Digitalis Ventures’ Post

Notes on Value Capture: The venture capital industry functions in large part on the belief that great innovators capture the lion’s share of value from their breakthroughs. So, in re-making the world, how much value do disruptive entrepreneurs actually capture from their innovations? PLUS: Haystacks of Needles; Complexity and Philosophy; The Middle Path to Innovation; Ramsey Theory: order from chaos; and The Information Theory of Aging https://lnkd.in/ekaRzp7z #DigitalisVentures #EngineeringHealth

Safety, predictability, efficiency: Not exactly the words that come to mind when thinking about startups. But building new companies can be a valuable tool for getting corporations away from the allure of safety and efficiency. “Outside venture building is the best solution to the innovator’s dilemma that I’ve seen so far and I’ve been looking for 25 years,” High Alpha Innovation CEO Elliott Parker recently explained to Global Corporate Venturing. Fast, cheap, and "weird" experiments are the answer to the innovator’s dilemma, and corporations should be running a large number of these projects at any given time in order to gather as many insights as possible. Discover why scaled organizations should lean into venture building today: https://lnkd.in/dHM_6_eY #IllusionOfInnovation #CorporateVenture #VentureBuilding

🃏 𝗣𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁—𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼? 🚀 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘱𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘦? 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰? At the Innovation Office University of Basel , our committment is to empower startups to navigate the complex landscape of funding - see our recent activities in bringing investors and startups together! Here, one key tool that often goes overlooked is the 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼. Rarely taught in startup ecosystems, this simple document can be incredibly useful, especially in deep tech, biotech, or life sciences. Let’s find out why founders should embrace this tool early on! 📄 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼? An investment memo is a clear and concise document that outlines the why investing in your company is a great idea. It covers everything from your mission, market opportunity, and traction, to how you'll use the funds raised. Unlike a pitch deck, which often relies on visuals, the memo stands on its own. It can serve as your voice when you’re not in the room—paving the way for a meaningful conversation with potential investors. The 𝗬 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 below emphasizes clarity: ♦️ What problem do you solve, and why does it matter? ♦️ How does your solution change the current landscape? ♦️ What metrics prove your traction? ♦️ Who is your target market, and how do you plan to capture it? E.g., a biotech startup focusing on personalized medicine could use the memo to clearly articulate the scale of its market (e.g., the $100B+ precision medicine sector), its unique IP, and early clinical results. This sets the narrative before investors dive into financials. 📊 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 Investment memos aren’t just theoretical. Startups like Rippling used one to successfully close their Series A round by ensuring every investor was aligned with their vision before the meeting even started. For biotech founders, explaining regulatory hurdles, clinical validation, or scalability in a memo can prevent misunderstandings and build trust early on. 🔍 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 Many founders focus solely on pitch decks, but an investment memo forces you to clarify your vision, strategy, and market fit. It's not just a tool for VCs; it is a strategic tool for you to deeply understand and articulate your business. 🔗 Found this useful? Please like, comment, and reshare to help others in your network! Stay tuned for more startup world insights, every Sun. 8h30 CET. #StartupStrategy #FundraisingTips #InnovationEcosystem #BiotechStartups #DeepTech

Although Govo is not geographically limited in our investment focus, we pay close attention to venture capital trends in our home state of Florida. eMerge Americas recently released its 2023 Annual Insights Report, which offered a valuable look at Florida’s venture capital landscape. Notably:   Despite 2023 being a significant down year, Florida-based companies still received nearly $3.5 billion in investment across 673 deals. Highlights include investment in fintech, healthtech, and AI innovation, with a healthy rise in investments in climatetech/cleantech. The largest funding round in a Florida company in 2023 was in edtech. Each of these categories overlap closely with Govo’s focus on investing in companies for which doing business with government or navigating government regulations is an important success factor. We look forward to learning more about rising companies in each of these sectors. Rob Panepinto Jonathan Kilman 1858 Capital Partners  

