Madeline Lawrence

Three biggest learnings from a fundraising journey. Shared by Rainer Märkle, General Partner at HV Capital at EUVC 1/ Have a time box with a deadline attached. Have a defined horizon & create a clear plan. Have some urgency to get things done at some point. Execute very transparently and reliably. 2/ Stick to your narrative. But don't do it blindly. Tweak it when necessary. Adapt it. Don't let yourself be surprised by major changes. Keep focusing on delivering according to your strategy & plan. 3/ Fundraising is a marathon with many sprints. There are moments when you'll ask yourself - Why do I do this? Is it gonna work out? But don't get too negative during the down phases. Adapting and pivoting is part of our job. As it is for the founder of a company. How about you? What fundraising lessons have you learned? Join the conversation. 🔽 #venturecapital #angelinvesting #startupfunding #europe

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***Update on Version One Ventures's thesis*** We back mission-driven founders who are early in new areas. As you know, Boris Wertz and I never stop challenging ourselves to be better VCs - it’s one of our core values! An important part of that work is developing a strong investment thesis, and evolving it as technology improves and markets change. Our current investment thesis, “backing mission-driven founders at the earliest stages,” was introduced back in 2020. It encapsulates our focus on backing a certain type of deeply passionate entrepreneur at an early stage when few people might believe in them.    Those words still hold true but they don’t explicitly spell out something we look for when evaluating an investment opportunity: timing. Investors always talk about “Why now”, and we do too, but the more interesting question for us is “Why not?”   Another way to ask it is “What’s possible?” We’re interested in those rare opportunities where a founder is creating a brand new category. These opportunities are fringy and emerging (some might call them crazy, weird, whacky or wild). There’s nothing obvious or inevitable about it. They’re building something the market hasn’t yet imagined and doesn’t fit neatly into an existing market category. But if they’re right, then the fringe picks up momentum and ultimately becomes a wave. So, going forward, we’re evolving our thesis to be even more explicit about the why now and why not: We back mission-driven founders who are early in new areas. Looking back, we predicted a few waves right and invested early into them: Vertical SaaS in 2012-2014 (e.g. Jobber) Crypto in 2016-2020 (e.g. Uniswap Labs) Climate in 2020-2021 (e.g. Patch) These days, the areas on our radar are a combination of “why now” and “why not”. AI – with a focus on AI-native products (e.g. Ada) VR/AR – especially with the recent launch of Apple Vision Pro (e.g REMIO) Crypto – yes, we’ve been investing in crypto since 2016, but it still feels early given that design space has recently opened with new L2 scaling, and the acceleration of mainstream use cases like payments or tokenization of real-world assets Climate/energy – we are looking outside of software and just invested in a materials company replacing lithium ion with sodium ion (as the world is moving towards electrification) Hardtech/biotech – we recently backed a company building the next illumina for proteins Building a startup is hard enough as it is, but pioneering founders need to build on brand new technology, find new markets, and convince everyone of the market need. BUT this is exactly who we, as venture capitalists, want to back. We look forward to meeting more of these courageous and bold founders creating transformational change!

