Core Insights - Airwallex has achieved an annual recurring revenue (ARR) milestone of over $1 billion, reaching this figure in just one year after previously taking nine years to reach the first $500 million [4][11] - The company was founded by Lucy Liu and her peers in 2015 with an initial investment of $1 million, and it has since grown to serve over 150,000 businesses globally, with a transaction volume exceeding $223 billion [4][11] - Airwallex's valuation has reached $6.2 billion following a $300 million Series F funding round, marking a significant return on Liu's initial investment [13] Company Growth and Milestones - Airwallex's journey from inception to becoming a unicorn involved overcoming significant challenges, including a near bankruptcy situation in 2017 when the company had only two months of runway left [15][16] - The company pivoted its business model to build a global financial operating system, which has led to a 90% year-over-year growth in ARR and a 127% increase in annual transaction volume [18] - The company has expanded its product offerings, including multi-currency wallets and virtual credit cards, which contributed to a 100-fold increase in monthly transaction volume between early 2018 and late 2019 [17] Leadership and Innovation - Lucy Liu, as the only female founder in a predominantly male fintech industry, has faced skepticism but has proven her capabilities by taking on various roles within the company [10][21] - The company emphasizes product innovation and customer value creation, with plans to leverage AI for future growth, including new financial solutions for CFOs and developers [22][23] - Airwallex has established a diverse corporate culture, with approximately 40% of its Chinese management being female and one-third of its global executives being women [21]