Speedinvest’s Post

⭕️ Very interesting list (Innovation Nest inside) for everyone interested in the digitalization of business processes and the whole surrounding ecosystem! 🔶 ‘Vestbee has compiled a list of 100 global and Europe-based VC funds that actively support SaaS startups across the European region. 🔶 This list includes details on their investment focuses, ticket sizes, and the amount of assets under management.’ —- #vc #startups #investments #saas #b2b

We're back! Ready for another round of #FTF? Here are the highlights from the past two weeks: 🇺🇸 Cosmic - Aleph 3: $1.1B Elad Gil, a prominent solo venture capitalist, has successfully secured over $1B for his latest fund. This fund, 77% larger than its predecessor, reflects Gil's ability to attract capital rapidly, even amidst challenges in the venture capital landscape. His investment focus for this fund generation, outlined primarily on his online blog, includes a keen interest in the applications of Gen AI. Notable successes in Gil's early portfolio include investments in Pinterest, Airbnb, and Instacart (which had a public listing in September), as well as Figma (acquired by Adobe for $20B, pending approval by regulators). 🇩🇪 Acton Capital VI: €225M Munich and Vancouver based Acton Capital has successfully closed its latest fund, Acton VI, securing €225M. The fund aligns with Acton's unique approach, emphasizing a risk-aligned strategy with founders. Acton's philosophy focuses on 'sensible growth' strategies, conducting business model analysis, and supporting early growth-stage founders. Acton VI's portfolio already includes companies like Klaus, Henchman, ECO Group, Skribble, and Seatti. The capital is managed by a multi-generational team, blending energy and curiosity with insights from experienced venture investors in Europe and North America. 🇫🇮 Kvanted I: €70M Female-led Finnish VC Kvanted Ventures has officially closed its first fund dedicated to backing early-stage industrial tech startups across Northern Europe. The firm aims to unlock the full potential of the industrial sector through technology and digital transformation, focusing on both software and hardware solutions for a more sustainable future. Kvanted is particularly interested in startups in industrial automation, sustainability, and supply chain resilience. The fund has already invested in companies like Fractory and RESONIKS (formerly SUPPLYZ), showcasing innovations in industrial efficiency. 🇺🇸 01 Advisors III: $395M 01 Advisors, founded by former Twitter CEO Dick Costolo and COO Adam Bain, has closed $395M for its third fund. The firm, known for its unique approach of not taking board seats, has invested primarily in Series B-stage startups focusing on B2B software and fintech. Notable investments of former fund generations include Tipalti, SpotOn, HoneyBook, and Linear. David Fischer, former Facebook chief revenue officer, has joined as a general partner for this fund generation. The firm will persist in its concentrated model, backing approximately 20 companies per fund, allowing them to be selective and hands-on in their investments. Which of these is your #favorite? 💙 If we‘re missing one, let us know in the comments! Or simply insert it yourself https://lnkd.in/eD6ak3J4

Chief Fundraising Officer ❌ Chief Fundamentals Officer ✅ Is the CEO's role to drive growth, profitability or to fundraise? Everyone says you should have an exit strategy, but should it be M&A or IPO? MSW Ventures' close friend & Malaysian partner, co-founder of ScaleUp Malaysia, Dr. Sivapalan Vivekarajah, puts forth these difficult questions in his most recent OpEd in The Edge Malaysia. He posits that the starkly different business environments in which the Malaysian, and Southeast Asian, start-up ecosystem co-exist with, necessitates a devolvement from the playbook established by Silicon Valley. Only by agreeing on the right business trajectory, can founders & investors realize their At MSW Ventures, we concur with Doc's belief in building enduring businesses. Top line growth must come hand-in-hand with bottom line growth. Our experience tells us that the bottom line takes priority for acquirers in the region, with growth potential a close second. For IPOs, though scarce in the region, founders (& sometimes investors) are often under lock-up periods or have vested shares tied to post-IPO milestones. IPOs where the stock price falls sharply after the initial offering date are a founder & investor nightmare. Regardless of the envisioned exit, fundamentals and enduring businesses matter. Having a team & business that is more than capable of raising funds is a great thing. This averts short-termism when it comes to business strategy, allowing founders to switch from 'survival' to long-term growth. Some founders also use pitching as a method of soliciting feedback and product validation. However, we concur with Doc that too much of a good thing is bad. If upper management is constantly fundraising, a leadership vacuum may instead result in the company floundering. We always encourage start-ups to: 1) Go after smart money - strategic investors that can value-add to the business. Dilution is an existing investor's kryptonite, but any rational investor would gladly welcome entrants that can increase the size of the eventual pie to be shared. 2) Have a clear idea of how funds will be used before raising, and stop when you reach that threshold. With great (amount of) funds comes great responsibility. Investors will want to see results commensurate to the amounts raised, and this can lead to wasteful practices such as bloated teams & expensive marketing campaigns (Superbowl ads anyone?). As Doc says, the time has come for new start-up narratives. We've seen from Penjana Kapital Sdn. Bhd., Cradle Fund, PayNet (Payments Network Malaysia) and many others that Malaysia has the firepower and willpower to reignite the Southeast Asian ecosystems. We're excited to contribute & be a part of what's next. On that note, a very Happy Lunar New Year to all our partners & friends from the MSW team! Wishing Vitality, Spirit, and Health upon everyone in the Year of the Dragon! 🐲🐲 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dJA7a_ZR

