Aziz Gilani

Key takeaway from Texas Venture Gala & Forum this past weekend? "Heck if I know" 😂 A wonderfully fun photo with the incredible Christine G. of VU Venture Partners made me put a bit more thought to the early morning panel I moderated with Austin Technology Incubator's Rebecca (Becky) Taylor, Muriel Foster of gener8tor's gBeta, Angelos Angelou from the International Accelerator, and Martín Martinez of Founder Institute. That, if I were sum up the most paramount of lessons to #entrepreneurs and venture capital investors, it's that we don't know. The very definition of #startup means that we're trying something distinct, and hopefully evolutionary. Anyone claiming to have the answers is lying to themselves and misleading you. Founders, TRY it, TEST it, and PIVOT Investors, if you're looking for a sure bet, please go back into banking and stay out of startups. The consensus among the panelists exploring how Venture Capitalists can help incubators and accelerators was the same: participate. Show up, mentor, help, and be involved. The ONLY way to capably serve innovation is through collaboration. Help founders avoid mistakes by advising and answering what we *do know* so that they can focus on solving the problems not yet explored and resolved. How? Where? Everyone, get Incubators in place for the pre-seed and support Accelerators as startups are (actually) ready to scale. Join me here for more on that perspective and some wonderful ongoing discussion: https://lnkd.in/gixAeSm8

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Last week, mid-market companies were trading hands faster than picks at the NFL draft. 10 notable MM PE deals from the past week: ➡️ Incline Equity Partners invested in VMG Health, a TX-based compliance, strategy, and transaction advisory firm serving the healthcare industry. ➡️ Serent Capital acquired Medical Informatics Engineering, Inc., a provider of healthcare IT software for the occupational health market. ➡️ Celebrity Coaches, LLC, a TN-based portfolio company of Allied Industrial Partners, acquired Moonstruck Leasing, an entertainment coach leasing company. ➡️ Granite Creek Capital Partners, L.L.C. in partnership with Boathouse Capital, invested in DCG, a full-service strategic comms firm serving federal government clients. ➡️ Apax Digital invested in IANS, a MA-based provider of research and advisory services for the infosec market. ➡️ The Stephens Group, LLC partnered with VisionSafe Corporation - EVAS, a HI-based provider of aircraft cockpit smoke displacement systems. ➡️ Gamut Capital Management is set to acquire DEX Imaging, a provider of managed print services across industries. ➡️ Century Park Capital Partners acquired Total Access Elevator, a CA-based provider of commercial elevator modernization, maintenance, and repair services. ➡️  Shoreline Equity Partners invested in Prime Meats LLC, a GA-based processor and distributor of proteins. ➡️ Family office CC Industries acquires Foremark Performance Chemicals, a producer of formaldehyde and derivatives for the petrochemicals industries. #PrivateEquity #MergersandAcquisitions #Acquisitions #PE #Acquisitions

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A few Friday thoughts... After several days in Chicago surrounded by 200+ LPs at the ILPA Members' Conference covering everything from AI to NAV facilities, I'm headed into the weekend energized by what's to come. That may come at a surprise after the week we've had as an industry. The decision from the U.S. Fifth Circuit on the SEC's Private Fund Advisers rules was handed down just moments before we kicked off ILPA’s AGM on Wednesday. All along, ILPA has viewed the PFA as addressing areas that pose risks to both LPs and the industry around transparency, governance and alignment of interest. It was disappointing—albeit not a shock—to see the PFA vacated. But ILPA is choosing to turn our energy to the compelling opportunity before us as an industry. Together, we can chart the path for how we'll work better together, on our own terms. Particularly around transparency. Just days prior to the ruling, we had debuted the next evolution of ILPA reporting templates on fees and expenses and performance for industry feedback. The templates were developed by a broad industry coalition over a three-month period, partly to comply with the PFA quarterly statements rule implementation deadline, but largely because this work needed to be done. We've temporarily paused the comment period. Now we have the benefit of more time to ensure that these minimum reporting standards have cross-industry buy-in to ensure wide support and adoption. Will you join us in this effort, in paving the way forward as an industry? https://lnkd.in/e-6hspU4

