Jesse Sullivan

"The bureau’s stellar track record seems, on paper, inexplicable. INR is tiny, with fewer than 500 employees total. The DIA has over 16,500, and while the CIA’s headcount is classified, it was 21,575 in 2013, when Edward Snowden leaked it. You could fit over 47 INRs in the CIA, and even if you exclude the non-analysts on the CIA's payroll, Langley’s analytic headcount is far greater than INR’s. Tom Fingar, who led the bureau from 2000 to 2001 and 2004 to 2005, once told a reporter its budget was “decimal dust.” In 2023, it came to only $83.5 million, or 0.1 percent of overall US intelligence spending. On top of that, INR has no spies abroad, no satellites in the sky, no bugs on any laptops. But it reads the same raw intel as everyone else, and in at least a few cases, was the only agency to get some key questions right. The most important factor in building this culture, every veteran I spoke to stated, is the unusual way that INR selects and uses analysts. The CIA and DIA tend to favor generalists. Analysts rotate between roles every two to three years, often changing countries or even regions. At INR, the average analyst has been on their topic for over 14 years. “At most of the other intel organizations you rotate out of your portfolio every two to three years,” McCarthy says. “At INR, they die at their desks.” https://lnkd.in/gDP54Wjj

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2 active fund offerings from the Echelon Fund team who have been killing it ever since their cohort at The Fund School. https://lnkd.in/gVd-dhfY sidecarportfoliofund.com This presentation of Echelon Fund, LLC and Sidecar Portfolio Fund (the “Company”) is for information only and shall not constitute an offer to buy, sell, issue or subscribe for, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, sell or issue, or subscribe for any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice and is based on publicly-available information, internally developed data, third party information and other sources. The third party information has not been independently verified. While the Company may not have verified the third party information, nevertheless, it believes that it obtained the information from reliable sources and has no reason to believe it is not accurate in all material respects.

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Where is the money? "In Q1, funding to startups in the industries of military, national security and law enforcement dropped to $118 million, a 74% drop from the $459 million invested in such startups in Q1 of last year." #funding #investment #investmentstrategies #defence #dualuse #venturecapital #privateequity

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"America stands at a crossroads. The decline in our industrial leadership, contrasted sharply by China’s ascendancy, is not just an economic challenge, but a clarion call for a strategic, cohesive response. The urgency to act is not for a lack of competitors or existential threats, but from a diminished clarity about what to do about it. We must redefine our national ethos with clear, powerful ideals to drive industrial revitalization and propel America into the 21st century. This means firmly committing to a set of principles, investing in reindustrialization — an unprecedented feat for nations that have previously de-industrialized — and drastically reducing administrative burden. The wealthiest areas in America should be innovation hubs, not regulatory centers. China does not inhibit themselves with IP issues or obtuse environmental policy. Ultimately, our policies must also foster an environment where manufacturing prowess is not only nurtured but celebrated. We must encourage daring individuals to build things, then actually let them do it. Culturally, this means we must make doing hard, physical work cool again. Industrial roles won't out-pay Google or Jane Street, so they must attract talent through their mission and values. Before SpaceX, the smartest kids in school were not going into aerospace. Companies like Anduril and Hadrian have similarly elevated the status of their sectors, attracting top engineers to work on the most important issues. But this must happen across every industry and problem set, not just the sexy ones like space launch. To some, these words may seem familiar, even trite. Regardless, I hope recognizing our industrial lag and the high stakes involved resonates deeply. This is not merely a matter for venture capitalists and politicians to pontificate; it involves us all. You have a choice: actively engage in manifesting this industrial future, or face being drafted into efforts to reclaim lost ground – this time, under duress, and at a grave disadvantage, perhaps under new rules enforced by an adversary." https://lnkd.in/gJrhvq9D

