EUVC

Welcome back to a new episode of the European VC Podcast! Today, we are very excited to introduce you to Sumer Juneja, the Managing Partner of SoftBank Investment Advisors in Europe.For those of you who don’t know, SoftBank is the GP of the Vision Fund that we all know about.SoftBank has an AUM of $147B across all funds, has made around 60 investments in Europe so far, and has allocated $13B in total here. In their current portfolio, you can find companies like Revolut, Klarna, eToro, or BytdeDance.Sumer has been investing since 2006. Before SoftBank, Sumer was a Partner at Norwest Venture Partners, focusing on growth equity and venture investments in Indian companies across various sectors. He has led and successfully exited multiple investments, including Swiggy, Indusind Bank, Shriram City Union Finance, Cholamandalam Finance, and National Stock Exchange.At SoftBank, Sumer is covering the EMEA region and India, and today we’ll talk about things like:Europe vs. India - and how each market is differentWhy Sumersh joined Softbank, and his view on fundraising.How does investing in Europe look for SoftBank?… and more that we invite you to discover below.Chapters:04:06 Sumer's Journey into Venture Capital05:49 The Importance of Mentorship in Career Growth08:52 Joining SoftBank: A Game-Changing Decision11:43 SoftBank's Investment Strategy15:54 Comparing Venture Dynamics: India vs. Europe22:45 The European Exit Environment26:46 Lessons from Success and Failure in VC40:29 SoftBank's Success in India42:35 The Importance of Having Your Feet on the Ground43:15 SoftBank's Organizational Structure in Europe and India46:45 Building Relationships with VCs53:44 Evaluating Founders and CEOs57:49 Case Study: Swiggy's Success in India01:03:42 Challenges of Scaling Across Regions01:04:23 Balancing Work and Family Life01:12:20 Key Learnings and Advice for Emerging Managers

Celebrating one of the finalists in the Achievement of the Year category at at this year’s European VC Awards, this episode dives deep with Sophie Winwood, co-founder & CEO of WVC:E and Operating Partner at Foxe Capital.Foxe Capital is a pre-seed and seed VC fund investing in the next generation of FinTech founders across the UK, Europe, and the US. Some of the companies they invested in are Flock, Kaiko, Hometree, Opply, and Ember.Today, we are meeting with Sophie to talk about diversity in European venture capital, Sophie’s journey in VC, and some of the principles that led her to build WVC:E. WVC:E is a community and platform for women in VC. The company seeks to develop highly productive networks to increase the success of diverse investors and founders through frequent local and virtual events and training programs supported by a continuous stream of content and resources. The 950+ member WVC:E community includes GPs, LPs, investors, founders, and women working in tech. If you would like to join the WhatsApp community, let us know here!The flagship Summit, which brings together 400+ women in VC across Europe, is taking place on Oct 7th and 8th in Paris, and early bird tickets are on sale now.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:25 Diversity in European Venture02:24 WVCE's Achievement of the Year04:48 The State of Diversity in European VC08:20 Challenges and Underlying Causes10:26 The Role of Role Models and Representation32:15 Parental Leave and Support Systems50:06 Building WVCE: The Journey Begins54:09 Community Success55:36 Expanding the Community01:00:24 Community Design Principles01:08:24 Policy Work and Industry Impact01:11:41 Building a Successful Community01:29:33 Advice for Young People in the Industry01:33:59 Advice for Emerging VCs

Welcome back to another episode of the EUVC podcast. Today, we are discussing all things marketing in venture capital, such as:narrative developmentthesis developmentmeasuring marketing activitiescontent creation for a VC firmpositioning and its role in fund strategyAI impact on marketing & future trends in 2024Our guests for this talk are Natasha Lytton, Director at Seedcamp, Vincent Touati-Tomas, Head of Marketing at Northzone, and Jeroen van Doornik, aka JD, among friends, co-founder & General Partner of Pacenotes.Before diving into the podcast itself, we also want to mention that we have already published two episodes on a similar topic with Natasha and Vincent that you can check out on EUVC.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:02 Marketing in Venture Capital04:39 Crafting a Unique Identity for VC Firms06:20 Balancing Differentiation and Credibility15:12 Marketing Strategies for Emerging Managers17:37 Thought Leadership and Thesis Development34:06 The Role of AI in Venture Capital36:35 Privacy and Confidentiality in AI Usage37:29 The Role of AI in Content Creation38:36 Using Templates and AI for Productivity40:10 Data Ownership and Privacy Concerns43:12 GDPR and Its Impact on Marketing45:05 Challenges in Marketing Strategies48:53 Brand and Strategy for VCs53:14 Measuring Marketing Effectiveness58:44 Reputation Management in VC Firms01:07:08 Transparency and Performance in Venture Capital

Today, we welcome Rodrigo Ferreira, Investment Director at Vinthera, for a new episode of the EUVC podcast. As a VC investor at Vinthera, a hybrid venture capital fund, Rodrigo is backing top-performing VCs as an LP and their breakout companies across the US, Europe, and Israel.Prior to joining Vinthera, Rodrigo gained 5 years of experience backing VC fund managers across the globe as Principal and Investment Team lead at boutique fund of funds firm BFP.There he played a key role in over 20 fund investments and managed a portfolio of more than 50 funds with top decile aggregate returns.Before that, he gained experience in investment banking and asset management.Rodrigo holds an MSc in Finance from ESADE Business School in Barcelona, a BSc (Hons) in Economics, and a BSc in Management from the University of Lisbon, where he later sat on both the Advisory Board and Board of Directors.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:25 Co-Investing Strategies with Emerging Managers04:48 A Deep Dive into Diligencing Performance for Emerging Teams05:11 The Three Pillars of Evaluating Fund Performance05:57 Portfolio Construction: A Key Focus for Venture Capitalists07:21 Understanding Track Record and Team Dynamics10:21 The Art of Building a Concentrated Portfolio10:58 Emerging Managers and the Strategy of Concentration15:42 Co-Investment Strategies and Building Relationships17:00 Relationship Building in Venture Capital19:55 Diligencing the Partnership Fit with Managers22:39 The Long-Term Nature of LP-GP Relationships23:28 Closing Thoughts and Advice for Emerging Managers

Today, we are joined by David Dana.David is the Head of VC Investments at the European Investment Fund, leading the Disruptive Tech & Innovation VC Team with 10 investment professionals. He contributed to developing the new #InvestEU financing program of the EU, aiming at ensuring the technological sovereignty of Europe.Previously, he has been in charge of EIF investments in VC funds in France, Israel, and of the Luxembourg Future Fund. David was also overviewing EIF activities with Accelerators. Over 15 years, invested +€3.5B of capital in over 120 VC funds, mainly following deeptech strategies. Previously, spent 6 years as investment professional at SGAM AI Funds of Funds and senior advisor Corporate Finance at PWC.David is also a regular contributor to podcasts and speaker at industry events, expert in deeptech fields such as AI, Space, Web 3.0, Blockchain, Quantum Technologies, Semiconductors, Tech Transfer.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:04:03 Initial Thoughts on Emerging Managers04:35 Evaluating Added Value and Differentiation07:28 Challenges with Deep Tech Investments07:50 Assessing Company Performance and KPIs09:52 Co-Investors and Market Feedback10:29 First Meeting and Initial Questions11:29 Track Record and Full Cycle Experience12:43 Challenges with Exits in Europe14:38 Diligence and Replicability of Exits16:13 VC Management Experience17:47 Fund Models and Financial Theory20:20 Importance of a Strong Fund Model22:31 Submitting Proposals to EIF24:10 Combining Skills Within a Team27:42 Due Diligence for Second and Third Time Funds33:20 Advice for Emerging Managers

Join us as Tom Wilson from Seedcamp and Anthony Danon from Cocoa talk to Leng Lee, angel investor, co-founder & Chief Product Officer at Oui Therapeutics.Leng was previously the first employee at Codecademy where he was the Head of Product, before joining MongoDB as the Director of Product (Cloud). He later spent a year as a Research Fellow at the Columbia University Centre for Anxiety and Related Disorders, developing a virtual reality product for social anxiety.Leng is an Expert-in-Residence at Seedcamp, Europe’s leading seed investor. He is an active angel investor through Seedcamp, and the accelerator program Pioneer, and is an advisor to a number of SaaS companies. He is also on the product advisory board for Cambridge University Press.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:54 Leng's Journey into Angel Investing01:01 From Academia to Tech: A Career Transition04:16 Expanding Horizons: MongoDB and Beyond05:25 Advising Startups and Navigating the Ecosystem06:22 The Leap into Angel Investing07:23 Learning from Early Investment Experiences09:35 Developing an Investment Philosophy16:11 Evaluating Founders and Startups17:53 Evaluating Founders: The Art of Storytelling18:40 The No-Go Zone: Clarity and Engagement in Pitching19:21 Healthcare Investment Trends and Challenges22:28 Local vs Global: Angel Investing Perspectives23:11 The Dual Life: Balancing U.S. and UK Ventures25:24 Core Learnings from Angel Investing28:30 Supporting Founders: The Angel Investor's Dilemma

Today, we have Natasha Lytton with us.Natasha is the Director of Brand at Seedcamp, where she runs all things brand, network strategy, and post-investment activities. She creates the infrastructure and runs the team to support the portfolio of the fund that stands for over +460 companies. She loves discovering and helping to build startups that have the potential to radically change the future and who are shaping the world we want to be part of.Seedcamp first launched in 2007 to support European entrepreneurs in truly competing on a global scale. With investments in over 460 companies including publicly listed Romanian-founded, UiPath, Wise, and unicorns Revolut, wefox, and Pleo. Carlos is a published author, fellow podcaster and has been on the Forbes Midas List as one of the most influential VCs in Europe for more or less as long as yours truly has been alive.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:06 Journey from Startup Founder to Seedcamp Marketing05:57 Balancing Professional Growth and Parenthood16:04 Marketing in Venture Capital: Strategy and Impact22:09 Communicating with Clarity: Seedcamp's Approach to Messaging27:59 Strong Brand Identity in Venture Capital28:12 Navigating Brand Evolution and Market Positioning29:12 Reflecting on Seedcamp's Legacy and Future Direction30:37 Brand Alignment and Operational Practices31:37 The Continuous Evolution of Brand Strategy32:54 Challenging Operational Norms for Brand Integrity34:27 Embedding Marketing and Branding Across the Firm37:14 Content Creation: Strategy and Execution40:04 Supporting Founders with Seedcamp's Marketing43:48 Seedcamp’s Approach on Performance Marketing and KPIs57:11 Adapting to Change: The Evolution of Seedcamp's Community Engagement

