI systems increasingly influence decision-making, ensuring that these systems are transparent and free from bias is critical.

Building Ethical Smart Cities

Creating ethical smart cities means establishing guidelines for AI development and usage. It involves engaging citizens in the conversation about how technology impacts their lives. By prioritizing fairness and accountability, we can work towards cities that empower rather than control.

Conclusion: The Future of Smart Cities

The future of smart cities is not predetermined; it is shaped by the choices we make today. By embedding our values into technology, we can build urban environments that are equitable, sustainable, and inclusive. As we embrace the possibilities of AI, we must remain vigilant and proactive in addressing the challenges that accompany these advancements.

For more insights on the intersection of technology and urban living, check out the Female VC Lab Podcast Youtube Channel.

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I’m speaking at CES® 2025?

Barbara Bickham — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 17:00:00 +0000

I’m heading to CES® 2025, January 7-10 in Las Vegas, where I’ll be joined by the entire tech community for an unforgettable – and unmissable – week of thought-provoking sessions, inspirational keynotes, and the latest and greatest innovations in tech. As an official speaker presenting

Session: What's Next for Smart Cities: AI for Data, Planning and Beyond
Date and Time: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center North - N257,

I want to extend an invitation for you to join me!

Registration is open and it’s not too late to make plans to attend.

I hope to see you there.

Barbara Bickham
Founder & Managing Partner | Trailyn VC
Reserve a Time

As a trade-only event, those registering for CES must meet specific registration requirements found here.

Episode E108 - Liz Kukka - Purpose Impact Lending Fund

Barbara Bickham — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Hi {{ first name | Impactful Listener }}!

Welcome to Episode 108 of the Female VC Lab Podcast! Today we have an inspiring conversation with Elizabeth Kukka, CEO of Purpose For Profit. Join us as Liz shares her journey into venture capital and the innovative approach her tokenized lending fund takes to support affordable mixed-income housing. We'll dive deep into Purpose For Profit's unique funding structure, leveraging blockchain technology for transparency, and rethinking philanthropic investment. Plus, Liz sheds light on the broader impact of affordable housing on communities and offers insights into the future of venture capital. Don't miss this insightful episode as we explore how combining technology with social good can drive meaningful change. Stay tuned!

🎧 Listen to the Episode

Key Points Discussed

Introduction to Purpose For Profit: A tokenized lending fund focused on affordable mixed-income housing.
Blockchain and Tokenized Funding: Utilizing blockchain for transparency and efficiency in fund management.
Affordable Housing Initiatives: The importance of affordable housing in improving economic, educational, and health outcomes.
Future of Venture Capital: The rise of digital assets and their impact on liquidity and investment strategies.
Nonprofit Structure: How nonprofits can generate returns while maintaining their mission.

🎧 Watch the Episode

Chapters

0:00 Introduction and Liz Kukka's brief introduction
0:12 Liz explains her inspiration for becoming a venture capitalist
0:36 Overview of Purpose For Profit's thesis and funding mechanism
1:55 New funding structure and affordable housing sector
3:06 Importance of transparency and the nonprofit model
4:37 Liz's current readings and interests, including AI and housing initiatives
6:00 The link between affordable housing and socio-economic outcomes
6:22 Liz's view on the future of venture capital and digital assets
8:01 How to contact Liz and closing remarks

Full Topic Guide

Innovative Lending for Impact

Expanding Funding for Affordable Housing

In this episode of the Female VC Lab Podcast, Barbara Bickham sits down with Liz Kukka to discuss her innovative approach to venture capital aimed at solving societal issues, specifically affordable housing. Liz, the CEO of Purpose For Profit, shares how her tokenized lending fund uses blockchain technology to revolutionize the funding of mixed-income housing projects.

Liz’s Journey into Venture Capital

Liz's drive to influence positive change led her to venture capital. She articulates how the ability to deploy capital to projects she believes in allows for meaningful impact, embodying the principle that "money makes the world go round."

