• About
  • Contact
  • Testimonials
  • Newsletter
  • More
    • Demographics & Advertising Rates
    • Terms & Conditions
Saturday, February 4, 2023
No Result
View All Result
California Business Journal
  • Front Page
  • Business
  • Finance
  • People
  • Featured
  • Opinion
  • Technology
  • Law
  • News
  • Food
  • Art & Culture
  • Human Interest
  • Education
  • Insurance
  • Real Estate
  • Health & Fitness
California Business Journal
Faye Sahai casual

Throughout the pandemic, many large corporations became unhinged and surprisingly turned to the successful startup blueprint to confront problems across the enterprise and meet growing demand

Vinaj Ventures’ Faye Sahai knows first-hand, having led transformational innovation changes at some of the world’s most influential companies, including Charles Schwab, Deloitte Consulting, Blue Shield, AIG and Kaiser Permanente.

by Chris Casacchia, Senior Writer, California Business Journal
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The pandemic has slowed some economic trends, while speeding up others, compressing multi-year adoption cycles into months.

Through the shake-up and ongoing recovery, large corporations, typically not the nimblest, are partnering with startups to meet challenges across the enterprise, as well as new and growing demand.

Faye Sahai, an innovation advisor, startup investor, VC and business matchmaker, contends many legacy brands and other blue chippers lack the necessary tools and experience to successfully work with startups and incorporate their expertise.

She would know: she has led transformational innovation changes at some of the world’s largest and most influential companies, including American International Group, Charles Schwab, Deloitte Consulting, Blue Shield, and Kaiser Permanente.

Before partnering with a startup, Sahai encourages corporations to focus on these issues:

● Know the problem you’re solving.
● Define what success looks like for your organization.
● Educate your internal stakeholders and streamline internal processes for startups.

“Engagement can take on several forms, including online submission applications, connecting with investors, accelerators, or other startup support organizations in your community, or hosting an innovation challenge,” says Sahai, who has helped large companies build bridges to the startup ecosystem throughout her career.

During her tenure managing the Kaiser Permanente Innovation Lab and Fund for Technology, the healthcare provider created a website for technologists and entrepreneurs to submit ideas and proposals. Sahai’s oversight included assessing thousands of innovations, piloting hundreds of products and services, and investing and scaling dozens of them, such as care anywhere apps, robotic couriers, blockchain smart contracts, artificial intelligence for self-service, wearables for workers safety, and mobile apps for safe driving.

At AIG, she championed innovation challenges to tackle industry shortcoming and pain points for the finance and insurance giant.

“At Kaiser and AIG, we had these innovation hunters or catalysts that were designated by their management team to spend 10% of their time on innovation,” she says. “We’re finding more and more corporate venture capital funds and innovation arms at large companies now.”For startups, Sahai recommends researching potential corporate partnerships through LinkedIn profiles, which often include information on corporate development, innovation teams, and venture capital arms that are exploring these synergies.

VC-deals-by-sector 2010-2020As an investor, Sahai focuses on three key characteristics of a startup: differentiation, data, and distribution. The analysis sheds light on several important criteria, including value propositions, competitive differences, data supporting unique market position, and the total size of the market opportunity, as well as understanding potential end customers, how to reach them, and scaling operations.

ADVERTISEMENT

Emphasis On Youth Health and Wellness

The assessments are a valuable tool Sahai utilizes as managing director of the Silicon Valley consultancy and investments services firm, Vinaj Ventures, and its leading youth wellness fund, Telosity by Vinaj Ventures. Telosity was established in 2019 to invest in early-stage startups with solutions to assist young people with their mental and emotional well-being.

“It’s an immense mission in an emerging target market for VCs and other investors,” Sahai says. Indeed, a surging demand for behavioral health and services fueled a record $1.8 billion in investments for digital mental health solutions last year, a 300% jump from 2019, according to Silicon Valley Bank. The youth segment accounted for less than 14% of that total.