DealRoom’s recent report highlights the remarkable value of the University of Cambridge’s tech ecosystem. The UK leads Europe in deriving value from universities through patents, venture capital funding, unicorns, and overall valuation. Cambridge ranks third globally in deep tech output, following Boston, despite being a city of just 150,000 people. This small yet powerful ecosystem contributes 18% of the UK’s overall tech ecosystem value with only 3% of the funding, producing $16.9 in value for every $1 of venture capital investment. Additionally, the University of Oxford ranks in fifth place, meaning the UK has two innovation hotspots for producing ground-breaking technologies. This underscores the huge potential when academia, entrepreneurship, and venture capital converge. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eMen3-ck #cambridgeuniversity #deeptech #techinnovation #techleadership #venturecapital #vc

Investment vs. Strategic Investment: Why Associated Innovators Goes Beyond Capital In today's dynamic startup landscape, securing funding is just one piece of the puzzle. While capital is essential, strategic investment offers a more potent formula for growth. At Associated Innovators, we understand that startups need more than just money – they need an A-team invested in their success. Here's a breakdown of the key differences between traditional investment and strategic investment: -Focus: Traditional investment prioritizes financial returns. Strategic investment focuses on both financial gains and a startup's long-term success. -Expertise: Traditional investors offer capital. Strategic investors like Associated Innovators provide capital plus the expertise of seasoned industry leaders. -Network: Traditional investors may offer limited connections. Our A-team investors leverage their extensive industry networks, opening doors and facilitating critical partnerships for our portfolio companies. -Growth Acceleration: Traditional investment provides a financial runway. Strategic investment equips startups with the tools and connections to achieve traction and scale rapidly. Associated Innovators: The Strategic Investment Advantage We stand apart by assembling a curated group of industry pioneers and proven experts who become more than just investors – they become mentors and partners. Our A-team offers startups: -Deep industry knowledge: We understand your market nuances and challenges. -Unparalleled network access: We connect you with the right people to propel your business forward. -Proven industry experience: We guide you based on our own successes (and the lessons learned). -Strategic intervention: We actively support your growth journey, helping you navigate roadblocks and unlock opportunities. Investing in Your Future At Associated Innovators, we believe in the power of strategic partnerships to unlock exponential growth. If you're a high-potential startup seeking more than just capital, we invite you to explore collaboration opportunities. Let's build your success story together. #strategicinvestment #growth #startups Suraj Juneja

🌟 Experienced investors as mentors for startups seeking investment are invaluable: 💼 They offer not only funding but also valuable expertise and strategic insights. 🤝 Their network can help startups better appeal to potential investors. 🚀 Collaborating with experienced investors can significantly enhance startups' chances of successful investment rounds. 💡 It's good to know all of this in theory; it is even better to have these investors at hand! 🙌 Meet Susanne Fichtner-Feigl. A hands-on investor with spades of experience in M&A. 📢 In the coming weeks, Susanne will share some insights behind the reasoning of investors and what she herself is looking for in an investment case. 🔜 Stay tuned to this page for what is to come! 👀 Check out Up2B Fundraising (link in comments) to accelerate your investor readiness. Start-up BW, Technologiepark Heidelberg GmbH, innoWerft, NEXT MANNHEIM, Viviane Müller, Fiona Preisler, Samira Höhn, Frauke Bothe-Anstädt, Mathis Palm, Eva-Maria Markutzik, Thomas Prexl, André H.R. Domin, Thomas Lindner, Christian Sommer, Inga-Marit Nölle, Paul Becker, Cansu Cak, Markus Bühler

