She escaped the brutal civil war in Lebanon when she was a child. She had to hide in different bomb shelters together with her family. Moved to Canada with her mother and lived in a so-called "Arabic ghetto" neighborhood. "The kids there were so poor they couldn't get breakfast. " She says.

To build a better life she moved to Silicon Valley and worked as an engineer in a male-dominated industry.

The guest of the Verso Talk with Aytakin is Mariane Bekker.

Mariane Bekker is a tech executive with over a decade of experience in building high-performing engineering teams at leading startups like New Relic and Mindbody.

She is currently the Managing Partner at Founders Bay, a premier venture studio for AI startups in the Bay Area, where she connects a community of 45,000 founders and VCs through events, virtual workshops, and fundraising resources.

Also, Mariane runs Women Founders Bay, one of the largest communities of female tech entrepreneurs in the Bay Area, providing vital resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to empower women founders.

-------------------------------------------

The Verso Talk podcast features successful immigrant leaders in INVESTMENT, STARTUPS, and FORTUNE 500 TECH corporations. These leaders share their unique journeys and untold stories and talk about money management, leadership, startups, and career growth.

🚀 Don't miss these expert insights—watch now and learn how to position your startup, business, and career for success!

🔔 Subscribe for more expert investment and fundraising tips! Find Verso Talk on Podcasts

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7uwGvLjylyL80vvDqIm8PG

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/verso-talk-with-aytakin/id1793461877

Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d7f49868-74c9-4025-a48e-59a21f5af80b/verso-talk-with-aytakin

iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-verso-talk-with-aytakin-262686366/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VersoTalkwithAytakin

Follow Verso Talk with Aytakin on Instagram for exclusive short clips and sneak peeks of interviews with successful immigrant investors. https://www.instagram.com/versotalkwithaytakin/

Follow me on LinkedIn for inspirational stories of successful immigrant leaders and changemakers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aytakin-aliyeva-femigrants/

Subscribe to "Femigrants Connect", a bi-weekly newsletter to be informed about the elegant and unique events that I host to bring together a global community of diverse immigrant leaders in Silicon Valley, New York, and London: https://femigrants.com/subscribe-to-femigrants-connect/

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#invesment #Howtoraisefunds #howtoinvest #howtogetinvestment #howtopitchtoinvestors #pitching #startup #angelinvestors #fundraising #raisefunds #investor #immigrantinvestors #SiliconValley #raisemoney #venturecapital #venturefunding #venturer #investmenttips #investmentdecisions #investing #investor #Verso #VersoTalk #VersoTalkwithAytakin #Pivotcompany #Startuppivot #Inspirationalstoriesofimmigrants #SuccessfulImmigrants #startupgrowth #Startuppitch #FoundersMistake #MarianeBekker #FoundersBay

The guest speaker is Sunmeet Jolly, Managing Partner at Jolly VC, providing venture support to early-stage AI, SAAS & IOT startups.

The portfolio includes Posh.AI, Caspar.AI, DecileGroup.com, Lincode.AI, HeyPinnacle.com, Bizly.com, Virtuix.com and Questanalytics.com.

Sunmeet is an Angel Investor in 44 Technology Startups (38% IRR, 4.4X MOIC, 25 active, 5.2X MOIC from 19 exits/dissolved). Early-stage investments in Heliogen (IPO: Dec 2021), Knightscope (IPO: Jan 2022), Monogram Ortho (IPO: May 2023), Commerce.AI, Apptopia, Virzoom, CleanCapital, Quest Analytics, Virtuix, Vantage Robotics, StartEngine, AtomBeam, GoSun etc.

He spent over a decade working with multi-billion dollar software consulting firms in B2B sales and business development.

He traveled to 31 countries, 51 islands, and 11 cruises.

--------------------------

The Verso Talk podcast features successful immigrant leaders in INVESTMENT, STARTUPS, and FORTUNE 500 TECH corporations.

These leaders share their unique journeys and untold stories and talk about money management, leadership, startups, and career growth.

🚀 Don't miss these expert insights—watch now and learn how to position your startup, business, and career for success!

