David Mott

I couldn’t be prouder to be a Venture Partner at Isomer Capital (aka the best European FoF - at least for me) as we just announced the launch of our pioneering £100m secondaries fund. This fund is dedicated to acquiring stakes from LPs in various VC funds, tapping into a massive and largely unexplored market. 🌟 Key Highlights: - Focused Investment: Primarily targeting stakes in VC funds, with selective investments in private companies. - Robust Funding: Already over 20% funded, thanks to strong support from Nordic family offices and a German foundation. - Market Potential: With a growing number of private tech companies and a VC liquidity crunch, Europe's VC secondaries market is poised for rapid growth. - Track Record: This isn’t Isomer’s first foray into the secondaries market. As a firm we’ve done several secondaries deals with portfolio companies and VC firms, including early-stage VC Seedcamp (in 2021) and mobility giant Bolt (in 2023). - Expert Team: Welcoming the amazing Omolade (Rachel) A., formerly of Coller Capital, as a principal to lead this initiative. 💡 Investment Strategy: - 65-75% of the fund will buy "LP interest" stakes in VC funds. - 15-25% will be directed towards stakes in companies. - Up to 15% reserved for flexible investment opportunities. 📈 Looking Ahead: We're targeting returns of 2-3x, with significant distributions expected in the next 4-7 years. As one of the few players in this space, we're not just participating in the market—we're driving it forward. Read all about it here: https://lnkd.in/dc7sbC3G #VentureCapital #SecondariesFund #EuropeanVC

23

1 Comment

Taavet Hinrikus and I made the Financial Times Due Diligence email. https://lnkd.in/ez2AuGQx One 'unintended consequence' is that if there is a 45% tax on carry and CGT (raising £40m per year, remember) it for all intents and purposes closes the door on new VCs in the UK. Especially started by teams from non-traditional backgrounds. To meet the GP commit, you need to be already part of the 'wealthy' as you cannot rely on the value you create - nearly half of it will disappear - to fund it. We have both had extremely successful startups which are few and far between. The smaller number of new VCs will therefore more likely increasingly be for people who have inherited the capital or can draw it from their already rich family. Probably not want they have in mind with this policy.

32

2 Comments

📣 We’ve got a big ESG_VC event planned for Tuesday next week – featuring the latest updates to our measurement framework, news of our 2025 benchmarking with the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA), and an introduction to our new platform partners… 📣 On the afternoon of Tuesday 26 November, we’ll be gathering 200+ VCs for the latest update on the ESG_VC Measurement Framework – from what it covers to how it informs industry-leading research, and how you can now work with our accredited data collection partners. This will be our first event delivered in partnership with our cohort of platform partners: Apiday, Novata, and PortF. I’m excited to share with our members how these partners can support a big step up in your ESG initiatives. Join us for a jam-packed event that will feature: 🟢 An update from Suzi Gillespie of the BVCA on how you can take part in our 2025 research – we analysed ESG performance in c.600 VC-backed companies in 2024 and we’re looking to deliver an even more ambitious piece of research next year… 🟢 Insights from Emily Havers of Fidelity International Strategic Ventures on the updates that have been made to the framework and what it means for our members, their portfolio companies, and the broader ecosystem. 🟢 Perspectives from Emily Matthews of Oxford Science Enterprises and Nina Foote of Volution on how the ESG_VC Measurement Framework has supported their work on ESG. 🟢 Presentations from our platform partners: Edouard Audi of Apiday, Conor O'Laoire’Laoire of Novata, and Alex Lu of PortF. It’s going to be a good one so do register. Link to sign up in the comments! #ESG_VC #sustainability #venturecapital

