Andreas Klinger

Series A Engineering: How does Dreamcraft Ventures support startups towards a successful Series A? 🚀 Find out in our Bits & Pretzels Masterclass in Munich on 30 Sep, which will be hosted by Nico, Founder Enablement Partner, and yours truly 🙌 We will cover how we invest and support portfolio companies. Using Hiber as a case study, I will talk about our collaboration with Michael and his team, and give you insights into how they raised their $15m Series A led by EQT Ventures 🤩 Nico will do a deep dive into crucial building blocks for early-stage startups. Based on his +15 years of experience from VC-backed startups like Trustpilot and Platypus, which he co-founded, Nico will provide hands-on advice for hiring, creating structural trust, retaining talent and building a performance culture 💪🔥 Are you going to Bits & Pretzels? Then join our Masterclass or reach out to myself, Nico or our colleague, Mads, if you want to meet up elsewhere! 💬 #Bits24 #venturecapital #vc #startup

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#Germany's Funded Startups Directory. You can view the list of startups funded in #Germany whenever you need it. Access the directory here https://lnkd.in/dc9emGbb #startup #startups #vc #venturecapital #investmentbanking #privateequity #managementconsulting #b2b #founders #entrepreneurs

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The journey to building a thriving startup is paved with lessons that can save you from some serious pitfalls. Case in point: Marc von Brockdorff's article on growth strategies, which highlights hard-earned truths that every founder should know. Too many entrepreneurs fall for the illusion of a great idea without assessing if it can actually turn into a sustainable business. Vision is crucial, but so is understanding your market and being your own customer. If you think you can just pump out a product based on what sounds cool, you’re setting yourself up for failure. It’s about passion and real problem-solving, not just trendy concepts. Every misstep is a lesson that could save you countless hours of frustration. Build something people love to use, not just something that looks good on paper. Let’s keep this real: it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Those seemingly trivial details you overlook can snowball into massive issues later on. So why not share your experiences? What hard-earned lessons have you learned while navigating your startup journey? https://lnkd.in/ev9u3atp

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🌍 Explore the vibrant startup landscape in Germany! Our detailed list features key information on funded startups, including their investors and markets. Don’t miss out—access it here: https://lnkd.in/dpdZUJyi #startup #startups #venturecapital #funding #vc #B2B

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As part of the Startup Incubator Berlin's Lean Startup program, I've talked to many inspired and motivated individuals, and we all make the same critical mistake (myself included!). We're trying to solve something too big at once, and so we're building a solution with multiple parts. What's worse is that when we talk to each other, we're extremely convinced that we have to deliver the whole piece or our solution doesn't make sense. But the person we're talking to is often able to quickly see that that's not true and point out how independent each part can be. This is actually the best part of participating in these programs: the insights gained from sharing with others. What I'm talking about here is nothing new: it's the very concept of the Minimum Valuable Product (MVP). And when you think you have it, think again and slice again. This applies not only to new companies, but also to new product development and features: What is the thinnest slice I can deliver that already provides value? The next time you're about to deliver something, ask yourself if you can split it, but also ask someone how they would split it, and don't forget to slice, slice, slice!

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Is the conventional wisdom about startup growth even close to the truth? Marc von Brockdorff challenges the status quo with insights drawn from his journey co-founding Hotjar, a SaaS powerhouse that reached a whopping €15M in ARR. One take that stands out: stop trying to solve problems you have no personal stake in. Too many entrepreneurs chase ideas because they look good on paper, neglecting the core of their own experiences and needs. A product must resonate with you, or it’s a tough uphill battle. Another point that deserves a spotlight is the distinction between building a product and running a business. Turns out, those two roles require entirely different skill sets. Many founders cling too tightly to their original vision while losing sight of essential business metrics. Understanding your CAC, churn, and LTV is not just a suggestion; it’s a necessity. If you think you can launch a product, sit back, and watch the profits roll in, think again. Feedback isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the lifeline of your growth. This isn't just theory; it's backed by lived experience. For those looking to navigate the rocky landscape of entrepreneurship, heed the lessons from someone who's made the climb. What do you think? Is it time to reconsider what we accept as startup gospel? https://lnkd.in/ev9u3atp

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🇨🇦 Why isn’t Canada on the list of top startup cities? (Referring to the image of top startup cities by VC deal value) Herbert Bay asks why Zurich, a city renowned for innovation, is missing from the top startup cities. But this also brings up another question: Why isn't Canada on the list? Canada has a wealth of brilliant minds, but many of our brightest entrepreneurs are forced to move to the USA to scale their ventures and achieve global success. The issue? Canada remains stuck in the past, where a company's value is primarily tied to its tangible assets—buildings, equipment—rather than its innovation and intellectual property. Natural resources are abundant in Canada, yet we degrade them for short-term gains, creating a false economy, while undervaluing the intellect of our people and the potential of our startups. In contrast, countries like the USA ask entrepreneurs, "What do you need to succeed?" In Canada, entrepreneurs often face endless hurdles and discouragement, being told their pre-revenue company holds no value because there is no positive EBITDA. This mentality stifles growth. Montreal and Toronto should be on this list, but despite the Canadian economy's reliance on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), public support for startups is minimal. Today, public institutions and government bodies dictate which sectors to prioritize, ignoring the innovative power of our startups and SMEs. Rather than focusing on large enterprises that exploit our natural resources and pollute the environment, it’s time to shift toward valuing innovation. With the devaluation of underperforming buildings, outdated technologies, and businesses unable to manage waste, Canada needs a new vision. 🇨🇦 It's time to champion Canadian startups and SMEs, to build value through intangible assets—intellectual property, innovation, and talent. Let’s return to the core question: What do innovative SMEs need to succeed? #Innovation #CanadaStartups #IntellectualProperty #Entrepreneurship #SMEs #MyBreezzz