“There is still space for us to make an impact,” Sahai adds. “There are hundreds and hundreds of startups in this area.”

Telosity by Vinaj Ventures, which is closing in on its eighth investment, hunts scalable portfolio companies with a digital component, like smart phone applications or gaming. It’s assessing several categories, from wellness and self-care to access to mental health, social and emotional learning, and improved user experiences.

“We’ve definitely seen trends. Our quest is how we can improve it for a positive online experience and help mental well-being.” That objective led the firm to expand its search to non-licensed support services, a wide array of options that include coaching, chat bots, emerging technology with artificial intelligence, and virtual reality.

In late 2019, Sahai and her team helped media conglomerate Meredith Corp. (NYSE:MDP) acquire Stop, Breathe & Think, which developed a personalized wellness platform aimed to help children and adults decrease stress and anxiety. At the time of the deal, the Santa Monica-based company, which was founded by Julie Campistron and Jamie Price, had more than 4.5 million app downloads, establishing one of the world’s largest databases of emotional information culled from over 17 million check-ins and feeling updates.

Other Telosity by Vinaj Ventures investments include MindRight Health, a mobile coaching service that offers culturally responsive mental health coaching via text message. Daybreak Health, a provider of online counseling designed for teens; and Maslo, which works with businesses and brands to build empathetic digital companions that connect with humans and help them grow.

A typical Telosity by Vinaj Ventures investment is $50,000 to $250,000 and the firm is targeting U.S. and Canadian startups and emerging companies.

Reinforcing Diversity and Inclusion

Unlike most VCs, 63% of Telosity by Vinaj Ventures’ portfolio has at least one female founder, and 50% are led by founders of color.

“In order to do that you have to search wide and far,” says Sahai, who is of Thai and Chinese descent and grew up in New York’s homogeneous Finger Lakes region.

A Kauffman Fellows research study published last year found more than 80% of all venture rounds and total funds since 2001 were raised by all-male founding teams, while only 2.2% of funding went to female founded companies.

The firm, which is helping to fund diversity and inclusion in the C-suite, is drawing from its own strengths and uniqueness. Many women VCs and VCs of color understand certain market segments better than their Caucasian counterparts, who overwhelmingly manage the U.S. financial system and its assets.

“We know diverse investors make diverse investments,” Sahai concludes.

Copyright © 2021 California Business Journal. All Rights Reserved.

This article was edited and published by Rick Weinberg, California Business Journal’s Founder, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief. Click here for Rick Weinberg’s biography.

For testimonials on the impact of California Business Journal articles, click here.

faye-sahai

Related Posts

Ryll Burgin Doyle
'It All Comes Down to Strategy'
Group of diverse people in a business meeting
5 Great Pandemic-Friendly Business Ideas for Summer 2021
startup
6 Top Reasons Why Most Startups Fail ... Without Even Trying
Small Business Finances
7 Different Ways of Financing a Start-Up Business
featured_newhire
7 Things Business Owners Should Look for When Hiring Their First Employee
Success Failure
8 Common Reasons Startups Fail in 2021
Tech Investment Vehicles To Fund Your Project
9 Tech Investment Vehicles To Consider Approaching To Fund Your Next Project
McLaren-Strategic-Ventures
Advancing The Digital Age
big-investments
Best Investment Decisions You Should Make For Your Startup
NEC X Figure 3_Shige Ihara
Fast Tracking Technologies … To The World
52-How to Fund Your Startup Business 10 Pro Tips for Getting Started
How to Fund Your Startup Business: 10 Professional Tips for Get Started
Mike Norton, the CEO of Wolven Industries
Mike Norton's 5 Tips to Scale Your Startup During the Pandemic
ca street sign
NO SURPRISE: NUMBER OF CALIFORNIA STARTUPS RISING
hands-of-business-people-typing-on-a-keyboard
Should You Start An Online Business: 4 Things To Consider First
venture-capital-investment
Silicon Valley and Tel Aviv Firm NextLeap Ventures Rising To The Next Level
Dan Lok
Startup Central: Dan Lok's 'Take' on How to Get Your Startup Off the Ground
Tips on How to Easily Start Your Business Right Now at Home
Tips on How to Easily Start Your Business Right Now at Home
Most prosperous industries 2021
What were the most prosperous industries in 2021 following the pandemic
use this
‘Never Startup Alone’
Tags: adoptionAmericanartificial intelligenceCaliforniachildrenChinesecoachingConsultingdevelopmentdiversityearly-stageentrepreneursFaye SahaifinancefocusfundingFundsgamingGrouphealthhealth and wellnesshealthcarehostinginclusioninformationinnovationinsuranceinvestinginvestmentinvestmentsInvestments in digital wellnessInvestments in youth wellnessinvestorinvestorsLinkedInMental HealthMental wellbeing in teensMental wellbeing in young peoplemobile appsNew YorkportfolioSilicon ValleyStartupstartupsstudytechnologyTelosityValleyVenture funding in mental healthVinajVinaj Ventureswellness
ADVERTISEMENT
Chris Casacchia, Senior Writer, California Business Journal