Ready for our this weeks' hottest #FTF picks? 🇺🇸 Geek Ventures I: $23M Geek Ventures, a newly launched venture capital firm, has secured $23M for its first fund. This fund is dedicated to supporting immigrant tech founders at the pre-seed and seed stages. Founded by Ihar Mahaniok, an immigrant himself with a background at companies like Google and Meta, Geek Ventures aims to provide opportunities and connections within the US venture capital ecosystem for immigrant entrepreneurs. They not only offer funding but also facilitate networking through immigrant-focused events. The fund initially targeted $15M but exceeded expectations, closing at $23M with support from investors including AppLovin's CEO. Geek Ventures plans to make 60 investments in total, ranging from $50K to $1M, focusing on startups that address immediate customer needs while having a long-term visionary outlook. 🇺🇸 Elephant V: $800M Boston-based venture capital firm Elephant Partners, founded by Andrew Hunt (co-founder of Warby Parker) and Jeremiah Daly, has raised $791.5M for its fifth fund, surpassing its previous fund by approximately $200M. Elephant Partners focuses on #enterprise software, #consumer internet, and #mobile markets. The VC firm is known for its minimalistic profile and investments in technology companies. Both Hunt and Daly previously worked at Boston-based Highland Capital Partners. 🇫🇮 Greencode Ventures I: €40M Greencode Ventures, a Helsinki-based venture capital firm, has achieved the first close of its new fund. This Finnish VC firm specialises in funding digital-first startups that drive the #green transition. Notable LPs in this fund include Business Finland Venture Capital, Nordea Life Assurance Finland Ltd. and Pohjola Insurance, among others. The fund has a presence in Finland, Germany, and Sweden and the all-female founding team includes digital impact entrepreneurs and green transition experts. We are excited to see what's coming Dr. Terhi (TJ) Vapola, Ines Bergmann-Nolting and Kaisa Hietala. Which of these is your #favorite? 💙 If we‘re missing one, let us know in the comments! Or simply insert it yourself here https://lnkd.in/eD6ak3J4

Mind bending..."Companies today only have one option, they have to build a real business.” NY Times - no paywall "Manu Kumar, a founder of the venture firm K9 Ventures, has felt the shift. Since 2009, he has written checks of $500,000 or less to invest in very young companies. Some of those investments, including Lyft and Twilio, went public, while others sold to bigger tech companies like LinkedIn, Meta, Google and Twitter. But starting last year, he said, the venture capital investors who would have provided the next round of funding to the start-ups he backed began demanding to see more progress before investing. (Start-ups typically raise a series of increasingly large financings until they go public or sell.) And potential buyers were laying off employees and cutting costs, not acquiring start-ups. “Companies today only have one option,” Mr. Kumar said. “They have to build a real business.” In October, Mr. Kumar told investors that the math on his investment strategy no longer worked and that he would not raise a new venture fund. He plans to watch the market and revisit the option in a year. “I want to have conviction in what my strategy is going to be,” he said. “I don’t have that conviction at the moment.” https://lnkd.in/gfj8vNMP

