Qiaojia Li

In this intimate fireside chat, we will learn more about the Public Investment Corporation Early Stage Fund, cleverly structured to adress a number of challenges faced by startups. Cant wait!

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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!

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Emerging GPs📢 We all know it is a difficult time to raise your first (or second) VC Fund.😟 But AlphaQ Venture Capital is here to help you with the Global Allocator Alliance Pitch events and invite-only GP and LP matching Discovery platform.🎌 With an incredible team of Jocke Martelius, Amina Bijedić, Zerina Zimić and Marius Weber, be sure you will get unmatched support when you most need it. Check how they supported our partner Vadim Balashov of US California-based Viaduct Ventures, raising their Fund II.👇 DM me for a warm intro.🤝 ✅ Looking to raise capital for your #VCfund and increase the international pool of your LPs?   🤝 Need warm #LP introductions?   📝 Selling #secondaries to increase liquidity?   🧐 Looking for co-investments (Series A/Series B)?   ▶ G+QUANT's link for inquiries and fund decks: https://lnkd.in/gjC_EuTE   #VentureCapital #VentureFunding #VentureDebt #Fundraising #Innovation #Technology 

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Force Ventures LLP is delighted to participate in TransBnk - Transaction Banking Platform's USD4M equity financing round, led by 8i Ventures and Accion Venture Lab, along with co investors such as GMO Venture Partners, Ratio Ventures and others. Transbnk, a fast growing fintech SaaS platform, operates at the intersection of lendingtech, regtech and paymenttech, with a strong focus on building transaction banking solutions in the USD 200B unsecured lending market. Wishing the best to team Transbnk as they continue their high quality buildout across India, Middle East and South East Asia markets. Vaibhav Tambe Sachin Gupta - Couldn’t think of a better team to build for this segment, given their very strong domain expertise and founder market fit, which is also reflected in the speed of their product adoption, while maintaining fantastic unit economics all throughout. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/gD9SP73A We at Force Ventures LLP are strong believers in the “fintech infra layer” story for the next decade, as many Indian Startups, build the critical API / infra layer for their Indian and global clients across verticals. While the sales cycles in fin SaaS are undoubtedly elongated, the corollary is that once they are deeply embedded in customer workflows, switching costs tend to be very high for customers, resulting in high stickiness and growing net revenue retention. We consider ourselves very fortunate to be first cheque backers or early backers of high quality fintech SaaS / Infra / BFSI focused start-ups such as bluecopa, Credgenics, Inkle, IGNOSIS, Finverv, OneAssure, SatSure, PYOR and others. If you are a founder building in fintech infra / fintech SaaS we would love to chat and learn more!  #fintechinfra #SaaS #startups

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How do you craft a compelling story for investors when fundraising? Use these GTM metrics 👇 1️⃣ Target Market & ICP 2️⃣ Conversion & Velocity 3️⃣ Align ICP to Market Penetration Swipe to learn more about how to craft a compelling story with them to attract and engage investors. Need more insights on how to best prepare to fundraise? I'm always happy to chat. #VentureCapital #Startups #Fundraising #Investors #StartupFinance

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Big things happening in 2025 for both our "MARKETS" and "MEDIA" groups under WORLD PROPERTY VENTURES. #realestate #proptech #proptechnews #miamitech #fintech #realestatenews #worldpropertymarkets #worldpropertymedia

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Here is Methodology of Global Startup Ecosystem Index by StartupBlink. StartupBlink is a global startup map and research center, working to uncover insights about trends affecting the global startup ecosystem. There are three main subscores measuring quantity, quality and business environment of ecosystem. Link to the Full Report 2023 https://lnkd.in/dK2TJnC7

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The Era of Cash Efficiency.. The last couple of years in startup land / business land in general have been pretty testing. Everything got more expensive, whilst availability of funding slowed right down and purses tightened. It's meant that to survive, we need to do more with less, balance growth with cost and become generally more efficient with our cash. Software eats the world and it also eats cash if not managed and optimised well. It's typically within a companies top 3 spend lines alongside people and rent, so it's hugely significant. I wrote about more about how to do that in Startups Magazine, you can read it in the comments. Let me know if you'd add anything else ;) Lemon