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UNLOCKING THE SECREATS OF THE GLOBAL VC ECOSYSTEM : A SUMMIT FOR LIMITED PARTNERS AND VENTURE CAPITALISTS TO THE GLOBAL VC's ECOSYSTEM SUMMIT -------------- 💰💵 Check 1st post in features section in my profile 💵💰 -------------- #VCEcosystemSummit #VentureCapital #LimitedPartners #Investment #PortfolioManagement #GrowthStrategy #IndustryLeaders #Networking #Collaboration #Innovation #Startup #Entrepreneurship #Funding #Investor #LP #GP #VC #PrivateEquity #HedgeFund #AssetManagement #WealthManagement #FinancialServices #InvestmentBanking #CapitalMarkets #BusinessGrowth #Scaling #Expansion #Disruption #Volatility #RiskManagement #Resilience #Sustainability #ESG #ImpactInvesting #Diversity #Inclusion #Equity #Equality #WomenInVC #WomenInFinance #MenInVC #MenInFinance #VentureCapitalist #InvestmentBanker #FinancialAnalyst #PortfolioManager #InvestmentManager #AssetManager #WealthManager #FinancialPlanner #InvestmentAdvisor #VCFirm #StartupAccelerator #Incubator #CoworkingSpace #EntrepreneurialEcosystem #InnovationHub #BusinessNetworking #ProfessionalDevelopment #Leadership #Mentorship #CareerGrowth #IndustryTrends #MarketInsights #FinancialRegulations #InvestmentStrategy #RiskAssessment #DueDiligence #DealMaking #MandA #IPO #PrivatePlacement #HedgeFundManager #AssetAllocator #FamilyOffice #SovereignWealthFund #PensionFund #EndowmentFund #VentureCapitalInvesting #StartupFunding #GrowthCapital #ExpansionCapital #Buyout #Recapitalization #Restructuring #Turnaround #DistressedInvesting #SpecialSituations #EventDriven #CreditInvesting #DebtFinancing #EquityInvesting #MezzanineFinancing #GrowthEquity #VentureDebt #SeedFunding #SeriesA #SeriesB #SeriesC #IPOPrep #PreIPO #PostIPO #PrivateCompany #PublicCompany #MicroVC #NanoVC #SeedStage #EarlyStage #GrowthStage #LateStage #PrivateEquityFund #HedgeFundManager #InvestmentPortfolio #RiskManagementStrategy #InvestmentResearch #FinancialPlanning #WealthCreation #CapitalGrowth #InvestmentOpportunities #BusinessExpansion #MarketTrends #IndustryInsights #FinancialInnovation #InvestmentInnovation #VCDeals #StartupSuccess #InvestmentStrategy #PortfolioDiversification #InvestmentRisk #InvestmentReturn #InvestmentGrowth #InvestmentIncome #InvestmentManagement #InvestmentConsulting #PrivateEquityInvesting #HedgeFundInvesting #VentureCapitalInvesting #AngelInvesting #ImpactInvesting #SustainableInvesting #ESGInvesting #ResponsibleInvesting #InvestmentFirms #InvestmentCompanies #InvestmentPartners #InvestmentNetwork #InvestmentCommunity #InvestmentEvents #InvestmentConferences #InvestmentSummit #InvestmentForum #InvestmentRoundtable #StartupInvesting #EarlyStageInvesting #GrowthStageInvesting #LateStageInvesting #PrivateEquityFirms #HedgeFundManagers #VentureCapitalFirms #AngelGroups #ImpactInvestors

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Getting ready for an upcoming workshop on angel investing led me to the Angel Next Door Podcast episode on 2024 trends (sharing the link in the first comment 👇). Here are a few key takeaways: 🔍 With AI technology evolving rapidly, it's essential to stick to the basics when conducting due diligence. Asking fundamental questions about the business model, target market, sales cycle, expenses, use of funds, deal terms, valuation, risk assessment, and exit strategy is crucial. Quality data will be a game-changer in evaluating AI companies effectively. 💡 The future is looking brighter for tech industry, and it’s a great time to be an angel investors. Angel investment was the most resilient asset class in 2022, as well as very consistent — capital invested was down but not dramatically different than VC, capital invested per deal and capital invested annually per angel group was similar to previous years. We stay the course in 2024. 🌍 Angel world is changing — Gen Z investors will seek a more tech-savvy approach to investing compared to traditional angel investors. Gone are the days of in-person dinner meetings; instead, transactions will be conducted swiftly and electronically through apps on mobile devices. If you want to be a part of this transformation, join us in ICLUB: https://lnkd.in/dWdsCxp9 #AngelInvesting

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Do your certification & assessment programs also lack #scale? 😣 I am beyond #excited to be invited to speak alongside my good friend and co-founder Bernhard Waglechner at the upcoming #webinar hosted by Constructor's wonderful Maria Mashkeeva on the topic of how to leverage AI to bring scale to #assessment & #certification programs. 🎉 Bring out your #notepads, and join us on June 10th, 3pm CEST for a great #conversation. 🗒 Sign up #link in the #comments. 💬 Like many others, the assessment and certification industry is facing massive #change, introduced by a changing landscape of customer #expectations and #technological #abilities. It is a huge challenge, and we are right at the beginning of this #transformation. 🤖 Together with many others, the team at Constructor and bizExaminer have been #working hard to provide #answers to the big #questions, and translate them into tangible #solutions for customers. 🙌 Why? Because every moment of change is a #chance to generate #value for our customers, the industry, and the #ecosystem at large. 💡 And we are planning to seize that #opportunity. Together. 🙏 So #join us for the webinar, where we will #share our #experience, provide #insights into the changing market trends, and also walk through a #concrete #example of a customer leading through this change with incredible flexibility. 👊 #assessment #AI #flexibility #education #learning #certification #webinar #experience #solution #transformation

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Last month, we at World Fund announced our investment in Faircado. I’ve written a ‘why we invested in’ blogpost, looking at why we led the deal - and what excites me about this startup. Founded by the brilliant Evoléna de Wilde d'Estmael 🌱and Ali Nezamolmaleki, Faircado is an AI-powered browser extension that makes sustainable choices more accessible and mainstream for millions of consumers online. Our collective closets overflow with items we no longer need but that others could use. We need to embrace a circular economy, and Faircado can help us break this ineffective cycle - perpetuated by awful brands like SHEIN - by helping us make better buying decisions online. You can read the full piece here: https://bit.ly/4coXxYy