Chris Casacchia, Senior Writer, California Business Journal

Chris Casacchia covers U.S. and global equity markets, finance, startups, venture capital, private equity, aerospace and SEC disclosures. A graduate of Arizona State University, Chris was Technology Editor for the Orange County Business Journal before joining California Business Journal as Senior Writer. He is also a Media Consultant.

Related Posts

startup
6 Top Reasons Why Most Startups Fail ... Without Even Trying
Ryll Burgin Doyle
'It All Comes Down to Strategy'
Success Failure
8 Common Reasons Startups Fail in 2021
Mike Norton, the CEO of Wolven Industries
Mike Norton's 5 Tips to Scale Your Startup During the Pandemic
Most prosperous industries 2021
What were the most prosperous industries in 2021 following the pandemic
McLaren-Strategic-Ventures
Advancing The Digital Age
Group of diverse people in a business meeting
5 Great Pandemic-Friendly Business Ideas for Summer 2021
NEC X Figure 3_Shige Ihara
Fast Tracking Technologies … To The World
venture-capital-investment
Silicon Valley and Tel Aviv Firm NextLeap Ventures Rising To The Next Level
Small Business Finances
7 Different Ways of Financing a Start-Up Business
big-investments
Best Investment Decisions You Should Make For Your Startup
Tech Investment Vehicles To Fund Your Project
9 Tech Investment Vehicles To Consider Approaching To Fund Your Next Project
Dan Lok
Startup Central: Dan Lok's 'Take' on How to Get Your Startup Off the Ground
Tips on How to Easily Start Your Business Right Now at Home
Tips on How to Easily Start Your Business Right Now at Home
hands-of-business-people-typing-on-a-keyboard
Should You Start An Online Business: 4 Things To Consider First
use this
‘Never Startup Alone’
52-How to Fund Your Startup Business 10 Pro Tips for Getting Started
How to Fund Your Startup Business: 10 Professional Tips for Get Started
featured_newhire
7 Things Business Owners Should Look for When Hiring Their First Employee
ca street sign
NO SURPRISE: NUMBER OF CALIFORNIA STARTUPS RISING
advertisement
ADVERTISEMENT

CBJ Newsletter

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram LinkedIn

Advertise With CBJ

Contact Rick@CalBizJournal.com

CBJ Rates and Demographics

Job Postings

CEO Wanted


Requirements: BS/BA + 2yrs of Business Managing Experience

Mail Resume: Grand Life, Inc. 14647 Northam St. La Mirada, CA 90638.