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🧬 This week's Austin Bio + Health Roundup has acquisitions, funding, leader’s insights on national healthcare news, critical new infrastructure, and developments from across the Texas Bio Triangle. 🧬 🤝 M&A and Partnerships Subjectwell, a patient access marketplace connecting patients to clinical trials and treatments, was acquired by Windrose Health Investors.  This acquisition will also provide Subjectwell with additional capital for its next growth phase. 💰 Funding Thoughtful Automation, an AI company specializing in revenue-cycle management tools for healthcare providers, has announced its move to Austin and has secured $12.5M in funding. Congrats and welcome to Central Texas! 💡 Insights from Local Builders and Innovators Michelle Davey, Founder and CEO of Wheel, provided her commentary to FierceHealthcare on the recent exits from the virtual care market by major players Walmart and Optum. Michelle said, “It's not just about being big—it's about the platform that drives the care delivery itself - and how it's purpose-built to scale to mass adoption and repeat utilization." 🏗️ Infrastructure Dell Med is launching a Center for Rare Diseases, focusing on cutting-edge research and therapies. This initiative will support advances in diagnostics and boost awareness, providing critical assistance for patients and families dealing with rare conditions. 🚀 Launches, Expansions, and Milestones The co-founder of artist collaborative Meow Wolf is leaving to launch a new $15M wellness and spa experience in Austin. They are branding it as the “world’s first neuroscience-enabled spa,” bringing a new element to the Austin’s strength at the convergence of bio, health, and tech. 🚩 Texas Bio Triangle First Bight Ventures’ industrial biology accelerator, BioWell, is now seeking its first cohort of 10 companies, with applications due by May 15. The STRONG STAR Consortium has secured $17 million in DoD funding to address brain injuries, PTSD, and related conditions, which will launch 8 programs spanning detection, prevention, and treatment. As always, the news is as varied and dynamic as our region, let’s keep it up! What’s Next? #AustinNext #LifeSciences #Healthcare #Biotechnology

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Join us tomorrow for a panel discussion on the complex relationship many FirstGens have to money and how that affects founders, investors, operators and others. See you tomorrow! https://lu.ma/9rixyzgs

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🧬 This week's Austin Bio + Health Roundup highlights significant data trends, my stance on covering funding announcements, new partnerships, and action across the Texas Bio Triangle. 🧬 💰 Funding: The Way I Plan to Cover Funding Announcements You may have seen reports of a local Bio & Health startup’s funding round through an SEC report filing. While some outlets have covered this, my position is not to. I prefer to support our builders directly rather than trolling the filings for scoops. There is plenty of real investigative journalism that our city would be well served by if that is where they focused. Remember I am not a journalist and I am not the media. When the company is ready to announce their round officially, I’ll gladly shout it to the rooftops. 📊 Data Peter Walker at Carta reports that in 2017, Biopharma and Medical Devices captured just under 10% of all VC dollars. By 2023, this figure rose to 17.7%, and in Q1 2024, it reached 24%. The overarching tailwinds favor our sector and region with trends towards Bio & Health and the physical & digital intersection. Energy and hardware, two other sector blossoming in Central Texas, also saw similar share gains. 🤝 M&A and Partnerships Sensi.AI, a 24/7 senior care intelligence agent, is partnering with Caring Senior Service to deploy SensiAI’s platform in Caring’s 50 locations across the US. This partnership allows seniors a better opportunity to age gracefully in their homes. 🚩 Texas Bio Triangle BioMedSA is hosting an event called Women in Bioscience, Thursday June 20th. It’s designed to connect and empower women in the bioscience industry across Central Texas, and features Randi Brosterman Hutchens discussing "Building your Personal Board." Find the link to the event in the comments. Houston-based Lokum, a staffing solution to connect clinicians and clinical staff to health care facilities, has raised a $700K pre-seed round. Congrats Ayoade (Joy) Ademuyewo on the raise. What’s Next? #AustinNext #LifeSciences #Healthcare #Biotechnology

