The Hard Questions Most VCs Can’t Answer, The Flawed Math of Venture at Scale, IPO Preparation Guide
BONUS: 70+ Pitch Decks That Raised $1B+ in 2024🎁
Another week, another pulse check on venture.
From top insights and reports to new funds, VC jobs, and the hottest deals—here’s everything you need to stay ahead.
Let’s dive in 👇
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In-Depth Insights 🔍
The Hard Questions Most VCs Can’t Answer 🤔
Smart founders need to rethink how they evaluate VCs. The right questions aren’t about vague value-add claims—they’re about measurable performance.. [Founder VC]
Due Diligence Checklist for Pre-Seed Startups 📋
A comprehensive checklist for VCs conducting due diligence on pre-seed startups, ensuring no stone is left unturned. [Charles Hudson]Big Funds, Bigger Problems: The Flawed Math of Venture at Scale 🌍
As fund sizes have expanded, so too has the challenge of delivering the level of returns necessary to justify the inherent risk this ‘Power Law’ poses. [James Sedgwick-Heath]
Vertical Software is Having a Moment 💻
Activant Capital explores why vertical software startups are thriving and what it means for investors. [Rebecca Rodseth & Richard Benson-Armer]
Why ‘Talent Unboxing’ Is Set To Become The Latest VC Hiring Crazes👩💼
Kaye Newton shares insights on how VCs can build winning teams by focusing on talent and culture.IPO Preparation Guide🎨
When and how should companies prepare for an IPO? [OnlyCFO]
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Interesting Reports 📊
McKinsey’s Global Private Markets Report 🌍
McKinsey’s latest report dives into global private market trends, offering insights into fundraising, deal activity, and emerging opportunities.
SVB’s State of the Markets Report 📊
Silicon Valley Bank’s annual report unpacks the state of venture capital, startup ecosystems, and macroeconomic trends shaping the market.
Dealroom’s Value-Add Investors Report 💡
Dealroom’s report highlights the rise of value-add investors, exploring how they’re reshaping startup ecosystems and driving innovation.
Recently Launched Funds 💸
Co-Ventures raises $5 million for Fund I, targeting early-stage startups in emerging markets.
Hort Innovation launches a $60 million fund to support startups in the horticulture sector.
BIM Ventures and SBI Holdings launch a $100 million fund to back Saudi-based startups.
Khosla Ventures is raising $3.5 billion for its latest fund, focusing on deep tech and climate investments.
Afore Capital closes Fund IV at $185 million, targeting pre-seed and seed-stage startups.
Foresight Ventures commits $25 million to incubate innovation on the BNB Chain ecosystem.
Cambridge Innovation Capital launches a $100 million opportunity fund to support high-growth UK startups.
Raisewell Ventures launches as a multi-stage venture capital firm, focusing on global tech investments.
Fundraising?
If you're raising a round,
and I can help. We gather startup fundraising data and share it with our audience of 300k+ investors and startup enthusiasts. Fill out this form and we’ll will do our best to connect you with the right investors! 🚀VC Jobs 💼
VC Vice President at Forge (New York City, NY)
VC Internship at Acumen (San Francisco, CA)
VC Associate at TCV (New York City, NY)
VC Internship at Concept Ventures (London, England)
Associate at SCI Ventures (London, England)
Investor at Theory (San Francisco, CA)
VC Analyst at Genesis Fund (Boston, MA)
VC Manager at Redalpine (Berlin, Germany)
VC Associate at Engine Ventures (Boston, MA)
VC Investor at Fortuna Future Ventures (Remote)
Hottest Deals 💥
NinjaOne, an IT platform developer, raised $500M in Series C extensions led by ICONIQ Growth and CapitalG, valuing the company at $5B (read here).
Just Salad, a US-based fast-casual restaurant chain, secured $200M in a round led by Wellington Management, reaching a $1B valuation (read here).
Flow48, a lending startup, raised $69M in debt and equity in a Series A led by Breega (read here).
Cambium, a supply chain technology company for the wood industry, secured an $18.5M Series A led by VoLo Earth Ventures (read here).
RAD Security, a cybersecurity startup focused on cloud-based infrastructure protection, raised $14M in a Series A round led by Cheyenne Ventures (read here).
Fluidstack, a UK-based AI cloud computing company, is in talks to raise $200M in Series A (read here).
Genspark, a Bay Area AI search engine startup, secured $100M in Series A at a $530M valuation (read here).
Arize, an AI monitoring platform, raised $70M in Series C led by Adams Street Partners (read here).
Pulpex, a UK-based sustainable packaging company, secured a £62M Series D (read here).
Unit Network, a London-based DeFi startup, raised $18M led by Blockchain Founders Fund and Outlier Ventures (read here).
EG 427, a Paris-based genomic medicine startup, closed a €27M Series B led by Andera Partners and Bpifrance (read here).
Relish, an enterprise application platform developer, raised $25M in Series B led by Base10 Partners (read here).
Spore.Bio, a Paris-based microbiology testing startup, secured $23M in Series A led by Singular (read here).
Metcycle, a German metals trading platform, raised €14.1M in Series A led by 2150 (read here).
Mansa, a Dubai-based cross-border payments startup, secured $10M in a round led by Tether and Polymorphic Capital (read here).
BONUS: 70+ Pitch Decks That Raised $1B+ in 2024🎁
Ever wondered how top startups secure massive checks from investors? Here’s your chance to learn from the best.
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Insights into what VCs truly value in a winning pitch.
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