Joachim Vandaele’s Post

💸🚀 With #QVCS, Maddyness UK profiles different #funds to give #founders and #entrepreneurs the information they need to choose the right #investor. Today, we speak to Jia Lin Yong, Investor at Giant Ventures to explore the #future of #health. “Giant Ventures backs purpose-driven founders solving the world’s biggest #challenges across three themes: #climate, health, and #inclusive #capitalism.” “Ruthlessly #prioritise. #Time is one of your scarcest #resources, and #speed is your main #advantage.” https://lnkd.in/e34ym2kC

Our recent engagements with founders at First Degree have been both enlightening and humbling, revealing a clear shift towards a more nuanced, strategic approach to venture capital. Here are some learnings: 🌟 The New Currency: Beyond financial investment, the most transformative investors offer mentorship, networks, and strategic insights, becoming true partners in growth. 🔗 Synergy is Key: The alignment between investors and founders on vision and values is crucial, underscoring the importance of relationships built on mutual understanding and shared goals. 📄 Term Sheet Nuances: Details matter. Founders are taking a closer look at the implications of control, equity, and exit strategies, understanding their long-term impact. 📈 Embracing Sustainable Growth: The wisdom of patient capital is becoming more apparent, favoring enduring success over the allure of rapid gains. 🔄 Beyond Traditional VC: The venture landscape is diversifying. Engagements with non-traditional investors are bringing fresh perspectives and new opportunities. 💵 Valuation with Vision: A balanced approach to valuation, prioritizing the long-term health and sustainability of the company, is emerging as a cornerstone strategy. 🗣️ Transparency Builds Trust: Open and honest communication lays the foundation for trust and alignment, essential for a successful partnership. These insights remind us of the humility required to navigate the venture space and the hope that drives us forward. The era of smart capital is about more than just transactions; it’s about building enduring partnerships that foster innovation and impact. At First Degree, we are more committed than ever to supporting founders who share this perspective. If you’re seeking a partner who values strategic alignment, transparency, and sustainable growth, we’d love to connect. Let’s explore how we can support your vision and achieve remarkable things together. #VentureCapital #StartupFunding #SmartCapital #StrategicPartnerships #Entrepreneurship #GrowthMindset

The Essential Do’s and Don’ts of Adding Strategic Investors to Your Cap Table: As founders, it’s common to bring strategic (corporate) investors into your cap table to accelerate growth. These partnerships can be valuable for resources, credibility, and even market access. However, they come with unique considerations—especially if you’re working in tech or climate-focused sectors. Strategic investors can provide access to valuable off-take agreements, scale expertise, and larger customer bases. For climate tech companies, for example, having a corporate investor with experience in large-scale projects can make an incredible difference. Big companies also bring non-dilutive funds and credibility, which are key as you navigate market entry and regulatory hurdles. Timing is essential, though. Startups typically engage strategic investors from Series A onward, as you’ll need resources to meet extra demands like reporting and compliance. Ask yourself: can this partnership add value now, or is it worth waiting? If it’s the right time, thoroughly vet potential partners. Consider their investment structure, alignment with your interests, and experience supporting startups. And remember, avoid pitfalls. Don’t give corporates rights of first refusal (ROFR) or first offer (ROFO) on future M&A—this can restrict your options. Also, think twice before offering a board seat; a board observer role may better balance their insight with confidentiality. Working with the right corporate investor can drive incredible growth, but it’s important to approach strategically. Talk to peer founders, your investors, and the strategic’s portfolio companies to ensure alignment and clarity. With the right due diligence, this relationship can be a powerful catalyst for your startup’s journey. You can read the full details on: https://lnkd.in/epYwVmmN #venturecapital #investing #startups DEEP CAPITAL GROUP

How the market is looking at you (really)? "Just a CVC” - ouch.  What makes a quality CVC? - Andy Lubershane of Energy Impact Partners wants to deal with people who have strong links into the corporate business units. If that’s someone on the CVC team with strong internal networks, great. If it’s a CVC investor who is an island apart from the parent corporation, not so much - Robert Garber of healthcare VC 7wireVentures also talked about the differences in empowerment he observed in the CVCs he dealt with.  “Some of them have the gravitas and the relationships and the political capital, and those are the most effective, whereas, sometimes people think of them as the gnat and the business people shoo them away.”   It’s always a bit humbling but worth it to look at yourself and your industry briefly through someone else’s eyes. You may think yourself a savvy startup scout, a term sheet ninja and board member of infinite sagacity – but, if you’re not bringing your corporation with you into deals, for many you’ll just be a gnat.   Interesting analysis as usual by Maija Palmer on Global Corporate Venturing #CVC #openinnovation #startups Mind the Bridge Gianluca Dettori PS: the picture is totally unrelated, except for the face expression of my friends Vittorio Viarengo and Fabrizio Capobianco

Exciting to see the momentum building at events like 3-SPACE 2024! At Tersa Earth, we're passionate about driving sustainable innovation, and it's inspiring to witness 160 visionary startups, investors, and industry leaders coming together to reshape the investment landscape. This event perfectly aligns with our mission to create positive impact through business. The focus on unlocking capital for entrepreneurs advancing sustainability resonates deeply with our work at Tersa Earth. We know firsthand the challenges and opportunities in this space, and it's encouraging to see major players like Rothschild & Co and the World Economic Forum championing this cause. As we continue to push boundaries in sustainable solutions, collaborations and connections forged at events like these are invaluable. They remind us that we're part of a larger movement, working collectively towards a better future. Let's keep this momentum going and continue to demonstrate that profitability and positive impact can go hand in hand. The future of business is sustainable, and it's happening now! 🌱🌍 #SustainableInnovation #ImpactInvesting