Celebrating one of the finalists in the Newcomer of the Year category at this year’s European VC Awards, this episode dives deep with Clare Murray, co-founder and Managing Partner of Blume Equity.Blume Equity is a climate-tech growth equity firm investing in companies driving sustainable outcomes for planet and people. With offices in Amsterdam and London, and based in Luxembourg, the fund invests in European growth-stage companies, with core regions being the UK, Benelux, the Nordics, Germany, and Ireland.Some of the most notable investments include:Sensorfact, a provider of an IoT data solutions that enable European industrial SMEs to reduce energy usage.Aerones - a leading robotics company providing inspection and maintenance services to the wind turbine industry.Normative - a carbon accounting platform focusing on Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions for large enterprise clients.Matsmart Motatos - a Swedish company tackling FMCG food waste.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:03:29 Celebrating Bloom Equity's Nomination04:13 Claire's Journey to Co-Founding Bloom Equity06:36 Introducing the Co-Founders of Bloom Equity08:27 Bridging the Funding Gap in European Climate Tech09:35 Analyzing the European Funding Ecosystem25:19 Bloom Equity's Investment Thesis and Market Approach33:47 Exploring LP Bases and Global Investment Dynamics34:02 Growth Stage Investment Frustrations with Early Stage VCs34:38 Timing and Preparation for Market Entry36:32 The Importance of Strategic Venture Fund Relationships40:48 Navigating the Challenges of Establishing a New Fund44:37 Brand Building and Strategic Networking for Success48:02 Key Learnings on Personal and Professional Growth53:24 The Art of Influence and Valuation in Venture Investing

Today, we have with us David Bateman, Managing Partner at Claret Capital Partners a growth capital fund based in the United Kingdom.The venture capital fund has a total size of €297M with +€700M in AUM and focuses primarily on growth-stage and VC-backed deals with European companies that are typically post-Series B. As an investment thesis, they focus on technology and life science companies, and some of their most notable investments are in Abivax, Butternut Box, Holidu, and Veed.David has more than 20 years of experience in technology lending and financing. Prior to the buyout of Claret Capital from Harbert Management Corporation, he and Johan Kampe had co-founded Harbert European Growth Capital.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:03:17 David's Journey into Venture Capital05:37 The Role of Debt in Venture-Backed Businesses07:19 Venture Debt's Unique Position in Europe11:03 Optimal Timing for Venture Debt12:05 Sector-Specific Strategies for Venture Debt16:48 Key Players in the European Venture Debt Ecosystem21:36 Understanding the Terms of Venture Debt Deals27:26 Capital Return Timelines and LP Expectations28:21 Venture Debt in Different Market Conditions31:25 The European Venture Landscape36:30 Building Relationships with VCs and Entrepreneurs43:25 Learnings from the Latest Fundraising Round48:30 Advice for Emerging VCs and Final Thoughts

Today, we have a different episode for you, introducing you to the first episode of the newly launched Startups in Focus series by Seedcamp.This first episode features Carlos Espinal, Managing Partner of Seedcamp, in a conversation with Johannes Keienburg, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Cakewalk, on building access management processes.Their conversation revolves around:The importance of access control, visibility, and security in organizations.Insights on the need for access management processes.The challenges of data security.The evolution and future of access controls.… and more that you can discover on EUVC.Chapters:00:03 Launching Seedcamp Podcast Series: Startups in Focus00:45 Meet the Guests: Carlos Espinal and Johannes Kainberg01:14 Diving Deep into Access Management with Cakewalk03:02 Johannes's Journey to Founding Cakewalk05:05 Addressing the Challenges of Data Security05:45 Understanding Customer Outreach and Engagement10:33 Integrating SaaS Products for Enhanced Security10:46 The Future of Identity and Access Management15:57 Implementing Access Controls in Companies18:23 Envisioning the Future Organization with Cakewalk19:37 Role-Based Access and Its Evolution22:09 Advice for Founders on Early Security Steps25:49 Closing Thoughts and How to Connect

Today, we are joined by Michael Smith, the co-founder and General Partner of Regeneration.VC Fund II of $150M. Regeneration.VC is an early-stage venture fund supercharging consumer-powered climate innovation.Michael ran marketing & digital for Smith Broadcasting, a group of 20 network TV stations, before selling to Boston Ventures. Shortly thereafter, he followed his lifelong passion for music to become a touring DJ and performed alongside artists including Guns N Roses, Rihanna, and Diplo. In 2006, he launched The Playlist Generation, one of the world's largest background music providers. In 2010, he co-founded Creative Space, a real estate firm with a portfolio of 80 adaptive reuse projects between Los Angeles and San Francisco. After successfully exiting both companies in 2015, Michael formed Ponvalley, an environmentally focused family office initiative comprising philanthropy, research, and impact investments. He convened Shared Mission, an emergency climate summit with Former VP Al Gore, General Wesley Clark, the Department of Energy, and Harvard leadership.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:01:28 From DJ to Venture Capitalist: Michael's Unique Journey03:34 The Power of Branding in Venture and Music04:09 Specialization in Climate Tech Investing14:04 Understanding Circularity in Sustainable Investing25:02 The Role of LPs and Celebrity Influence in Climate Tech32:31 Navigating Corporate Partnerships and Impact Goals45:55 Finding Your Tribe and Embracing Change48:39 Venture Capital Insights: Specialization and Navigating the Market50:11 The Art of Perseverance in Venture Capital52:04 Building Long-Term Relationships in Venture Investing54:53 The Intersection of Venture Capital and Talent Management01:01:14 Exploring the Potential of Generative AI in Music and Beyond01:04:36 The Future of Music: AI's Role and Industry Insights01:09:30 Venture Capital Meets Music: A Unique Blend of Talents

Celebrating one of the finalists in the Firm of The Year-category at this year’s European VC Awards, this episodes dives deep with Stephen Chandler, Co-founder & Managing Partner of Notion Capital. With 1.1 bn€ under management and 5 flagship funds under their belt, Notion is one of Europe’s absolute top firms and in this episode, Stephen dives into a level of detail rarely seen discussing everything from the guiding principles building Notion to the process and learnings from raising their latest fund. I highly encourage you to read Stephen’s notes below and tune in for this episode. I truly think this is one of our best to date. Notion at glimpse:Fund Name: Notion CapitalFund size: €300m (Fund V)AUM: €1.1bnHQ Country: UKTarget Stage: Series A focus, but invest across pre-seed to growthTarget Geography: Pan EuropeanTarget Sector/Vertical: Business Software & FintechNotable Investments: CurrencyCloud, Easol, GoCardless, Mews Systems, Paddle, Upvest, YulifeFrom the principles building Notion to the learnings from raising fund V oversubscribed and the decision to clone his dog, this episode is one of our best to date. Don't miss Stephen's notes on eu.vc - they're legendary.Big shout out to our Firm of The Year Sponsor Haynes Boone.And you don't have to take it from themselves, take it from one of their long term clients, Joe Schorge: "Having worked together for many years now, they fully understand the Isomer ethos and process, and we really appreciate the value that this long-term relationship brought to this mandate from start to finish. We look forward to continuing to work with Karma, Ronan, Will and the rest of team.” Naturally, we’re incredibly excited about having the Haynes Boone team with us as sponsors of the Firm of The Year Awards - yet another testament to their support for the EUVC ecosystem. We strongly encourage you get in touch with Karma and the team for a great experience 🔥

Join us as Tom Wilson from Seedcamp and Anthony Danon from Cocoa talk to Christoph Deckert, Strategy Expert at Personio. Christoph has a unique mix of operating experience with +7 years of working with Personio, the European HRTech unicorn. Personio now has +2000 employees across 7-8 different European and US offices and a portfolio of more than 12K customers.Christoph joined the company very early on and took on different responsibilities to take Personio’s customer growth to the next level, shape the organizational culture and structures, and hire the right people to support this mission.His passion and journey towards angel investing became very organic after having different conversations with other founders. After one particular talk that he enjoyed, he decided to support that startup without being fully aware of what angel investment is.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:36 From Personio to Angel Investing03:43 Memorable Deals and Investment Philosophy06:22 The Personal and Professional Growth from Angel Investing09:18 Chris's Angel Investing Strategy17:43 Networking and Collaboration With VCs and Other Angels21:02 Core Learnings from Angel Investing26:05 Building and Leveraging Networks31:19 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

Today, we have with us Stephan Heller, Founding Partner at AlphaQ Venture Capital. AQVC is an innovative, evergreen VC fund of funds focused on small VCs globally and democratizing diversified access to venture capital.Stephan is a seasoned tech entrepreneur and investor passionate about nurturing the next generation of innovative companies, developing robust platforms, and cultivating thriving ecosystems. Over the past 15 years, he has been deeply involved in the entrepreneurial landscape. Stephan also co-founded five companies, including a leading deep-tech startup accelerator for one of the largest high-tech corporates in the world and establishing a successful and innovative VC fund of funds.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:13 Diving Deep into AQVC's Approach00:35 Stefan's Unique Framework for Evaluating Funds03:24 The Criteria for Evaluating Emerging Managers03:38 Alignment and Uniqueness in Funds04:14 Evaluating First-Time Funds: Challenges and Strategies05:09 The Hustler Mentality in Venture Capital05:59 Building a Firm with a Vision06:37 Technical Aspects of Fund Evaluation08:26 The Journey from First to Second Time Funds09:03 The Role of Reference Calls in Due Diligence10:46 Deep Dive into Track Record Validation11:27 The Challenge of Investing in First-Time Investors18:39 Evaluating Fund Performance and Strategy Execution21:18 Understanding DPI Creation in Third Time Funds24:04 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

