Clara Moreno Sanchez

The new quarterly review is live! Each quarter, I dive into the latest trends and shifts in the venture capital market, covering both the broader macro perspective and the unique insights we’re seeing at Florida Funders. Check out my latest article to stay informed on what’s shaping the VC landscape and how we're navigating it at FF. Always eager to hear your thoughts – let’s keep the conversation going! #VentureCapital #FloridaFunders #MarketInsights

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Summary: Keith Rabois, managing director of Khosla Ventures, is on a mission to turn Miami into the next Silicon Valley and has been actively promoting the city as a tech hub. Despite some challenges and opposition, Rabois remains optimistic about Miami's potential and the growth of its tech ecosystem. Key takeaways: Keith Rabois is determined to make Miami the next Silicon Valley and has seen progress with a growing number of seed investments in the city. Khosla Ventures, where Rabois works, has made multiple investments in Miami, including one into a startup aiming to "reinvent education." Rabois continues to split his time between Miami and San Francisco, but believes that Miami offers a better quality of life and potential for building a thriving tech community. Counter arguments: Some big name investors, such as Andreessen Horowitz, have pulled out of Miami, suggesting that the city does not offer the same opportunities as other established tech hubs. Miami still has a relatively small share of total U.S. seed investments (2.6%-3.5%) which may indicate a lack of resources and opportunities compared to other cities. #venturecapital

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Elizabeth Cook, Managing Partner of VC firm AI Capital, addresses the art of the [VC] deal: An intricate blend of relationship building, offering a succinct and concise value proposition, domain expertise, and of course, profit! #venturecapital #vc #ai #artificialintelligence #enterpriseai #startups #entrepreneurship #investing #alternativeinvestments #familyoffice #pensions #foundations #endowments

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Summary: The article discusses the current challenges faced by VC firms in attracting new capital, but highlights how established firms like Kleiner Perkins are still able to raise large funds. It also touches on the potential impact of AI on investment strategies. Key takeaways: Many VC firms are struggling to secure new capital in a tepid IPO environment. Established, brand-name firms like Kleiner Perkins are still able to raise significant funds. AI is emerging as a potential game-changer in the investment landscape. Counter arguments: It may be premature to attribute Kleiner Perkins' fundraising success solely to AI; other factors could also be at play. The article may overlook smaller VC firms that are also finding success in fundraising. #venturecapital #vc #venture #startups #artificialintelligence

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Southeast VC Update: Q2 2024 PitchBook Venture Monitor Highlights The Southeast continues to hold its position in the VC regional landscape #5 in dollars raised for Q2 2024 🥉 #3 in deal count (just behind the West Coast and the Mid-Atlantic) H1 2024 Southeast Breakdown:  📊 10% more deals than Northeast  📈 30% more deals than Mountain region, 20% more than South  💰 5% more dollars raised than Mountain region  💸 23.5% more dollars raised than South YoY Funding Trends:  📈 Southeast: Up 29% 📈 Mid-Atlantic: Up 136%  📉 Midwest: Down 67%  📉 New England: Down 11%  📈 West Coast: Up 59% Key Trend: While closing in on Mid-Atlantic numbers, we are seeing more deals but smaller rounds. This could indicate strong activity occurring in the seed & early-stage funding, despite the macro challenges. (Pitchbook classifies the Southeast as AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN, Puerto Rico, & Virgin Islands) #BuildInSE

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Summary: Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has closed its satellite office in Miami Beach, just two years into a five-year lease. This decision comes as Miami's venture investments have dwindled and a16z's plans for global outposts did not go as expected. Key takeaways: A16z's closure of its Miami Beach office is a blow to its plans of expanding to global outposts and builds relationships with founders. Miami's venture investments have decreased significantly and the area has struggled to retain entrepreneurial talent. This decision by A16z highlights the challenges startups and investors face when trying to expand to new locations. Counter arguments: Miami's struggles with retaining talent and venture investments may not be the sole reason for A16z's closure. There could have been other factors at play. A16z's plans for global outposts may still be successful in other cities despite the closure in Miami Beach. #venturecapital #vc #venture