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💡 Tech Pulse 2030: Funding the Next Generation of Fintech Solutions – Key Fundraising Insights At the Tech Pulse 2030 session titled Funding the Next Generation of Fintech Solutions, we delved into the trends, challenges, and strategies shaping the future of startup fundraising. Hosted by Xiaochen Z., CEO of FinTech4Good and Chief Responsible AI Officer at AI 2030 and EIR of the 1871 FinTech Innovation Lab, the session featured a powerhouse lineup of speakers: 🎤 Joey Alfieri – Senior Analyst, TechNexus Venture Collaborative 🎤 Glenn Borok – Vice President, Jump Capital Here are some key takeaways from the session: 1️⃣ Positive Fundraising Outlook The next 12 months offer significant opportunities for startups to secure funding, with many VCs actively scouting for innovative ventures. 2️⃣ Avoiding Common Mistakes Mutual Selection: Fundraising is a two-way process—choose VCs that align with your vision and goals, and don’t hesitate to ask them questions. Be Prepared: Perfect your elevator pitch and be ready to answer tough questions. Transparency and honesty are critical. 3️⃣ Business vs. Technical Strengths While both are essential, technical expertise often holds more weight in investor evaluations. If there’s a gap in your team’s skill set, be creative in bridging it—whether through new hires, partnerships, or advisors. 4️⃣ Active VCs in Chicago and Beyond Chicago is a thriving hub with numerous approachable and active VCs ready to engage with innovative startups. The same applies nationally, so take advantage of this ecosystem. This session highlighted not just the opportunities but also actionable strategies for startups to enhance their fundraising efforts. As a special edition for the 1871 FinTech Innovation Lab, many entrepreneurs in this cohort joined the event together with other local entrepreneurs from Chicago. 💬 Thank you to our amazing speakers and the engaged audience for making this a truly insightful discussion! Let’s keep the momentum going and continue fostering innovation in fintech. Join our next event on December 17th, 2024 https://lu.ma/9q9twcfw #TechPulse2030 #FintechInnovation #StartupFundraising #VCInsights #ChicagoStartups #Entrepreneurship #1871 #ai2939 #fintech4good #jumpcapital #technexus #G20TechSprint2024 #SustainableFinance #InnovationForGood #ESG #SDGs #Inclusion #Fintech #TechnologyForImpact #ai2030 #thefutureofai #fintech4good #AIXWeb3 #PaloAltoSummit #Blockchain #AI #Web3 #Innovation #AI2030 #ResponsibleAI #FutureTech #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #ethicalai #techpulse2030 🔗 Stay Connected & Engaged:   •      LinkedIn Group: https://lnkd.in/e_CrPkc   •      AI 2030 Summit Series: https://www.ai2030.org/   •      Join the Movement: https://lnkd.in/gN5PcC   •      Women in AI Leadership Nominations: https://lnkd.in/g_hMXgKw