The Purpose For Profit Model

Purpose For Profit operates as a tokenized lending fund that facilitates below-market-rate loans for businesses constructing affordable mixed-income housing. By purchasing tokens, investors indirectly lend to housing projects. Liz emphasizes the transparency blockchain technology offers, allowing real-time reporting and reducing the administrative burden typically associated with funding processes.

Navigating the Nonprofit Landscape

Purpose For Profit distinguishes itself by operating as a nonprofit. Liz elaborates on the benefits and misconceptions about nonprofits, explaining that while the core team earns minimal revenue to sustain operations, lenders can still achieve financial returns. This organizational structure allows for transparency and accountability, aligning with the nonprofit’s objective of serving community needs effectively.

Current Trends in Affordable Housing

Liz's expertise points to the pressing importance of affordable housing. Citing various initiatives, including those at Cal Berkeley and the University of Utah, she highlights the ongoing efforts to create sustainable and cost-effective housing solutions. Liz notes that stable housing correlates significantly with positive educational and health outcomes, framing the issue as not just economic but holistic societal welfare.

The Future of Venture Capital

Looking ahead, Liz predicts an increase in the integration of digital assets within venture capital. The liquidity provided by these assets presents opportunities and challenges, particularly in educating new wealthy investors on diligence and risk management. Liz believes the landscape will continue to evolve rapidly, necessitating smart capital deployment and informed decision-making in a fast-paced market.

Notable Quotes from the Guest

Revolutionizing Affordable Housing Investment: "Instead of signing a subscription agreement and a prospectus and having a 180 pages of legal documents, you buy a token, and there's a smart contract underneath the hood." - Liz Kukka

Fun Facts or Interesting Tidbits

Crypto and Housing:
Liz explains how the $3 trillion in crypto assets can be redirected to real-world projects like affordable housing.
Real-Time Reporting:
For ultimate transparency, Purpose For Profit allows stakeholders to pull real-time reports on fund management and investment outcomes.
Innovative Funding Model:
Instead of traditional legal documents and subscription agreements, investors can simply buy a token that operates under a smart contract.

Episode Resource: Learning, Reading, and Listening

In Episode 108 of the Female VC Lab podcast, Liz Kukka shared some valuable resources that she has been learning from, reading, or listening to. Below are the specific names and links for those interested:

Barbara Bickham's AI Write-Ups
- While specific links weren't given, you can stay updated on Barbara Bickham's AI insights by following her works and publications.
Trailyn.com
- Trailyn Website
Trailyn’s GTP (GPT AI Resources)
- TrailynGPT
Turner Labs at Cal Berkeley
- Turner Labs Housing Initiative

By exploring these resources, listeners can delve deeper into AI advancements and innovative housing initiatives that are impacting the venture capital space.

Featured Guest Bio

Liz Kukka has spent the last ten years working across startups, Fortune 500s and venture capital. With a commitment to social impact and systems change, she turned her fulltime attention to blockchain and digital assets starting in 2018 and has since launched highly regulated products and services globally.

Guest Contact

Fund Information

The Purpose Impact Lending Fund provides below market rate loans to businesses building affordable housing. The fund focuses on providing Construction Bridge Loans and Short-Term Multi-Family, terms are twelve months or less. There are two ways to participate in the fund: Token holders have the ability to stake their tokens and earn rewards between 10 - 20%, while subscribers can elect a 6 month - 12 month term with a return of 5 - 8% APY.

Fund Contact

Support The Podcast

Support the Female VC Lab Podcast by buying us a coffee here, grabbing some merch here, or becoming a sponsor here!

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Episode E107 - Julia Krieger - Pari Passu Venture Partners

Barbara Bickham — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Hi {{ first name | Impactful Listener }}!

