Anton Chernikov

“A venture studio harnesses more resources, expertise, and support, which enables different people to commercialise their ideas and their research.” Since we launched our Drought Venture Studio, we have spoken to dozens of researchers and farm innovators with exciting and groundbreaking ideas. But the feedback we keep hearing is: “I’ve just never thought about starting a company. I wouldn’t even know where to start.” The Drought Venture Studio is specifically designed to bring in innovators at the earliest stage. We have planned a program for #researchers, #farmers, industry professionals or #entrepreneurs to test whether their idea has commercial potential. And our team of specialist Venture Builders at Beanstalk AgTech are there to roll up their sleeves and work with our participants during every step of the way. If you have even the slightest inkling that your insight or research could have commercial potential improving drought resilience for farmers, we want to hear from you. 👉 Click here to learn more and apply now to work with us: https://lnkd.in/gyqYB4ww #BeanstalkVentureStudio #FutureDroughtFund #DroughtResilience #AgTech

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Challenging the conventional wisdom A presentation by Tessa Clarke, Co-Founder & CEO, Olio • Share More, Waste Less Olio is an app tackling the climate crisis by solving the problem of waste in the home & local community. Olio does this by connecting people with their local community so they can give away rather than throw away their spare food and other household items, and lend and borrow instead of buying brand new. They also have over 100,000 volunteers who collect unsold food from local businesses and redistribute it to the community via the Olio app. Olio has grown to over 7 million users in 63 countries and its impact has been widely recognised, most notably by the United Nations who highlighted Olio as a "beacon” for the world, and by Vivatech who awarded Olio "Next European Unicorn". Fast Growth Icons - the invitation-only network of the most successful scale ups, at @Claridges on 15th May 2024, co-hosted by Rothschild & Co White & Case LLP Investec HSBC Innovation Banking Inflexion haysmacintyre Evelyn Partners Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. IDA Ireland MBM Commercial LLP #founders #scaleup #fastgrowth #fastgrowthicons

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This is for all women investing in and building startups across the UK. Barclays and The Entrepreneurs Network are currently undertaking research for the next Female Founders Forum report. - Repost and share to reach all voices. In this year’s report, they are exploring the opportunities and challenges for female angel investors in the UK. Throughout October, They are hosting a series of roundtables across the UK to feed into this research. This will cover: Regional challenges in angel investing The impact of angel syndicates, groups, and co-investment funds in supporting female entrepreneurs and investors across different regions. Strategies to increase women's participation in angel investing through improved support programs and policy changes Bridging the gap between entrepreneurs and investors   The roundtables are open to both male and female angel investors, female entrepreneurs who have been backed by angels, and those actively interested in becoming angel investors. The insights from the regional roundtable discussions will help inform the research and policy recommendations for the Government’s work on supporting angel investing among women.   If you want to have a seat at the table sign up below:   Newcastle: Monday, 7 October 2024, 1.30pm to 3.30pm, Maybrook House, Newcastle upon Tyne - https://lnkd.in/ehtUFVxe Edinburgh: Tuesday, 8 October 2024, 1.30pm to 3.30pm, CodeBase, Edinburgh - https://lnkd.in/e9cwZs-x Birmingham: Tuesday, 15 October 2024, 1.30pm to 3.30pm, 6 Brindley Pl, Birmingham - https://lnkd.in/erqTQnd4 London: Tuesday, 22 October 2024, 1.30pm to 3.30pm, 1 Churchill Place, London - https://lnkd.in/eMmRftKS Belfast: Tuesday, 29 October 2024, 1.30pm to 3.30pm, Ormeau Baths, Belfast - https://lnkd.in/e--xj54k investHER-UK, Roxane Sanguinetti, Hannah Bernard OBE, Juliet Gouldman,Natalie Ojevah MBE, Emmie Faust, Alma Angels, HERMESA, Angel Academe - increasing female investment, UK Business Angels Association, Deepali Nangia, Jenny Tooth OBE, Emma Sinclair MBE, Emma Wright, Marla Shapiro, Ella Goldner (Levy),

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PE and VC firms still only have women in 11% of key investing positions. Only 2p out of every 100p invested goes to backing female-led companies. Unlocking the potential of female-led enterprises will contribute about £250 billion to the UK economy. The bottleneck for female entrepreneurs is still access to funding. I’ve been there, pitching your business to a room full of men always feels a little strange. While some of them are supportive, there remains an unconscious bias against female-led companies. This is heightened when pitching companies that solve problems and pain points specific to women. The answer to this problem is creating and supporting more female angel investors. With the support of the British Business Bank, the Invest in Women Taskforce is exploring ways to amplify the value of women backing other women through match funding. Forbes did a feature on IWT’s work titled “When Women Mean Business For Women”. To learn more, read the full piece for yourself here: https://lnkd.in/ezN9AjTQ