Today, we have Carina Namih and Sten Tamkivi with us. Carina and Sten are Partners at Plural, a 400M EUR early-stage venture fund to back ambitious European founders on massive missions with hands-on help from experienced operators.Plural launched in June 2022 with the aim to give serious founders in Europe investors with company-building experience to match their ambition. Plural’s mission is to have a GDP-level impact on Europe, address systemic risks, and reduce the opportunity gap worldwide through the companies it backs.Plural has just announced its second fund with a total of 650M AUM and an established portfolio of 25 companies and notable investments, including Ready Player Me, Robin AI, and Unitary. Plural’s team is split between Tallinn, Estonia (where Sten is from) and London (where Carina is from).Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:01:37 Karina's Journey from Biotech Founder to Venture Capitalist03:14 Stan's Path: From Entrepreneur to Plural Partner04:57 Raising a Fund in a Challenging Market07:02 Plural's Investment Strategy and Focus15:52 Plural's Unique Approach to Adding Value for Founders23:03 Scaling the Impact: Plural's Vision for Europe's Tech Ecosystem25:21 Addressing the Critiques: A Candid Look at the VC Landscape29:25 Challenging the Status Quo in VC Practices30:20 The Philosophy Behind Investment Decisions30:47 Strategic Follow-On Investment Approach31:55 Innovative Decision-Making in Investment Committees34:02 The Unique Approach to Follow-On Investments42:14 Building the Plural Platform: Insights and Strategies58:13 Uncommon Beliefs and the Future of European Tech

Today, we are joined by Mikko Silventola for a new episode of the SuperAngel podcast. Mikko is an angel investor, and Venture Partner at Superangel. 😉Mikko invests his own capital, but also via Magnetic Global Fund (Index Ventures Angel Fund), and he likes to provide capital for the underdogs in the ecosystem. He was the first investor in companies like:Bolt (previously Taxify, first investor & hands-on advisor, raised >$2B from Sequoia)Hugo (raised >$100M from TMT Investments, DST Global etc. Acquired by Delivery Hero)PayMongo (raised >$45M from Stripe, Founders Fund, Thiel)Mikko also has a solid track record in the internationalization of companies in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. He spent the past 10 years in Asia and the Middle East operating in the private equity sector, focusing on advising early-stage companies, angel investing, M&A advisory, and fundraising.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:02:30 Miko's Angel Investing Journey03:32 Transition to Venture Business and Global Investments07:23 Defining the Superpower of an Angel Investor09:15 Strategic Angel Investing and Portfolio Management10:20 The Art of Following On in Investments12:44 Navigating Challenges and Opportunities in Venture Capital22:05 Investment Philosophy and Identifying Potential Unicorns26:12 Selecting the Right VCs and Avoiding Pitfalls33:34 Personal Reflections and Life Lessons35:13 The Concept of Life Design and Work-Life Balance40:07 Investing Without Borders: A Global Perspective40:28 Analyzing the Strengths of the Nordic and Baltic Startup Ecosystem

The landscape of venture capital is evolving, and Isomer Capital is at the forefront with its new fund designed to meet the dynamic needs of the European venture capital market.We sat down with Joe Schorge and Omolade Adebisi from Isomer to talk through the market, the strategy and the future. Well-worth a watch as we open up the deck that raised the fund and tap the brains that incept and run it. But let’s get the headline numbers in place:100 M€ Fund dedicated to secondaries exclusively.65-75% of dedicated to acquiring Limited Partner (LP) interests in existing VC funds.An additional 15-25% is earmarked for direct secondaries in companies, providing crucial liquidity to stakeholders.The remaining funds, up to 15%, are reserved for discretionary investments, which may include buying stakes or carry from general partners.This strategic distribution of funds is a response to the current market conditions where many European VCs have yet to realize significant returns from their investments. These circumstances often necessitate liquidity solutions for personal reasons—such as purchasing homes or funding private education—or professional requirements like meeting General Partner (GP) commitments for raising new funds.Typical ticket sizes range from €1 million to €10 million injecting much-needed flexibility and liquidity across Europe's venture capital ecosystem and broadening Isomer’s impact beyond the traditional fund of funds model to include any Europe-based fund or startup 💖Hope you’ll enjoy the read and watch on eu.vc and the listen here on your pod player 🙏

Rainer Märkle is the General Partner of HV Capital, €380m Venture and €400m Growth fund, with almost €3BN AUM.Rainer joined HV 15 years ago. In his third week at the firm, HV invested in Zalando. Accompanying the founders of Zalando from seed to IPO and beyond has been the most rewarding chapter in his VC career. It taught him that anything is possible, boundaries are imaginary, and amazing things can happen by working in the right set-up. Aside from this, he has been involved in big exit stories with HelloFresh, Quandoo, and Stylight. Some of his other highlights include working with Scalable Capital, Alasco and finn.auto.In his spare time, Rainer is a family guy. He also likes to push boundaries in sports, participating in the Ironman World Championships Hawaii and many other endurance events.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:03:16 Rainer’s Journey: From Engineer to VC04:04 Diving Deep into HV Capital07:21 Transitioning from Corporate VC to Independent Fundraising10:56 Raising Funds in a Challenging Market13:26 Maintaining Trust with Existing LPs16:03 Keep Your Principles Against Market Hype30:57 Strategies for Achieving Fundraising Goals32:39 The Importance of DPI in Fundraising34:33 Balancing Act: Liquidity vs. Value Potential37:34 Decision-Making Dynamics Within the Firm39:29 Adjusting Strategies and Narratives in Changing Markets42:05 Insights for Emerging VCs and Fundraising Challenges44:30 Shout Outs to Emerging Managers and Partners48:26 Key Learnings from the Latest Fundraise51:43 Advice for Younger Selves and Emerging VCs

We continue our discussion on Fundraising during and after the tech reset, as part of our little hype parade ahead of the launch of the State of European VC Fundraising Report. Today, we have with us two close friends of the pod: Carlos Eduardo Espinal from Seedcamp and Bogdan Iordache from Underline Ventures.Carlos Eduardo Espinal is a Managing Partner at Seedcamp, arguably, Europe's leading seed fund, first launched in 2007 to support European entrepreneurs truly compete on a global scale. With investments in over 460 companies including publicly listed Romanian-founded, UiPath, Wise and unicorns Revolut, wefox and Pleo. Carlos is a published author, fellow podcaster and has been on the Forbes Midas List as one of the most influential VCs in Europe for more or less as long as yours truly has been alive.Bogdan Iordache is the Founding GP of Underline Ventures, a $20M seed fund in Romania and the first solo GP in the region. Bogdan and his team are focusing on backing Eastern European founders with global ambitions, and though I just said vertical-agnostic, Underline does pay extra attention to enterprise automation, AI, cybersecurity, industrial tech, defense, and climate-related startups 🌳.Chapters:00:14 Shifting Sands and the Rise of New LPs00:32 Seedcamp and Underline Ventures04:52 Shifting Sands and Impact on Emerging Managers05:43 Bogdan's Journey Through the Tech Reset07:58 Carlos's Insights on Supporting Emerging Managers10:23 The Challenges of Fundraising12:00 The Tech Reset on VC Funding17:10 Raising Fund Six and the Importance of Fund Size21:02 The Art of Fundraising and Learning from LPs26:27 Exploring Overlooked Geographies in Venture Capital39:00 The Role of Community and Background in VC47:44 Reflecting on the Evolution of the Venture Ecosystem50:02 Closing Thoughts on GPLP Relationships and Emerging Managers

We sat down with Daniel Keiper Knorr, founding partner of Speedinvest for a discussion on what he thinks allowed them to raise 500 million during and after the tech reset.What ensued was a conversation revealing how Speedinvest decided to diverge from traditional VC practices by dedicating substantial resources including the full time attention Daniel, one of the founding partners, to fundraising and investor relations.This conversation ONLY focuses on the raise process, dynamics and learnings, to understand the thesis behind the fund, go read the original launch post of Speedinvest IV by Oliver Holle.Chapters:03:34 Daniel's Journey into Venture Capital04:02 The Evolution of Speedinvest05:15 The Unique Approach to Fundraising06:28 Navigating Fund Generations07:21 Experiencing Market Cycles and Pivots08:28 The Strategy Behind Speedinvest's Latest Raise11:22 Adapting to Changing Market Conditions12:26 The Impact of Macroeconomic Changes on Fundraising16:19 Pivoting the Narrative Around the Fund21:11 Differentiating Between Seed and Growth Stage Investing24:56 Advice for Fund Managers Raising in Europe26:03 Understanding LP Preferences and Building Relationships27:41 Creating Urgency Among LPs28:53 Thoughts and Advice for Future FundraisersKey learnings from the episodeEconomic sensitivity and its implications for venture capitalOne of the most striking revelations from Daniel’s experience is the profound impact of global economic conditions on venture capital dynamics. He delves into how the sudden shift in LP inquiries from portfolio-centric to macroeconomic concerns mirrored the broader economic uncertainties, highlighting the necessity for VCs to be economically astute. This sensitivity to macroeconomic shifts is not just about staying informed but about integrating this understanding into the strategic narrative of the fund. Daniel’s recount of adapting Speedinvest’s narrative in response to changing economic sentiments underscores the importance of this adaptability not as a reactionary measure but as a strategic imperative. It serves as a compelling reminder that venture capital, while focused on the future, must navigate the present’s economic realities.The art and science of LP communicationDaniel’s emphasis on transparent and ongoing communication with LPs underscores a fundamental pillar of successful venture capital operations. The strategic approach to communication — viewed through the lens of building trust and managing expectations — is both an art and a science. Daniel illustrates how Speedinvest’s preemptive communication strategy, especially in times of strategic pivots or market volatilities, has been instrumental in reinforcing trust with LPs. This proactive engagement goes beyond regular updates, encompassing a nuanced understanding of LP preferences, concerns, and the strategic dissemination of information to mitigate surprises and align expectations. It’s a testament to the view that in the realm of venture capital, effective communication is as crucial as financial acumen.Navigating shifts with agility and insightThe conversation further illuminates the critical importance of agility in the face of market shifts. Daniel’s narrative brings to life the concept of strategic adaptability — not just as a response to changing market conditions but as a proactive stance in anticipation of these changes. This agility, underpinned by a thorough understanding of both the venture ecosystem and broader economic indicators, is pivotal for the relevance and efficacy of venture funds in fluctuating times. It’s about the capacity to pivot not just in strategy but in the narrative, ensuring that the fund remains aligned with the evolving priorities and concerns of investors.Leverage of experience in winning confidenceSpeedinvest’s journey through various economic cycles, as narrated by Daniel, accentuates the invaluable role of experience in the venture capital landscape. This seasoned expertise, characterized by a history of navigating booms and busts, is a cornerstone in building and sustaining LP confidence, particularly during turbulent market conditions. Daniel’s reflection on Speedinvest’s strategic decisions, underpinned by decades of collective experience, underscores the trust that experience engenders in investors. It’s a poignant reminder of the weight that history and track record carry in the venture capital arena.The strategic importance of local marketsFinally, Daniel’s insights on the significance of local markets in Speedinvest’s fundraising success story offer a compelling perspective on the value of nurturing local investor relationships. Despite the allure of global expansion, the substantial support from within Austria highlights the untapped potential and strategic importance of home markets. This aspect of Speedinvest’s strategy underlines a broader lesson for the venture capital community: the power of local ecosystems as a bedrock for support and growth. It challenges the ventu