In this episode, Julia shares her journey into the world of venture capital, driven by her strong entrepreneurial spirit and desire to support a diverse range of companies. She delves into the unique structure of Pari Passu, which focuses on individual SPVs and leverages the expertise of experienced operators to add true value to their portfolio companies. Julia also discusses the importance of continuous learning, highlighting her recent reading of "The Surrender Experiment" by Michael Singer, and explores the evolving landscape of venture capital, emphasizing the increasing need for value-add investors and thoughtful capital deployment. Join us as we uncover Julia's insights on building a supportive community for founders and their ventures.

🎧 Listen to the Episode

Key Points Discussed

Julia’s Path to Venture Capital: Julia discusses how her entrepreneurial spirit and operational experience led her to a career in venture capitalism.
Pari Passu’s Unique Investment Approach: Julia explores the SPV (Special Purpose Vehicles) model used by Pari Passu, focusing on supporting operators-turned-investors with smaller check sizes.
Importance of Value-Add Investors: The discussion emphasizes the significance of having experienced operators on the cap table to de-risk businesses.
Personal Development and Flow vs. Force: Julia shares insights on personal growth through the book “The Surrender Experiment” by Michael Singer.
Future Trends in Venture Capital: Julia provides her perspective on trends like increased emphasis on value-add investors and rising interest in niche sectors like defense tech and wellness tech.

🎧 Watch the Episode

Chapters

00:10 Introduction
00:21 Journey to VC
01:07 Investment Thesis
03:02 Origin of the Name
03:50 Current Learnings
06:37 Future of Venture Capital
09:26 Contact Information

Full Topic Guide

Exploring the Unique Approach of Pari Passu Venture Partners

Julia’s Path to Venture Capital

Julia Krieger’s journey into venture capital is rooted in her diverse experience as an entrepreneur and operator. Her passion for building and supporting a variety of businesses led her to venture capitalism, where she found a balance between her entrepreneurial spirit and intellectual curiosity. By becoming a venture capitalist, Julia can engage with numerous companies across different sectors and provide valuable support without being confined to a single company.

Pari Passu’s Unique Investment Approach

At Pari Passu Venture Partners, Julia and her team employ a unique investment model through individual Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). Unlike traditional venture funds, Pari Passu emphasizes creating a supportive village around founders by involving experienced operators who can offer more than just capital. These investors, often seasoned entrepreneurs themselves, can put in smaller check sizes ranging from $10k to $50k while providing significant strategic value to the portfolio companies. This innovative model aims to bridge the gap between high-value operators and top deals in venture capital.

Importance of Value-Add Investors

Julia highlights the critical role of value-add investors in today's venture capital landscape. With the ups and downs experienced over the past five years, having investors who can actively support and guide founders during challenging times has become increasingly important. Founders are now more diligent in selecting investors who bring not only financial backing but also operational expertise and a readiness to roll up their sleeves during difficult periods.

Personal Development and Flow vs. Force

Julia's approach to personal growth is profoundly influenced by "The Surrender Experiment" by Michael Singer. The book’s central theme of 'flow versus force' resonates with her, emphasizing the importance of adapting and aligning with life’s natural rhythm rather than forcing outcomes. Julia believes that being in a state of flow enhances open-mindedness, adaptability, and overall happiness, which are crucial traits for leaders and operators.

Future Trends in Venture Capital

Looking ahead, Julia predicts several key trends in the venture capital space. Firstly, there will be a greater emphasis on value-add investors, with founders seeking out supporters who can offer substantial operational insights. Secondly, more industries that were once considered niche, such as defense tech and wellness tech, are garnering attention and investment. This shift reflects a broader acknowledgment of the value and potential within these sectors.

Notable Quotes from the Guest

The Importance of Value-Add Investors
I do see founders being more intentional and doing their diligence similarly on the people that they're bringing onto their cap table. What are these people like to work with when things do go wrong, and how supportive are they, and how much do they roll up their sleeves to help navigate? - Julia Krieger

Fun Facts or Interesting Tidbits

Fund Name: Pari Passu means "on equal footing," reflecting the firm's ethos of founder-to-founder and operator-to-operator support.
App Launch: Pari Passu launched an app eight months ago designed to be the tech home for their community, supporting founders by connecting them with experienced operators.
Rereading "The Surrender Experiment": Julia Krieger is currently rereading "The Surrender Experiment" by Michael Singer, a book focused on the concept of flow versus force in life and personal growth.