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Mark your calendars! 📢 Get ready for an unforgettable event! On September 11th, 2024, Paul Carbone, Co-Founder and Vice Chairman of Pritzker Private Capital, will be a keynote speaker at TFOA's 10th Annual Single Family Office Symposium in Dallas, TX. Paul has been recognized as one of the Top 100 most influential people among family investors and family enterprises and has received numerous awards for his contributions to the private equity industry. Paul serves on the board of trustees or directors of The University of Chicago, University of Chicago Medical Center, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Larry H. Miller Company, and Misericordia Home. He also serves on the Board of Advisors for Morgan Street Holdings. In addition, Paul is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago and the Economic Club of Chicago. Paul received his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and his B.A., Phi Beta Kappa, from The College of the University of Chicago. But that's not all! Sunny Vanderbeck, co-founder of Satori Capital and best-selling author, will be moderating the fireside chat with Paul. Sunny is an investor, entrepreneur, and former military leader focused on accelerating the growth of mid-market companies and creating best-in-class, built-to-last businesses. He has received numerous honors, including an “Entrepreneur of the Year” finalist designation from Ernst and Young. Before founding Satori, Sunny co-founded and served as CEO of Data Return, a leading provider of managed services and utility computing. The company sustained 40% quarter-over-quarter growth for more than three years and reached a $3 billion market capitalization, making Sunny one of the youngest CEOs ever to lead a Nasdaq company. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from these two industry leaders and gain valuable insights! Why is TFOA’s Annual Single Family Office Symposium unique? ✔️ Attendees are family office executives and principals who actively engage in our single family office community throughout the year. ✔️ Speakers are invited to attend based on their expertise, not because they pay for the opportunity. ✔️ Sponsors are aligned philosophically with our long-term relationship and brand building approach. There is no solicitation. ✔️ We partner with top universities to emphasize our commitment to learning and education. Profits from our Symposium are donated to our university partners for student scholarships. ✔️ TFOA is not a commercial organization. Everything we do is designed to ensure a high quality and high impact experience for our stakeholders. We hope you can join us this year. The high-level agenda and programs from prior Symposiums are available here: www.tfoatx.com/symposium #familyoffices #familybusiness #familywealth #SMU

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Darden Restaurants recently reported its quarterly results, showcasing resilience amidst a challenging environment. While Olive Garden faced a decline in same-store sales for the second consecutive quarter, Darden's overall performance remained steady, with earnings per share surpassing expectations at $2.65 and revenue reaching $2.96 billion. Looking forward to fiscal 2025, Darden projects a promising outlook with expected earnings per share between $9.40 and $9.60 and anticipated net sales of $11.8 billion to $11.9 billion. The company's LongHorn Steakhouse segment notably reported a 4% increase in same-store sales, underscoring Darden's effective management and operational strength. With plans to invest $550 million to $600 million in capital expenditures, Darden is poised to enhance its offerings and maintain its competitive edge in the market. Read More Here: https://lnkd.in/eFgDC97p #hospitality #restaurants #technology #innovation Branded Hospitality Ventures Angelo Fama Jr. John Espy Dave George Daryl L. Cunningham Lisa McDowell Robert Anderson Ali Charri

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In our latest episode on Practical Nerds, Patric and I talk about what "Service-as-a-Product" means for AEC tech, and why it might prove to be one of the most valuable and timely opportunities for founders to address.

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Abby Levy talks about venture's role in US healthcare and what we can expect to see as technology impacts the space on TFR. Check out the rest of the conversation with Abby & Alan Patricof of Primetime Partners on Episode 433.