Today, we are meeting with Ertan Can, the Founding General Partner of Multiple Capital, a venture capital fund based in Luxembourg.Ertan has just closed his third fund with a target of $50M after investing already in companies like NP-Hard, Angular, Airstreet (1), Lunar, Fly, Inflection, Foreword by Declan, and Remote First Capital by Andi Klinger, Nomad by Marc McCabe.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:54 Deep Dive into Ertan Can's Third Fund and Investment Strategy04:07 Ertan's Journey from Family Office to Micro VC06:04 Challenges and Learnings from Raising Fund III08:13 Navigating the European Fundraising Landscape13:47 Strategic Shifts in LP Engagement and Fundraising Realities21:29 Understanding the Micro VC Ecosystem and Fund Size Dynamics35:42 Evaluating Emerging Managers and Fund Performance37:50 The Role of Randomness in Fund Success and Investment Strategy39:55 Evaluating Investment Consistency and Strategy40:34 The Importance of Building a Strong Network41:07 Performance Metrics: Beyond Early Success43:14 Assessing Portfolio Company Progress and Entry Valuations53:23 The Rise of Fund of Funds in Europe54:03 The Role of LPs in the Venture Ecosystem01:03:02 Advice for Emerging Managers and Fundraising Challenges01:13:42 Personal Reflections and Future DirectionsKey Learnings from the episode Acceptance of Power LawOne must acknowledge that not all VC funds, especially first-time funds, will be outperformers. Ertan works from an expectation that a minority, perhaps 10 to 20 percent, will become outlier funds, with the remainder performing average or below average.Role of RandomnessErtan Can notes the randomness in fund success, citing that outliers in his experience have come from unexpected places, suggesting a belief in the potential rather than the certainty of each fund being a standout.AssessmentBeyond Immediate PerformanceThe transition from a first to a second fund often does not provide sufficient time to demonstrate real performance in terms of markups or DPI. Early successes or markups are seen as unsustainable for predicting future performance.Consistency and FocusErtan values the consistency of the emerging manager with their initial strategy and approach. He looks favorably upon GPs who remain focused on their initial thesis and do not chase current market hypes or trends without a well-thought-out reason for any strategic shifts.Networking and Co-investor QualityThe ability of a GP to build a network, attract follow-on investments from reputable names, and be invited to competitive rounds is viewed as more important than early performance metrics.Entry Valuations as KPIsAn important KPI for Ertan is the range of entry valuations a fund manager secures. Investing at lower entry valuations, indicative of conviction and an earlier investment stage, is preferred over higher entry valuations that might follow market signals or competitiveness.Brand Building and RecognitionBuilding a recognizable brand and becoming the go-to GP in a specific region, vertical, or niche is deemed more crucial than first-fund numbers. Recognition in the ecosystem can be a more significant indicator of future success than immediate performance data.Advice for Emerging ManagersErtan advises maintaining consistency, having a well-defined market thesis, and resisting the urge to significantly upscale the fund size or pivot strategies to follow current hypes. Managers should focus on being recognized as experts in their specific focus areas, which is seen as vital in a competitive market.Q: Advice for your 10 year younger self.Take advice more seriously.Dont underestimate the fundraising part.10y ago was my inflection point, so did right, but than after…Q: Advice for fundraising managersTry to identify the most realistic LPs for you. And that might be the closest, people in your network, like other angel investors, founders who invest in funds, smaller family offices, and also corporates as they might be strategic and strategic partners. So try to think before you're reaching out to everyone in a broad sweeping approach. I think most of that will be noise and will not be helpful.Try to use intros. If people who are well-considered in the market makes an introduction to a fund that increases the probability that someone looks at your fund from a different view.Try not to change your strategy every six months. Don’t adapt to a new strategy just because it is easier to raise capital. Just try to be very focused on what you do. And if that focus does not lead to raising a fund. So be it, I think that's better than raising a fund with a different focus just because of raising a fund.Q: The most counterintuitive thing learned in venture.Invest in people you don’t like.

In this roundtable, we pull the curtain back on some of the core insights from our upcoming State of European VC Fundraising-report and dive deep on the impact of the tech reset for fundraising managers, discuss GP/LP dynamics and uncover how VCs best navigate the current fundraising environment. For the conversation, we brought together some of the most respected investors in our ecosystem:Daniel Keiper-Knorr, Founding GP at SpeedinvestJoe Schorge, Founding GP at Isomer CapitalEkaterina Almasque, General Partner at OpenOceanChristian Hjort Pedersen, VC Fund Investor at IIP Denmark..And to moderate the whole thing; Tom Hughes Ellis & eu.vc’s Andreas Munk Holm.Watch it on eu.vc 👀 Get the full report before anyone else on floww.io/raise ! 👀Together with our good friends at Isomer Capital and Floww, we’ve spent the winter digging into 300+ interviews as well as the latest market data and Isomer Capital’s vaulted data treasures to uncover how the tech reset has impacted the fundraising market in Europe and how leading VCs across the continent have changed their strategies, tactics and operational handbook.Filled with graphs, beautiful narratives and video interviews providing an entirely new and engaging experience, we’ve created an unparalleled learning experience you won’t just sift through, but actually spend real time with.

Join us as Tom Wilson from Seedcamp and Anthony Danon from Cocoa talk to Eva Spannagl, co-founder & Managing Director of Climatos.Eva is a builder. She loves to build things and see their outcomes come to life, and she loves to work with people who are building something. Previously, she worked at McKinsey and at Moss, an early-stage FinTech startup from Berlin.Now, Eva is leading Climatos, a company that builds mini solar panels for urban spaces while nurturing her passion for angel investing.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:48 Eva's Journey from Consulting to Angel Investing03:04 Eva's First Investment Story03:55 The Motivation Behind Becoming an Angel Investor05:25 Eva's Approach to Angel Investing05:32 Memorable Deals and the Impact of Angel Investing08:52 Eva's Investment Thesis and Strategy11:03 Portfolio Diversification and Founder Support18:46 The Value of Collaboration with VCs and the Angel Community22:05 Core Learnings from Angel Investing26:42 Testing for Founder Drive and Attitude

In the Investing and Scaling in Romania and Beyond webinar, we talk about the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem of Central and Eastern Europe, with a specific focus on Romania. From celebrating the local technical skills and historical engineering heritage, countries in CEE examine the nuances of building a startup with a global mindset from day one.Our guests discuss the 'UiPath effect', highlighting how success stories like of this one company have inspired new entrepreneurs and attracted increased attention and resources from the venture capital world.In essence, the webinar provides a comprehensive, nuanced, and up-to-date exploration of the Eastern European startup and venture capital landscape, making it a must-watch for investors, founders, and anyone interested in the local tech scene of Romania and its surrounding regions.Listen to it here or watch it on eu.vc for a discussion on:How to crack the code: Understand the challenges and opportunities shaping the Romanian ecosystem.Empowering the future: Delve into the status and growth prospects for women-led startups in the region.Scaling beyond borders: Learn how to overcome challenges and adapt global best practices to the Romanian context from the people who have done it.Pioneering Deep Tech: Explore the intricacies of launching, backing, and scaling a deep tech company in Romania and the region.Success stories: Get inspired by real-life case studies of thriving Romanian scale-ups.This event is a part of the CO-INVESTIN project, focusing on understanding and improving European investment ecosystems.Chapters:00:26 The Venture Ecosystem in CEE04:56 Romania's Flourishing Ecosystem: Insights and Success Stories07:34 The Technical Talent and Entrepreneurial Mindset in Romania09:37 Challenges and Opportunities for Romanian Startups12:51 Investor Perspectives: The Appeal of Romanian Startups17:27 The UiPath Effect: A Catalyst for Romanian Innovation23:05 The Global Impact of Romanian Startups and the UiPath Legacy29:40 Investment Strategies and Considerations in CEE34:06 Investment Trends and Pricing in the Startup Ecosystem37:42 Local vs. Global: Startup Challenges in the CEE Region40:07 Unique Challenges of Building Startups in CEE41:23 The Role of Engineering Culture in Startup Success43:24 The Critical Need for More Capital in the Ecosystem55:16 Addressing Diversity and Gender Gaps in Tech

Today, we have Davor Hebel with us. Davor is the Managing Partner at Eight Roads, a $11bn global venture platform. The firm has over 450 portfolio companies, including 60 IPOs and many unicorns, such as Alibaba, Toast, Flywire, Chewy, Hibob, Neo4j, and Fever. Eight Roads invests in companies at scale-up stages (usually rounds A-C) and helps them win globally.Davor runs the Europe and Israel franchise with around 45 companies and $1.5bn AUM. Davor’s investments count leaders across SaaS, consumer, digital health, and fintech sectors, including Hibob, Appsflyer, Fever, Fireblocks, Owkin, Wallapop, ScyllaDB, Red Points, Packlink (sold to Auctane), Rimilia (Blackline), Innogames (MTG), and Treatwell (Recruit).Davor was born in Croatia and studied in the US. Davor is also passionate about sports, and he still tries to find time for some rowing, tennis, and Barry’s Bootcamp 🙂 whilst raising his 3 kids (11, 9, and 6).Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:01:03 Davor's Journey: From in Venture Capital03:50 The Role of a VC: Beyond Investment04:12 Empathy and Support: The VC Approach to Entrepreneurship06:05 Balancing Business and Personal Life in Entrepreneurship06:53 The Evolution of a Founder's Role11:22 The Future of Technology: AI's Impact14:42 AI in Venture Capital: A Tool for Success17:00 The European Entrepreneurial Landscape: From Ice Age to Innovation19:45 The Growth and Potential of European Startups22:27 US Investor Participation in Europe24:06 Navigating the VC Landscape in a Changing Europe30:20 Davor's Top Learnings from a Decade in Venture Capital