🔔 Subscribe for more expert investment and fundraising tips! Find Verso Talk on Podcasts

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7uwGvLjylyL80vvDqIm8PG

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/verso-talk-with-aytakin/id1793461877

Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d7f49868-74c9-4025-a48e-59a21f5af80b/verso-talk-with-aytakin

iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-verso-talk-with-aytakin-262686366/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VersoTalkwithAytakin

Follow Verso Talk with Aytakin on Instagram for exclusive short clips and sneak peeks of interviews with successful immigrant investors. https://www.instagram.com/versotalkwithaytakin/

Follow Aytakin on LinkedIn for inspirational stories of successful immigrant leaders and changemakers:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aytakin-aliyeva-femigrants/

Subscribe to "Femigrants Connect", a bi-weekly newsletter to be informed about the elegant and unique events that I host to bring together a global community of diverse immigrant leaders in Silicon Valley, New York, and London: https://femigrants.com/subscribe-to-femigrants-connect/

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#invesment #Howtoraisefunds #howtoinvest #howtogetinvestment #howtopitchtoinvestors #pitching #startup #angelinvestors #fundraising #raisefunds #investor #immigrantinvestors #SiliconValley #raisemoney #venturecapital #venturefunding #venturer #investmenttips #investmentdecisions #investing #investor #Verso #VersoTalk #VersoTalkwithAytakin #Pivotcompany #Startuppivot #Inspirationalstoriesofimmigrants #SuccessfulImmigrants #startupgrowth #Startuppitch #JollyVC #SunmeetJolly

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The guest speaker of the Verso Talk with Aytakin today is Subha Rajana, a Femigrant (female immigrant) from India.

She is a Venture Partner at 3i Partners and a Founding LP at How Women Invest Fund and MFV Partners.

As the former CEO of Biarca, a cloud security software development company, she developed a strong foundation in strategy, operations, and business development—the pillars of any successful venture.

Before that, she held leadership roles at global software firms like Vedams and SriTech, where she navigated complex business landscapes, scaled global operations, and built high-performing teams.

Beyond investing, she is a vocal advocate for bringing more women into VC, ensuring more capital flows to women-led startups, and driving real change in the investment landscape.

--------------------------

The Verso Talk is a part of the Femigrants Foundation's project that aims to educate immigrant women on business and career growth, as well as bring the visibility on Femigrants' untold stories. Femigrants stands for female immigrants.

The Verso Talk podcast features successful immigrant leaders in INVESTMENT, STARTUPS, and FORTUNE 500 TECH corporations.

These leaders share their unique journeys and untold stories and talk about money management, leadership, startups, and career growth.

🚀 Don't miss these expert insights—watch now and learn how to position your startup, business, and career for success!

🔔 Subscribe for more expert investment and fundraising tips!

Find Verso Talk on Podcasts

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7uwGvLjylyL80vvDqIm8PG Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/verso-talk-with-aytakin/id1793461877

Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d7f49868-74c9-4025-a48e-59a21f5af80b/verso-talk-with-aytakin

iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-verso-talk-with-aytakin-262686366/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VersoTalkwithAytakin

Follow Verso Talk with Aytakin on Instagram for exclusive short clips and sneak peeks of interviews with successful immigrant investors. https://www.instagram.com/versotalkwithaytakin/

Follow me on LinkedIn for inspirational stories of successful immigrant leaders and changemakers:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aytakin-aliyeva-femigrants/

Subscribe to "Femigrants Connect", a bi-weekly newsletter to be informed about the elegant and unique events that I host to bring together a global community of diverse immigrant leaders in Silicon Valley, New York, and London: https://femigrants.com/subscribe-to-femigrants-connect/

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#invesment #Howtoraisefunds #howtoinvest #howtogetinvestment #howtopitchtoinvestors #pitching #startup #angelinvestors #fundraising #raisefunds #investor #immigrantinvestors #SiliconValley #raisemoney #venturecapital #venturefunding #venturer #investmenttips #investmentdecisions #investing #investor #Verso #VersoTalk #VersoTalkwithAytakin #Pivotcompany #Startuppivot #Inspirationalstoriesofimmigrants #SuccessfulImmigrants #startupgrowth #Startuppitch #FoundersMistake #SubhaRajana

What does it take to leave Wall Street and pivot into big tech?

In this powerful episode, Allen Wu — now Director of Corporate Development at Nvidia — shares how he transitioned from an investment banker at JP Morgan to leading strategic investments, acquisitions, and partnerships at one of the world’s top tech companies.

