Bechara Abouarab

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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Summary: Bolt's CEO has threatened legal action against an investment bank involved in their recent fundraising efforts, claiming they signed a binding term sheet for $200 million but did not follow through. Key takeaways: Bolt's CEO believes there was miscommunication at Silverbear Capital, one of their lead investors, leading to confusion about the fundraising deal. A leaked term sheet showed Bolt trying to raise $200 million in equity and $250 million in marketing credits, with a unique pay-to-play structure. The involvement of Silverbear Capital and The London Fund in the deal remains unclear. Counter arguments: Silverbear Capital's partner insists there was no miscommunication and the deal was never discussed or approved. The London Fund has confirmed discussions with Bolt's management but denies any finalized transaction. #venturecapital

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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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"Industrial software trades with less volatility and at a premium multiple to broader SaaS comparables" 🏭 🤖 As industrial tech investors, Onur Canlitepe and I are observing that our early-stage investments have >90% survival rate (over 7 years, despite investing in the earliest stages) with 2/3rds receiving follow on investments. We think industrial tech investments offer higher stickiness, more steady but perhaps less explosive growth (e.g. compared to some consumer-facing software/apps). As Atlas Ventures, we believe that industrial tech investments can offer a different risk-reward profile to LPs within the VC asset class. Perhaps this is the reason why industrial tech companies are trading at a higher multiple in public markets compared to general SaaS.

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A new flood of fresh funds is reshaping the venture capital landscape! 🚀 Recent highlights include TVM Capital Healthcare’s $250M Afiyah Fund LP, SVC's $30M investment into General Atlantic’s private equity fund, Golden Gate Ventures' $100M MENA-focused fund launch, and Investcorp's $570M fund closure. These announcements signal a broader trend of escalating financial commitments within the industry. MEA funds are heating up! 🌡️ Our data reveals a 74% YoY increase in the number of MEA-based funds being financed as of May 20th, 2024. Since Q4’23, there has been a notable surge in regional funds securing capital, with international investors also establishing localized funds. Stay informed with the latest trends in VC activity: https://lnkd.in/dP6ZkmCd By MAGNiTT Repost by : Salem Bagami Chief Executive Officer Digital Transformation Company & Managing Director 2080 Ventures Email: [email protected] Website: www.2080.ventures #VC #Funds #Investing

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Summary: Acrew Capital, a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, has raised $700 million in funds for investments in data, security, healthcare, and fintech companies. This brings their total assets under management to $1.7 billion. Despite challenging fundraising conditions in the industry, Acrew has achieved success through its notable portfolio and experienced team. Key takeaways: Acrew Capital raised $700 million in funds for investments in data, security, healthcare, and fintech companies. The firm has achieved success through its notable portfolio and experienced team, with multiple exits and investments in high-valued private companies. Despite tough conditions in the venture capital industry, Acrew's fundraising totals for this year are expected to surpass previous years. Counter arguments: While Acrew Capital has seen success in the industry, it is unclear how much of the $700 million raised will go towards early-stage investments versus discovery strategy investments. The current fundraising totals for U.S. VC firms still pale in comparison to previous years, indicating challenges in the industry as a whole. #venturecapital #vc #fundraising

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Considering a career in startups or VC? Starting today, I'm available for 1:1 calls on @Intro to help startup founders and aspiring VCs think through the path ahead. As the founder + managing director of Red Sea Ventures, we invested early in companies like Allbirds (IPO), Sweetgreen (IPO), Nest (acq. Google), Casetext (acq. Thompson Reuters), and Prose to name a few. What topics can we cover? ✔️ Finding product-market fit ✔️ The different paths to funding ✔️ Determining how much you need to raise ✔️ Building a VC firm ✔️ Careers in VC ✔️ Celebrity partnerships Honored to be alongside world-class Experts like Chris DeWolfe (co-founder of MySpace (sold for $675M), Scott Saunders (founder of Happy Money, valued $1B+) & Geraldine Martin-Coppola (former President of Goop). I’ll be donating 100% of the proceeds to Seeds of Peace

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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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Pearl IO delivers Operational #Diligence referred to in article by McKinsey & Company as primary means of driving value creation and ensuring returns for #PE investors. - ID, size, and drive actionable plans for value creation opportunities - Validate performance trends and investigate underlying drivers - Prepare for and engage management with informed perspectives specific to their business - Gain conviction in Revenue, Growth, and Margin forecasts "First, buyout managers should invest with operational value creation at the forefront. This means that in addition to strategic diligence, they should conduct operational diligence for new assets. Their focus should be on developing a rigorous, bespoke, and integrated approach to assessing top-line and operational efficiency." #privateequity #duediligence https://lnkd.in/ecS3cTeG

