LeverageVC

Exciting Announcement: Launch of Leverage Fund I 🚀 Today, we are thrilled to step out of stealth mode and officially announce the launch of our inaugural $10M fund. LeverageVC was born from the collective expertise of its founders - Meir Bulua , David Rabinovici and Menashe Kestenbaum Kestenbaum - who are dedicated to leveraging their vast experience to empower startups on their journey to success. In addition to our traditional fund, we're proud to introduce our innovative venture studio model. Our specialty lies in building companies from the ground up, and by engaging with startups from their earliest ideation stage, we can stay true to our entrepreneurial roots.  We're not just capital investors; we're in the trenches with you. From assisting with hiring and providing valuable advisory support to streamlining marketing workflows and automation, we are committed to doing whatever it takes to make a meaningful impact on our portfolio companies. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our LP's for transforming our fund from a mere idea into a reality. Their support has been instrumental in this journey. And, of course, a huge shout out to the incredible founders we have partnered with. We look forward to continue working together.  Our inbox is always open for collaborations, inquiries, or just to connect. Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. #LeverageVC #StartupSupport #VentureStudio #Investment #Innovation  https://lnkd.in/g73DdqCw

Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder, puts it perfectly: 'I've had courtside seats at all the Warriors championship games. But having a front row seat doesn't qualify me to coach an NBA team. The same applies to venture capitalists.' Watch to learn crucial insights on selecting the right investors and building a strong board that can truly drive your startup's success. #startups #venturecapital #entrepreneurship #founders

Our Associate's unfiltered take on his first visit to San Francisco cuts through the noise of social media debates and YouTube documentaries to share what the city is really like in December 2024. Read about his experience navigating founder meetings, tourist spots, and the raw realities of SF's streets in "First Time in San Francisco: Everything They Told Me Was Wrong (And Right)" #VentureCapital #SanFrancisco #StartupLife #TechIndustry

🚗✨ Rebranding: When Legacy Meets Innovation ✨🚗 Ever wonder why some of the biggest names in business suddenly transform themselves? Let us take you behind the curtain of corporate rebranding, using Jaguar's bold move as our case study. Yes, the memes are flying and social media is having a field day with their new logo (that minimalist jaguar is quite the conversation starter!). But here's why smart business leaders are paying attention instead of just posting jokes: Picture this: A 100-year-old British icon isn't just changing its logo—it's completely reimagining what luxury means in the electric age. They're calling it "fearless, exuberant, and compelling." And while the internet might be chuckling, the strategy behind it is dead serious. Here's what makes rebranding such a powerful business move: 1. It's Your Second Shot at First Impressions: Just like Dunkin' dropping the "Donuts" led to a coffee sales explosion, Jaguar's pivot toward ultra-luxury EVs is their ticket to capturing the hearts (and wallets) of younger, tech-savvy buyers. 2. The Money Talk: While rebranding isn't cheap (think millions in investment), the payoff can be massive. When done right, it's like giving your stock price a shot of adrenaline. But here's the catch—mess it up, and you'll have more than just a PR nightmare. 3. The Employee Effect: Fun fact: A fresh brand identity can transform your workforce from clock-watchers to innovation champions. At Jaguar, this rebrand has sparked an internal creative renaissance! 4. The Market Chess Game: By positioning themselves in the ultra-luxury EV space, Jaguar isn't just changing lanes—they're building a new highway. Bold? Yes. Risky? Also yes. Necessary? Absolutely! Remember: Sometimes the most ridiculed moves turn out to be the most brilliant ones in hindsight. (Just ask Airbnb about their 2014 logo launch!) #Rebranding #BusinessStrategy #Innovation #Marketing #Jaguar

Always a great listen! Riley Oickle shares insights from his journey from student debt to real estate success! 🎧

