Konstantin Magaletskyi 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦

We will share our new Investment Agreement and Articles of Association very soon. In the meantime, we are sharing our Due Diligence Form and the accompanying instructions. They hopefully contain helpful tools for any founder raising funds or angel investor looking to invest: - A share cap table calculator - A list of Due Diligence questions. The new Investment agreement does not include personal warranties. This checklist helps founders and investors quickly determine if there are any significant obstacles to investing. - A 24-month cash-flow projection. Most start-ups raise enough money for the coming 12-24 Months. This projection helps investors understand how the money is spent and when it will run out. - A Free Cash Flow margin calculator. For Pre/Early-revenue companies, a 5-year projection makes little sense, but we would like to understand what the Founder thinks the margins will be when at scale. -A short Markt Size estimator with the opportunity to have a more detailed breakdown. - An overview of the deal pipeline with weighted values if there is uncertainty -An estimation of cost to replicate. - A list of potential conflicts of interest to address Founder agency problems. - A peer group overview for competitors and potential buyers. - Valuation sanity check, where the estimated IRR for investors is checked versus the potential exit value based on FCF margin and market share. - An overview of historic financials. These tools help founders efficiently share their company's value proposition with investors. The more a founder can fill in, the better, but every company is different, and some parts might be difficult to fill in. This document is a living document with potential bugs. Feel free to comment and use it even if you are never going to raise investment with Apollo Informal Investments. A shout-out would be appreciated, just like we would like to do a shout-out to Aswath Damodaran for some of the data used in the model. #seis #angelinvesting #financialmodel

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To Launch a New Service, Customers Must Love Your Existing Products. I sat down with Mikhail Lomtadze, CEO of Kaspi.kz (NASDAQ:KSPI), a $24 billion behemoth traded on the Nasdaq and the leading tech platform in Kazakhstan. Mikhail philosophy is that to launch new products successfully, customers must love your existing ones because if current customers don't love a company's products, they won't adopt or recommend any new products being launched. Customers who dislike existing products will spread negativity and not give new products a chance. Ensuring high quality of current products builds trust and loyalty that carries over to gaining adoption of new services. Links to full Fintech Leaders episode ⤵⤵⤵ Substack: https://bit.ly/3z7UGF6   Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4evnszN Apple: https://apple.co/3VMXjVu Youtube: https://bit.ly/3VPjR8s

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This is going to be truly transformational for Ukraine.

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Private Equity (PE) and Venture Capital (VC) Are two major subsets of a larger part of the financial landscape known as the private markets. PE and VC firms both raise pools of capital from accredited investors known as limited partners (LPs), and they both do so in order to invest in privately owned companies. Their goals are the same: to increase the value of the businesses they invest in and then sell them for a profit. How are they different: 👍 Give this post a thumbs up 💬 Repost to share this with your network ➕ Follow me for more Tips Credit: Chris Tottman, Pitchbook, Investopedia #venturecapital, #privateequity, #venturefunding #investing

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🚀 Fundraising Strategies That Worked in 2024 🚀 - Fundraising in 2024 isn’t just about convincing investors—it’s about showing the right blend of innovation, scalability, and resilience. - 2024 has been a defining year for fundraising in the startup ecosystem! - The landscape has changed, and those who adapted with strategy and resilience thrived. - As a startup founder, navigating this journey requires not just a great product, but also a solid plan to attract the right investors. - Having mentored many startups this year, I’ve seen what really works in today’s dynamic funding landscape. 👉 Key Learnings from 2024: 💠 Clear Unit Economics: Investors are no longer swayed by growth alone. Solid unit economics is a must. Proving profitability per customer has become a key differentiator. 💠 Founder’s Vision: Investors want to see a bold, clear, and adaptable vision. Founders who can communicate not only where their startup is today but where it can be in 5-10 years are the ones sealing the deals. 💠 Data-Driven Pitches Win: Investors in 2024 demand concrete numbers. Founders who presented strong metrics—like Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR), Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), and Lifetime Value (LTV)—stood out. 💠 Storytelling is Still King: Numbers are crucial, but telling your startup's story—the "why" behind your mission—is equally powerful. Investors back founders with passion and purpose. 💠 Diverse Investor Pool: Successful founders diversified their investor base by tapping into angel networks, corporate VCs, and strategic partnerships, rather than relying on traditional VC routes alone. 👉 Future Roadmap: 💠 Sustainability & Impact: Investors in 2024 are leaning towards businesses that make a positive impact. Founders who embed ESG principles into their business model are getting noticed. 💠Strong Founder-Backer Relationships: Post-funding support matters. Build relationships with investors who add strategic value, not just capital. 💠 Flexible Fundraising: Traditional equity rounds aren’t the only way forward. Founders who explored alternative methods like revenue-based financing and SAFE notes found better terms while retaining control over their vision. 🔑 Key Aspects: - As a mentor, I’ve witnessed the power of preparation, clarity, and strategic thinking in securing funding. - I’ve seen that those who master the art of storytelling, back it up with data, and maintain authentic relationships with investors thrive. - The key is to stay flexible and proactive. The fundraising game has changed make sure you’re playing it right! - Remember, fundraising is not just about securing capital—it’s about building lasting partnerships that propel your startup forward. Let’s take these strategies and make 2024 the year your venture gets the backing it deserves! 🌟 #fundraising2024 #startupstrategy #investorrelations #foundersjourney #mentorship #fundingtactics #ingrainscapital