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To all my network members who are running a #sustainability #startup or know someone with a mission, you folks are the true heroes, and I want to ensure your hard work is recognised not just on #EarthDay, but far beyond. That's why, at ETA Technologies, we're dedicated to contributing to your efforts by assisting those who are actively doing so in securing more funding. As a former VC, I understand the landscape inside and out. Amidst all the complexities, one truth consistently emerges: investors invest in people. This is where ETA comes in. We produce sophisticated and quantitative reports for investors, helping them identify the teams with the greatest potential. Let's change the game for now! Over the next week, all sustainability start-ups can receive a free report from us. This will provide insights into how investors perceive your team and what areas can be improved before you begin #fundraising. And if you've already opened your round, feel free to incorporate it into your outreach.

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🚨 We did it again! We've created the ultimate Side Event List for this week's SuperVentures & SuperReturn and TOA Berlin. Plus, we're giving away Tech Open Air tickets and guest list spots for the biggest VC Party, organized by Join Capital, EUVC , Isomer Capital and others. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦👇 What is the Superventure / SuperReturn conferene? How Amy Lewin would describe it: "SuperVenture is the Berlin conference where VCs go to fundraise and catch up with their LPs". Kinda like the definition! And let me say this! The Side Event's this week are on fire 🔥. Here are my top 3 + 1 event from the 45+ Event List: - Diversity Drinks at the stunning Fotografiska space. Networking with a purpose! Organized by Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund, the Evangelistas, Out Investors and identity.vc I Backing LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurs - JOIN CAPITAL is doing it again, and is running the biggest VC Party this Wednesday. We have limited tickets available for FOMO Insider Subscriber. - Cherry Ventures & Felix Capital are coming together to run a networking event at the coolest flagship stores Berlin, at Highsnobiety - FOMO (fearofmissingout): HIT x Yoga meets Rooftop Session, Thursday, 8 am start. ​Amidst a busy week with Super Ventures, Super Return, and TOA, we're creating a sanctuary away from the typical networking and business noise. Link in the comments. Here’s how you can win: - 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 45+ 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭: Subscribe to FOMO Berlin and comment below. - 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐂 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐆𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭: If you're in the VC, LP, EP, GP scene, comment below your favorite Berlin VC fund. - 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭: Comment below your favorite event and tag the event organizer & FOMO (fearofmissingout).

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Munich-based Vsquared Ventures has successfully closed its second fund, amounting to €214 million, earmarked for early-stage deep tech startups across Europe. Vsquared's commitment to inject between €500k and €5m into approximately 25 companies highlights the huge momentum within Europe’s deep tech sector. With an emphasis on AI, energy transition, space tech, and more, they're poised to foster substantial growth in these industries. The firm's strategic investments in startups like cylib, Synthara AG, and NEURA Robotics underline their dedication to transforming promising technologies into global solutions. Learn more from Miriam Partington on Sifted: https://lnkd.in/e_UrVP-Q #DeepTech #Innovation #VsquaredVentures #TechInvestment #StartupFunding #EuropeanTech

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Having an idea for a product is easy. Making a successful business out of it isn’t. 70% of startup tech companies fail after around 20 months after their first financing round. But, is failing that bad? Well, it depends on who you’re asking.  Startup success doesn't depend only on your idea, funding, or business model. It also depends on the region where you want to start it. For that, you have to understand the pros and cons of the two most attractive entrepreneurial continents: https://lnkd.in/d74Hr8Kq Read more about Catalin Briciu's take on the main differences between European and American startups. Are you part of an American start-up or do you have an idea that needs to be validated? Drop us a line at contact@linnify.com. Let’s build your product. What other differences have you spotted? #StartupSuccess #ProductValidation #USA #EU

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https://lnkd.in/epFgH79T You’ve probably read tons of articles about the different rounds of VC funding and all the associated terms, but how often do you come across something that really breaks down the numbers? Ever wondered how to keep track of your startup’s equity as you grow? Dive into our hands-on guide to cap tables, where I break down everything from your first seed round to that exciting exit moment.  By walking you through various scenarios and terms with comprehensive examples and visual aids, I offer a solid foundation for managing equity financing in startups. While real-world cap tables can be intricate, this primer ensures fair ownership and proceeds distribution, helping you maintain investor confidence and support your startup’s long-term growth.Let’s get your cap table game on point!