Today, we have Christine Tsai with us.Christine is the CEO and Founding Partner at 500 Global, a multi-stage venture firm in Silicon Valley with $2.4B in AUM, which has backed 2,900 companies operating in 80+ countries. 500 has invested in 35+ companies valued at over $1 billion and 160+ companies valued at over $100 million (including private, public, and exited companies)³.This includes companies like Canva, Talkdesk, Grab, Lucidchart, eFishery, Credit Karma, Intercom, Twilio, Sendgrid, and more.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:09 Diving Deep into 500 Global's Evolution03:02 Christine Tsai's Personal Journey into Venture Capital10:22 500 Global's Unique Approach to Venture Capital14:07 Diverse Backgrounds in Venture Capital27:41 VC Unlocked in Educating Emerging Managers40:42 The Early Bird Gets the Worm: Investing in Startups41:15 The Challenges and Opportunities of Accelerators41:51 Navigating the Accelerator Landscape: Tips for Founders42:48 Spotlight on Global Accelerator Success Stories43:30 The Evolution of Venture Capital: From Skepticism to Success44:02 Venture Capital's Herd Mentality vs. Disruptive Investing48:39 Leading the Charge: Transitioning from Co-Investor to Lead Investor01:08:23 Balancing Act: Navigating Work and Family Life in Venture Capital

Join us for a new episode of the NEUVC series dedicated to those embarking on their journey in the VC. In this episode, Freddie Macpherson, Associate at Isomer Capital, and Linda Võeras, Investment Manager at Karma Ventures, are joined by Marie Brayer, Partner at Fly Ventures.Fly Ventures is an early-stage deep tech and tech-heavy B2B software specialist fund. They are the first-check VC for technical founders and invest from day zero to seed, backing founders from all over Europe.Marie has a background in finance and a keen interest in engineering. Before joining Fly Ventures in 2022, she worked with Serena Capital, where she invested and worked with more than 10 French B2B startups, including Descartes Underwriting, Lifen, Malt, and Kili Technology.Marie is always looking to help founders who really want to take on a huge technical challenge. Make sure to listen to Marie’s inspiring story on today’s podcast episode below.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:58 Marie's Journey into Venture Capital03:54 From Software Engineering to Venture Capital06:23 The Evolution of the French Tech Ecosystem08:35 Expanding Horizons: From France to Europe10:20 Joining Fly Ventures: A New Chapter11:47 The Changing Landscape for Technical Founders in Europe12:26 Education and Ecosystems in Tech Success16:53 The Diverse Paths to Success in European Tech20:22 The Strategy Behind Winning Deals Across Europe22:46 Supporting Deep Tech Founders: Risks and Rewards29:27 Navigating the European VC Landscape42:02 The Future of Board Dynamics in Early-Stage Startups47:08 The Power of Side Projects in Venture Capital49:40 Advice for New VCs: Embrace the Intensity

If one of your guilty pleasures is watching four wealthy, over-the-top opinionated talking heads every weekend, you may recall that Chamath Palihapitiya predicted that 2024 will be the year that bitcoin becomes a mainstream asset. We brought together three true crypto native VCs to discuss crypto’s comeback, recent trends and where we’re headed.Listen to it here or watch it on eu.vc for a discussion on:The State of the crypto market overallWhat has been built in the last few years?Challenges for crypto to overcome in the coming yearsThe impact of global regulations on crypto.Key growth drivers, innovations and hot sectorsWhat makes our panelists excited?Predictions for the future of crypto investments.Sustainability and ethics in crypto investingThe PanelistsJan Baeriswyl, GP at very early Ventures has deep expertise in token design and a dedication to working closely with founders. Veryearly is one of Europe’s leading first time funds in supporting the builders of critical Web3 infrastructure. They focus on helping founders design products, protocols, and tokens with a technical hands-on approach. We recently announced our investment in Very Early - check it out here for a spotlight on what we believe a rising star in crypto looks like.Felix Machart, Partner at Greenfield Capital is an expert in crypto-economics, governance, and crypto capital markets at large. Greenfield is a European crypto investment firm and long-term backers of early developer teams building toward an open, decentralized, and more robust architecture of tomorrow’s web.Anirudh P., Partner at Dragonfly has a track record of identifying new trends early and making bold bets on contrarian theses. Dragonfly are crypto-natives who have been investing and building for 10+ years. Founded in 2018, dragonfly brings access and influence to help crypto teams with global aspirations find innovation and adoption anywhere.Chapters:00:00 Opening Remarks and Roundtable Context01:58 Introducing the Crypto Investment Experts02:49 Diverse Investment Strategies in Crypto06:59 Current State and Future Prospects of the Crypto Market18:38 Stablecoins and Geopolitical Implications22:39 Navigating Regulatory Compliance and Crypto's Ethos23:56 Demographic Challenges and Crypto's Role in Global Policy25:50 Addressing Crypto's Main Challenges: Privacy, Security, and Usability30:55 Distributed systems and Governance in Crypto35:24 Predicting the Market's Future

Join us as we step back and chart the evolution of European VC with a true O.G. Roundtable:Yaron Valler, Founding Partner at Target GlobalChris Wade, Founding Partner at Isomer CapitalKerry Baldwin, Founding Partner at IQ CapitalAnd moderated by Andreas Munk Holm from EUVC and Gabriel Shin, CFA from Vauban from Carta 🎙️Chapters:00:02:28 The Transformation of European Venture Capital00:08:57 Challenges and Misalignments in the Venture Capital Landscape00:11:43 Navigating the Cyclical Nature of Venture Capital00:19:35 The Impact of Government and Regulation on European VC00:30:29 Approachability of Senior Politicians in Europe00:30:53 The Role of VCs in European Policy and Politics00:31:33 The Impact of AI on Society and the Economy00:35:41 The Importance of Data in Shaping Policies00:38:03 Changing Expectations and Needs of Founders00:41:27 The Role of Accelerators and Incubators00:48:44 The Importance of Governance and Board Readiness in VC00:50:55 What LPs Look for in European VentureWatch the webinar eu.vc or listen on Apple/Spotify 🎧 This roundtable is brought to you in partnership with Carta, the easiest way to launch & run your fund and syndicates.It’s no secret that we at eu.vc are happy and heavy users of the Carta platform as it allows us to be creators turned angels without bogging us down in back-office hassle of investing. For a very special treatment, go here to let the Carta team know you’re coming from the eu.vc community 🤗

Today, we have Vincent Touati-Tomas with us. Vincent is the Head of Marketing at Northzone, a global VC firm Northzone that has raised more than ten funds to date, with its most recent fundraising in excess of €1 billion, investing in startups from Seed to Growth.Northzone is investing out of Fund X and more than 80 active portfolio companies and notable investments, including Personio, Klarna, Kahoot, Spotify, and Spring Health. At Northzone, Vincent focuses on all things marketing.Now, Vincent is one of the great thinkers and practitioners of marketing in European VC, and we're so lucky that he has taken the time to structure his thoughts on the topic for us in this episode. So, you're in for a real master class.Some might be a bit hard to follow if you're not doing marketing in your day-to-day, but I urge you to stay tuned because there's so much to learn for any VC thinking about how to build and grow their firm and its impact. So strap in, and let's hear from Vincent.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:02:18 Vincent's Journey into Venture Capital00:04:15 The Power of Podcasting in Vincent's Career00:05:51 Marketing Strategies for VC Firms: Insights from North Zone00:18:36 Building Relationships and the Importance of Content in VC00:39:54 The Transparency Challenge in European Venture Capital00:40:48 The Importance of Public Performance Metrics00:43:18 Liquidity and Performance: A European Perspective00:46:46 Marketing and Operations: Dream Structures for VC Firms00:56:03 Building a VC Brand: Narrative and Franchise Development

Join us as our own Andreas Munk Holm and Anthony Danon from Cocoa talk to Elsa Hermal, angel investor and co-founder of Epicery, about impact investing, diverse teams, and economic resilience.An exited impact entrepreneur turned founders mentor, Elsa empowers CEOs and C-levels to navigate both strategic and human challenges, leveraging her entrepreneurial expertise to guide them and their teams toward sustainable growth.With a dedicated 100% impact investment portfolio, Elsa is also a proud backer of Satgana, the climate tech fund we recently announced our investment into, whose final close is just around the corner with a 4.2x TVPI.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:00:00 Welcome to the Super Angel Podcast00:01:08 Elsa's Journey into Angel Investing00:03:38 Investment Philosophy: Impact Over Profit00:04:28 Exploring Unconventional Investment Areas00:05:14 Balancing Purpose and Profit in Investments00:12:26 The Future of Mental Health00:14:30 Deep Dive into Psychedelics00:30:13 Elsa's Investment Strategy and Core Learnings

Today, we have Jan Voss with us. Jan is the Head of Family Office at BLN Capital, a Berlin-based Single Family Office. BLN invests across almost all asset classes but has historically been most active in early-stage ventures in Germany as well as the VC and PE fund space.AT BLN, Jan leads a three-person investment team focused on long-term investments across almost all asset classes. Jan is also a very active author on LinkedIn with over 15,000 followers, regularly sharing insights into family offices, venture capital, and asset allocation with his readers.BLN manages over 100M€ in assets and has an established portfolio of 30+ companies and notable investments, including Kittl, PowerUs, and Meine Erde.Jan is also the Managing Director of Cape May Wealth. Cape May Wealth is a Berlin-based wealth management firm. They aim to make family office investment knowledge available to everyone to help entrepreneurs make better decisions regarding their wealth.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:05:18 - Balancing Moonshots and Profitability00:07:54 - The Mistake of Family Offices in VC Investments00:13:00 - The Value of European VCs00:20:29 - Secondaries and Venture Debt00:23:03 - The Versatility of Growth Funds in the German Market00:25:36 - Investments in Private Equity and Venture Capital00:30:39 - The Pros and Cons of Large Funds and Small Market Investments00:33:06 - Direct VC Investments and Portfolio Strategy00:35:41 - Different approaches to investing00:38:17 - The Importance of Tracking Companies' Progress00:40:55 - VC Fund Behavior and Courage00:45:57 - Three Biggest Learnings from the Past 10 Years00:48:19 - Being proactive and driving personal traction00:53:11 - Tips for Emerging VCs00:58:22 - Contradictory Communication Styles