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🌍 October 2024: Major Funding Updates in Europe’s Startup Scene 🚀 In the past 10 days, the European venture capital market has seen significant activity, showcasing ongoing confidence in tech-driven sectors: 1️⃣ Voliro, a drone-based inspection company, raised $12M in Series A funding, reflecting the rising importance of industrial robotics in safety and maintenance applications. (Oct 4, 2024) 2️⃣ Iona Star LP announced the first close of its £22M AI and data fund, aimed at fueling innovation in artificial intelligence and data-driven startups. (Oct 3, 2024) 3️⃣ The clean-tech sector continues to gain momentum, with Syklo acquiring Elastopoli Oy, pushing forward the development of sustainable, circular economy solutions across Europe. (Oct 3, 2024) These developments highlight that #AI, #robotics, and #sustainability remain key areas of focus for investors, aligning perfectly with P2’s mission to support AI and data-driven #B2B scale-ups. Is your startup ready to seize these opportunities? Let’s talk! 💼 #StartupFunding #VentureCapital #AIInnovation #P2 #ScalingUp

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From the latest Liquidity podcast The upcoming Sequoia-Stripe tender is both a signal that an IPO could be coming for the fintech giant, and that the unusual clarity in communication speaks volumes to how the venture firm is trying to thread DPI and a slow exit market

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https://buff.ly/4cGaqy1 The Mastery of VC Communication: Proven Strategies and Pitfalls to Avoid! Discover the essential techniques for successful virtual communication in business settings. Learn how to effectively convey your message, engage your audience, and build strong connections in the digital realm. Uncover the common mistakes that can hinder your virtual communication efforts and how to steer clear of them. Enhance your virtual presence and ensure your messages are received with clarity and impact. Get ahead in the world of virtual communication with valuable insights and practical tips. #VirtualCommunication #BusinessTips

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#Riga-based asset-backed investment platform Indemo.eu, which means Investment Democracy, has raised €556K at a pre-money valuation of €7.5M from a mix of new and existing private investors from Ireland, Canada, Lithuania, and Latvia. Founded in 2021 by Pavel Poctarenko, Alexander Voloshin, Sergejs Viskovskis, and Daniel Zhiryakov, Indemo allows investors to participate in real estate-backed debt opportunities, primarily in the Spanish market, with investments starting at €10. Previously, these products were reserved for individuals and institutions with investments starting at around €100K. Read more: https://www.balticvc.com/ #Latvia #startups #startup #tech #technology #technologies #TechnologyNews #TechNews #Deal #Deals #investment #VentureCapital #VC

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According to Amy Lewin from Sifted, corporate venture firms (#CVCs) are making quite the mark on Europe’s startup landscape. I have never been an advocate of CVCs, but they are clearly worthy of consideration as a serious player in the ecosystem, so let’s look at some key figures. While venture capital showed a large decline in the past two years (down 35% in 2023 compared with 2022), corporate venture #funds have remained constant in the market. The number of active corporate #venture units has declined from its peak in 2022, but not critically. In 2022 and 2023, CVCs participated in more than 20% of all deals. In 2023, this figure reached €26.16bn across 2,133 deals, and so far, in 2024 corporate venture arms have been involved in 771 deals worth a combined €12.31bn. Major CVC players like GV (Google Ventures) and Salesforce Ventures have each closed over 50 deals in the last five years. The largest CVC-backed deal in 2023 was Aleph Alpha's $500M round, with investments from Bosch and Hubert Burda Media’s venture arms. CVCs continue to show a strong appetite for early-stage startup #investments. What has your experience been working with corporate venture firms? Do you see them as a growth driver, or have there been challenges in your collaborations? Would love to hear your thoughts.