Blackbird has become Australia’s biggest venture fund in little over a decade since its founding in 2012 by Niki Scevak and Rick Baker. The firm was early in Canva, Safety Culture and Culture Amp - investments that have helped the fund go on to deliver $10BN in returns, record a net IRR of 56%, and become one of the best-performing firms in the world. Blackbird invests in every type of technology at every stage. As the firm’s website proudly states, “we invest in companies, not rounds…we’ll back you from idea to decades after your idea has become a publicly listed corporation”. Being early to big names in what was then Australia’s fledgling startup ecosystem has helped the firm build its reputation and track record, but so has its content and events. This is evident by the firm hitting the top 10 in our VC website rankings, generating 87,500 visits in September 23. I take a closer look at how Blackbird does content in this article. Samantha Wong Mason Yates Ben Sze, CFA MAICD Cassie Bell Linktree See-Mode Technologies Edrolo Matthew Morrison Joel Connolly Alex Apoifis Danielle Pinkus ⚡️Theia Gabatan Giles Russell Melia Rayner #venturecapital #VC #contentmarketing #content #startups https://lnkd.in/gp2eFa6V

Here come some exciting fund #announcements we tracked over the past weeks! 🇩🇪 Speedinvest 4: €350M Speedinvest has successfully closed its fourth fund, raising €350 million, surpassing the initial target by €50 million. Since its establishment as a €10 million fund in 2011, Speedinvest has grown to manage over €1 billion in assets. Speedinvest 4 focuses on early-stage investments and has already made various sector-focused investments across Europe, including finres, Surfboard, Fertifa, cylib, NeoCarbon, and Fairlyne. The firm, with offices in Berlin, London, Munich, Paris, and Vienna, boasts the largest Seed stage investment team in Europe, spanning Climate Tech & Industrial Tech, Deep Tech, Fintech, Health & TechBio, Marketplaces & Consumer, and SaaS & Infrastructure. Speedinvest is recognized as a leading pre-Seed and Seed investor in Europe, actively supporting startups and contributing to the growth of the European innovation ecosystem. 🇬🇧 Giant Ventures Seed & Growth: $250M Giant Ventures, a UK-based VC known for transatlantic investments, has raised $250 million across two new funds. The funds comprise a $100 million seed fund for early-stage companies and a $150 million climate-focused growth fund targeting Series B companies. The firm, led by former founders and operators, emphasizes investments in climate, health, and purpose-driven startups. Giant Ventures has already made 10 investments from these funds, including notable ventures like Calm and Agreena. Half of the capital will go to European companies, including the UK, and the other half to US companies. The diverse advisory board includes figures like Lord Browne and 23andMe founder Linda Avey. Giant's LPs include BMW Group, Henkel, RIT Capital Partners plc, and Sir Richard Branson. 🇺🇸 Ubiquity Ventures III: $75M Ubiquity Ventures, led by solo general partner Sunil Nagaraj, has secured $75 million for its third fund, following its previous funds of $30 million in 2018 and $51 million in 2020. Nagaraj, with a background at Bessemer Venture Partners, focuses on early-stage startups contributing to the concept of "software beyond the screen," involving the use of software to navigate, perceive, understand, and control the real physical world. The fund has already made four investments, including companies like Croptide, Halter and Loft Orbital, among others. Nagaraj plans to make approximately 20 investments, providing $1 to $2 million for seed rounds and Series A. Additionally, he takes a board seat at the seed stage, a practice he acknowledges as unconventional. Which of these is your #favorite? 💙 If we‘re missing one, let us know in the comments! Or simply insert it yourself here https://lnkd.in/eD6ak3J4

Announcing our Venture Architecture Partnership with Scale for Sale and Rising Star Founder Brody Vinson. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the venture capital landscape, with Chambers Capital Ventures bringing its unique model of an Operations Co-Founder to the table. Brody Vinson, the dynamic founder of Scale for Sale, has set his sights on becoming the "Codie A. Sanchez of the sell side of the business" – a testament to his ambition and innovative mindset in the realm of business sales and scaling operations. His unique vision aligns seamlessly with Chambers Capital Ventures' expertise in nurturing and elevating startups through strategic operational support. As part of this partnership, Chambers Capital Ventures will leverage its renowned Entrepreneurship Incubator to bolster Scale for Sale's operations. Under the leadership of Chris Chambers, Founder of Chambers Capital Ventures, the firm will provide highly trained interns, equipping Scale For Sale with the necessary manpower and intellectual resources to accelerate its growth trajectory. Chris Chambers, commenting on the partnership, said, "We are excited to join forces with Brody Vinson and Scale for Sale. Our venture architecture approach, combined with Brody’s extraordinary vision and leadership, is set to redefine the standards of business scaling. We're not just investing in a company; we're investing in a future industry leader." Scale for Sale, under Brody Vinson’s leadership, aims to revolutionize the sell side of businesses by implementing cutting-edge strategies and solutions. This partnership with Chambers Capital Ventures will enable Scale for Sale to scale its operations more efficiently, harnessing the power of skilled interns and the strategic guidance of experienced industry leaders. "Partnering with Chambers Capital Ventures is a game-changer for us," said Brody Vinson. "Their unique approach as an Operations Co-Founder and the support from their Entrepreneurship Incubator will significantly enhance our capabilities to achieve our ambitious goals." The venture architecture model of Chambers Capital Ventures has proven to be a catalyst for growth for numerous startups. By providing operational expertise and hands-on support, Chambers Capital Ventures is not only investing in businesses but is also shaping the next generation of industry leaders. About Scale for Sale Founded by Brody Vinson, Scale for Sale is an innovative company focused on educating and guiding business owners on the sell-side of business brokerage and M&A. With a vision to emulate the success of industry leaders, Scale for Sale is set to make a significant impact in the business world." #businessgrowth #founders #operations #leadership