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Honesty is the best policy! I sat down with Julia Maltby, the Principal at Flybridge Capital Partners to have an honest conversation about the hardest parts of working in venture, the MBA experience, and building personal conviction. Episode 016 of “New to Venture” is jam packed with valuable lessons for the next generation of VCs and fantastic stories! Here are some key takeaways from our conversation: 1. The world will test you with difficult times. Take note of the ones who stick by your side and those who make the extra effort to be there for you. 2. Oftentimes, the best performing deals are the most controversial. If everyone thinks it’s a good idea, there may be more competition than you think. 3. For MBA programs, you can prioritize social, career, or academics, but it's difficult to do all three well. Go into the program with intentions and goals! 4. Ultimately, VC is a game of weighing risk. Gather as much information as you possibly can. Make an informed decision. Then be as helpful to that company as you can. 5. There will come a time when you do tons of research and diligence on a vertical, market, or company and arrive at a dead end. Although it’s demoralizing, understand all that work will be helpful down the line. Maybe it’s similar to another sector, maybe it helps you get to “no” faster, or maybe a new law passes and flips the entire market on its head. Write down key learnings from your research so you can refer back to it when needed. Listen on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eiFJMpke Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/e6q_zUJ6 #NewtoVenture #VentureCapital #Startups #VC #CEO #Business #Investing #recruiting #networking

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Big news - Georgetown is partnering with Crunchbase to build a directory showcasing our entrepreneurial ecosystem of founders, funders, and companies! Launching this fall, you will be able to view the Georgetown alumni entrepreneurship community through this collaboration. Georgetown University wants to make sure that all of their alumni founders and funders are represented so… 1) If you already have Crunchbase profile, make sure to indicate Georgetown in your education profile. 2) if you a founder or funder and do not have a Crunchbase profile, make sure to add and update your company as soon as you’re able (click below!)

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As add-on acquisitions continue to fuel growth in the market, LLR Partners asked 6 founders who recently sold their businesses as part of a buy-and-build strategy: “What advice would you give to leaders considering this approach to scale?” Read their insights here: https://lnkd.in/e4e8ys8q #GrowthBits #LeadershipAdvice #MergersandAcquisitions

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Summary: The article reflects on the changes in the venture capital industry over the past 20 years, as seen through the lens of Uncork Capital's 20th anniversary celebration. Key takeaways: The industry has become significantly larger over the years, with billions of dollars being invested in startups compared to only millions. The rules and norms around VC practices have also shifted, with more flexibility for VCs to invest their own money and back competing companies. Board seats, once seen as valuable investments, are now viewed as potentially hindering a company's growth, with some VCs choosing not to take them. Counter arguments: Some argue that VCs have a fiduciary duty to be actively involved in board meetings and help companies, making the trend of not taking board seats questionable. There is also the concern that founders have limited control over their company's choices, and may have to accept funding from VCs with competing investments. #venturecapital #vc #startups

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Back with the #EIS Navigator podcast after a short break with an exciting lineup of guests coming up. First is a really interesting interview with Renan Devillieres of venture builder OSS Ventures. He has generated an original and successful process for starting and building new companies in #manufacturing and #operations. We talk about what he does and why - both enjoyable and fascinating. Enjoy! #venturebuilder #venturecapital #startups

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Many VC fund managers are considering placement agents (PAs) to help secure commitments for the first time. Selecting the right PA and setting up a productive working relationship requires careful consideration. In my latest blog post, I explore essential tips for evaluating and working with PAs, including what to look for in their network, how to structure contracts, and best practices for effective collaboration. If you're navigating the use of placement agents, this guide offers practical insights to increase your fundraising success and avoid common pitfalls- full write up linked below. https://lnkd.in/ey-UcnSG Questions? DM me! #VentureCapital #Fundraising #PlacementAgents #InvestorRelations