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💡 European VC Valuations Show Strong Recovery in Q3 2024! 💡 Optimistic news from the Q3 2024 European VC Valuations Report! 📈 Here are some takeaways: 🔹 Valuation Rebound: Median deal values are outpacing 2023 across all stages. Larger rounds signal growing investor confidence. 🔹 Sector Highlights: Fintech leads the pack with high valuations across stages. SaaS sees exceptional growth, while AI & ML shows resilience in early-stage rounds. 🔹 Investor Dynamics: Nontraditional investors (CVCs, PEs) play a crucial role, participating in larger, higher-valued deals. 🔹 Exit Environment: Improved IPO and buyout valuations mark a recovery, but the challenge of European firms listing outside Europe continues. This signals a promising trajectory for 2025, as the ecosystem adapts to stabilizing interest rates and slowing inflation. 🌍 https://lnkd.in/dBmx8Gtf #VCInsights #EuropeanStartups #InvestmentOpportunities #Innovation

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A brief update on Mits Capital. Today, MITS Capital invested in a US drone company that makes low-cost drones in Ukraine—we are now the largest shareholder. Our strategic planning has led us to select the first five companies for our accelerator program in Kyiv. All of them are in the drone supply chain and do not rely on Chinese components. We are also in due diligence with three innovative drone companies that are ready to scale production--their US analogs cost 3-10x as much per unit. We will start fundraising for our venture fund in a couple of weeks. MITS Capital has been invited to a number of important conferences over the next month: -- the London Ukraine Defense Industry Conference, -- a DIU/DIANA conference -- the Berlin Rebuilding Ukraine conference over the next month. Our timing is propitious. The valuations of startups in Ukraine are about 1/10 of similar companies in the US. The US government still prevents banks from financing vendors of war materiel to the Ukrainian government, nor is US/NATO aid directed directly to Ukrainian companies. Ukraine has export and currency controls. These will probably all change in the coming year, creating incredible investment opportunities in the most innovative defense industry in the free world and the lowest cost one.  And new money for Ukraine from Russian assets is in the works. Meanwhile, Ukraine is putting the new aid package to good use and converting about 1000 Russians to “good” status each day. Slava Ukraini! David Bonfili Creighton Holt Monique Brown Ernest (E.J.) Herold Dr. Hans-Jürgen Schraut Richard Fontaine Paul Scharre Dan Rice 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 Michael D. Brasseur Nadiia Stechyshyna Alan H Merbaum Phillip Karber Sri Chandrasekar Ian Winer Brody Howatt Justin Zeefe George Hoyem Christo Artusio Christopher Harvin Ed Keller Todd Thomson Alexander Fleiss Alexander McWhorter Rudy Iberle Timothy D. Otten Ian Miller Matt Abrams Benjamin Richardson Gleb Chuvpilo, CFA Defense One Defense News

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🚨 EGYM attracts nearly $200 million in primary funding from L Catterton and Meritech at a valuation of over $1 billion 🚨 I'm excited to announce that EGYM / EGYM | DACH / EGYM Wellpass has recently secured nearly $200 million in primary funding from L Catterton and Meritech Capital, valuing the company at over $1 billion. The fundraise last year with Affinity Partners marked a significant achievement for EGYM: we were profitable, debt-free, and maintained a big chunk of the fundraise in the bank, all while experiencing rapid growth. That meant that we no longer relied on investor funds for survival; instead, we could take the time to focus on building relationships with the best possible investors to support EGYM's mission. Phew 😅 that was quite a relief as a founder, and the next round ended up happening much faster than expected. We are a fitness technology company: In my research, I identified L Catterton as the ideal partner for EGYM on the fitness and health side, given that they are the world's largest fitness investor. For the technology piece, Meritech Capital stood out as the best fit, given its deep understanding of SaaS and its success stories with leading companies like Facebook and Salesforce. Therefore, I started reaching out to both firms with the intent of building a long-term relationship, which has turned into a round of funding. I had the pleasure of meeting Marc Magliacano, a Managing Partner in the L Catterton Flagship Fund, and was impressed by his extensive experience in fitness investing. His deep industry knowledge will be invaluable as he joins our board. On the Meritech side, I was equally impressed by Paul Madera, a co-founder of the firm. His sharp questions and focus on the important elements of our business convinced me that he is the right fit for EGYM. The EGYM team has earned the trust of what I consider to be the best possible investor partners for our mission to get to where we are today, and we are much more capitalized than we were planning. However, this trust now comes with even greater responsibility. Our mission to build the leading global platform at the intersection of fitness and health is not just a business goal but a commitment to driving sustainability into the world's largest market—healthcare. We are 120% dedicated to making it happen and are grateful to our existing investors for their continued support. 👋🏻 Welcome aboard, Marc and Paul. 🚀 Let's go, EGYM team!

