E118: Phylicia Koh: Play Ventures
Sat Jan 17 2026
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 Koh
Bio: 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 Bickham
About 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.com
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Join 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.
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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 Koh Bio: 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 Bickham About 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.com Community & Calls to Action Primary CTA: Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – The most impactful way to support the show. Sign up for our newsletter: https://femalevclab.com/subscribe Follow us on social media: X (formerly Twitter): @FemaleVCLabLinkedIn: Female VC Lab Join 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 ★