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Excellent read from Sam Chambers highlighting the imbalance in the PE ecosystem. Overall AURELIUS approach often aims for rejuvenation, but not all their ventures succeed. The The Body Shop collapse led to 800 job losses and 82 store closures and in 2020 it was Bertram Books (2nd largest book wholesaler), had 450 job losses. Conversely, another portfolio company, Solidus thrived, becoming a profitable supplier of fiber-based packaging and so did Briar Chemicals Limited. 🧾 Accountability in PE Few yet emerging thought leaders in this space such as Sebastien Canderle argue, “The success of PE depends on genuine improvements at companies, not just financial engineering.” This highlights the need for balancing value extraction with sustainable growth. Think of it as juggling chainsaws while riding a unicycle—tricky, but essential for survival. 💪 Activism Kudos to individuals such as Christopher Davis urging a government review of the insolvency system. This activism highlights the human cost of aggressive PE strategies and calls for ethical business practices. 📈 State of PE in the UK In 2023, the UK private equity (PE) market saw significant activity, with PE firms completing deals worth £156 billion. This level of investment demonstrates the UK's strong position in the global and European PE landscape, even amid economic challenges. UK 🇬🇧 vs. EU🇪🇺 UK: £156 billion in private equity deal value for 2023. EU: €100 billion in private equity, growth, and venture capital investments for 2023. The UK’s private equity market is a dynamic force in the economy, bringing opportunities for growth and transformation. However, the associated risks and failures underscore a critical need for strategic management and vigilant oversight. 🌟 Vision for Future Decision-Makers Decision-makers must prioritise sustainable practices and ethical standards to ensure long-term success and stability. The path forward demands a balance between aggressive growth and responsible stewardship, ensuring that the benefits of private equity extend beyond mere financial gains to create lasting value for all stakeholders. (Sources: The Times, British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA), Palladium Digital, Private Equity Reporting Group, PitchBook, Bain & Company, OECD - OCDE, Invest Europe)

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🚀 New Episode Alert: Investor Connect with Gary Forni, Chairman of CTAN 🚀 Join host Hall T. Martin for an insightful conversation with Gary Forni, the visionary Chairman of the Central Texas Angel Network (CTAN). With a storied career in technology and venture capital, Gary has been instrumental in shaping the startup ecosystem in Central Texas. 📅 Listen now: https://ow.ly/Po6Q50RBUJt 🔹 What to Expect: Gary's journey from Intel Corp to leading one of the most active angel groups in the U.S. An inside look at CTAN's investment strategy and how they're nurturing the next wave of disruptive tech startups. Expert advice on overcoming challenges in angel investing and adapting to economic changes. 📈 Under Gary's leadership, CTAN has invested over $129 million in 215 companies, driving innovation and economic growth. Learn how this network supports entrepreneurs with capital, mentoring, and more. 🎧 Tune in to "Investor Connect" for more expert insights into the investment landscape. Don’t miss it! #InvestorConnect #AngelInvesting #Startups #Innovation

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Boards of Directors – How Relevant To The Business Is The Board? In 2014, activist investor Starboard Value successfully replaced all 12 directors on the board of Darden Restaurants. The following shows the Darden incumbent board at the time of Starboard's proxy fight, Starboard’s value creation plan initiatives, the Starboard director nominees and the before and after performance (revenue, EBITDA, EBITDA margin and stock price). Note especially the direct relevance of each Starboard nominee to the industry or some aspect of the value creation plan. How often do you see this level of relevance on public company boards?

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New Episode: Pressure can can burst pipes or it can create diamond. Justis Mendez (Managing Partner, OneSixOne Ventures) shares his story, moving from the streets of Cleveland to a high impact VC investor. (Link below) We discuss topics such as: - Building a tech ecosystem: The genesis of OneSixOne Ventures - Launching a virtual accelerator during the pandemic - Launching a fund: Realizing the need for monetization - Focus on enterprise software and AI - Investing in pre-seed and seed stages with small checks - Current state of the VC space and capital deployment - Advice for founders: Authenticity and technical expertise - Considerations when outsourcing technical development for AI Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eXwCFfgE Apple: https://lnkd.in/ejRF5KBi