Today, we have Julia Hawkins with us. Julia is a General Partner at Phoenix Court, a $1.5bn AUM EMEA multi-stage tech investor, backing the most ambitious founders on their journey from seed through to public markets and beyond over the last two decades.LocalGlobe is the pre-seed and seed fund investing out of Phoenix Court’s Fund 12 with an established portfolio of over 200 companies with notable investments including At-Bay, Motorway, Zego and Improbable. At Phoenix Court, Julia focuses on health and hard tech and led investments into AccuRx, Oxford Nanopore, Vaccitech, and more recently Spore Bio and Early Health.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:00:00 Welcome to the European VC Podcast with Julia Hawkins00:00:26 Diving Deep into Phoenix Court and Multi-Stage Investing00:04:22 Julia Hawkins' Journey into Venture Capital00:15:44 The Impact of Personal Experiences on Professional Paths00:18:27 Exploring the Future of Hard Tech in Europe00:34:09 Exploring Healthcare Innovations and Community Impact00:34:33 The Unique Approach of Local Globe in Healthcare Investments00:35:25 Building Relationships and Community in the Healthcare Sector00:44:21 Mentorship and Diversity in Venture Capital00:52:47 Advice for Emerging VCs

Today, we have Steffen Pauls with us. Steffen is a Founding Partner at 7GC, a €400M Growth venture fund based in Berlin, and founded the firm in 2015 to bring growth investment opportunities to a network of key decision-makers, industrial families, and entrepreneurs in Europe.7GC is investing out of Fund II with a total €400M AUM and an established portfolio of 15 companies and notable investments including Jackpocket, Jio, Hims & Hers. Steffen focuses on Sars, FinTech, and AI.Steffen is a serial entrepreneur who has founded several businesses; among others, he co­founded and acted as CEO of the first five AG (sold to a PE investor). In addition, Steffen is the founder of Moonfare, a financial services technology firm, which he currently runs as the acting CEO.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:03:14 - From Private Equity to Venture Capital00:06:16 - Moonfare's Global Expansion Journey00:09:14 - The Importance of Patience in Investing00:15:15 - The Future of AI Regulation00:18:12 - Europe's Struggle to Catch Up in AI00:21:02 - The Imbalance of Data Ownership00:33:36 - Democratizing Private Equity Investment00:36:38 - Investment Pre-Selection Process00:39:39 - Moonfare: An Innovation in the Market00:42:31 - The Different Players in the Industry00:45:36 - Moonfare: Building a Community00:48:43 - Democratization of Private Equity00:51:44 - Learning from the Challenges of Starting Moon Fare00:54:49 - The Importance of Culture in Building Great Companies00:58:04 - Trends in Investor Behavior01:01:22 - The Importance of Independence and Speaking Up01:04:26 - The Dangers of Being Cyclical01:07:33 - The Value of University Education

Cornerstoned by Isomer Capital, very early Ventures is built to capture the opportunity in three foundational Web3 pillars: Decentralized Infrastructure, Real World Impact, and Public Markets Opportunity.The very early team has already established a solid initial portfolio in lockstep with leading web3 funds like a16z, Dragonfly, and 1kx. This is evidence that the best founders choose to work with the very early team not just for the capital, but for the value add.At the core of Web3 lies the possibility of separating money from state. Creating a new global monetary system that transcends borders, redefines property rights, and empowers individuals like never before. This transformation may represent the biggest opportunity of our lifetimes, and we are thrilled to be part of this paradigm shift.With the speculative excess and hype cleared from much of the Web3 ecosystem, the emerging Web3 bull market appears to be driven by applications that genuinely add value and are built on robust foundations, rather than fleeting fantasies. We believe Web3 is finally reaching the level of maturation we’ve all been waiting for, leading to the founding of projects with tangible benefits and sustainable models instead of mere speculation. And it is these projects that the very early team is helping to bring about.If you would like an intro to the very early team, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Welcome to a new episode of our special series At The Cap Table.Today, we are joined by Sarah Finegan, an Investor at Antler, in a conversation with Susan Lin, a Partner & Investor at Felix Capital.Susan is an investor at Felix Capital. Over the past 10+ years, Susan has advised, invested, and worked in a range of consumer and technology companies in their journeys to grow and scale. Susan joined Felix Capital from HgCapital, a London-based private equity fund where she focused on software investments and portfolio companies. Prior to HgCapital, Susan was a management consultant at Bain & Company in San Francisco, Singapore, and London, advising private equity and growth capital funds on potential investments and CPG and e-commerce companies on go-to-market, M&A, and growth strategies.Felix Capital is a venture capital firm for the creative class, operating at the intersection of technology and creativity. The fund focuses on digital lifestyle across multiple verticals, investing in authentic consumer-facing brands and platforms and related enabling B2B technologies. Their mission is to be a partner of choice for entrepreneurs with big ideas and help them build category-defining companies that move the world forward.Chapters:00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:02:16 Susan's Journey into Venture Capital00:02:51 The Impact of Parents' Entrepreneurship00:04:31 Susan's Career Path and Experiences00:05:34 Transition into Investing and Joining Felix Capital00:06:54 Understanding Felix Capital and Its Approach00:12:44 Opportunities in Consumer Investing00:18:22 Impact and Positive Change in Investments00:20:47 Outlook on Investing and Advice for Founders00:26:10 Diversity in Europe's Tech Ecosystem00:29:35 Advice to Younger Self and Conclusion

Today, we are joined by Jonathan Sibilia, Partner at Molten Ventures and one of the judges at the European VC Awards. He is an important player in our ecosystem as one of the main LPs. He has made over 80 fund investments, 2200 underlying portfolio companies with Molten Ventures, and 2B in AUM.Jonathan joined Molten Ventures in 2009. Prior to joining the company, he was a senior associate in the technology group at Jefferies International, advising on high-profile cross-border M&A, debt & equity offerings.Previously, he worked at Rothschild & CIE in Paris. He also worked at Apax Partners Corporate Finance in France. Jonathan holds an MA in Management from EM-Lyon and the University of St Gallen in Switzerland and an MA in Advanced Corporate Finance from the University of Paris IX Dauphine.Molten Ventures is one of the most active venture capital firms in Europe, developing and investing in disruptive, high-growth technology companies.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:01:42 The Journey into Venture Capital00:06:08 The Role of a Public Model00:13:43 The Future of AI in Venture Capital00:19:46 The Importance of Exit Strategies00:20:13 The Role of Founders and VCs in Exit Strategies00:33:07 Understanding the Importance of Realizing Gains00:33:43 The Philosophy of De-risking Investments00:35:03 The Reality of Today's Investment Environment00:35:45 Shout Out to Collaborative Partners in the Ecosystem00:36:45 The Importance of Collaboration and Sharing in the Ecosystem00:38:51 The Role of LPs in Building the Ecosystem00:42:06 The Challenge of Making Venture Capital Understandable to All00:42:27 The Mission to Democratize Retail Investing00:44:26 The Importance of Trusting Your Instincts and Talent00:55:58 Tips for Emerging VCs: Differentiation and Discipline00:58:20 The Counterintuitive Truth about Venture Capital00:59:51 Closing Thoughts and Uncommon Beliefs

Join us for a new episode of the NEUVC series dedicated to those embarking on their journey in the VC. In this episode, Freddie Macpherson, Associate at Isomer Capital, and Linda Võeras, Investment Manager at Karma Ventures, are joined by Ondrej Bartos, General Partner at Credo Ventures.Ondrej is the Founding GP at Credo Ventures, a 75m€ Seed stage venture fund in Prague (and a bit elsewhere!) to back Central Eastern European Tech Startups.Credo is investing out of Fund IV with a total €250M AUM and an established portfolio of 60 companies and notable investments, including UI Path, ProductBoard, PriceFX, Resistant AI, and Eleven Labs.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:02:00 - Focus on Early Stage Investments00:04:10 - Spotting Patterns in Venture Capital00:06:17 - The Beginning of Venture Investing in the Region00:08:39 - The Growth of Tech Talent in the Region00:11:00 - The Growth and Progress of the CE Region00:12:59 - Building Relationships through Networking00:15:08 - Finding Great Deals in the Startup World00:17:25 - Learning from Investments and Founders00:19:49 - Evaluating the Right Investment00:21:50 - The Risk of Investing in Startups00:24:13 - The Role of Luck in Success00:28:26 - The Importance of Founder in Startup Investment00:30:45 - The Importance of Respect and Honesty in Relationships00:35:16 - Listening and adding value in boardrooms00:37:38 - The Role of a Board Member00:39:53 - Skills for Success in Venture Capital00:41:53 - The Importance of People in Venture Capital

Today, we are joined by Tej Panesar. Tej is a Partner at Prism Ventures, the UK-based institutional investor focused on the life sciences and healthcare sectors.Prism invests in the best-of-breed funds managed in the US, UK, and Europe through fund of funds and co-investment programs. He previously worked as an Investment Director at British Patient Capital, a UK government-backed institution very similar to the EIF and one of the largest investors in UK venture capital.With +425M pounds invested in the UK and Europe, Tej led investments into famed firms like IQ Capital and SV Health. Tej and his team have a wide lens across the life sciences and healthcare industries but a strong focus on traditional biopharma and areas like tech bio.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction about Prism Ventures00:03:55 - From Crowdfund Platforms to Venture Capital00:11:09 - LP Perspective on High-Tech Work00:14:50 - The Non-Binary Nature of the Life Sciences Sector00:18:34 - The Exciting Opportunities in Biotechnology and Healthcare00:26:28 - Adoption Challenges in the Health Sector00:30:23 - The Value Equation of Learning Technologies00:34:01 - Symbiotic Approaches in Life Sciences00:37:50 - Focus on Life Science and Healthcare00:41:36 - Investing in Europe vs the US00:45:18 - Portfolio Construction and Diversification00:49:18 - Building a Long-Term Institution00:53:04 - Diversity and Culture in VC Firms00:56:50 - Evaluating Team Culture and Portfolio Construction01:00:29 - The Importance of a Viable Business Plan01:04:04 - Scaling the Fund Size01:07:48 - Investing as a Team