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Whilst working on GoPlugable we’ve often talked about our bootstrapping journey where we funded our first year of development almost exclusively through grants competitions and accelerator programs. And whilst we can’t win everything, with £150,000 of equity free funds raised in 10 months it’s fair to say we’ve had a pretty good run at it! I always recommend to startups to avail of the support out there and bootstrap for as long as you can, we’ve gotten support both locally and internationally and it definitely can be done. 💸 Part of what I love so much about being in the startup world is not only working on my own startup but also hearing what others are working on. I get quite a lot of messages from very early stage founders asking how we managed to build our platform and get it off the ground on bootstrapped funds - every founder I have the opportunity to help in some way has also taught me something. As always my inbox is open and I’m more than happy to answer any questions you have but I wanted to gauge interest for offering more in depth one hour calls to help you to be able to present your startup in the best way possible whether it be through an application programme, pitch deck, website or MVP. Things are always busy at GoPlugable so for a very small fee I can allocate more of my time to give this more in depth advice based on what you need help with most. So if interested please give me a dm 🙋🏻‍♀️ Things I can help with: 1. Writing application forms and how to speed this process up when applying for many things at a time (we have this down to a fine art at GoPlugable!). 2. Putting together pitch deck in 3 min, 5min and 10 min formats and what is needed for each. 3. Help with what is needed for an MVP/wireframe, advice around budgeting and can provide intros to developers/ web designers who can provide quality work at a startup friendly price. 4. Give you a heads up on what applications you should be applying for and update you on this via email. 5. Basics of financial projections modelling- particularly for B2C/marketplaces. 6. Go to market strategies, marketing and PR advice. Applications and programmes I have experience with: -QUB Dragons Den winner 2023 -QUest Programme participant and pitch winner -INVENT winner 2023 -Techstart 10K and 35K proof of concept grants -Invest NI from student to first sale grant -innovateUK -Catalyst Cofounders -Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers Programme -Student Entrepreneur Awards -Santander X semi finalist -FIA mobility startup winner -Impact shakers urban impact pitch winner - and a lot more!

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The construction industry is known for their significant carbon footprint, with nearly 90% of its emissions stemming from cement production. Obviously, there is an urgent need for innovative solutions. That’s why breakthroughs in cement manufacturing - like the one below - can be game-changing, offering a profound opportunity to reshape the industry’s environmental impact.

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So, I will be an excited, starry-eyed co-founder at UKREiiF with all 12,000 of you this year - I'll be a speaker and raring to speak to commercial real estate owners, investors, and funds about their decarbonisation investment strategies. So, the stage? I'll be on the Connected Places Catapult Pavilion between 12:00 and 13:00 on Day 1, Tuesday 21 May. We'll be (briefly) answering these questions: - What is the purpose of innovation in the built environment? - What trends and innovations do you we see that are changing how our built environments work? - What is the role of data and AI in supporting decision making for our customer's buildings and for city leaders and regulators? - What are the barriers to advancing innovation in the built environment? - How will innovation shape the built environments of the future? I'll be with Rachna LEVEQUE, Nigel Banks, Jenny Danson, Tom Robins, and Neil Hooton - see us then! And so - Building Atlas. We're a climatetech startup in proptech clothing, meeting the needs of our customers making the big investment decisions on retrofitting their assets at scale. Requiring nothing but the addresses of buildings, we help owners of commercial real estate portfolios: (1) find the best path to retrofitting their buildings; (2) avoid stranding risk and increase the value of their assets; (3) and get access to preferential financing and delivery partners to get the work done. Come and have coffee. Arrange a meeting in a link in the comments!

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🚀 Mattioli Woods' Rise: From Garage Startup to Managing £15 Billion 🚀 Join Ian Mattioli as he recounts the humble beginnings of Mattioli Woods plc, from making pivotal calls in a garage to managing £15 billion. This video captures the essence of entrepreneurial spirit, illustrating how shared drive and proper alignment can elevate a simple idea to remarkable heights. Learn about the strategic choices in office locations and the importance of environment in fostering growth. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business leader, this story of progression from grassroots to greatness offers valuable lessons in scaling and strategic development. #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #FinanceSuccess #EntrepreneurJourney #MattioliWoods

