Female VC Lab

E118: Phylicia Koh: Play Ventures

Discover how an accidental career leap led to investing across global gaming, consumer apps, and beyond. In this compelling episode of Female VC Lab, Barbara Bickham sits down with Phylicia Koh, GP at Play Ventures, to unpack the journey from startup growth roles to leading one of the most forward-thinking early-stage funds in gaming and consumer tech. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or aspiring VC, this episode is packed with insights on embracing serendipity, the evolution of VC, and the art and science of finding product-market fit.Why listen? You’ll learn what makes a VC distinctive, how Play Ventures disrupts itself, and why consumer apps are the new frontier for gaming’s best practices. Phylicia Koh also offers a candid look at founder hustle, the realities of raising VC money, and bold predictions about the future of venture capital—including the rise of new investment vehicles and retail investor participation.Guest Information Guest Name: Phylicia KohBio: Phylicia Koh is a General Partner at Play Ventures, an early-stage global venture fund focused on gaming, consumer apps, and infrastructure. Drawing upon nearly a decade in startup growth and product leadership, she brings a unique founder’s eye to investing, prioritizing curiosity, adaptability, and operational experience.Links:X: @pphylLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phyliciakoh/Play Ventures: https://www.playventures.vc/Host & Show Info Host Name: Barbara BickhamAbout the Host: Barbara Bickham is the Host of the Female VC Lab and an experienced technologist, investor, and advocate for diversity in early-stage startups.Podcast Website: https://femalevclab.comCommunity & Calls to ActionPrimary CTA: Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – The most impactful way to support the show.Sign up for our newsletter: https://femalevclab.com/subscribeFollow us on social media:X (formerly Twitter): @FemaleVCLabLinkedIn: Female VC LabJoin the conversation: Comment on LinkedIn, send us a message, or share your key takeaways using #FemaleVCLab.Share this episode with a friend! If you enjoyed it, tag us on social media and let us know your favorite takeaway. ★ Support this podcast ★

E117: Kristina Chapple: 11 Tribes VC

In this episode of the Female VC Lab podcast, host Barbara Bickham sits down with Kristina Chapple, General Partner at 11 Tribes VC. Kristina shares her journey into venture capital, driven by a passion for supporting founders beyond just financial returns. She discusses 11 Tribes’ unique thesis: investing not only in business outcomes but also in founder well-being, allocating capital specifically for founder resilience initiatives such as coaching, therapy, and even marriage counseling.Kristina dives into why a founder’s personal health, relationships, and identity are crucial for long-term business success, and how 11 Tribes underwrites for sustainable, middle-market exits rather than chasing billion-dollar unicorns. The conversation touches on industry shifts, with founders raising less and pursuing earlier, impactful exits. Kristina also shares her current reading—Katherine Graham’s autobiography—and reflects on identity and confidence themes that resonate both with her work and personal growth.Tune in for an insightful look at how venture capital can evolve to truly put founders first, and why “founder outcome” might just be the next big metric in investment success. ★ Support this podcast ★

E116: Eva Yazhari: Beyond Capital Ventures

Ready to discover how venture capital can drive real impact for emerging markets—and what true leadership looks like in the investment world? In this episode of Female VC Lab, host Barbara Bickham sits down with Eva Yazhari, Managing Partner at Beyond Capital Ventures, for an unfiltered conversation on building a mission-driven VC fund, why conscious leadership matters, and how investing in Africa and India’s rising middle classes creates incredible opportunities for transformation. Tune in to hear Eva share how she moved from finance into venture capital, her relational approach to due diligence, why formalizing informal markets like smallholder farming is a game-changing thesis, and how she’s fostering community and alignment by giving GP carry to all team members—and even founders. Whether you’re an aspiring investor, a founder in emerging markets, or simply passionate about sustainable growth, you’ll walk away inspired and equipped with fresh insights into where VC is headed next.Guest InformationGuest Name: Eva YazhariBio: Eva Yazhari is the Managing Partner of Beyond Capital Ventures, a purpose-driven venture capital firm investing in seed to Series A rounds across Africa and India. With roots in institutional finance, Eva brings a wealth of experience in fund management, deep due diligence, and impact investing, focusing on technologies and services that uplift the “need to haves” through conscious leadership and stakeholder alignment.Links:Beyond Capital VenturesLinkedIn – Eva YazhariInstagram – @consciousinvestorThe Good Your Money Can Do (Book)Episode OutlineHow Eva Yazhari Entered VC & Built Beyond Capital VenturesHear Eva’s unconventional journey from math major to fund-of-funds to founding her own emerging markets VC, and the unique skill set she carried into her new role. Resource: Beyond Capital Ventures TeamFormalizing Informal Markets in Emerging EconomiesExplore “formalizing the informal,” and learn how Beyond Capital Ventures invests in businesses that empower smallholder farmers and aggregate resources for scalable, sustainable impact, featuring a spotlight on agritech company Cinch.Resource: Portfolio CompaniesConscious Leadership & Redefining VC AlignmentGain insight into Eva’s approach to authentic, stakeholder-centered leadership, including her innovative decision to share GP carry with both her team and portfolio founders—creating alignment and community while driving results.Resource: The Good Your Money Can DoRelated Episodes & Additional ResourcesBook Recommendation: The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle – Eva’s pick for building strong, collaborative culturesHost & Show InfoHost Name: Barbara BickhamAbout the Host: Barbara Bickham is the founder and Managing Partner of Trailyn Ventures, technology executive, and passionate advocate for diversity and innovation in venture capital.Podcast Website: femalevclab.comCommunity & Calls to ActionPrimary CTA: Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – This is the most impactful way to support the show. https://taplink.cc/femalevclabFollow us on social media:X (formerly Twitter): @FemaleVCLabInstagram: @femalevclabComment on LinkedIn, send us a message at femalevclab@trailyn.com, or share your key takeaways using #FemaleVCLab.Share this episode with a friend! If you enjoyed it, tag us on social media and let us know your favorite takeaway. ★ Support this podcast ★

E115: Najada Kumbuli: Visa Foundation

Step into the world of impact investing with this captivating episode of Female VC Lab! Host Barbara Bickham sits down with Najada Kumbuli, Vice President and Head of Investments at the Visa Foundation, for an illuminating conversation on reshaping capitalism for the greater good. Discover how Najada’s journey from communist Albania to leading global VC strategies at Visa Foundation fuels her passion for social responsibility, small business empowerment, and inclusive innovation. Find out what’s next in venture capital, why AI and emerging markets are top of mind, and get a behind-the-scenes look at how the Visa Foundation backs entrepreneurs while driving lasting social impact. Whether you’re an investor, founder, or changemaker, you’ll leave inspired and equipped with actionable insights on building a more equitable future.Guest InformationGuest Name: Najada KumbuliBio: Najada Kumbuli is the Vice President and Head of Investments at the Visa Foundation, where she champions impact investing and ecosystem growth for small businesses and entrepreneurs worldwide. Leveraging her unique upbringing in Albania and global expertise, Najada leads a holistic investment strategy with a focus on inclusion, sustainable growth, and measurable social impact.Links:Visa Foundation Website: https://usa.visa.com/about-visa/visa-foundation.htmlLinkedIn: Najada Kumbuli LinkedInEpisode OutlineOrigins & Inspiration for Impact InvestingNajada shares her powerful personal journey from communist Albania to global investing, revealing what motivated her to pursue impact investing and advocate for “conscious capitalism.”Learn more about impact investing from the Visa FoundationVisa Foundation’s Investment Thesis & Global StrategyA deep dive into how the Visa Foundation’s thesis centers on championing small businesses with access to capital, digital tools, and financial skills—spanning micro-entrepreneurs in Nigeria to high-growth startups in India.Visa Foundation Annual Report: See their latest impact and portfolio highlightsTrends Shaping the Future of Venture CapitalNajada gives her perspective on what’s ahead for VC: the expanding role of AI and deep tech, greater discipline in investing, increased attention to emerging markets like Africa and Latin America, and the rise of responsible, impact-driven investments.Acquired Podcast – a favorite resource mentioned by NajadaResources for Founders & Fund ManagersDiscover how to get connected with the Visa Foundation, access reports, and tap into support and tools for scaling your impact-driven business.Contact Visa Foundation or access their resourcesFurther Reading & Resources:Visa Foundation Impact Report: Read hereBook: “Conscious Capitalism” by John Mackey & Raj SisodiaAcquired PodcastHost & Show InfoHost Name: Barbara BickhamAbout the Host: Barbara Bickham is a veteran technologist, investor, and founder committed to amplifying women’s voices in venture capital. She brings her expertise in innovation, investing, and entrepreneurship to every episode of Female VC Lab.Podcast Website: https://femalevclab.comCommunity & Calls to ActionRate & Review on Apple Podcasts – Support the show by leaving a review!Contact the show: femalevclab@trailyn.comFollow us on social media:X (formerly Twitter): @femalevclabInstagram: @femalevclabJoin the conversation: Comment on LinkedIn, X, or share your key takeaways using #FemaleVCLab.Share this episode with a friend! If you enjoyed it, tag us on social media and let us know your favorite takeaway. ★ Support this podcast ★

E114 Erika Aquino AQUINO GLOBAL VENTURES LLC

In this episode of Female VC Lab, host Barbara Bickham welcomes Erika Aquino, angel investor and head of m Squad, a global investment group based in Singapore with deep roots in the Philippines. Erika shares her unique journey into investing, starting with her father's legacy in tech entrepreneurship and evolving into her own path focused on impact and community. Erika dives into her investment thesis, which centers on supporting women and minority-owned startups in sustainability, wellness, the future of work, and education—plus adjacent sectors like biotech and agriculture. She discusses her passion for early-stage investments and highlights the critical role that founder EQ (emotional intelligence) plays in her decision-making process. The conversation also explores how AI is transforming research, due diligence, and even founder discovery, while acknowledging the ongoing need for human connection in investment decisions. Erika also touches on her interest in food sovereignty, driven by her experiences in the disaster-prone Philippines, and how that shapes her perspective on the global supply chain. Tune in to hear Erika’s insights on the future of angel investing, the evolving impact of technology, and the importance of community-driven investments. Don’t miss her tips for founders, her recommended reads, and her candid reflections on the challenges and opportunities in today’s rapidly changing investment landscape. To connect with Erika, visit erika-aquino.com or find her on LinkedIn and Instagram. ★ Support this podcast ★