🚀 What’s fueling the incredible rise in startup investment this October? October 2024 has set a new benchmark for venture capital funding, soaring to an astounding $32 billion. It's not just about numbers; it's about innovation, disruption, and the future of technology. With AI, data centers, and energy startups leading the charge, investors are tapping into sectors poised for explosive growth. But what does this mean for entrepreneurs and established companies alike? And how can your business leverage this momentum to drive corporate innovation? As we dive deeper into why October 2024 is making history, consider the shift happening across industries. AI technologies are no longer futuristic concepts; they are becoming vital components of every sector from healthcare to finance. Data centers continue evolving as our reliance on cloud computing grows exponentially—leading to unprecedented demand for robust infrastructure. Meanwhile, energy startups are redefining sustainability through innovative solutions aimed at combating climate change. So how can businesses connect with these dynamic startups and harness their potential? It’s time to seize opportunities that lie ahead! Don’t wait on the sidelines as startup ecosystems thrive; equip your team with insights and partnerships that can catalyze your innovation journey. Connect with startups that inspire you! Book a meeting today: https://lnkd.in/dFYwmbHq The investment landscape is changing rapidly—how will you be part of it? #StartupFunding #VentureCapital #AIRevolution #DataCenterInnovation #EnergyStartups #CorporateInnovation #InvestmentTrends #SustainabilityInTech #FutureOfWork #Entrepreneurship Read more about this exciting shift here: https://lnkd.in/dxsb8eMF

🌟 Sustaining Innovation Made Simple 🌟 Corporates often overcomplicate innovation strategies, but the truth is, fostering innovation can be as straightforward as setting up a Proof of Concept (POC) budget for startups knocking on their doors. Here’s why this approach works: ✅ Low-Risk Investment: A POC budget allows companies to test groundbreaking ideas without major financial commitments. ✅ Fresh Perspectives: Startups bring agility and disruptive thinking that can complement corporate operations. ✅ Faster Results: With startups, you can validate ideas quickly and adapt faster than traditional in-house R&D. ✅ Culture of Innovation: Engaging with startups sends a clear message—innovation is a priority. ✅ Long-Term Value: Successful POCs can evolve into strategic partnerships, joint ventures, or even acquisitions. How to Start? 1️⃣ Set clear objectives—what challenges or goals are you addressing? 2️⃣ Establish a transparent process to evaluate and select startup projects. 3️⃣ Keep POCs short and focused—90 days or less works well. 4️⃣ Measure outcomes against KPIs to identify scalable solutions. Innovation doesn’t have to be complex or costly. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple budget allocation to unlock a world of possibilities. 🚀 What do you think? Would a POC budget help your organization stay ahead? Let’s discuss! 👇 #innovation

"𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥; 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥: 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬." We are very exited for out next ScaleUp event! Here's a sneak peek at what you can look forward to: 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬: Professor Kai-Ingo Voigt: Renowned for his expertise in business research, innovation, and Industry 4.0, Professor Voigt will share his insights on sustainable innovation strategies and innovative business models. Sören Dreis: As an Investment Analyst at HTGF | High-Tech Gründerfonds, Sören will delve into the investment strategies of HTGF | High-Tech Gründerfonds. He'll provide valuable insights into evaluating high-tech startups and the venture capital industry, offering a unique perspective on supporting innovative ventures. Mathias Wahrenberger: Founder of START Nuremberg and LucyBalu, Mathias will share his personal career story, highlighting the importance of embracing change and following your passion. Tobias Clement: The visionary CEO & Founder of The Tackle Company, Tobias will discuss the complexities of AI, essential regulations, and the role of human-AI collaboration. Don't miss his talk on "𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐀𝐈" for insights from a leader in the AI field. Christoph Heynen: Leading the founding office working group at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Christoph will provide invaluable insights on transforming academic projects into successful startups. His experience in business plan development and securing funding will be a highlight of his talk, "𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲." Jenny Özkan and Sandra Jurisic: These passionate innovators from Siemens will discuss intrapreneurship and entrepreneurial thinking. Their talk, "𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐢𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠," will explore how to become an intrapreneur and highlight Siemens' commitment to innovation through accelerators and Next47 support. 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 BNP Paribas and Consorsbank: Svenja Lembke and Isabel Popp will lead an interactive workshop on 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠. Tailored for young professionals, this workshop will offer expert advice and practical exercises to elevate your career prospects. EY: Jakob Großehagenbrock will conduct a workshop on business resilience, "𝐎𝐟 𝐉𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬 – 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬."  He'll share tools and strategies to fortify your business against challenges and thrive in uncertain times, drawing on his extensive experience in crisis and resilience management. Join us for this incredible opportunity to learn from top-tier experts, engage in interactive workshops, and expand your network. See you at ZOLLHOF – Tech Incubator on June 25th!