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Summary: The article discusses the current venture firm fundraising market and the success of emerging VC firm A* in raising $315 million for its oversubscribed Fund II. It highlights the firm's focus on early-stage investments and its experienced founding partners. Key takeaways: Venture firms raised $9.3 billion in Q1 and it is unlikely that 2023's record-breaking total of $81.8 billion will be surpassed. A* has been successful in fundraising due to its focus on seed rounds and backing breakout companies in its portfolio. The firm's founding partners have a strong track record and diverse experience in different industries. Counter arguments: The article mentions that emerging managers are feeling the frost in the fundraising market, suggesting that not all emerging VCs may be as successful as A*. While A* has found success in raising institutional investors for Fund II, this may not be the case for all emerging VCs. #venturecapital #vc #fundraising #startups #innovation

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Thanks so much, Ty Findley, for having me as a guest on Heavy Hitters: The Digital Industrial Podcast! It was great to chat about: 🏭 Our launch of the Industrial Renaissance practice at Bain Capital Ventures that builds upon our investments in scaled companies like Kiva, ShipBob, FourKites, Inc., Vention and MaintainX and many emerging seed and Series A companies. ✨ The tailwinds that are converging and creating a perfect ecosystem for innovation including unprecedented technological advancements, compounding geopolitical and environmental pressures, public and private alignment, and the new wave of talent entering the space. 🤠 Core insights from 20 years of investing in founders transforming the physical world - namely that the key is still software! https://lnkd.in/eJGR9TkB

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📈🧗‍♀️💸👍 In conjunction with Cooley LLP's Q1 2024 Venture Financing Report, #CooleyGO sat down with Chris Ahn of Haun Ventures to get his take on the state of venture capital investing, including: -The significance of up rounds representing 65% of deals. -His approach to risk management and mitigation strategies when investing. -The most effective monetization models for community-based ventures.

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Summary: The article discusses the FBI's investigation into Hone Capital, a venture firm funded by a Chinese private equity firm, to determine if it was funded by the Chinese government and if it shared sensitive startup data with Beijing. It also mentions Hone's legal conflicts with former executives and the impact of US-China tensions on venture funding and startup creation. Key takeaways: The FBI is investigating Hone Capital for potential ties to the Chinese government and sharing of sensitive startup data. Hone Capital has faced legal disputes with former executives and denies any wrongdoing. US-China tensions have led to a decline in venture funding and startup creation in China. Counter arguments: Hone Capital and CSC deny any involvement with the Chinese government, arguing that their funding comes from private investors. Some may view the FBI's investigation as a result of heightened US-China tensions rather than concrete evidence. #venturecapital #vc #startups

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Time between rounds is getting extended. Also there is so much competition for investor money. Money flows to the companies with the best GTM efficiency and not just growth. Founders need to be great at sales AND building a company.

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Some seed-stage VC firms give up their pro rata rights due to lacking capital to meet the high capital requirements of a late-stage round and competition from larger VC firms. Alpha Partners, SignalRank, and SaaS Ventures are now stepping in to help seed-stage VC investors exercise their pro rata rights to maintain their ownership percentage. VC firms like Alpha Partners, SignalRank, and SaaS Ventures specialize in providing capital for pro rata investments for Series B and beyond funding rounds. #VentureCapital #Startups

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Summary: This article discusses various venture capital news, including insights and analysis of VC firms, trends in investments, and the impact of technology on the industry. Key takeaways: The article mentions that Insight Partners is potentially raising over $10 billion for its 13th fund, and OpenAI may be altering its complex corporate structure. There is a growing trend of Silicon Valley companies following China's lead and a discussion of how VC Mike Moritz believes the pace of work in tech companies should be "furious." Y Combinator is expanding the number of cohorts it runs, a new decentralized music streaming service called Tune.FM is introduced, and there is discussion about startups working on addressing climate change. Counter arguments: There may be concerns about the potential drawbacks of following China's lead, and the idea of a "furious" pace of work may raise questions about work-life balance and company culture. Some may argue that expanding the number of cohorts may lead to a decrease in the quality or effectiveness of Y Combinator's program. The article does not mention potential challenges or limitations facing the new decentralized music streaming service or startups working on climate change solutions. #venture #venturecapital #vc

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