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My shout-out for this week is a different one. Not a startup, but a book. The Fundraising Field Guide was written by Carlos Eduardo Espinal MBE. Here is why I think it is a kick-ass book helping founders decipher fundraising. 👉 Is designed specifically for early-stage, high-growth tech startup founders. 👉 Is a guide that explains fundraising through practical advice. 👉 Lays a good foundation on all things fundraising-related. 👉 Adds both the soft and hard challenges encountered. So, here is my thank you note to Carlos! For launching an updated version of this guide. Get the book here 👉 https://buff.ly/4byUywn #venturecapital #startupfunding #fundraising #europe

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🌍 Sustainability businesses… Kickstart your fundraising 🚀 Join our launch and get in front of 400+ investors... for free! Supersprout🌱 is the new green investment hub connecting eco-founders with green investors. We’re gearing up for our big launch and have a special time-limited opportunity for you 👀 If your business is focussed on sustainability and you are raising funds, join us to jumpstart your investment journey. Now in closed beta, we’re onboarding top-tier sustainability startups across 18 key sectors. If you fit the bill, there’s no cost to you - just our thanks 🙏 for being one of the first Supersprouters. When we go live, your business will be shared with over 400 green investors, including institutions and angels. Interested in joining our launch cohort? 👉 Find out more at www.supersprout.io Or get in touch. We can't wait to see what you're working on! ♻️ Repost for your network 📣 Share if you know someone looking for green investment ✅ Follow me Julian Saunders for insights on green innovation and investment 👍

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With some time on our hands, we’ve launched a little project tooearly with a single and quite simple idea in-mind: personalised help for promising first-time founders. There is an abundance of resources online, but not enough 1:1 feedback, materials revision, as well as hands-on and community support. After working as a first-ticket/pre-seed investor, I’ve noticed how many stellar individuals out there are a little unsure when it comes to navigating the founding and fundraising journey (from ideation, to validating the hypotheses, speaking to the right customers, building your fundraising OS and raising VC funding), especially as first-time founders. If you’re looking to build something game-changing, let’s speak. Besides support, we will invite VCs to Investment Committees whenever we see actual winners inside the community to give them a kick-start on their raising journey. !!P.S. We have a 30% discount for the first 20 people who join. OMG!! Little disclaimer: This platform by no means suggest that everyone should raise from VCs or glorifies it (as it’s a tough journey), but this should help you figure out the best trajectory for your idea, and if the VC trajectory is indeed the right one for you, after some months, you should be ready to go out there and start speaking to investors (not stay with us forever, only if you wish to 😉 ). Martynas Cepas - a partner in crime 🙌

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This chart from Dealroom is telling. The UK is not the friendliest or simplest place to raise and run a venture fund, yet we are one of the top three tech ecosystems by investment size. How is this possible? Simples, most of the funding is coming from the US. What does this mean? The UK is doing a fantastic job attracting foreign investments, but its tech ecosystem is heavily dependent on said foreign investors. When things are going well, this may not seem significant. However, any crisis that leads to a pullback of international capital will leave UK's startup investment sector in serious trouble.

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Q4 and here at VenturePath we are busy advocating for a connected venture ecosystem to better support scaling founders. As a member of VenturePath, founders don’t just gain access to fundraising support - they become part of an ecosystem that works together to achieve success. So how are we creating this connectivity? By organising a curated community designed to specifically support scaling UK founders. VenturePath founders are linked with a network of fellow venture-backed founders, peer-referred scale-up experts, successfully exited entrepreneurs, strategic partners, and a £7bn VC network all active between Series A-B. Why does this matter? Scaling a business is challenging on most levels, absorbs almost all of your time. By bringing together the key stakeholders that support founders, we’ve created cohesive, 360° support to cut through the noise and support founders at every stage of scaling their business. Our ecosystem members are grouped as: → Fellow Founders: Founders at similar stages share experiences and challenges, offering invaluable peer support. → Scaleup Experts: Domain specialists, vouched for by fellow founders, are available to provide targeted advice and insights. → Exited Entrepreneurs: Recently exited founders share their journeys and lessons learned through engaging content and events. → VC Network: Access to Series A and B funds offers founders early, informal feedback, fostering open dialogue before formal pitches. → Strategic Partners: Trusted partners provide optional support, helping founders navigate the complexities of scaling their businesses. We believe these are all necessary parts of the journey as you scale with venture backing. We've applied our experience to make these elements readily available and heavily curated. Is this the edge you need to scale your business?