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Reasons why I care about more women being LPs in venture funds (specifically in Fireroad Ventures, but generally, too): 1. Diverse dealflow. A lot of dealflow to fund managers comes from their LPs, and women know women starting ventures. 2. Opportunity perspective. The more diverse our perspectives around problem spaces, the more we'll understand an opportunity. 3. Talent networks. When one of our portfolio companies is making a key hire or looking for a service provider, the first network we tap is that of our LPs. Women know women who are ballers in their field. 4. Economic empowerment. When I worked in philanthropy, the adage was that women make 94% of a household's financial decisions. After fundraising for a year, I don't buy that anymore because it is NOT true for household investing decisions. Let's make sure that investing opportunities are part of those financial decisions and that women are empowered to bring opportunities to the household, not just "giving permission" to their partners. 5. Selfishness. When I wire money to a new portfolio company, there are two faces in my mind: that of the founder and that of an LP. I imagine myself introducing the founder to the LP and try to think about how the LP will feel about their money being allocated toward that opportunity with that leadership. It's *so* personal. I'd like to see more women on both sides of that mental exercise because there are women at every stage of my career that have played significant roles modeling, supporting, and propelling me in my own path.

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Summary: Alpha Partners, founded by Steve Brotman in 2014, announced a $153 million third fund to invest alongside early-stage VCs and help preserve their ownership in promising companies. Key takeaways: Alpha Partners' strategy of helping seed-stage VCs exercise pro-rata rights is more relevant than ever as startups stay private for longer and other mechanisms for maintaining stakes lose popularity. The firm invests in companies led by top-tier VCs, with over $10 million in revenue and close to profitability. Alpha Partners has had successful exits and its investment in Coupang's Series G and F has put the firm on the map. Counter arguments: With fewer later-stage deals getting done, some may question whether Alpha Partners' strategy will continue to be successful. Some may argue that the firm's criteria for investment is too strict and may miss out on promising opportunities. #venturecapital #vc #venture

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This is a well-articulated discussion that highlights key points many emerging founders and VC managers, especially first-time fund managers, often overlook. Love the insights Kristy Trieste! Looking forward to making a positive impact together in venture land!! BlackBay SVB Motive Partners Adam Weiss #VC #BlackBay #AlternativeInvestments #VentureCapital #PrivateEquity

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Smartsheet has entered a definitive agreement to be acquired by Blackstone and Vista Equity Partners for $8.4 billion in an all-cash deal. Smartsheet shareholders will receive $56.50 per share, representing a 41% premium over the 90-day average share price. The transaction is expected to close by the end of January 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder agreement. After the deal, Smartsheet will become privately held, continuing operations under its brand. There is a 45-day "go-shop" period allowing alternative proposals. Here are a few thoughts: Blackstone and Vista bring extensive experience in tech, positioning Smartsheet for accelerated global expansion. High valuation shows continued private equity interest in software companies, especially those with strong SaaS models. As a private company, Smartsheet may gain flexibility for product innovation and restructuring without quarterly public market pressures. The 45-day "go-shop" could lead to other high-profile bidders, signaling competitive interest in enterprise work management solutions. This acquisition could drive consolidation in the collaborative work software market, setting a trend for future acquisitions. #privateequity #deals #dealflow

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Secondaries in venture capital funds have no doubt lagged private equity but the managers of scale such as Lightspeed have been able to find ways to create liquidity for LPs. The multi-asset continuation vehicle is a creative way to create reasonably attractive valuations often packaging a mix of underlying asset quality. Look for more of these transaction to take place as the billions of dollars raised for venture and growth equity secondaries needs to be deployed instead of earning fees on uncalled capital therefore resulting in dealmaking and also tighter discounts! #secondaries #alternativeassets #privatemarkets #venturecapital #growthequity #capitalmarkets #liquidity #dpi #fundmanagers https://lnkd.in/gpsXvV3z

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✨ Creating a Legacy Across Continents: Raida Daouk El Jisr's Inspiring Journey in Venture Capital ✨ Raida Daouk has forged an impressive path from her banking career to founding Amkan Ventures and Amkan Advisory. In doing so, she’s breaking barriers in venture capital and building bridges between the Middle East and the U.S. investment ecosystems. 🌍 You can read more to discover how Raida navigated fundraising challenges, balanced professional and personal life, and shaped a future venture capital legacy. 🚀 #VentureCapital #Leadership #WomenInVC #Entrepreneurship #CrossContinentalVC #LegacyBuilding #Investing

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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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Summary: General Catalyst, an influential Silicon Valley capital firm, is launching a continuation fund valued at $800 million to $1 billion. This type of fund is becoming increasingly popular among venture capitalists due to the lack of IPOs and mergers. Key takeaways: Continuation funds are becoming more common among venture capitalists as a way to generate liquidity for their limited partners despite a slow IPO and M&A market. General Catalyst's continuation fund will likely include stakes in successful startups like Stripe, Gusto, and Circle. Selling shares to secondary investors through a continuation fund allows VCs to retain future upside of the assets and is seen as more founder-friendly compared to introducing new owners. Counter arguments: Limited partners may take a hit on existing valuations and potential share price growth when selling shares to secondary investors at a discount. Continuation funds can take time to sell and may fail entirely, as seen with Tiger Global's unsuccessful attempt to sell a strip portfolio. #venturecapital #growthequity #privateequity

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