It’s been a year since we officially launched the fund, and I am beyond thrilled to share that GrowthCap Ventures has been featured in Outlook Money! In the fast-paced world of startups, choosing the right venture capital partner can make all the difference. At GrowthCap Ventures, we’re not just about providing capital to founders—we’re about empowering early-stage startups in 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵, 𝗦𝗮𝗮𝗦, and 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 with strategic guidance, mentorship, and invaluable industry connections. We’re proud to be an 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿-𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱, working hand-in-hand with our portfolio companies to ensure their success. Our goal is to support 10-12 early-stage companies through this maiden fund, helping them scale with not just money but a full spectrum of support. This coverage includes insights from our LPs and founders on what sets GCV apart and how we are building an operator fund from the ground up. This journey wouldn't be possible without our incredible backers who bring a wealth of experience and industry access to enrich our portfolio companies. To our amazing team— Jenny Mehta, Sakshi Vora, Jash Shah, our investee 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, and everyone who has been part of this journey—thank you for believing in our vision. Together, we’re navigating the startup seas with seasoned expertise, creating and scaling the next generation of innovators. If you're building something exciting, we would love to hear about it! Reach out to us and let’s explore how GrowthCap can help it grow. Here's to building the future, one startup at a time! Link to the full article - https://lnkd.in/d3zwer7T Ravi Shankar, Kapil Garg, Shankar Vailaya, Jayant Kumar, Dr Ritesh Jain, Beerud Sheth, Gaurav Bhojak, Naresh Naik, Ankur Jain, CFA Sanjit Nagarkatti, Pankaj Poddar, Deepak Sharma, Ram Naresh, Gaurav Duggal Mohit Jalan #GrowthCapVentures #StartupSuccess #VentureCapital #Fintech #SaaS #Deeptech #Innovation #Mentorship #StrategicGuidance

Opportunity funds fall from favor as VCs go back to basics Last month, Y Combinator made a decision that would have been considered an investment heresy during the boom market. The accelerator, which helped incubate some of the strongest VC-backed businesses created over the last 15 years, including Airbnb, DoorDash and Stripe, said it's pulling back from doubling down on its breakout portfolio companies when they reach the late stage. Y Combinator began backing its best-performing mature startups in 2015 when it raised its first $700 million continuity fund. That strategy, which other firms refer to as opportunity or select funds, became popular with many early-stage VCs in the middle of the last decade. It proliferated through the pandemic years as company valuations grew and it became harder to maintain ownership in companies that had a shot at massive exits. But as interest rates rose and publicly traded tech stocks plummeted last year, investing in mature startups became a lot less attractive. Late-stage investing has dropped, and early-stage investors suddenly found that fewer of their portfolio companies were on a path to receive large valuation step-ups. The result: Fewer opportunities for opportunity funds. "I think we are coming to the tail end of the opportunity fund era," said Chris Douvos, a managing director at Ahoy Capital, which invests in funds and startups. "I don't think opportunity funds are a natural part of the ecosystem. Rather, they are symptoms of excess in the market that arose when capital was cheap." A total of $9.4 billion was raised across 70 VC funds that had the word "opportunity" or "select" in their name in 2022, according to PitchBook data. But only six such funds have been raised so far this year, and investors expect this figure to stay low for a while. https://lnkd.in/eX4E7jcU By Marina Temkin, CFA #opportunities #investment #startups #tech #data #strategy #interestrates #stage