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If you're a #startup at the idea-market fit or MVP stage in the #NorthWest region, I highly recommend checking out Baltic Ventures' #accelerator program. Their experienced and well-connected team will help you and your business grow. #Liverpool #Manchester #entrepreneurship

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During a session on funding methods at Creative Destruction Lab Super Session today, the presenter asked what the audience believed is the chief motivation for VCs. One founder quipped that it's raising their next fund. I actually think this is a brilliant observation. Here's an example: a founder raises a good series A and sees a path to profitability without raising again. It'll be a little slower but ultimately more sustainable and a better exit for early investors. But... The series A lead is raising their second fund and needs to show a positive track record. With no exits yet, that track record will be built on the back of portfolio company markups, which can't happen without new, higher valuations from subsequent rounds. So we have a conflict of interest that can lead to substantial friction, and possibly serious problems for the founder if they don't still have a majority stake. Food for thought for founders.

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Are we going to see a rise in Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) if we get confirmation of a CGT Increase, as Founders look for more efficient exits? To be honest, I think we are probably seeing a rise in EOTs and certainly the understanding and awareness around them already. Selling all or some of your business for market rate, without negotiating and jumping through hoops. Paying no tax at all on your exit. Some pretty good arguments for it I would say. Obviously it isn't just that simple and there are criteria for eligibility and rules you must follow, which is why it is vital you speak to a professional. It does however, appear to be an option that is becoming more appealing as more founders/ owners become aware of the possibilities. Is it right for everyone? Probably not. Could it be right for a lot of founders/ owners looking for an exit event of some kind? Absolutely. With the rumoured changes to CGT almost doubling to 39%, we may well see this becoming more mainstream and businesses actually being built strategically in such a way that the planned and preferred exit event is an EOT. —------------------------------------------------------------------- ♻️ If you think this post could be useful, please like, comment or repost. I’m Ramzi, Founder of Hexagonal CFO - Fractional CFO & Finance Team for your business. I aim to share useful content that promotes financial and business literacy as a way of empowering people, promoting social mobility and financial freedom, whoever you are and whatever background you are from!

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The future of the environment is in our hands. But the groundbreaking companies in the cleantech sector are leading the charge. At Dial A Geek | B Corp™, we proudly support innovative companies tackling some of the world's biggest environmental challenges. One of our innovative customers, Matter., is revolutionising how we tackle microplastics. Their cutting-edge filters capture microplastics from our clothes before they reach our waterways. With bold plans to also scale its operations to water treatment plants, Matter is set to make a significant environmental impact. Another customer, Anaphite, is pioneering advancements in energy storage with graphene for lithium-ion batteries. Their strides in this area will provide more efficient and sustainable energy solutions. We love empowering companies that are solving some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges. It’s an exciting time in our business, and we look forward to continuing to support the innovators who are making a real difference, so IT systems and cyber security are just one less thing to think about. As a proud B Corp, we are driven by social impact. Could we help with your mission? #CleanTech #ManagedITService #TechForGood #SocialImpact #BCorp   

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Day 3/6 key takeaways from The Villars Institute: - "Put yourself in the customers shoes." Many thanks to the Co-founders of UpLink - World Economic Forum , John Dutton & Judith Ketelslegers for outlining this to us. This was a highlight personally as like they did with collecting feedback launching an MVP, this is something I realised I am left to do with my project - in my case talking to the people at the centre of the problem (consumers and Nigerian farmers). See pictorial below of our session. - "We learned new complex problem-solving techniques." Best of all, we developed them actively putting these into practice in the space of a couple of hours. These included: systems mapping, design thinking and the 5 whys. - "Appreciate both small and big adventures, especially co-created ones (i.e. with a circle of genuine friends)." This makes experiences all the better. Personal insight from today: off-the-cuff from our program agenda, us learners wandered of deciding to connect with nature some where in the middle of a regenerative farm, by going into and swimming in a stream. We have one life, so fun to have these kind of experiences :) Image courtesy: The Villars Institute

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Around five months ago, we were approached by a lead who wanted to redesign their economic model. They wanted a more sustainable approach as too many tokens were being rewarded to users. They loved what we offered and our knowledge but ultimately opted for a 'traditional top 4 consultancy,' reasoning that the big name would allow them to deflect any risk associated with the changes. Fast forward to today: the project CEO has been interviewed by Coffeezilla exposing the changes and critiquing the EY report. Ey modelled the token value assuming NO REWARDS ARE WITHDRAWN OR SOLD stating the real value of the token is a minimum of £7.90. Instead of making hte protocol more sustainable this lead them to increasing rewards for users. The lesson? In crypto, native expertise is indispensable. Crypto natives understand the unique dynamics of the space and you shouldn't go to traditional consultancies. For sustainable, impactful results, always choose native insight over traditional reputations Simplicity Group

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