📱 Our Must-Follow X Feed: Where We Get Our Daily Dose of Tech & VC Insights Want to level up your startup knowledge? Here's who we're learning from daily: @ankurnagpal (Ankur Nagpal) - Your go-to for real talk on startup operations and scaling. His insights on company building are gold. @gregisenberg (Greg Isenberg) - Master of connecting dots between personal branding and startup success. Always ahead of the curve on tech trends. @KarthikS2206 (Karthik Sridharan) - Bringing you the unconventional success stories you won't find elsewhere. Perfect for founders seeking inspiration. @shreyas - (Shreyas Doshi) shares deep insights into product management, startup growth, and venture capital. His content often includes lessons learned from his experience at companies like Google, Postmates, and DoorDash, making it highly valuable for tech enthusiasts and budding entrepreneurs. @mattwensing (Matthew Wensing) - Where business strategy meets personal growth. Essential follow for the modern founder. These voices shape our thinking at LeverageVC. Who else should be on our radar? #VentureCapital #StartupGrowth #TechTwitter

Last decade: Technical founders had the edge. 2024? Storytellers are raising faster than engineers 🚀 The 2010s were all about technical innovation: - Uber needed complex routing algorithms - Airbnb required robust booking systems - Stripe had to build intricate payment infrastructure But 2024's market is FLOODED with great products. And STARVED for great stories. Look at Mr Beast: Built a $1.7B empire without writing a line of code. Or Stanley/Yeti: Turned water bottles into a cultural phenomenon. What we're seeing from founders closing rounds in <30 days: • They lead with distribution strategy, not tech specs • They have audiences ready to buy before building • Their pitch decks focus on 'why now' instead of 'how it works' The secret? Technical skills can be hired. But authentic storytelling is nearly impossible to replicate. Real example from last week: Founder closed $3M seed with: - 50K person waitlist - No product yet - Clear go-to-market storytelling - Technical development partnership lined up 2024's winning playbook: 1. Master storytelling first 2. Build the community before code 3. Partner with technical talent 4. Execute relentlessly Key insight: The fastest fundraises aren't coming from pitches about "How do we build this?" They're coming from founders who can answer "Why will people line up around the block for this?" Because while code builds products... Stories build empires 🎯 #StartupStrategy #VentureCapital #FounderInsights

Tesla's "We, Robot" event just unveiled a $1 trillion market opportunity. Are you ready for the autonomous revolution? As VCs always on the lookout for the next big thing, we're excited about the potential ripple effects across multiple industries: • Robotaxi: Sub-$30,000 autonomous 4-seaters could disrupt ride-sharing, car ownership, and urban planning. Think beyond Uber - who will build the killer apps for this new platform? • RoboVan: Autonomous delivery is no longer science fiction. Logistics, e-commerce, and last-mile delivery startups, take note. • Optimus: A versatile humanoid robot opens doors in home automation, eldercare, and beyond. Which startups will create the must-have skills for Optimus? • Full Self-Driving: Coming to TX and CA in 2025. This isn't just about cars - it's about freeing up cognitive bandwidth. What will people do with their new-found time? • Urban Transformation: Parking lots into green spaces? Smart city startups, your time is now. Our analysis: This isn't just about Tesla. It's about the entire ecosystem that will grow around these technologies. We're looking at potential Cambrian explosions in: 1. AI and machine learning 2. Sensor technologies 3. Battery innovations 4. Smart city infrastructure 5. Autonomous vehicle software As VCs, we're not just observers - we're catalysts for this future. We're actively seeking startups that are riding these waves or creating new ones. #VentureCapital #TeslaInnovation #AutonomousFuture #AIRevolution #InvestmentOpportunities

Blueprint's new AI Assistant for therapists is revolutionizing mental health care. From session prep to follow-up, it's boosting efficiency and quality of care. Exciting progress in #HealthTech!

Yehuda Atzmon, our Senior Associate, rethinks networking at LA Tech Week: Traditional events vs. genuine connections - what works? #LATechWeek #NetworkingEvolved Read Yehuda's take: