Female VC Lab

Show NotesGet ready for an electrifying deep dive into the future of investing and technology with IBM’s Global Head of Venture Capital, Emily Fontaine! Recorded live at the Milken Institute Global Conference, this episode of Female VC Lab unpacks the powerful role that corporate venture capital (CVC) is playing in shaping startup success, AI, and Quantum innovation. You’ll hear firsthand how IBM’s investment strategy goes beyond capital—fueling strategic partnerships, market access, and cutting-edge growth.Tune in as Emily Fontaine reveals the five essential criteria for investment selection, shares her “hot take” on how strategics will dominate the next wave of venture capital, and spotlights the transformative intersections of physical AI and Quantum computing. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or tech enthusiast, you’ll leave with actionable insights you won’t find anywhere else.Guest InformationGuest Name: Emily FontaineBio: Emily Fontaine is IBM's Global Head of Venture Capital, leading IBM Ventures—IBM's corporate venture capital arm—including the execution of IBM's $500 million Enterprise AI venture capital fund.Links: LinkedIn – Emily FontaineEpisode OutlineThe Strategic Power of Corporate Venture CapitalEmily Fontaine explains how IBM, as a strategic investor, not only provides funding but also leverages its ecosystem to accelerate portfolio company growth. She outlines the increasing importance of strategics in early-stage investing and why a diverse cap table matters.Investment Criteria & Selection ProcessDive into the five key areas IBM looks for in a portfolio company: strategic alignment, technology/product, market opportunity, founding team, and financial strength. Emily Fontaine details how this framework drives effective due diligence and successful outcomes 02:03.Frontiers of AI and Quantum ComputingExplore the latest developments in physical AI, Quantum computing, and how these technologies are converging to reshape industries. Emily Fontaine shares real-world Quantum applications already in use and anticipates how the software layer will drive even greater adoption 04:16.The Rise of Corporate VC – Explore how CVCs are changing the dynamics of startup investing.Innovating with AI: Real-World Use Cases – From practical deployments to ethical considerations.Resource: About IBM VenturesIBM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ibm/IBM Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibm/IBM X: https://x.com/IBMIBM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IBM/IBM TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ibmTranscript (if applicable)For a full transcript of this episode, visit: Female VC Lab Show TranscriptsShow Info Podcast Website: https://www.femalevclab.comCommunity & Calls to ActionRate & Review on Apple Podcasts – This is the most impactful way to support the show. Leave a review hereSign up for our newsletter: Subscribe hereFollow us on social media:X (formerly Twitter): @FemaleVCLabInstagram: @FemaleVCLabJoin the conversation: Share your thoughts on LinkedIn, send us a message, or share your key takeaways using #FemaleVCLabPodcast.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 ★

Unlocking Private Markets: How Access and Innovation Are Changing Wealth InvestingCurious about the future of venture capital and how individual investors can break into private markets? On this episode of Female VC Lab, co-founder and president of XA Investments, Kimberly Flynn, reveals the game-changing innovations allowing retail investors to participate in private equity and venture capital. From the evolution of private funds to emerging opportunities and risk-mitigating strategies, this episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone interested in advancing their investment portfolio. Don’t miss Kimberly’s guidance on market trends, fund structures, and how the landscape is opening up for broader access—you’ll come away with a fresh perspective and practical tips for navigating the new world of investing.Guest InformationGuest Name: Kimberly FlynnBio: Kimberly Flynn is co-founder and president at XA Investments, an asset manager and consultant based in Chicago. With over 25 years of industry experience, she specializes in building high-performing products for individual investors and helping firms enter the private wealth space.Links:XA Investments: xainvestments.comKimberly Flynn on LinkedInEpisode Outline1. Mission & InspirationDiscover Kim’s journey from investment banking to founding XA Investments, and how the mission to open up access to private market strategies for individual investors drives her work.More about XA Investments2. Demystifying Private Markets & Fund StructuresLearn how the private equity, real estate, and infrastructure markets operate for endowments and pension funds, and how new products—including evergreen funds—are making these opportunities accessible to retail investors. [05:26]3. The Future of Venture Capital & Accessible Portfolio AllocationsGet Kimberly’s predictions for the next two years: how risk-mitigated and diversified fund structures are transforming access to venture capital, and ways investors can participate in emerging themes like AI. [12:13]Related Episodes & Additional ResourcesBooks & articles:The Tattooist of Auschwitz (personal recommendation)Financial Times, The Economist, Barron’s, CityWire, Wealth ManagementIndustry tools:FundFire, IgnitesHost & Show InfoPodcast Website: femalevclab.comCommunity & Calls to Action Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – Support Female VC Lab and help others discover these empowering conversations!Follow us on social media:Youtube: @femalevclabInstagram: @femalevclabJoin the conversation: Share your thoughts about this episode on LinkedIn or Instagram using #FemaleVCLab.If you enjoyed it, tag us and let us know your favorite takeaway—share this episode with a friend!TranscriptFor a full transcript of this episode, visit:  ★ Support this podcast ★

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 ★

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 return

Discover the Human Side of Venture Capital: Why Founder Wellbeing is the Next Big Thing What if the real secret to startup success isn’t just the business model—but the wellbeing of the founders behind it? In this episode of the Female VC