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🚀 Elevate Your Investment Game with Hyde Park Venture Partners🚀 Join top-tier investors in backing the Midwest's premier early-stage venture capital firm, Hyde Park Venture Partners (HPVP), as they close their impressive $98 million Fund IV. 🤝“A lot of institutional LPs seem to be focused on existing managers,” Turner said. “That being said, we’re really happy with how the fundraise turned out for us and we were able to bring out a lot of great institutions that were new to our funds and to our firm. We’ve been building over the years and have seen larger funds become more institutionalized. That’s important for funds and geographies like ours.” The limited partner makeup for this fund includes approximately 25% institutional, 35% family office and the remainder is ultra high-net-worth individuals. Led by Managing Partners Greg Barnes and Guy Turner, along with Partner Allison Lechnir, HPVP is a force to be reckoned with in the world of technology investments. 💼💰 HPVP often leads deals, writing average check sizes between $500,000 and $4 million. The new fund will be deployed into 20 to 22 companies.📝 🔎With a keen eye for spotting promising startups in the Midwest and Toronto, HPVP has already deployed capital into two groundbreaking companies: Diffit and CivCheck. These investments showcase HPVP's commitment to supporting innovative solutions, leveraging generative AI and urban development technologies, respectively. 🎤"Our companies go through similar challenges, which gives us valuable insight when fundraising," says Greg Barnes. "We're thrilled to have new institutions backing our fourth fund, including NVNG Investment Advisors, LLC and Cintrifuse Capital." They join repeat backers, including the @Illinois Growth and Innovation Fund, RK Mellon Foundation, and Renaissance Venture Capital. 🦸‍♂️Hyde Park Venture Partners boasts a remarkable track record, having been early backers of successful startups like ShipBob, FourKites, Inc., G2, LogicGate, and Dentologie. Their investments have paved the way for notable exits, such as Workday VNDLY and Tock, solidifying their reputation as a powerhouse in the VC world. As the Midwest emerges as a hotbed for startup innovation, HPVP remains at the forefront, leveraging its extensive network and expertise to fuel growth and success. With a focus on bringing top talent to their portfolio companies, HPVP is committed to nurturing the region's burgeoning tech ecosystem. 🌟Congratulations to the Hyde Park Venture Partners team! 🌟 ✅ Looking to raise capital for your #fund and increase the international pool of your LP #investors?   🤝 Need warm #LP introductions?   📝 Selling #secondaries to increase liquidity?   🧐 Looking for co-investments?   ▶ G+QUANT's link for inquiries and fund decks: https://lnkd.in/gjC_EuTE #HydeParkVP #VentureCapital #InvestmentOpportunity #TechStartups #MidwestInnovation

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Today, Last Money In Media is excited to share a guest post from one of our colleagues Phil Nadel, who leads Forefront Venture Partners. Phil wrote a piece title "The Misaligned Syndicate Incentive Structure" to provide a viewpoint on syndicates doing high volume deals versus those that are more concentrated. (link to full post in comments) Forefront Venture Partners formed one of the first syndicates about 12 years ago. They have invested in more than 200 rounds in over 100 companies since then. Additionally, they started a rolling fund about 3 years ago. Given Phil’s experience across models (SPVs/Funds) and having seen the evolution of the syndicate ecosystem over the last decade, Phil has offered to share his unique perspective with Last Money In Media readers in our article published today. In this Last Money In Media article, Phil discusses: - His POV on the incentive structure in the SPV ecosystem - The landscape shift to some higher volume syndicate GPs - Why Rolling Funds may be a better alternative for some LPs - And more The full article is in the comments for further reading. Powered by Sydecar, Last Money In Media is the most actionable venture capital newsletter. Written by Zachary Ginsburg and Alex Pattis who have deployed > $200M across 700+ SPVs.

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The state of venture capital is wild right now. We are witnessing a surge of innovation across the spectrum: - Funds merging - VC doing PE - PE doing VC - Secondary funds - Buyout funds - Spin-out funds - Debt funds - Continuation funds - Infrastructure funds - GP turnover - Hard Tech surging - Family Office uptick

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Please join NosTerra Ventures on April 30 for a critical panel discussion titled “Autocracy or Democracy: What’s at Stake?” RSVP here: https://buff.ly/49MPYcm This morning I received an email from a financial advisor talking about the impact of the election on the economy. Historical wisdom may correlate tax code and impact on your wallet. This time around the issue is not tax policy or even spending policy. This election is about worldwide autocratic leadership vs. #democratic leadership. A quick review of impacts on our economy over the past decade: First, there were supply chain disruptions centered on semiconductor products. It was followed by energy price disruptions resulting from European supply disruptions. These are major contributors to today’s economic turmoil. The troubling element in all of these issues is the rise of autocratic behavior, which has resulted in a rise in global conflicts. Six years ago, a policy of pulling back from NATO encouraged Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The constant threat of China’s disruption of Taiwan and even Israel’s extended response in Palestine are consequences of a loss of global democratic leadership and a rise of autocratic behavior. Isolationism further adds to our economic uncertainty. This election is not just about political ideologies; it's about the necessity of a strong US global policy leading democratic nations and keeping the disruptive practices of autocratic leaders at bay. The US needs to continue its critical role as an international leader for the benefit of the world's citizens and of the world economy. A concrete democratic process and global democratic leadership correlate to a strong US economy. Like many of you, I am deeply concerned by the creeping shadows threatening our #democracy. Please join NosTerra Ventures on April 30 for a critical panel discussion titled “Autocracy or Democracy: What’s at Stake?” RSVP here:

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Wilmington North Carolina USA is #1 Startup Ecosystem in the WORLD for small cities under 300,000 people #2 in North Carolina behind an ecosystem that is 40 years old #22 in the USA no matter what size population #61 in the WORLD and the fastest climb up the rankings by moving up 32 spots  in StartupBlink #WilmingtonNC #startup #entrepreneur #investor #NorthCarolina

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Hustle Fund Venture Fellows reviewed 1,000+ companies, took 120+ intro calls, and had several deal discussion meetings with our GPs over the last four months. Today, we’re opening up applications for the next cohort to members of Angel Squad. We always planned to have fellows participate in the end-to-end lifecycle of a deal: 🕵🏽‍♀️ sourcing 📊 evaluating 🚀 selecting 🎗️supporting We quickly realized that fellows have a ton of expertise to share beyond deals to see and support other areas of the fund including: 📈 trend analysis 🌍 market mapping 🙋‍♀️ platform support As such, in addition to participating in the entire deal lifecycle, fellows in cohort 3 will have the opportunity to select an area of focus to build experience and drive impact. I'm most excited about the work fellows are doing to: 🚀 launch and join funds 🎓 continue their education 🛠️ build and support companies 🤿 dive deeper into their thesis areas We have learned so much from them! Interested? Learn more about Angel Squad and join us through the link in the comments. 🗓️ Applications are open to current Angel Squad members through Monday, July 1.