Episode Resource: Learning, Reading, and Listening

Here are the resources mentioned:

The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer
- Description: This book emphasizes the importance of going with the flow in life rather than forcing situations. It integrates personal growth and professional leadership, offering valuable lessons through the author’s own extraordinary journey.

Feel free to explore this book to gain deeper insights into personal and professional development.

Featured Guest Bio

Julia is an experienced venture investor and startup founder. In 2024, she co-founded PariPassu, a private investor app that gives fellow founders, operators, and accredited investors access to angel invest in the most highly competitive deals in the venture ecosystem and be a part of the village that helps these founders succeed. As Managing Partner at Pari Passu Venture Partners (PPVP), a founder-led, founder-backed early-stage venture firm investing in the future of commerce, SaaS, and consumer tech, Julia has backed 30 investments/ 28 portfolio companies to date. Previously an investor at Insight Partners, Julia invested over $100M in SaaS and marketplace companies globally. Prior, Julia founded and ran VillageLuxe, a venture-backed peer-to-peer luxury rental marketplace, for which she was awarded the Forbes 30 Under 30 accolade. Julia is a strategic advisor and investor in technology.

LinkedIn
Email: julia@pppv.com

Fund Information

Pari Passu Venture Partners is a founder-backed, founder-led venture firm that has invested in 30 companies, including Function Health and SpaceX. In February 2024, it launched Pari Passu, an innovative investment platform and fintech app designed to empower fellow founders, operators, and approved accredited investors to co-invest alongside top-tier VCs. Pari Passu represents a paradigm shift in venture investing, democratizing access to high-caliber deal flow with investments as low as $10k, while enabling investors to contribute meaningfully to the growth of these startups. The platform’s co-investors include renowned funds like Sequoia, a16z, and Upfront Ventures. Through the app, members can explore deals, track their investments with real-time updates, and support their portfolios—all from their mobile devices. Investment opportunities range from pre-seed to growth stages across diverse sectors, including B2B SaaS, consumer tech, wellness, and defense. By building a powerful community of operator-investors, Pari Passu is transforming the cap table experience, bringing unparalleled support and value-add to founders.

Support The Podcast

Support the Female VC Lab Podcast by buying us a coffee here, grabbing some merch here, or becoming a sponsor here!

Share a review!

Do you love our podcast? We'd love to hear about it! - Share a review about the podcast with a quick video or text testimonial - Recording a video? Don't forget to smile 😊

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Female VC Lab Podcast Top Downloaded Episodes 🎙️

Barbara Bickham — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 08:00:00 +0000

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Hi {{ first name | Impactful Listener }}!

Introduction

Thank you for tuning in to the Female VC Lab Podcast! We're thrilled to have you as part of our community, and we have some exciting news to share. Our website is undergoing a major transformation to bring you a fresh, streamlined experience. While we work on these improvements, don’t miss a beat—subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates and a front-row seat to our journey. Stay connected with us, and get ready for a brand-new Female VC Lab experience!

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Top 5 Downloaded & Listened-to Episodes

E096: Alice Pomponio: BrightEdge
Alice Pomponio is Vice President of Innovation and Impact Investing at American Cancer Society and Managing Director of BrightEdge —ACS’s mission-driven venture capital and impact investment arm. She’s an impact investor, social innovation entrepreneur, and patient advocate with extensive experience in life sciences and business and passion for health equity.

E099: Madhu Shalini Iyer: Rocketship.vc
Madhu is a managing partner and co-founder of Rocketship.vc. Prior to Rocketship, she was Chief Data Officer for Gojek, contributing to its growth into a $10 billion unicorn. She served as an operating partner at a $150M PE fund building startups across Southeast Asia and was a member of Intuit’s Quickbooks Lending Platform founding team.