965 joined us for yesterday's roundtable on acing LP relationships - in case you missed it, listen here or rewatch on eu.vc 👀 Whether you're navigating the complexities of LP expectations, leveraging digital tools for onboarding, or aiming to strengthen trust and transparency, this roundtable covers it all. Watch it here or add it to your episodes on Apple or Spotify.Our esteemed speakers:Alexander Langholz-Baikousis, CFO at Cherry Ventures.Simon Lohmann, Head of Platform & IR at Cavalry Ventures.Chloe Dagnell, Principal at Isomer Capital.Sophie Heijenberg, Investor at No Such Ventures.Enrico Ohnemüller, Founder & CEO of bunchWhat You Will Learn:Key strategies for VCs to effectively manage and nurture relationships with LPs.Insights into the expectations and preferences of LPs in their partnerships with VCs.The importance of transparency, communication, and alignment of interests in LP-VC relations.Innovative tools and services that can facilitate stronger LP-VC connections.Real-world experiences and lessons from leading professionals in the field.This roundtable is brought to you in collaboration with bunch.capital 💖 Being the operating system for private markets, bunch goes beyond the ordinary, reshaping the investment experience by digitising every aspect of the investment process from onboarding to reporting & compliance. They focus on elevating the quality of GP-LP relationships and are trusted by over 1,500 customers who have invested more than €950 million through the platform. Join us if you are interested in exploring how cutting-edge technologies can transform your LP experience. Check them out on bunch.capital 💖

In this episode of our NEUVC series dedicated to those embarking on their VC journey, Freddie Macpherson, Assoicate at Isomer Capital, and Linda Võeras, Associate at Karma Ventures, are joined by Helery Pops, co-founder and Honey Pot Guardian at Honey Badger Capital. However, things move quickly in this world, so since the recording of the episode, Helery has joined Practica Capital as an Investment Manager whilst still working with and supporting the Honey Badger Capital portfolio and team 🦡 .Helery has mastered the customer's language by doing sales and customer research in Pipedrive before moving to the product team to help build the tool that Pipedrive is today. With a love for good product design for both software and hardware, she joined the ranks of Ampler Bikes with the mission to help make the cities less car-centered.Speaking to about 20 start-ups every week, Helery has seen pitch decks in all shapes and sizes and will definitely ask how much research went into figuring out the problem space that the start-up is solving.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:00:00 - A Conversation On Investing in Sustainability and Impact00:01:42 - Helery’s Professional Background and Evolution in Career00:03:05 - Discovering a Superpower in Starting from Zero00:06:05 - The Importance of Inbound Deal Flow00:07:36 - Providing Value without Control00:09:10 - Flexibility and Expectations in VC Investments00:10:36 - Leveraging Value in Product Management00:13:29 - Understanding What Partners Want00:15:03 - Making Money and Impact00:16:33 - Combining Science and Business to Make an Impact00:17:59 - Supporting Founders without Investment00:19:25 - Learning from Others' Knowledge of Geothermal Energy00:20:52 - The Importance of Having Like-minded People00:24:01 - Impact Investing in Green Tech00:25:35 - Constraints on Impact Investing and the Future00:27:15 - Creating a Deel Flow for Ourselves00:28:39 - Crucial Skills in the VC Industry

Today, we have Nicholas Nelson, who recently joined MD One Ventures as Partner.Nicholas is an important and active player in building Europe’s first defence and national security venture capital fund, supporting the growing portfolio of over a dozen defence and dual-use tech companies. Nicholas is an internationally recognised defence investor and thought leader, with over 17 years of experience across the national security and defence tech sectors. His National Security career has spanned roles in the US Government, management consulting, and leading defence and dual-use tech companies.Nicholas was an early investor in defence tech as we know it today, having made his first investment in 2020, and has been advising within the dual-use sector since 2015. He has become a leading advocate for the nascent European national security technology ecosystem- contributing to multiple publications and communities, including the US Army War College, the NATO Review, National Defence Magazine, Munich Security Conference, Defence Disrupted, College of Europe, University of Cambridge, and Kings College London.We invite you to listen to this discussion below for a refreshingly honest talk on the defence tech sector, where we stand vis a vis the US and China, as well as actionable advice on how the ecosystem can change for the better.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:02:24 - From Aerospace Defense to Government Services00:04:24 - Transitioning from Government to Tech Startups00:06:24 - The Role of Tech in a Changing Geopolitical Landscape00:08:36 - Investing in European Defense Tech for Returns and Impact00:10:36 - The Declining Tech Valuation Delta between Europe and the US00:12:38 - Increase in European Defense Spending and Private Capital Engagement00:14:51 - The Blurring Lines Between Defense Technology and Commercial Use00:16:51 - The False Sense of Long-term Security00:18:55 - Trends in Military Spending00:21:04 - Exclusion Lists for Aerospace Defense Companies00:23:05 - Europe at risk of being left behind in defense innovation00:24:59 - The Role of European Primes in the Defense Economy00:27:02 - Investing in European Defense Tech00:33:14 - Successful Defense-First Tech Companies00:35:30 - The Role of Defense Experience in Investing00:37:34 - The Value of Military and National Service in Tech00:39:41 - Defense Tech in Eastern Europe00:41:40 - European Unity and New Beginnings

Today, we're happy to be joined by Edwina Johnson, Head of Global at Alloy, leading company strategy to expand their product into key markets worldwide and launch a GTM team in the UK/EMEA.Previously Head of Global at Alloy, leading company strategy to expand our product into key markets worldwide and launch a GTM team in the UK/EMEA. Before that, COO at Alloy in NYC, taking the team from Seed to Series C and $1.55B valuation. Edwina is also an active angel investor, primarily through Ada Ventures, under the Economic Empowerment thesis, a mentor through Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation program, and an Expert in Residence for Sie Ventures. We invite you to listen to this discussion below for some wonderful stories; besides the actionable advice, you can have a sneak peek at the below.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:02:08 - Building and Investing in Startups00:03:51 - The Importance of Strong Founders in Startups00:05:30 - Taking the First Step into Angel Investing00:06:57 - Angel Investing and Building a Network00:08:29 - Tangental Benefits of Angel Investing00:10:13 - Angel Investing Qualifications00:11:57 - Evaluating Investment Opportunities00:13:31 - Investing in Founders with a Clear Mission and Vision00:15:07 - Providing Value to Founders After Investment00:16:45 - Providing Value and scaling challenges00:18:16 - Collaborating with VC's and Diversifying Portfolio00:19:49 - Diversifying Deal Pipeline00:21:22 - The Importance of Networking in Angel Investing00:23:09 - The Herd Mentality in VC Investment00:24:44 - Balancing Objectivity and Excitement in Investing00:26:21 - Excitement for Investing in Familiar Industries00:28:01 - Being Open to Changing Business Models00:29:32 - Expanding Networks and Diversity in Angel Investing00:31:09 - The importance of founders in early-stage businesses

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we’ve partnered with our friends at Isomer Capital, HSBC Innovation Banking and SuperVenture to launch The European VC Awards on Day 1 of SuperVenture 🏆 When we set out to build eu.vc our mission was to connect and champion The European VC industry, so coming together with three good friends and partners to launch The European VC awards is nothing short of a dream come true 💗. We’ve so looked forward to this day when we can finally invite you all to join us in the endeavor and you can do so by nominating to the awards, joining in the conversation on social media, and inviting your peers to nominate 🌟. We will of course also cover select nominees as well as all the finalists and winners here on the eu.vc pod as well as host virtual fireside events so that you can get up close and personal with the European VC champions. Stay tuned 👀.And last but not least, you’ll of course also be able to attend the awards in person as they’re the concluding session at this year’s SuperVenture in Berlin 🏆.Your Voice Matters - Nominate Now!Now, let’s get into the categories, the process and the judging panel ⚖️. Five Awards to Celebrate Our ChampionsDesigned to celebrate change-makers in European VC, the awards are dedicated to recognize and honor the firms and individuals that truly stand out and make a difference. We will do so across five categories:Hall of Fame: Celebrating a lifetime of achievement in European Venture, this award is for those who have shaped the industry through their investments, contributions, and thought leadership over 20+ years and is stepping back from an active investing role and/or entering into a portfolio career of multiple firms. Nominate here 🏆.Firm of the Year: This accolade recognizes a firm from a fully holistic view, including pure financial performance and portfolio performance as well as innovation, impact on the ecosystem, diversity, transparency and fairness as well as team and culture. Nominate here 🏆. Newcomer of the Year: Honoring emerging managers, this award goes to a fund that has had its first close in the past year, recognizing their remarkable success in bringing something new and innovative to the European Venture market while building traction around their fund and vision. Nominate here 🏆. Achievement of the Year: This category is for the outstanding achievements and contributions in the European VC ecosystem in the given year, whether from an individual, company, or fund. This is the wild one where anything can happen. Nominate here 🏆. Exit of the Year: Honoring the firm that has had a company that has exited and created the most value back to the VC and therefore back to the European Venture ecosystem. This is about venture capital returns as opposed to “the biggest exit” and will also encompass strategic aspects of the exit such as timing in relation to market conditions and exit strategy.Nominate here 🏆.The judging panelIn assembling the judging panel, we’ve looked for LPs with decade-long investing excellence and experience that together would form a panel all of the European ecosystem will recognize as capable and just.Thomas Kristensen, Partner at LGT Capital PartnersJonathan Sibilia, Partner & Head of FoFs at Molten VenturesGiulia Van Waeyenberge, Member of the Executive Committee at SofinaStephen Lowery, Head of Investor Coverage & Business Development at HSBC Innovation BankingJoe Schorge, Founding Managing Partner at Isomer Capital (co-chair)Chris Wade, Founding General Partner at Isomer Capital (co-chair)Read much more on eu.vc and go nominate on isomercapital.com/awards