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Mistral AI an OpenAI Rival in Europe, which has recently started generating revenue, is in talks to raise capital at a $5 Billion valuation. Details about the specific investors Mistral has engaged with for this new funding round are currently unclear. Among its existing investors are Andreessen Horowitz, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Microsoft the latter having also invested significantly in OpenAI but with a larger capital commitment. It is clear that this is no longer just an industrial battle but a clash to occupy a strategic area at both continental and global levels. Not having proprietary technology in this sector is equivalent to experiencing a gap similar to what we have recently seen in the energy sector. It means depending on exporting countries, where the price for our productivity depends on third parties. As a country, Italy needs to support our national champions like iGenius, companies that have technology and numbers to compete. #AI #LLM #opensource #future #italy #europe #vc

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At Fortune’s Brainstorm Tech conference, an engaging discussion shed light on the evolving venture capital (VC) landscape. One of the key takeaways was the underscore of vibrant growth of the VC sector, with the number of firms soaring from 6,000 in 2013 to about 60,000 today. This surge in competition is driving VCs to innovate and refine their fundraising strategies, creating a dynamic environment for investment opportunities. Additionally, the session touched on how family offices provide flexible capital for smaller investments while emphasizing the thorough scrutiny required for larger funds. An emphasis on candid conversations among VCs and limited partners highlighted a commitment to fostering a more collaborative and forward-thinking investment community. Read More Here: https://lnkd.in/gHjJbtr3 Fortune Allie Garfinkle Branded Hospitality Ventures Hospitality Headline Newsletter #VentureCapital #Investment #hospitality #community Clara Shih Paulo Rosado #BrainstormTech Christine Moseley Rick Rose

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It was a pleasure to discuss with Silvia Iacovcich from Real Deals our growth plans, and trends in deeptech VC investment

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Enjoyable listen / watch this 20VC podcast where Harry Stebbings gets Cem Sertoglu of Bek Ventures to open up. Cem led, very likely the single best European seed deal thus far - the UiPath investment, $16.5m invested becoming $2.1b. Whoa! Notes on what stood out for me: *Play the game on the field. Cem: “I think our job is to play the game. Our business structure is defined by timelines. We raise 10-year life funds, so our job is to expose our fund to the strongest opportunities in every vintage, not to try to time the market.” *Cem: “the early rounds are not real rounds. They are contracts where you’re demonstrating alignment around a target that is very far out ahead. Every early stage check, you’re buying a very out of the money call option on these businesses.” Interesting point about how, unlike PE, Venture outcomes are correlated more to global outcomes than the local macro environment.Cem: “My outcomes are American outcomes, LSE outcomes, acquisitions by global tech companies. They’re not outcomes that are subject to the turbulence of whatever country that founder team may be coming from.” *Cem: “Our reserves are for those companies that will be misunderstood by the market or overlooked by the market because they don’t fit into the mold. And we were able to write that check with conviction.” They played a $2.5 bridge as a convert note following the seed round, when they saw that most of the Series A investors were not willing to step upCem: “We ended up then showing the company to about 40 firms. Everybody passed. The feedback was OK, keep us posted. Not enough traction for us to care at the moment. We had to bridge the company. The numbers were not exceptional, but it was certainly headed in the right direction.” *Cem: “Founders usually underestimate the leverage they have on their cap table. They negotiate things for very obscure situations. Experienced founders know that it’s their company. They will have a lot of flexibility around managing things when it happens, when the opportunity comes down the road.” I kind of agree. The amount of time that gets wasted on termination for cause is not funny. It is clearly a red flag when founders negotiate too much on this clause, per me, and I have begun to share this specific clause earlier in the discussion now. *Being quiet on the board. Cem: “We believe in being quiet on the board.….there’s this enormous pressure to demonstrate value add. We think that you, of course, learn from your experiences in other journeys, but then synthesize that and distill that to very carefully chosen moments to provide input to the founder. I think your job as a board member is to understand the company, be very well prepared on any interaction, like the board meetings, etc. We’re obsessive about preparing for board meetings, but we are very careful in choosing when we share strong opinions.” https://lnkd.in/g3K788Qx

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Capital invested by global corporate venture capital (CVC) firms surged 26% QoQ to $15B in the first quarter of 2024, per CB Insights. CVC's investment surge was greater than the uptick seen in the broader venture funding market. CVCs invested 47% of the funding into 33 mega funding rounds of more than $100M. Notable rounds backed by CVCs include a $700M funding round for Wonder and a $675M financing for Figure. American Express Ventures and Google Ventures participated in Wonder’s latest funding round, while Intel Capital, M12, N Ventures, OpenAI Startup Fund, and Samsung Ventures backed Figure. Early-stage startups bagged 66% of global CVC deals so far in 2024. Early-stage startups in Europe, Asia, and the U.S. secured 73%, 66%, and 59% of the deals, respectively. The fintech sector saw a 41% QoQ jump in CVC deals to 165. Blockchain investment firm OKX Ventures was the most active CVC investor, backing 27 startups in Q1 2024. CVC activity cooled in China, with funding dropping 40% QoQ to just $300M in the first quarter.

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