Which option would you favour: a VC partner whose primary role is providing capital or actively supporting the company's growth? Any founder seeking to secure capital should carefully consider which option is more beneficial. Both types of investors bring valuable contributions, and the choice between them can shape the future of any young business. The advantage of working with a capital-focused VC is straightforward. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀. This economic freedom can be beneficial for early-stage companies. However, the capital-only approach has limitations. Startups may need more strategic guidance or industry connections, which could be critical in navigating challenges and seizing opportunities. On the other end of the spectrum are VC partners who go beyond simply providing capital. These growth-oriented investors actively participate in developing the companies they invest in, and their support can be just as valuable as financial backing. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞. Their involvement can be particularly beneficial during a startup's growth and expansion. The decision between a capital-only investor and an active, growth-oriented investor ultimately depends on the specific needs of portfolio companies. Founders must carefully assess where they are in their business journey and what kind of support they require to reach the next stage. However, this decision should not be taken lightly. Ultimately, the most effective VC partnerships are those in which the investor's contributions align seamlessly with the business's specific needs. For further insights into what makes an effective VC partner, explore Lumir Meloun article https://lnkd.in/d4ZjwhSu #VC #VentureCapital #VCpartner

🚀 Navigating and Avoiding Down Rounds 🚀 In the third session of the Africa Venture Discussion series, Eloho Omame delivered an insightful presentation on navigating and preempting down rounds. Here are some of the key takeaways from the session: 🏆 Down rounds involve complex dynamics where incentives from different stakeholders can diverge. Understanding these incentives is crucial for securing the best outcome. 💬 Early, difficult conversations with founders are key to avoiding down rounds. Proactive planning from the outset mitigates the need for last-minute crisis management. ↔ Down rounds are multi-faceted in nature and incentives often conflict. Alternatives such as non-dilutive funding, cost-cutting measures, or structured flat rounds can offer viable solutions to counter this. However, discipline and long-term thinking should be fostered from the outset to avoid reaching the brink of a down round. ⚖ Early conversations are important in mitigating dilution concerns. Founders must balance the fear of dilution with the broader company's value, ensuring they don't reject beneficial rounds due to short-term worries. 🤝 Investors’ reluctance towards down rounds was also discussed and the need to emphasise trust and transparency to ensure alignment between investors and founders. 🔎 Comprehensive due diligence at the beginning of the investment is key to avoiding down rounds. 📈 VCs were cautioned against overvaluation and encouraged to act as advisers to avoid down rounds. 🧠 The psychological aspects of down rounds must be recognised and acknowledged to understand the motivations of different stakeholders to facilitate smooth resolution. In conclusion, navigating down rounds requires foresight, transparency, and a collaborative approach. By fostering trust, aligning incentives, and maintaining a long-term perspective, companies and investors can navigate these challenges with resilience and integrity. #StartupStrategy #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship #InvestmentInsights

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 160 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦? 𝘛𝘏𝘌𝘠 𝘊𝘙𝘌𝘈𝘛𝘌 𝘏𝘖𝘗𝘌 𝘈𝘕𝘋 𝘔𝘖𝘔𝘌𝘕𝘛𝘜𝘔. Last week, amidst the backdrop of the US elections and #COP29, we had the privilege of being part of the 3-SPACE event hosted by Rothschild & Co in collaboration with UpLink - World Economic Forum, ImpactVC and Better Society Capital. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧? To explore how we can accelerate investment into sustainable businesses and push for urgent action to achieve the 1.5-degree and #NetZero goal for 2050. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞: 🔹 Unlocking capital to empower entrepreneurs advancing positive impact for people and the planet. 🔹 Redefining success to integrate sustainability across all stages of the capital stack. 🔹 Building meaningful collaborations to drive real, measurable change. For HyFlux this is more than a conversation. It’s a commitment. We’re striving to deliver 2,000 MT of CO2 emissions savings per year by 2050. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲? Sustainability isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. Positive impact on the natural and social environment can align with 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬, and it’s up to all of us to prove it. The question I’m left with: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲? If this resonates, let’s keep the dialogue going. #Uplink #Investment #ClimateFinance #StartUps #Innovators World Economic Forum P.S. What do you think is the biggest opportunity for sustainable investing in 2024?

The Tallinn chapter of the ImpactBuilders Foundation invites a few selected angel investors to the "Investor Box", which will be set up during the Investor Lecture & Networking Event on Wednesday 28 August, 2024. More info via the link in the comments, or click the image below. #impactbuilders ImpactBuilders PRNEWS.IO #angelinvesting #impact #impactinvesting #estonia #tallinn #business

As the world’s biggest challenges intensify, the call for genuine social and environmental impact from business has never been louder. Investors are recognizing that companies driven by purpose aren’t just good for the planet—they’re smart business. Backing startups with a mission to make a difference taps into something powerful: customer loyalty that goes beyond transactions. Purpose-driven companies hold the potential to build deeply engaged communities, strengthening their prospects for lasting growth and resilience in an ever-evolving market. Wayne Gerard, founder of Prtnr, shares his approach to identifying which companies to support, looking for those rare ventures capable of scaling positive impact. He’s proving that investing with purpose isn’t just an ethical choice; it’s a strategic one with the power to shape industries and improve lives. Our conversation with Wayne will air on "APAC Weekly" this Sunday on Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Australia. Make sure to tune in! You can also watch the conversation with Wayne by clicking the link in comments. #ConversationsShapingOurFuture #Investing #ImpactInvesting #VentureCapital #ClimateChange #PositiveImpact