$114,754/year

ADVERTISEMENT
1REALTOUR-SAN DIEGO-WEB DESIGN
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn LinkedIn Instagram
C B J   LOGO  SVG-01
  • About
  • Contact California Business Journal
  • Testimonials
  • Demographics & Advertising Rates
  • Terms & Conditions

Categories

  • Art & Culture
  • Business
  • California Hotel Listings
  • Daily Updates
  • Editor's Choice
  • Education
  • Featured
  • Finance
  • Food & Dining
  • Health & Fitness
  • Human Interest
  • Insurance
  • Law
  • Lawyers
  • Marketing
  • Medical
  • News
  • Newsletter
  • Opinion
  • People
  • Popular
  • Real Estate
  • Social Media
  • Technology
  • Top 25 Wealth Management Companies in California
  • Uncategorized

CBJ Partner Firebrand Media

Laguna Beach Independent Newspaper
 Laguna Beach City Guide
 Newport Beach Independent Newspaper
Newport Beach Country Club Magazine
  Montage Magazine
 Omni Escapes Hotel Magazine
 Bespoke Concierge New York
 Evans Hotels
 Laguna Beach Magazine
 On The Menu Laguna Beach
 Newport Beach Magazine
Coastal Real Estate Guide (NB,LB, CDM)
Monarch Beach Resort Magazine
 Pacific Coast Magazine (SoCal)
Sea Island Life Magazine
Salamander Hotel & Resorts Magazine
 View our entire portfolio

 

Most Viewed

  • Gavel, scales of justice and law books

    Lawsuit Basics: How Much Does It Cost to Sue Someone?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Investigation: Can TriumphFX Take Your Money?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Impact of Covid: Racing to Buy Second Citizenships

    3 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What to Do When an Online Casino Refuses to Pay Out Your Winnings

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Top 5 Flavors On Elf Bar BC5000 Review

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • NFL Paychecks: How Do NFL Players Get Paid?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Five Reasons Why The Government Does Not Like Bitcoin

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • How to Start a Telecommunication Business: A Step-By-Step Guide

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Temu’s New Shipping Policy Is A Smashing Hit For Shoppers All Over the Country

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 6 Types of Business Records and Receipts Every Small Business Should Keep

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Latest Articles

Super Bowl

5 Best Sports Betting Apps For The Super Bowl

Free Spins: If You Love Online Slots, Check Out These Casinos

Free Spins: If You Love Online Slots, Check Out These Casinos

How to Optimize the Learning Process and Allocate More Time for Yourself

How to Optimize the Learning Process and Allocate More Time for Yourself

Should You Junk or Sell Your Unusable Car? 8 Considerations

Should You Junk or Sell Your Unusable Car? 8 Considerations

Q&A with Jennifer Woods, Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FrontDoor on Why Companies Should Release Sustainability Reports.

Q&A with Jennifer Woods, Vice President and Associate General Counsel of Frontdoor on Why Companies Should Release Sustainability Reports.

Best Practices for Establishing Secure Password Protocols

Best Practices for Establishing Secure Password Protocols

How to Up Your Marketing Game with Real Estate 3D Rendering

How to Up Your Marketing Game with Real Estate 3D Rendering

Tips For Designing A Vinyl Banner For Your Business

Tips For Designing A Vinyl Banner For Your Business

15 Useful Animation Makers for Novice Entrepreneurs (2023)

15 Useful Animation Makers for Novice Entrepreneurs For 2023

What is FinTech?

What is FinTech?

California Business Journal | California Business News, California News Media, California business articles | Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Inland Empire, Northern California, San Francisco | Huntington Beach CA 92649 | (949) 648-3815
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY CALIFORNIA BUSINESS JOURNAL.
Site Design by 1REALTOUR

No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Business
  • Finance
  • People
  • Featured
  • Opinion
  • Technology
  • Law
  • News
  • Food
  • Art & Culture
  • Human Interest
  • Education
  • Insurance
  • Real Estate
  • Health & Fitness

California Business Journal | California Business News, California News Media, California business articles | Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Inland Empire, Northern California, San Francisco | Huntington Beach CA 92649 | (949) 648-3815
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY CALIFORNIA BUSINESS JOURNAL.
Site Design by 1REALTOUR