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Working with founders I am always amazed by the diversity of the approaches founders choose to build their businesses. What stays the same is the need for a good mentor. Here is a little insight into the mentoring work I have been doing with the Founder Institute Berlin for this cohort: 👗 Jennifer von Walderdorff is building a fashion tech platform, a super interesting idea. I helped her to understand the direction of the product better, & what to build first to get traction and start growing sustainably with the help of the community she built. 🚘 Daniel Muñoz Mármol is building his company in the automotive automation space, which seems easy but is not. This space is highly competitive, but also conservative (if we are talking about Germany). I helped him to understand the customer better and make the pitch a bit more clear, so the product is built for the right audience. I will be sharing more in the next few days. While building a company, we all need support. Getting someone from the tech world, with an actual experience building real tech products is not that easy. Generally speaking, I have to admit that the deep and applicable knowledge of product+tech is not available within the majority of accelerator and incubator programs and this is something I want to change in the future. Also, that is why Tobias Mende and I are working on creating a new space, where all of your tech+product questions can be answered. Stay tuned! #founders #mentoring #product #tech #techstartup #growth

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I mentored the newest cohort at Techstars Berlin and was positively surprised to see the quality of founders. Key takeaways: 1. AI as expected was the key theme for most companies 2. Techstars has carved a niche for itself in choosing founders with strong technical expertise who need business coaching. Was refreshing to see founders who didn't just copy paste AI but truly knew what they were building 3. For many early stage founders, going deep with one use case makes sense but at times lacked the longer term vision on expanding TAM (critical for raising cash at the right valuation in early rounds) 4. Some ambitious founders (including one building offshore hydrogen production infra) will challenge the depth and conviction of European VC ecosystem (many founders already planning their London and SF meetings) 5. #givefirst is the key theme at Techstars. No mentor or company was in transaction mode. True startup exchange and paying it forward Thanks Brian for inviting me to be part of the mentor group!

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Should founders take advice from non-founder VCs? 🤔 As a founder, everyone (family, friends, the neighbors' dog 🐶 ) is constantly trying to give you advice - and especially your investors but, do you really have to listen to VCs who've never built a company themselves? On the one hand, VCs who were not founders often bring a wealth of industry experience. They analyzed hundreds of businesses from many sectors, and they see what works and what doesn't. For example, Benchmark's Peter Fenton is one of the world's top VCs, even though he's never founded a startup. His investments in companies like Twitter have shaped entire industries. Conversely, founders-turned-VCs are better able to understand the emotional side of running a business. At Vinthera, I speak with many GPs about this operational experience being a critical part of their USP to founders - the shared experience creates trust. So, should you take advice from someone who has never built a company before? Does their outside perspective bring value or is the founder's life experience more important? I'd love to hear your thoughts. What is your experience?👇

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🚀 UVC Partners: Driving Europe's Leading Deeptech Startup Ecosystem 🌍 Munich’s UnternehmerTUM stands out as a powerhouse in Europe’s startup scene, largely thanks to UVC Partners, a key player providing vital early-stage funding for B2B deeptech, climate tech, software, and mobility startups. 🚗 A Hub for Innovation and Growth📈 Founded within UnternehmerTUM in 2011, UVC Partners has grown significantly, helping to transform the funding landscape for European startups. 💰Initially starting with a modest €25 million fund, UVC Partners now manages around €400 million in assets and is currently raising its fourth fund, targeting €200-250 million. This impressive growth reflects the firm’s success in identifying and nurturing startups with the potential for world-changing innovations, such as space technology platforms and flying taxis. A Changing Funding Landscape💰 The shift in funding dynamics is stark. In 2012, deeptech companies across Europe received a mere €400 million. Fast forward to 2023, and German deeptech startups alone secured €1.6 billion, with the German government announcing a €1 billion fund for deeptech and climate tech growth-stage companies. UVC Partners has been at the forefront of this evolution, closing its third fund generation in 2021 with €260 million raised across two funds. Strategic Connections and Deep Expertise🤝 UVC Partners benefits from its close ties to UnternehmerTUM, leveraging a vast network of corporates, Mittelstand companies, universities, and government figures. This network provides startups with unparalleled access to industry leaders and policymakers, a significant advantage highlighted by many portfolio companies. “We have a unit called Value Creation that focuses on customer creation and knowledge,” explains UVC partner Benjamin Erhart. This unit taps into UnternehmerTUM’s business relations, offering startups tailored introductions to industry heavyweights when needed. Success Stories and Flagship Investments UVC Partners has a strong track record of successful investments and exits. Notable investments include: Flix, Isar Aerospace, Vimcar, FAZUA, Aleph Alpha, Reel The Future of European Deeptech🤖 UVC Partners' commitment to fostering innovation and connecting startups with essential resources has solidified its role in Europe’s leading startup ecosystem as an early-stage backer of B2B deeptech, climate tech, software, and mobility startups that are working on potentially world-changing innovations, reported Sifted. ✅ Looking to raise capital for your #fund and increase the international pool of your LP #investors?   🤝 Need warm #LP introductions?   📝 Selling #secondaries to increase liquidity?   🧐 Looking for co-investments?   ▶ G+QUANT's link for inquiries and fund decks: https://lnkd.in/gjC_EuTE 🌟 #VentureCapital #Startups #Deeptech #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #UVCPartners #TechFunding #MunichTech #ClimateTech #EuropeanStartups