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The conversations around #AI, growing a SaaS business, work, and #VC are complex. Each topic has controversial origins and personal implications about the future. We covered a lot of ground in this podcast, thank you Dan Turchin for spearheading these conversations with an emphasis on ethics!

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I just read a terrifying statistic in the Wall Street Journal: 92% of rare earth magnets are made in China. When I dug in more, the problem of rare earth supply chains goes even deeper. China produces 60% of the world’s rare earth minerals and processes ~90%. Rare earths —a group of 17 metals— are a key ingredient in pretty much everything that is high tech, including: smartphones, computers, advanced medical equipment, and clean energy. For the military they’re critical for missiles, lasers, tanks, and military communications. It’s not difficult to see why this level of reliance on another country for materials this important presents a significant amount of risk…especially a country that is increasingly hostile to America. It’s a problem, a big one, and we aren’t doing enough to overcome it. I’m looking to dig in more on this, and I’ve got a favor to ask… Please message me directly or in the comment section below if you know anyone working on meaningful solutions to the rare earths problem.

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The Activity level of #VentureCapital in the Southeast Find it EVERY Friday here on Hypepotamus #Entrepreneur #Startup #Investor

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Summary: Harlem Capital, a venture capital firm focused on backing diverse founders, is raising its largest fund to date of $150 million. This would be its third fund and is a testament to the industry's continued support for diverse communities. Key takeaways: Harlem Capital was founded in 2015 with the goal of supporting diverse founders. The firm has $174 million in assets under management and has made investments in over 80 companies. The successful raising of the $150 million fund would be a show of success for both Harlem Capital and the industry's continued focus on diversity and inclusion. #venturecapital #vc #venture #diversity #dei

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Economic warfare, the strategic use of economic power to coerce or undermine a rival nation, has been a cornerstone of statecraft for centuries. Yet, in the globalized landscape of the 21st century, its reach and impact have become more nuanced, pervasive, and, some argue, even dangerous. This article delves into the murky world of economic warfare, exploring its methods, effectiveness, and the ethical quagmires it presents. #politics #law #economics #economicwarfare #cyber #influence #geopolitics #statecraft https://lnkd.in/d-56fpCR

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Episode #102 Fireside with a VC speaking with Tige Savage who cofounded Revolution with Steve Case, founder of AOL – America Online, one of the biggest internet companies in history reaching a peak market cap of $200bn dominating email, internet connectivity, online news, and chat. Tige discusses all things venture capital with a wealth of multi-decade experience covering a wide area of topics on how to run a high-performing VC fund year over year and best practices on investing, governance, legals, portfolio construction, sectors, overall strategy, and today’s exit market. Discussing the organization of Revolution with 1) Revolution Rise of the Rest – their $150m pre-seed fund, 2) Revolution Ventures – the $150m VC fund Tige manages with a concentrated 15 portfolio companies per fund, and 3) Revolution Growth which continues to invest in Series B and beyond. Discussed the pioneering thesis of investing across the US rather than being concentrated in the Silicon Valley, New York, Boston, or other highly evolved tech corridors and why Washington DC matters. Find the full episode on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gyB-yjvG. Find this and all full episodes for Fireside with a VC on your favorite podcast platform here: https://lnkd.in/gtzuxjJh. https://revolution.com/ https://lnkd.in/gyCbq7jy https://www.7bc.vc/ https://lnkd.in/gFa_AAZ7 Join our Newsletter - Fireside with a VC: https://subscribe.7bc.vc. Join the conversation, leave comments, and tell us what you think about these topics and this episode.

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Should you ask a VC to sign your NDA before sharing information about your startup? Check out my latest Youtube video to hear my perspective on this divisive topic. I cover: - the reasons a VC will not sign your NDA - why its a bad tactic to ask - when its appropriate to ask Many startups thrive on outcompeting their peers through innovation. Its understandable that many startup founders will want to jealously guard information about their innovation, product, and business. But its not a good strategy to ask for an NDA because it creates unnecessary barriers and has very little utility in the early stage of the fundraising process and very hard to enforce. Also, there are ways to mitigate the risks of sharing sensitive info. I am not a lawyer, and nothing I say in this video should be construed as legal advice. This is my personal opinion from ~10 years of experience as a VC investor. #venturecapital #startups #investing #NDAs https://lnkd.in/dxyRyrbG

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