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Though the City of Houston has long been recognized as the Energy Capital of the World, its perception as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship varies among locals. Can "The City with No Limits" become a leading entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem here in the U.S.? Some would argue it already has. Southern Methodist University's George W. Bush Institute recently published a 225 page report titled "Engines of Opportunity: How Eds and Meds Institutions Can Become More Powerful Drivers of Prosperity in America's Cities." The report aims to answer the question: "Which U.S. cities are performing best in building effective innovation ecosystems and talent pipelines?" Here are five takeaways from the report I found particularly insightful: 1️⃣ University of Houston and Rice University rank in the top 10 amongst mid-sized universities for "Innovation Impact Productivity" (Page 45). 2️⃣ Greater Houston ranks in the top 5 for "Metro-Area Innovation Impact" alongside Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia (Page 48). 3️⃣ Houston joins Boston, Phoenix, and Raleigh as the only U.S. cities to have multiple innovation districts selected for the study's 36 innovation district dataset (Page 67). 4️⃣ The University of Texas System and Texas A&M University System are the only institutions in the State of Texas to rank in the top 50 for "Overall Innovation Impact" (Page 156). 5️⃣ Greater Houston and Greater Austin are the only metro areas in the State of Texas to rank in the top 50 for "Innovation Impact per Capita" (Page 167). What's your perception of Houston's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem? Do these takeaways jibe with your perspective? If so, why? If not, why not?

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Had an amazing time at the Austin AI Alliance! Team AI Alliance help me tag you in this post and feel free to share! If you're interested in joining the Austin AI Alliance, check out our Slack or feel free to connect with me. Looking forward to seeing you at our next meeting! #Austin #AI #networking #AustinAI #AustinAIAlliance

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I used to spend 2-3 hours daily on clinic notes, skeptical of AI scribe technology. However, I've been impressed with RevMaxx, a generative AI company transforming clinical note creation by listening to physician-patient conversations and automatically generating comprehensive notes. This platform accurately captures crucial ICD-10 codes, saving valuable time ⏰. 👉 Why This Matters: - **Reducing Physician Burnout:** Administrative tasks are a significant contributor to physician burnout. Innovations like RevMaxx alleviate this burden effectively. #HealthcareInnovation #AI #PhysicianBurnout #MedicalDocumentation #HealthTech #RevMaxx

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In this week's episode of the Mobile Dev Memo podcast, I discuss the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA) and its potential impact on the digital ecosystem with Alan Chapell, a lawyer and digital privacy expert. To listen, search for "Mobile Dev Memo" in your podcast platform of choice.

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Although more work needs to be done, this is another important step toward protecting kids' online and the privacy of all Americans. Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Markup Recap: Monumental Step Forward for Data Privacy and Kids Online Safety Washington D.C. — The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced proposals today that will establish one national standard for data privacy, protect kids online, and preserve Americans’ access to A.M. radio. In a Subcommittee markup, the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee forwarded three pieces of legislation to the Full Committee for consideration.    As Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) said, “The American Privacy Rights Act is an opportunity for a reset, one that can help return us to the American Dream our Founders envisioned.  “It gives people the right to control their personal information online, something the American people overwhelmingly want. They’re tired of having their personal information abused for profit.”    Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) added, “We have a historic opportunity to advance legislation that will end the patchwork and finally provide a federal standard to govern how Americans’ personal information is collected, stored, retained, and transferred.  “The American Privacy Rights Act is the strongest consumer data privacy and security framework to date—it provides businesses with certainty through a national preemptive standard, secures individual liberties through strong data minimization provisions, and cements America’s global leadership through data security provisions that warn consumers when their information is being collected and shared with our foreign adversaries, like China and Russia.”    Legislative Vote Summary:    H.R. ____, the American Privacy Rights Act discussion draft, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a voice vote.    H.R. 7891, the Kids Online Safety Act, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a voice vote.    H.R. 8449, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a voice vote. #kosa #protectkids #onlinesafety #coppa

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