🎓 With degrees from Stanford (BA in Economics) and Columbia (MBA), Allen walks us through:

- How he knew it was time to pivot industries

- Tips & resources for successful career transitions

- What it's like working in corporate development at Nvidia

- The immigrant experience that shaped his journey

- Actionable advice for professionals in finance, tech, and strategy roles

Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder, planning a career shift, or just curious about life inside Fortune 500 giants — this is a must-watch.

👇 COMMENT below if you're considering a pivot or love stories of bold moves.

🛎️ Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the bell for weekly interviews with immigrant leaders, investors, and founders.

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The Verso Talk podcast features successful immigrant leaders in investment, startups, and Fortune 500 tech corporations.

These leaders share their unique journeys and untold stories and discuss money management, leadership, startups, and career growth.

Don't miss these expert insights—watch now and learn how to position your startup or company for success!

🔔 Subscribe for more expert investment and fundraising tips! Find

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VersoTalkwithAytakin
• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/verso-talk-with-aytakin/id1793461877
• Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d7f49868-74c9-4025-a48e-59a21f5af80b/verso-talk-with-aytakin
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-verso-talk-with-aytakin-262686366/
• Follow Verso Talk with Aytakin on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/versotalkwithaytakin/
• Follow Aytakin Aliyeva on LinkedIn for inspirational stories of successful immigrant leaders and changemakers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aytakin-aliyeva-femigrants/

Subscribe to "Femigrants Connect", a bi-weekly newsletter to be informed about the elegant and unique events that I host to bring together a global community of diverse immigrant leaders in Silicon Valley, New York, and London: https://femigrants.com/subscribe-to-femigrants-connect/

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#CareerPivot #FromBankingToTech #Nvidia #JPMorgan #CorporateDevelopment #ImmigrantSuccess #Fortune500Careers #CareerTransition #StanfordAlumni #ColumbiaMBA

Fortune 500 career pivot, Career transition from finance to tech, From JP Morgan to Nvidia, Stanford alumni career, Immigrant success story in corporate America, MBA career path, How to transition from banking to tech, Corporate development career, Nvidia career journey, JP Morgan Alumni success

Are you making the most of your savings?

Or are you unknowingly leaving money on the table?

We hear about 401k, CDs, Treasury Savings, and Education Savings Plans. But are we actually using them to their full potential?

What if I told you there are hacks that no one talks about? Simple tweaks that could maximize your savings, reduce risks, and accelerate your journey to financial freedom. Especially if you're an immigrant navigating the U.S. financial system.

On this week’s episode of Verso Talk, Dipti Arora, Vice President of Finance at CircleCI, discusses the untold secrets of saving and investing wisely in America.

Dipti Arora is a seasoned finance executive and strategic investor with over two decades of experience driving financial strategy and operational excellence for organizations.

In her current operating role, she serves as Vice President of Finance at CircleCI, a prominent late-stage VC-backed DevOps startup. Beyond corporate finance, Dipti is an active investor in various funds, with a strong focus on value-aligned investing.

She is passionate about supporting women-owned companies and funds that drive long-term, sustainable growth while aligning with strategic and ethical investment principles.

Hailing originally from Zambia in Africa, she now calls the Bay Area her home.

We discussed:

✅ The smartest way to use your 401k (without regret!)

✅ Why CD savings could be your hidden weapon in wealth-building

✅ How Treasury Savings can outperform traditional savings accounts ✅ The best educational savings plan (529 & more!) to secure your child’s future

✅ Practical investment strategies for immigrants to build wealth and financial independence

What’s your go-to saving or investment strategy?

Drop it in the comments!

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The Verso Talk podcast features successful immigrant leaders in investment, startups, and Fortune 500 tech corporations.

These leaders share their unique journeys and untold stories and discuss money management, financial planning, investment, startup growth, career growth, and more to help YOU - IMMIGRANTS to become SUCCESSFUL LEADERS in America.

Don't miss these expert insights—watch now and learn how to position your startup or company for success!

🔔 Subscribe to Verso Talk with Aytakin to learn about investing, fundraising, and money-saving strategies for achieving financial freedom in America.

Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VersoTalkwithAytakin

Find Verso Talk on Podcasts:

Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/verso-talk-with-aytakin/id1793461877

Amazon:

https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d7f49868-74c9-4025-a48e-59a21f5af80b/verso-talk-with-aytakin

iHeart Radio:

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-verso-talk-with-aytakin-262686366/

Follow Verso Talk with Aytakin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/versotalkwithaytakin/

Follow me on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aytakin-aliyeva-femigrants/

Subscribe to "Femigrants Connect", a monthly newsletter to be informed about the elegant and unique events that I host to bring together a global community of diverse immigrant leaders in Silicon Valley, New York, and London:

https://femigrants.com/subscribe-to-femigrants-connect/

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#diptiarora #AytakinAliyeva #VersoTalk #invesment #Howtoraisefunds #howtoinvest #howtogetinvestment #howtopitchtoinvestors #pitching #startups #angelinvestors #fundraising #raisefunds #immigrantinvestors #SiliconValley #raisemoney #venturecapital #venturefunding #venturer #investmenttips #investmentdecisions #investing #investor #financialfreedom #financialliteracy #financialplanning #financialindependence #financialsuccess

Our Guest today is Jennifer Wong, Limited Partner and an Angel Investor at the West Coast Angel Network. She is a Femigrant (female immigrant) from Canada.

Jennifer is a hands-on partner and Client Services leader with a relentless focus on worldwide success and high-performance teams.

She is an expert in global consulting and alliances experience from startup through IBM and Dell - empowering sales teams­­­­, implementing global solutions, and reinventing services delivery programs - in highly dynamic environments on a global scale.

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Whether you're an investor, startup founder, or entrepreneur, this video offers valuable insights to guide your journey.

The Verso Talk podcast features successful immigrant leaders in investment, startups, and Fortune 500 tech corporations. These leaders share their unique journeys and untold stories and discuss money management, leadership, startups, and career growth.

Don't miss these expert insights—watch now and learn how to position your startup or company for success!

🔔 Subscribe for more ideas and tips on investment, fundraising, startup growth and more!

Find Verso Talk on Podcasts YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@VersoTalkwithAytakin

Spotife:

https://open.spotify.com/show/7uwGvLjylyL80vvDqIm8PG

Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/verso-talk-with-aytakin/id1793461877

Amazon:

https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d7f49868-74c9-4025-a48e-59a21f5af80b/verso-talk-with-aytakin

iHeart Radio:

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-verso-talk-with-aytakin-262686366/

Follow Verso Talk with Aytakin on Instagram for exclusive short clips and sneak peeks of interviews with successful immigrant investors.

https://www.instagram.com/versotalkwithaytakin/

Follow Aytakin, Verso Talk host for inspirational stories of successful immigrant leaders and changemakers:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aytakin-aliyeva-femigrants/

Subscribe to "Femigrants Connect", a bi-weekly newsletter to be informed about the elegant and unique events hosted at the Femigrants Foundation to bring together a global community of diverse immigrant leaders in Silicon Valley, New York, and London:

https://femigrants.com/subscribe-to-femigrants-connect/

------------------------------------------------------

#invesment #Howtoraisefunds #howtoinvest #howtogetinvestment #howtopitchtoinvestors #pitching #startup #angelinvestors #fundraising #raisefunds #investor #immigrantinvestors #SiliconValley #raisemoney #venturecapital #venturefunding #venturer #investmenttips #investmentdecisions #investing #investor

Today's guest speaker is Wendy Nguyen, a dynamic television host turned global businesswoman with a bold career in media, marketing, and partnerships that has spanned over a decade.

From the glamour of newsrooms and TV shows to the high-stakes world of Silicon Valley, Wendy’s journey is defined by her ability to connect the dots and make impactful deals.

After a successful and celebrated career in television, Wendy made a bold pivot, moving to the U.S. to pursue her MBA. Since then, she has become a key player in Silicon Valley's vibrant ecosystem, leveraging her diverse expertise to bridge industries and empower communities.

She now works with a family office that empowers Asian American business owners and founders through its $50M venture capital fund.

Wendy also plays an instrumental role in the Vietnamese American Business Association (VABA), one of the most active organizations supporting Asian American entrepreneurs and businesses in the U.S., with a network of thousands.

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Whether you're an investor, startup founder, or entrepreneur, this video offers valuable insights to guide your journey.