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Crafting the perfect pitch: Why deciding between a vision-driven narrative or data-driven results could define your fundraising success 👇 Actionable insights from: ➡ Christina Cacioppo, CEO and Co-founder at Vanta and Mario Gabriele, Founder at The Generalist ✏ “The Founders Guide to Optimizing Your Fundraise” ⭐ Base your fundraising pitch on either a compelling narrative or strong metrics, depending on the state of your business, but avoid trying to do both simultaneously. 💬  "You can raise on numbers or you can raise on story, but you shouldn't raise on both. You should always be clear with yourself about which one you're raising on, and your pitch should make it clear, too. It's hard to do both well: the vision obscures the numbers, and the numbers detract from the vision. The same company can raise on either vision or numbers at different times. At Vanta, we raised on our numbers in the early days because people didn't buy into the market or its potential. As we matured, so did our ability to bring investors along on that vision." – Christina Cacioppo ───── 👉 Follow me, Alexander Small, for tactics and strategies for building startups from industry-leading Founders, Operators and Investors

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How to Close an Angel Round: Securing angel investment requires strategic planning and building momentum. Here are essential steps to help you close the round: 1. Mass Syndication: Approach multiple investors simultaneously to create urgency and increase social proof. 2. Set Terms Below Market: Start with investor-friendly terms and valuation to gain initial traction with interested angels. 3. Build Social Proof: Mention reputable backers who have shown interest, as this can create momentum among other investors. 4. Rolling Close Strategy: Accept funds as they come, rather than waiting for the full round to close, allowing you to stay agile with cash flow. 5. Use Angel Networks: Platforms like AngelList can connect you with potential investors and streamline introductions. 6. Clear Deadline: Set a timeline to push for commitment, using milestones like holidays or oversubscription to create urgency. #AngelInvesting #StartupFunding #InvestorRelations #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital PS. check out 🔔 for a winning pitch deck the template created by Silicon Valley legend, Peter Thiel https://lnkd.in/ejp-Bhnu

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🚨 Red Alert for Germany’s Startup Ecosystem: A 30% Drop in Active Investors – How Can We Keep the Innovation Engine Running? A recent article from Handelsblatt (link in comments) points out that early-stage startups are especially at risk during this downturn since they depend on venture capital to scale. The expanding funding gap will further stifle growth in areas where innovation is most needed. Yet, within this challenge lies opportunity: 🌱 Resilient Sectors Lead the Way Sectors like #GreenTech and #AI are still drawing investment, showing their potential to drive innovation. These industries highlight where Germany can have the most significant impact. 🏠 Family Offices as Growth Catalysts As traditional investors pull back, family offices can step up. By leveraging patient capital, they can empower promising startups and lay the foundation for long-term success. 🤝 Venture Clienting as a Key to Co-Innovation Strategic partnerships between startups and established businesses bridge the funding gap. These alliances not only drive digital transformation but also deliver mutual value and foster innovation. At D11Z. Ventures, we believe Germany’s competitive edge depends on collaboration. That's why we invest in high-potential startups and create co-innovation opportunities with family offices and industry leaders. Together, we're fostering an ecosystem that drives innovation and supports long-term growth. 🚀 💬 How can family offices and industry leaders support the next wave of startup innovation? Share your ideas below! #D11ZVentures #Innovation #StartupEcosystem #VentureCapital #InnovationLeadership #FamilyOffices #CoInnovation #ArtificialIntelligence

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78% of startups can’t even pay back their investors. How do you avoid becoming one of them? I got to chat with Fabian Tausch of the popular Unicorn Bakery podcast about the common pitfalls founders face, how to avoid them in the first place, and what to do if you find yourself stuck. This one’s for you if you want more insight on:  🤔When to use intuition vs. data when making decisions, 💰When and how to raise capital, 👥Choosing the right investor Plus, startup questions you want to know but may be afraid to ask, including, “Is it even possible to be successful in my early 20s?” #UnicornBakery #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Capital #Investors #DecisionMaking 

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