47

1 Comment

Incredible to see Mosaic in the Financial Times this morning in this excellent piece by Sujeet Indap on tech innovation in private equity. Sujeet's research into the historical evolution of Wall Street's analytical horsepower was particularly fascinating. Though I wasn't around for the shift from pen-and-paper to VisiCalc, I can only imagine the step-function productivity increase it unlocked. Anders' assertion that the advent of the spreadsheet in part drove the LBO boom of the late '80s is also intriguing (although I'm sure the <10% min. equity helped, too). Though the spreadsheet was a great advancement in the '80s, it always baffled me that ~30 years later (when I began my PE career) we were still underwriting billion-dollar buyouts using a generic productivity tool and not an industry-focused application. That's precisely why I started Mosaic. With dedicated platforms like Mosaic and Blackstone's Atlas now powering new deal underwriting - could the industry benefit from a similar step-function productivity increase? Also - an open question to anyone who was working as an investment professional in the 1980s/1990s: was the spreadsheet initially met with hesitation / skepticism by a subset of old-school investors who thought there was value in grinding it out until 3am with only pencil and abacus in hand? We're fortunate at Mosaic to work with some of the world's most forward-thinking investors who readily embrace change - but this sentiment does comes up once in a while. What happens to the holdouts? And curious how the innovators - whose shoulders we stand on - navigated it before us. Read the full story here: https://on.ft.com/4dXEvth

122

8 Comments

🚀 Tech Tour Energy & Decarbonisation 2024 🌍 It’s been an fantastic experience connecting with great founders in the energy tech space, catching up with some of our amazing Vireo Ventures portfolio companies, and engaging with LPs, co-investors, and fellow VC funds. With 80 startups showcasing their innovations to 140 investors and corporates, the event was a testament to the immense potential and innovation driving the energy-tech sector. 🌟 The quality and passion of the founders I met reaffirm that the future of energy is bright—and we’re just getting started! We're excited about the opportunities ahead and can’t wait to collaborate with some of the inspiring companies and investors from the event. Let’s keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in energy and decarbonisation. #EnergyTech #VentureCapital #Decarbonisation #Innovation #Sustainability #TechTour

35

To achieve outsized returns in a maturing and increasingly crowded private markets space, investors should start leveraging all dimensions of diversification when building their portfolios! That comes with building the right teams to unlock differentiated sources of dealflow 🔔

12

1 Comment

"Funding Collapse sends investment in start-ups to six year low" The Times today covering the shocking stats that VenturePath uncovered, with our partner Beauhurst. Great quotes from supporters Michael Moore CEO, BVCA and Julian David CEO, techUK. * UK VC funding at Series A is -44% from last year, and worsening * Q3 24 is down a staggering 57% from Q2, itself down from Q1 * 9 in 10 seed funded startups cannot access Series A VC funding, the next 'rung on the funding ladder' * Just 32 future scaleup companies across the whole of the UK were able to access their first VC funding round in Q3...a 6 year low * Half a billion less capital is going in to UK scaleups at Series A, than just 2 years ago! As the UK scaleup funding gap widens, we are losing ground against other countries, at both startup stage (a position the UK worked hard to achieve, since 2011), and for scaleup support. OECD data: 13th in the world for scaleup support, and that's before Series A funding access dried up. I get that its confusing. Another report (BBB, Nations & Regions) released this week spoke of positive trends in private investment, stating "The data for Q2 2024 shows that investment value has continued to grow". Great, I love to see optimistic data. But under analysis that bundles venture with private equity (later stage), where a few megadeals skew the numbers. Otherwise the exact opposite is true. Our independent research here, for the UK ScaleUp Investment Mission, is laser beam focussed on Series A. The funding round where companies move from the c.1m startups launched each year, through the 2,179 that access seed funding, into the rarefied category of being recognised as future scaleups, attracting Series A funding (£2-10m). The UK venture landscape is currently funding just 248 pa of these companies, and declining. We've been sharing this urgent call for support with the new Government since the day after the election. I've personally met with several Ministers, and spoke to all the relevant Government departments. I will shamelessly repeat loudly what is at stake. UK scaleup funding at Series A has nearly halved in a year, and continues to decline steeply, more than halving in the last quarter. VenturePath developed The UK ScaleUp Investment Mission to convene the scaleup support ecosystem and £7bn of funders to help address this problem, to improve nationwide access to VC investment, and create more venture-backed successes. We have clear support, clear recommendations to reverse this decline in UK scaleup investment, and have made a clear ask of Government for participation in this, to ensure immediate action is taken to create the conditions for success for UK scaleups, ensuring the focus on growth isn't undermined by lack of capital, or equitable access to it. Government decision makers, we'd love your interest, to progress to action. HM Treasury: Rt Hon Rachel Reeves Spencer Livermore James Murray & CC Poppy Gustafsson (welcome to the debate).