The Verso Talk podcast features successful immigrant leaders in investment, startups, and Fortune 500 tech corporations who share their unique journeys and discuss money management, leadership, startups, and career growth.

Don't miss these expert insights—watch now and learn how to position your startup or company for success!

🔔 Subscribe for more expert investment and fundraising tips!

Find Verso Talk on Podcasts Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7uwGvLjylyL80vvDqIm8PG

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/verso-talk-with-aytakin/id1793461877

Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d7f49868-74c9-4025-a48e-59a21f5af80b/verso-talk-with-aytakin

iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-verso-talk-with-aytakin-262686366/

Follow Verso Talk with Aytakin on Instagram for exclusive short clips and sneak peeks https://www.instagram.com/versotalkwithaytakin/

Follow me on LinkedIn for inspirational stories of successful immigrant leaders: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aytakin-aliyeva-femigrants/

Subscribe to "Femigrants Connect", a bi-weekly newsletter to be informed about the elegant and unique events that I host to bring together a global community of diverse immigrant leaders in Silicon Valley, New York, and London: https://femigrants.com/subscribe-to-femigrants-connect/

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#invesment #Howtoraisefunds #howtoinvest #howtogetinvestment #howtopitchtoinvestors #pitching #startup #angelinvestors #fundraising #raisefunds #investor #immigrantinvestors #SiliconValley #raisemoney #venturecapital #venturefunding #venturer #investmenttips #investmentdecisions #investing #investor #startupsuccess

Mala Ramakrishnan, founder and managing partner at Progressive Ventures, is the guest on the "Verso Talk with Aytakin" Podcast.

Mala Ramakrishnan is an entrepreneurial leader with over 20 years of experience in executive leadership roles in product, engineering, and marketing for companies of all sizes, from startups to publicly traded firms.

She is a three-time product founder with significant experience in building and scaling 0-1 products.

Currently, she serves as the Founder and Managing Partner of Progressive Ventures, an investment firm focused on early-stage B2B AI startups.

Mala holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from Stanford University.

============================

AUTHENTIC CONVERSATION. INSPIRATIONAL STORIES.

MISSION:

Create an authentic environment for IMMIGRANTS leaders to share their untold stories, providing valuable insights on business, startups, investment and career growth.

WHY VERSO? “Verso” means “the unseen or opposite side”.

Beyond titles & achievements, Verso Talk will dive deep into the experiences, the struggles, and the pivotal choices of immigrant leaders that have shaped who they are today.

We'll explore the triumphs, failures, and choices immigrant leaders have made along the way.

WHO AM I?

Founder of the Femigrants Foundation, grown community of female immigrants in business and tech in Silicon Valley. I got featured on Forbes, Business Insider, Yahoo, London Times, AP News, etc.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

The Double Gold Awards, Women Changing the World 2023 in London, Top 25 Female Influencer of 2023 by WomElle. Community Builder Award 2024 by KSM for the contribution to the advancement of women in the tech community.

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Whether you're a first-time investor or an experienced one, this video is packed with valuable insights to guide your journey.

Don't miss these expert insights—watch now and learn how to position your startup for success!

🔔 Subscribe for more expert investment and fundraising tips!

Find Verso Talk on Podcasts Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/verso-talk-with-aytakin/id1793461877

Amazon:

https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d7f49868-74c9-4025-a48e-59a21f5af80b/verso-talk-with-aytakin

iHeart Radio:

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-verso-talk-with-aytakin-262686366/

Follow Verso Talk with Aytakin on Instagram for exclusive short clips and sneak peeks of interviews with successful immigrant investors.

https://www.instagram.com/versotalkwithaytakin/

Follow me on LinkedIn for inspirational stories of successful immigrant leaders and changemakers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aytakin-aliyeva-femigrants/

Subscribe to "Femigrants Connect", a bi-weekly newsletter to be informed about the elegant and unique events that I host to bring together a global community of diverse immigrant leaders in Silicon Valley, New York, and London:

https://femigrants.com/subscribe-to-femigrants-connect/

------------------------------------------------------

#invesment #Howtoraisefunds #howtoinvest #howtogetinvestment #howtopitchtoinvestors #pitching #startup #angelinvestors #fundraising #raisefunds #investor #immigrantinvestors #SiliconValley #raisemoney #venturecapital #venturefunding #venturer #investmenttips #investmentdecisions #investing #investor