E093: Genia Xasis: Berkana.VC
Genia Xasis is the CEO & Co-founder of Berkana.VC, a global community aimed at enhancing gender diversity in VC and tech. She assists seed and Series A companies with raising capital in MENA and is an angel investor focusing on pre-seed, female-led companies with an emphasis on impact and AI. Holds a PhD in Biochemistry.

E098: Nicole Valentine: Center for Financial Markets (CFM) at the Milken Institute
Nicole Valentine is the FinTech Director of the Center for Financial Markets at the Milken Institute with over a decade of financial services, international Mergers & Acquisitions, technology and innovation experience. She leads the FinTech Program with a focus on access to capital, financial inclusion, compliance and transparency. An attorney by background, Nicole practiced Mergers and Acquisitions and Securities at Wall Street law firm, Debevoise & Plimpton and then served as Assistant General Counsel and Vice President at global financial services firm, Cantor Fitzgerald. Nicole founded Synergy Business Development where she served as business strategist, advisor and consultant to CEOs and Innovation Leads at Fortune 500 companies, innovative startups, non-profits and government agencies. Nicole invested in the growth of the SME sector through financial acumen and business strategy tools and has been featured in the media on issues that impact small businesses and technology startups. Nicole Valentine earned her JD from the University of Virginia School of Law and her BA from American University in Political Science. She is a member of the NY Bar.

E091: Jess Hunichen: Shine Ventures
Jess Hunichen and Emily Ward are the Co-Founders of the global Talent Management Agency, Shine Talent Group, founded in 2015 with offices in Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Built on the premise of collaboration over competition, Shine has grown a reputation for being an ally to both talent and brands bringing impactful campaigns and creative solutions. In 2023 Jess and Emily launched Shine Ventures as a vehicle to share their experience and invest in bold founders with potential for global reach and market disruption.

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- Behiivv move a success - 2 ads already: Our recent move to Behiivv has been a resounding success, and we’re thrilled with the results so far. The transition has brought new opportunities for engagement and growth, and we've already launched two ads that are generating great interest. This shift allows us to offer a more streamlined and user-friendly experience for our audience while keeping them informed and connected to our content. We’re excited for what’s to come with Behiivv and look forward to more impactful campaigns.

Major Podcasting Opportunities

Milken Conference - May 2025
Money 20/20 - Nov 2025

What’s Coming

Creating a GPT for Investor Insights

As part of our growth, we’re developing a GPT-powered tool that will give you the latest information on investors. This will allow us to deliver even more valuable and up-to-date data, right at your fingertips. Whether you’re looking for insights on venture capital or want to connect with top female investors, our new AI-powered tool will ensure you’re always in the loop.

Conclusion

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Female VC Lab

Episode 119: Kim Flynn: XA Investments

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Full Topic Guide

Expanding Access: How XA Investments Opens Private Markets to Individual Investors

Introduction

The Inspiration behind XA Investments

Private Market Strategies and Fund Structures

Industry Insights: Learning and Staying Informed

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Resources and Staying Engaged

Notable Quotes from the Guest

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Reimagining Venture Capital: Phylicia Koh's Take on Founders, Gaming, and the Future at Play Ventures

1. The Accidental Venture Capitalist

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5. Advice for Founders & Final Insights

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Rethinking Venture Capital: Founders First with Kristina Chapple of 11 Tribes VC

Introduction

Beyond Valuations: Focusing on the “Founder Outcome”

How 11 Tribes Operates Differently

Investing in Leadership, Backed by Data

The New Era of Venture: Smaller Exits, Greater Impact

Lessons in Leadership and Identity

Conclusion

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Unlocking Impact: Conscious Venture Investing in the Emerging WorldHow Eva Yazhari and Beyond Capital Ventures are Changing the Paradigm

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Episode 115: Najada Kumbuli: Visa Foundation

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Chapters

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Empowering Small Businesses Globally: An Inside Look with Visa Foundation’s Najada Kumbuli

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Unlocking Impact: Conscious Venture Investing in the Emerging World
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