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July 2 2024 – 10 Notable Articles To Read Article: TDR Capital pursues City training business sale Takeaway: Exploring the sale of UK education business BPP, indicating a resurgence in dealmaking as global monetary conditions stabilize. Source: Financial Times Link: https://lnkd.in/dAUk3gaS Article: 89% of corporate investors plan to increase or maintain level of startup investments Takeaway: Most corporate VCs prefer to invest between the seed and Series B stages. Specifically, 91% expressed a preference for Series A investments, while only 20% are interested in pre-seed investments, and just 11% are keen on Series D+ investments. Source: Sifted Link: https://lnkd.in/dhiti-ER Article: NAVER Corp-Backed WEBTOON Shares Rise 9.5% After $315M IPO Takeaway: The firm anticipates growth beyond Korea to come from Japan and France, and has a market value of $2.9B. Source: Bloomberg Link: https://lnkd.in/dVDAnmc4 Article: Kleiner Perkins raises over $2B as LPs stick with top-tier VCs Takeaway: The firm's funds, introduced with the tagline "Rise with the A.I.," praised AI as a "fundamental technology catalyzing this transformation." Source: PitchBook Link: https://lnkd.in/dq6Uv4d3 Article: Why some European startups are picking debt over equity Takeaway: Venture debt deal value has already reached €17.8B this year, surpassing last year’s total of €12.9B; on track to exceed the record €28.1B set in 2022. Source: PitchBook Link: https://lnkd.in/dAvEzSye Article: Mideast Wealth Funds Eclipse Peers With $52B Splurge Takeaway: Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds contributing to more than half of the total value of all deals made by global state-backed investors this year. Source: Bloomberg News Link: https://lnkd.in/d9wfEx57 Article: Can $1B Turn Startup Scale AI Into an AI Data Juggernaut? Takeaway: An Ai startup with a focus on data and a valuation nearing $14B, faces high expectations as an 8 year-old company. Source: The Wall Street Journal Link: https://lnkd.in/d8kNewev Article: Hedge Funds Are Hoarding Cobalt Amid Battery Metal Slump Takeaway: Anchorage Capital Partners and Squarepoint Capital are among the funds purchasing physical cobalt, as falling spot prices create opportunities to secure profits. Source: Bloomberg Link: https://lnkd.in/dHNGwPVd Article: SK hynix Plans to Invest $75B on Chips Through 2028 Takeaway: Approximately 80%, or $60B, will be invested in HBM chips, highlighting the conglomerate’s commitment to a sector it deems essential for future-proofing its businesses. Source: Bloomberg News Link: https://lnkd.in/dquQKDbY Article: Grosvenor Properties (UK) invests in Europe's largest proptech VC noa (formerly A/O) Takeaway: Established in 2019, the company focuses on technologies that disrupt the real estate and built environment sectors, facilitating their decarbonization and fostering positive transformation. Source: Tech.eu Link: https://lnkd.in/dDN4Xiij #news #business #research #ai

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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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Setting up right and strong foundations when creating a company, is a must; more important than ever before. A company needs to have a PURPOSE and VISION. These have to be set as clear as possible by the founder(s) since its inception. Then VALUES. These will trickle down and used as the guidelines for everyone in the company to think and act. These are the backbones that will set the culture of the company. Founder/CEO cant just rely on those written and framed on the office wall. Purpose, Vision, and Values should not be something the team have to memorize. Rather, something they need to do. So, as the Founder/CEO, what you need to do is to LEAD BY EXAMPLE by always WALK THE TALK. As a VC, i would love to back this kind of company and founder. Maven Asia Capital (www.maven.asia) #mavenasiacapital

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Venture banks play a valuable role in the startup ecosystem by providing specialized financial services tailored to high-growth companies. However, with recent changes in the banking landscape, we’re seeing many companies revaluating the role of venture banks for several reasons: 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐞 / 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞: Banks don’t really want to lend capital to pre-profit companies. Some banks do make loans to these companies as a way to win other business (deposits, credit cards, foreign exchange, cash management, and investment banking advisory services (such as, IPO advisory, and M&A transactions). This issue is exacerbated by regulators which discourage banks from making loans to companies that are not profitable. Unfortunately, this can result in unpredictable behavior by banks in their relationship with startups. This is one of the main reasons that many VC backed companies are moving to non-bank lenders for venture debt. The structure of a non-bank lender providing a growth loan while a bank holds the deposits and assists with other banking services can be a win-win for all involved. 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞: While venture banks bring financial expertise, they may lack the deep industry networks and operational experience that equity investors (VCs) and non-bank lenders often provide. Building strategic partnerships with equity investors and lenders who can offer more than just funding, such as mentorship, market insights, and business development support. 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Diversification across multiple funding sources, including venture capital, private equity, strategic investors, and non-bank lenders can enhance a startup's financial resilience and growth opportunities. 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Equity investors typically have a vested interest in the long-term success of startups, aligning their incentives with founders and stakeholders. Venture banks may have shorter-term objectives tied to specific financial transactions. While VC’s have the longest investment horizon, non-bank lenders tend to be less transactional than banks and can be patient partners in helping entrepreneurs’ build their businesses. While venture banks provide valuable financial services, startups should view them as one component of a broader funding strategy. Diversifying funding sources and engaging with equity investors and non-bank lenders can offer startups a more comprehensive support system for sustainable growth and success in a competitive landscape.

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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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