Berlin calling, here we come! 🛬 🌞 I'll be speaking at Tech Open Air ─aka #TOA Berlin on June 6th 💥 If you're in town and you fancy a mind-blowing discussion on #Deeptech 👇 Join me for this bomb: AI FRENZY, QUANTUM SUPREMACY, AND CLIMATE CRISIS ─What are the true opportunity beyond the hype? 💣 I'll moderate a panel of top-tier GPs and LPs in #VentureCapital where we will dig into the trends behind deeptech investment rising across the world: In the US, funds like Lux Capital and A16Z lead this trend with defence tech drawing increasing interest. 💸 In Europe, deeptech grew from 10% to over 30% of VC investments in 2023. 💹 Frontier tech startups are breaking into supply chains, with notable firms like Northvolt. 👩‍🔬 However, detractors fear over-hype. 😱 Where does the truth lie and what are VCs and their backers in the field thinking will happen next? Come and find out on this panel with GPs and LPs: Inka Mero, Nancy Brito, 🔵Tilo Bonow 博蒂洛, Rodrigo Ferreira ⚡ 💰 ⚛ I can't wait to see what comes out :D --- PS: If you're an LP, GP or a deeptech founder and want a true discounted ticket, drop me a DM and I may have something for you ;) See you there! #TOABerlin #TOA24 #limitedpartners #familyoffice #startups

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Diversity of Thought at Centre Stage. For “everyone who’s anyone in private capital” SuperReturn and SuperVenture in Berlin are annually the most important conferences of the year. We at the Evangelistas co-hosted our magnificent Diversity Drinks with Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund, identity.vc I Backing LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurs and Out Investors. Together we gathered +350 of the most diverse Limited Partners and General Partners along with their allies at the beautiful Fotografiska venue to foster unique connections, engage conversations, and celebrate DEI within the investors' landscape. A big THANK YOU to all of our wonderful guests for joining and to our sponsors STUDIO LEGAL Rechtsanwälte, EY, Cinven, bunch and torq.partners for contributing to the most diverse event of last week.   With the huge smiles on all the faces displaying the supreme connections being made, we all feel fully recharged to continue doing the (hard) work to build European tech with so much more diversity of thought, substance, soul and beauty - especially after Europe's night of election drama. The threat to our cohesion needs even more clarity in defending our democracy against populism, intolerance and racism!    Let’s carry the magic of last Tuesday into the world. I really believe that this sensational movement of superb individuals is something very special and I feel truly privileged to be part of it. How do you think we can contribute to even more diversity of thought at centre stage in European tech? #VC #PE #captablediverstiy

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𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞’𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐬𝐨 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐬❓     "Europe’s real problem is not seed capital. European startups raised $13.7 billion in the first quarter of 2024, up 5% year on year. The continent’s share of global VC reached 17% in 2023. Yet 60% of European venture capital was raised in just three EU member states and the United Kingdom.  The biggest challenge comes in the second stage of funding needed for minnows to grow into full-fledged unicorns. The US boasts a large pool of venture capital targeting later-stage startups." #startup #entrepreneur #venturecapital #investing #vc  

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Welcome ecoLocked to the Climentum Capital portfolio! We are proud to have led the €4M funding round together with Matterwave Ventures, and delighted to have existing investors Counteract, Startup Family Office, Sabancı Building Solutions, and VOYAGERS.io joining the round. The investment will support ecoLocked’s mission to revolutionize the construction industry with carbon-negative building materials. Concrete production accounts for 8% of global CO2 emissions, making innovations in this field crucial for achieving net-zero goals. ecoLocked is leading the change by converting carbon captured from biomass into functional, carbon-negative building materials. This funding will accelerate ecolocked's efforts to turn buildings into carbon sinks, scaling their innovative biochar-based solutions and enabling 1Gt carbon removal by 2040. Doerte Hirschberg Morten Halborg Stefan Maard

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There's plenty to think about in the inaugural State of European VC Fundraising Report. The significant decrease in the amounts being raised by European funds following the Tech Reset is, frankly, on the alarming side for European eco-system. Not that the report is all doom and gloom - anything but - as it shares thoughts of various fund managers on the various strategies adopted. Plenty of food for thought. #VC #EuropeanVC #Fundraising #TechReset #Investment #StartupEcosystem #VentureCapital #EuropeanFunds #TechIndustry #Innovation #InvestmentStrategies #EcosystemGrowth https://lnkd.in/dzEJiG7C

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Top tips for angel investors for more international deals. From Eva Spannagl, Managing Director of Climatos. The easy part: 👉 Build connections with international investors. 👉 Reach out proactively to international teams. 👉 Use Linkedin The tough one: 👉 Define your unique value proposition for this type of founders 👉 Preach what you want to do a thousand times. Talk about what you want. And the actions will follow. What do you think? What other tips will you add to the list? Join the conversation. #venturecapital #startupinvesting #angelinvesting #europe

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