738

195 Comments

There are many untold success stories where PE has transformed undervalued and underperforming companies, generating substantial returns. In the UK, PE supported nearly 1,500 businesses in 2023, empowering management teams with long-term strategies and access to new markets. Unlike traditional public companies burdened by short-term profit pressures and regulatory demands, PE-backed firms focus on growth and operational improvements. This approach allows for streamlined decision-making and reinvestment in core strategies, fostering a culture of purpose and entrepreneurial innovation. PE's success lies in strategic clarity, operational focus, and a supportive partnership with management, contrasting with the constraints often faced by publicly traded companies. Read More Here: https://lnkd.in/eEnYudDj The Times Richard Harpin Branded Hospitality Ventures #hospitality #restaurants #technology #finance Noah Stern Matthew Lerner Kim Karmitz Derrek Ross Tarek M.

2

Venture Capital and Cleantech: Investing in a Sustainable Future https://buff.ly/3VxjXzT 'Exploring the intersection of Venture Capital and Cleantech presents a compelling opportunity to invest in a sustainable future. By channeling resources into innovative green technologies, investors can drive positive environmental impact while securing financial returns. In today's rapidly evolving market, the demand for sustainable solutions is on the rise, making Cleantech investments more promising than ever. Embracing this shift towards eco-friendly practices not only benefits the planet but also creates long-term value for stakeholders. Stay ahead of the curve and reap the rewards of investing in a cleaner, greener tomorrow. #SustainableInvesting #GreenTechRevolution'

1

💡 Looking forward to hosting an insightful VC panel at British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA)'s ESG conference... 💡 I'll be moderating a panel of experienced ESG leads in venture, thinking about the unique challenges and opportunities of integrating sustainability and ESG into venture capital. I'll certainly be looking to learn a lot from our speakers on the panel: Michelle Lamprecht of Cambridge Innovation Capital, Emily Matthews of Oxford Science Enterprises, Sasha Kaletsky of Creator Ventures, and Bhrigu Bali of A/O. Do sign up to join us on the day - link to the event in the comments below... #ESG_VC #sustainability #venturecapital

64

1 Comment

2024 LAVCA Trends in Tech - LAVCA https://buff.ly/4dfL6Qf by @LAVCA sector and country-specific breakdowns, average round sizes across investment stages and the current role of global investors co-investing alongside local fund managers! #rafAIgual #vc #trends #investment #latam

1

Survival of the Fittest in a Shifting Funding Landscape Founders are adopting a low-key approach, focusing their energy on internal growth. Armed with capital secured in 2021, many are strategically revitalising their businesses. But the big question remains: What will the dealmaking landscape look like in 2024? "Overall, capital infusion will be concentrated on a narrower spectrum of companies than in all. The private capital raising landscape is anticipated to be robust, showcasing significant improvement from 2022. However, the capital infusion will be concentrated on a narrower spectrum of companies compared to the prolific scene of 2021." Read More: https://lnkd.in/d3536qvA In the meantime, share your thoughts! Are you a founder facing a funding crunch? How are you adapting your strategy? #StartupFunding #Founders #Growth #DealMaking #SibaPanda

8

VC Industry Data coming out much earlier this year!!! Let us get you up to speed on: levels of fundraising, exits achieved; investment trends; sectors attracting the most capital; and so much more. Interested in joining us for the VC Industry Survey Launch and sharing your industry perspectives? Please register your interest below. See you there!