Hemal Fraser-Rawal is the GP of White Star Capital, a global investment platform with 1.5B AUM housing venture capital, digital assets and now debt-led Hybrid growth financing for companies. White Star Capital backs exceptional entrepreneurs building ambitious, international businesses across multiple stages and operate out of London, New York, Paris, Montreal, Toronto, Guernsey, Tokyo, and Singapore. By having such global presence, perspective, and people enable White Star are able to partner closely with their founders and them scale internationally.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:03:18 - Turbocharging company growth through equity and debt00:06:01 - Leveraged finance and the great recession00:08:46 - The golden age of private credit is changing00:11:30 - Understanding the growth debt markets00:14:28 - Volatility in valuations and risk-reward in credit vs VC00:17:25 - The benefits of debt investments00:20:08 - The inevitability of write-offs in investing00:25:49 - Addressing the funding gap in Europe00:31:08 - Investing across different stages and asset classes00:33:44 - Considering different investment assets00:36:18 - Debt-based investment strategy00:39:07 - Liquidity events and talent in Europe's secondary investing sector00:41:49 - The availability of technical sector jobs00:44:33 - Finding Top VCs in Europe00:50:10 - Persistence in the face of rejection00:52:53 - Building the Future of machines and software

George is a General Partner at Phoenix Court Group, the group of funds home to LocalGlobe in Somers Town, London, building global businesses based on innovative science and technology to have the maximum positive impact on society.LocalGlobe is investing out of their fifth institutional fund, of approx. 150M pounds, with a total AUM of over 1b pounds. Local Globe has an established portfolio of +60 companies and notable investments, including Melio, TravelPerk, Tide, Hibob, Motorway, Wise and Oxford Nanopore, AvantArte, and Sorare.At LocalGlobe, George focuses on Marketplaces, E-commerce 2.0, and SaaS with a particular focus on SMEs across New Palo Alto, a region that encompasses a market of 40 million people and is roughly 4 hours train ride from Phoenix Court’s home next to St Pancras, London. George led the investments into Travelperk, Rekki, Taster, and Qogita.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀 Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction to Phoenix Court Group and Local Globe00:03:03 - Concentrating capital into the most exciting companies00:08:21 - The Rise of Social Media Platforms00:11:01 - P2P Marketplace for Local Activities00:13:44 - Hiring as a VC00:16:25 - EQ and relationships in the venture capital industry.00:21:55 - The Positive Aspects of Control and Humility00:24:51 - The Strength of Europe in the Technology Wave00:30:23 - The Relationship Between Culture, Technology, and Politics00:35:47 - The Role of AI in Society and Culture00:39:00 - The Value of Open Conversations in AI00:41:40 - The Importance of Teamwork in Venture Capital00:44:21 - The unique structure and mission of Local Globe00:47:01 - Lessons learned and the importance of focus00:49:42 - Investing Tips for Emerging VCs in Europe

Today, we have Doreen Huber. Doreen is a Partner at EQT Ventures, a €1.1 BN early-stage venture fund with offices all over Europe and the US to back European and US startups. At EQT Ventures, Doreen focuses on Software in Europe, leading the investment into Parloa this year, the AI for Customer Care Automation. EQT Ventures is investing out of Fund III with a total of €2.3 BN AUM and an established portfolio of more than +100 companies and notable investments, including Handshake, Banking Circle, Einride, Instabee, and Verkor.Prior to joining EQT Ventures as Partner in January 2022, Doreen spent several years honing her role as one of Germany’s most respected business entrepreneurs and food technology experts, holding various C-level positions throughout her career and having founded her first company at 23.As the founder and CEO of LEMONCAT (acquired in 2019 by Rocket Internet’s B2B Food Group), Doreen built a marketplace and SaaS solution for the European catering industry. She was also COO of food delivery unicorn Delivery Hero, currently valued at over €10bn.Outside of work, Doreen is a keen traveller and art lover and holds a Master's degree in Media Science, Literature and Art History from Humboldt University Berlin.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀 Chapters:00:02:40 - From Writer to Founder and VC00:05:08 - Investing with Aligned Goals00:07:32 - Lessons Learned from Early Investments in Delivery Hero00:09:47 - The Shift in Perspective00:12:33 - Embracing Luck and Gratitude00:15:13 - The Intersection of Business and Creativity00:17:46 - The Intersection of Different Backgrounds in Startups00:20:11 - Sales as Crucial to Success00:22:36 - Sales Teams in Product Growth00:24:58 - Sales DNA00:27:22 - Importance of Monetization Strategy00:29:49 - Bridging the Gap in Sales Culture00:32:23 - The Power of EQT Partners to Connect with Experts00:34:51 - Leveraging Knowledge within Organizations00:37:31 - Being a Supportive Investor00:39:56 - Lessons for Founders from a VC Internship00:42:17 - The Randomness of VC Decision-Making00:47:14 - The Importance of Company Culture in Remote Settings

Join us for another episode of the NEUVC series which is dedicated to those embarking on their journey in the VC.In this episode, Freddie Macpherson, Analyst at Isomer Capital, and Linda Võeras, Associate at Karma Ventures, are joined by the one and only Mr. Exits, who runs Exits Cap. Exits Cap is a Seed and Series - A fund launched in 2022 focused on investments in the SaaS, Consumer Internet, and Aerospace and Defence verticals. But you may know who we’re talking about from the name of the infamous social media account Praying for Exits.With over 80,000 followers on Instagram, we all know his memes. Today, Mr. Exits lifts the lid on the US versus Europe by setting up his social media accounts and how they've been useful to him on his journey.Head on over to eu.vc for the core learnings 🧠Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction to Mr. Exit and His Social Media Platform00:02:10 - The Journey to Venture Capital00:03:51 - The Journey to Becoming a VC00:05:34 - The Impetus for "Praying for Exits"00:07:12 - Memes and Influence in Venture Capital00:12:07 - Building Relationships with Founders00:15:29 - Cold Outreach and High Conversion Rates00:17:09 - Scrutiny in the Public Eye00:20:20 - Building a Brand with High Integrity00:23:42 - Overcoming Anxiety and Staying Genuine on Social Media00:26:55 - Finding Value in Social Media00:28:35 - Revealing the Opacity of Venture Capital00:33:36 - The Value of Attention in Early Stage Companies00:35:16 - Utilizing Attention for Success in Venture Capital00:36:57 - Building with Integrity in Venture Capital

Welcome to a new episode of our special series At The Cap Table. Today Savitri Tan from Isomer Capital is joined by Naza Metghalchi, Principal at EQT Ventures to talk a lot about her career so far, transitioning from a platform role into investment, why surrounding yourselves with the best is integral and how to build relationships of trust with founders.Naza Metghalchi was born in Iran, raised in Paris, and has lived in London for the past 15 years. She started her career as an intern at Seedcamp in 2012, whilst all her friends were joining consulting firms or investment banks. Later, she joined onefinestay, where she fell in love with the raw energy and enthusiasm of startups.She joined the team at Series A, led commercial positions in the sales and product marketing teams, witnessing periods focusing on profitability and others on growth (at all cost!), until the company got acquired after having raised $80m. She then became an early employee at a startup studio, Founders Factory, where she set up their accelerator program.An avid supporter of the European ecosystem, she published Rewarding Talent, a guide to democratising employee equity, and is an active angel investor, in consumer social, and the future of work space.At EQT, she loves partnering with founders that are execution-driven whilst being self-reflective, and working alongside them as a problem-solver and people-person at her core.Outside of work, you can usually find Naza organising a dinner party, listening to podcasts outdoors, reading Japanese literature and travelling to South America. Naza holds a BA in European Politics, and a MS in Management from the London School of Economics.Watch the full episode as well as our upcoming events on eu.vc 👀Chapters:00:00:00 - Untold Stories of Amazing VCs in Europe00:02:19 - Career Moves and Early Stage Companies00:04:21 - Learning in Startup Environments00:06:12 - Attributes of Successful Founders00:08:03 - Surrounding Yourself with the Best00:10:01 - Surrounding Yourself with Tier One People00:12:02 - Building Your Cap Table00:13:49 - Building Relationships with VCs00:15:43 - Assessing Investors for Business Growth00:17:41 - Building Trust and Vulnerability in Investor-Founder Relationships00:19:39 - Building a Trust-Based Relationship with Founders00:21:38 - The Importance of Alignment in Achieving Objectives00:23:46 - Understanding Product Market Fit00:25:37 - Assessing Founders and Market Timing00:27:35 - The Role of Luck in Business Ventures00:29:25 - Maximizing Chances and Grabbing Luck00:31:22 - The Trustworthiness of Tactyc in Fund Management

Today, we have Lucile Cornet with us. Lucile is a Partner at Eight Roads, a $11BN global venture fund with offices across the globe.Eight Roads invests in companies at the Series B stage and helps them scale up internationally. They have 450 portfolio companies globally, of which 60 are IPOs, and many are unicorns: Alibaba, Toast, Flywire, Chewy, Hibob, Neo4j, or Fever.Lucile is part of the European team of Eight Roads. She is a French national (born in Toulouse) but has been based in London for 15 years and focuses on anything SaaS and Fintech series B. She became one of the youngest female partners in Europe, being promoted to Partner in 2021 at just 33 years old. Her investments include companies such as Spendesk, Leocare, Amenitiz, Reveal, and Thinksurance.Outside work, Lucile is a mum of two daughters who loves adventurous travel and cooking and as you’ll see, a dazzling extrovert who thrives in meeting new people.Watch the full interview on eu.vc 👀 and read our core learnings 🧠Chapters00:00:00 - Lucile’s journey in VC & Eight Roads Venture Fund intro00:06:30 - Moving fast in the tech industry00:07:07 - Learning and unlearning in VC00:15:07 - Building firm belief & conviction ahead of an investment00:18:00 - Why a little bit of chaos is good for you00:24:02 - The Potential of SME Vertical SaaS00:29:49 - The value ad model and investing in growth00:35:59 - Sales, marketing and adoption in enterprise software00:38:59 - The importance of Humility and listening00:42:17 - The importance of Speed and execution00:45:03 - On Leadership and decision-making 00:48:04 - Building strong relationships in business00:51:11 - People and culture in VC00:54:16 - Advice for emerging VCs across Europe00:57:27 - Don't give up on fundraising