In the latest episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Sam Huang, Principal at BMW iVentures, for a candid conversation to explore the dynamic intersection of venture capital, artificial intelligence, robotics, and manufacturing innovation. Sam shares BMW iVentures’ investment thesis, focusing on Series A and B startups across the US, Europe, and Israel, with a strong emphasis on AI-driven SaaS, automation, and onshoring trends driven by labor shortages and supply chain disruptions. Listeners gain valuable perspectives on the evolving venture diligence process, the importance of product-market fit, and how higher ARR benchmarks reflect both market maturity and macroeconomic factors like rising interest rates. Sam also candidly discusses his unconventional career path—from a Stanford history PhD program to law school and ultimately venture capital—highlighting how diverse experiences enhance investment acumen. The conversation delves into the benefits of corporate venture capital, especially BMW’s hands-on support and networking advantages for portfolio companies. Additionally, Sam reveals how AI is integrated internally at BMW iVentures to optimize workflow and decision-making. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of innovation, investment strategy, and the transformative impact of AI and robotics on global industries. Learn more about Sam's work at https://www.bmwiventures.com/ and her involvement with the Asian Tech Collective at https://www.asiantechcollective.com/ Connect with Sam on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-huang-10375b106/ Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://finstratmgmt.com/innovators-investors-podcast/ Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? Check out his website at https://finstratmgmt.com…
An online platform for leaders and practitioners in the development, global health, social justice, human rights, humanitarian, and related sectors to reflect and articulate their inspirations, lessons, approaches, and aspirations in life and respective fields. #DDWithMaqC #DevelopmentDynamics
An online platform for leaders and practitioners in the development, global health, social justice, human rights, humanitarian, and related sectors to reflect and articulate their inspirations, lessons, approaches, and aspirations in life and respective fields. #DDWithMaqC #DevelopmentDynamics
The path of growth in leadership is very deliberate. Alongside narrating the honorary mention by former US president Barrack Obama, #CarenWakoli discusses why and how continuous learning and mentorship have remained important in her journey as the executive director at Emerging Leaders Foundation, Africa.…
While disclosing how long it took for grants to be forthcoming to support the amazing work that ELF-Africa does, #CarenWakoli also shares on hitting rock bottom, the turn-around grant, burn-out, and self-care.
#CarenWakoli wonders aloud about how youth and women can be more meaningfully engaged in leadership and decision-making as essential stakeholders for economic, political, and social development.
In episode 5, #CarenWakoli recalls how she and her peers formed the Universities' Student Leaders Association, as a learning community committed to building the capacities of the next generation.
#CarenWakoli is huge on mentorship. In this 4th episode, she speaks of the counsel, guidance constantly, and coaching that she has received from notable individuals.
In episode 3, #CarenWakoli shares her pursuits of student leadership at the University of Nairobi and explains just how much the national-level dynamics play into student politics.
In this episode, #CarenWakoli shares about her time in high school, and the collective experiences from that era that shaped her perspectives on life and career.
John (Jking) Ngare is the co-founder and executive director of the Lepta Community Organization, which builds leadership, employability, and entrepreneurial skills to enable youth-led community transformation. Lepta has programs across East Africa, offering training, mentorship, and hands-on leadership practice to young people, especially those from underserved communities. JKing is a multi-talented individual who runs a graphics design firm, NuWave Creation. He is also the director of Mathare Children's Education (MCE), which provides education, food, shelter, and health to disadvantaged and orphaned children living in Nairobi's informal settlements. On this episode of #DDWithMaqC, JKing shares his life story, including his childhood memories and how the consciousness of his gifts from an early stage kept him alive in a place where boys his age died from criminal activities. He also talks about how the male figures around him kept him anchored and his passion for lifting others from the same background he hails from.…
Pauline Wanja is an accomplished alumni engagement expert with over a decade of experience designing and implementing programs supporting public schools in the UK and Kenya. She joined Future First Global in 2012 to spearhead an alumni engagement pilot program to enhance alumni involvement in school activities. During her tenure at Future First Global, Pauline has played a crucial role in shaping alumni engagement conversations and strategies in Kenyan high schools and institutions of higher learning. Her efforts led to the launch of the Association of Alumni Communities in partnership with the Cabinet Secretary of Education office in 2017, which aimed to mobilize Kenyans to give back to their former schools. In 2018, Pauline helped convene the first local industry gathering of alumni professionals from local universities, further cementing her alumni engagement thought leader role. Before joining Future First, Pauline designed and implemented youth programs for various international organizations, including ActionAid International, MS Denmark, the World Bank Institute, World Youth Alliance, Ashoka Youth Venture Program, and British Council's Global Changemakers. She is an Acumen Fellow and African Visionary Fellow and has served on the boards of CIVICUS World Assemblies. Pauline also receives the Nelson Mandela-Graca Machel Innovation Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities.…
In part two of Nerima's story, we further dive into her experiences as she takes us on an emotional journey. She opens up about her decision to travel to India for her brother's treatment and her brave act of donating her kidney. Nerima also shares how she met her husband and returned to Siasa Place. She reflects on privilege and how it has influenced her life. She also discusses diversity in Kenyan politics and shares insights on balancing family life while pursuing her dreams. Join us on this episode as Nerima emphasizes valuing the journey and not just the destination in this inspiring episode.…
On this episode of #DDWithMaqC Nerima Wako-Ojiwa, a Kenyan political analyst and the executive director of Siasa Place, shares her life story, including her childhood memories, experiences with bullying in school, and her move to the United States at the age of 17. She also talks about her college years and downplayed experiences with racism, as well as her career path and the lessons she learned along the way, including losing her job and finding true friendship. Nerima shares her experience with an internship in Washington DC, where her proficiency in Kiswahili helped her land a job. She also discusses her return to Kenya and the birth of Siasa Place, an organization focused on educating young Kenyans about governance, the constitution, and electoral processes. Nerima opens up about her brother's diagnosis of kidney failure and the impact it had on her life.…
#CarenWakoli starts our 10th series with a reminiscence on her childhood and growing up and how it all shaped responsibility in her from a young age.
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