4

Value creation is based on developing and applying value drivers (sometimes called ‘value builders’) that help articulate commercial development and also support higher transaction values. By not drawing on the experience of best practices successfully applied by other businesses, founders can risk leaving money on the table. Find out more about value creation in our blog. https://lnkd.in/exBvk87n #sellyourbusiness #value #money

1

The number of B Corp businesses (meeting certified high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability) is increasing, a wide reading of the press demonstrates that some regard ESG as ‘wokery’ and not relevant for business, and many hard pressed founders are inclined to park the issue for a later stage of development. At a common sense level, ESG in value creation makes a lot of business sense...find out more in our blog. https://lnkd.in/dy4_F2qc #esg #valuecreation #exitplanning

4

8 top tips for carbon project developers seeking investment 👇🏼 I’ve invested over $500 million of structured finance and private equity across a range of energy transition projects over the past decade. We receive multiple pitches and proposals every week. Most are uninvestable on first look. So here are 8 things carbon project developers should be thinking about to improve likelihood of raising funds: 1️⃣ Team to inspire confidence: Curate a team with a track record across the key aspects of your business. A skilled and experienced team can significantly increase investor confidence. 2️⃣ Future-proof: Stress test project viability and economics and build out risk and mitigation plans. Make sure these are documented, as understanding the downside is key to investment evaluation. 3️⃣ Solid economics: Investors are looking for a clear business case in terms of long-term profitability and scalability. 4️⃣ Demonstrated impact: Set out a philosophy for project quality that is centred on delivering clear core benefits and maximizes ancillary benefits to the community and environment. 5️⃣ Know the numbers: Develop detailed cost models and budgets, that will stand-up to scrutiny. Build the track record through pilot projects to have projections based on real world inputs. 6️⃣ No gaps in title and regulation: Be proactive about permitting and planning ahead to be prepared for how regulation will evolve. 7️⃣ Market Validation: Provide evidence of market demand. This can include letters of intent, pre-orders, or partnerships that validate your project’s potential. 8️⃣ Route to liquidity: Investors ultimately require liquidity over some time duration. Consider how your business plan facilitates this. By focusing on these key areas, you’ll be well-prepared to attract the right investors and secure the funding needed to bring your project to life. #ProjectFinance #CarbonProjects #Sustainability #InvestmentTips

67

9 Comments

We recently published our first Responsible Investment Report – an important milestone for us as a firm. The report outlines the efforts EMK and our portfolio companies have made over the past year in advancing sustainability.   You can read the full report below.   #ResponsibleInvestment

14

1 Comment

📢 Investor engagement in private markets continues to evolve. As the market democratizes, targeting a new generation of high-net-worth investors requires more than traditional approaches, according to Greenbrook’s inaugural Private Markets Digital Report. The report emphasizes the importance of social media, branded images, thought leadership, and video content, which not only help firms stand out but also resonate with diverse, digitally savvy stakeholders. It also reveals that the top 20 firms post more frequently than their peers, demonstrating the importance of maximizing the value of your content. If you’re investing time and resources into creating branded images, thought leadership, or videos, it’s crucial to leverage them across your platforms, including your investor relations portal. This underscores the critical need for robust, multimedia-capable platforms like Bite Stream. Engaging investors today means delivering personalized, impactful content such as investment insights, updates, and thought leadership seamlessly across digital channels. 🚀 We see this transformation as an exciting opportunity for private market firms to redefine how they connect with their audience and the material they provide them. The question is, are you ready to meet your investors where they are? Read the full findings on Spear's Magazine: https://lnkd.in/dabqhKy6 #PrivateMarkets #InvestorEngagement #InvestorRelations #AlternativeInvestments #Multimedia #VDR

7