Elaine Gu

ANNOUNCEMENT- I’m delighted to share that Asset Class has partnered with Palantir Technologies to bring AI to the Alternatives and Private Capital Markets. At Asset Class we will integrate the AIP platform and Foundry capabilities of Palantir with our Fund Operating System (Fund OS). We will work with the AIP Platform and Palantir's Foundry Ontology to support highly complex tasks / co-pilot features that will allow us to leverage the FULL dataset that comes with the Asset Class Platform. By linking EVERY step of the Investor and Fund journey on a SINGLE platform, we have a uniquely complete dataset that can inform our AI actions. Over time we will integrate this as part of our Asset Class Network. This will continue to ensure Asset Class is a far more powerful system than any other in the market. We are a platform - not just an app. In the near future, we will be an AI Enabled, Networked Platform I cannot wait to bring the power of AI to our platform to enable our clients to super-charge their investment in our platform. See announcement here: https://lnkd.in/eCSy5Tnu

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Last week gave me so much energy. During #NYTechWeek, I hosted an intimate dinner with inspiring people alongside cohosts Lo Toney (Plexo Capital) and Ed Zimmerman (First Close Partners). It's definitely tough to see the headlines - the decrease in progress of women and people of color participating across asset classes (i.e. VC funding) and in business leadership (i.e. boards). This is not a "diversity issue" - this is an 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐎𝐍𝐄 issue. We all lose out with less innovation and fewer problems receiving the financial and social capital they require. What's not making headlines (at least not enough)? The people who are still running full steam at systems change, even when it's hard. Those building community while doing it, and bringing talented folks along with them. I was thrilled to welcome incredible LPs and GPs to the table for an unflinching discussion about the current market, climate, and how they're building and funding the teams reshaping venture capital. Big thanks to our LPs and everyone who joined us! Keep going. Accel Impact Holdings Action Potential Venture Capital AIN Ventures Ansa Capital Field Ventures NextEquity Partners NOEMIS Ventures Open Opportunity Fund Type Capital Ulu Ventures BLCK VC SomosVC VCFamilia GV (Google Ventures)

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PE & More Exits I see significant potential in this area - it's important for PE firms to drive tangible value creation and capital-efficient, high-ROI operational improvements that enhance Equity Value and pave the way for successful exits. The #1 example of such value creation: Profitable Revenue Growth (which affects disproportionate EBITDA growth) ------------------ #business #pe #privateequity #ceo #cro #growth

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New deal👏 XTX Ventures Tenstorrent “We find Tenstorrent’s open-source driven approach refreshing, especially in the proprietary and often secretive world of AI accelerators,” said Joshua Leahy, Chief Technology Officer, XTX Markets. “We’re excited to support them as they bring their ambitious roadmap to market.”

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The recent unveiling of public-private debt funds by Capital Group and KKR underscores the strategic appeal of private debt investments. These funds offer investors access to diversified yield opportunities and potential stability, especially in volatile markets. The blend of public and private debt within one fund structure provides a balanced risk-return approach, making it a compelling addition to a portfolio. As private credit continues to expand, it serves as a valuable asset class that addresses the growing demand for alternative investment solutions. #private_debt #high_yield #alternative_asset_class

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Good article on drivers of VC secondary market with great insights from my partner Ravi.

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I'm excited to share Houlihan Lokey latest Bike Market Report, offering a detailed analysis of trends, consumer behaviors, and innovations shaping the cycling industry. This report provides essential insights to help industry leaders and stakeholders capitalize on emerging opportunities and drive growth. Explore the full report here: https://lnkd.in/dwvcs48i #BikeInsights #CyclingIndustry #Innovation #Sustainability #Management #MergersAndAcquisitions #PrivateEquity #InvestmentBanking

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There is a great piece on Forbes.com about Camber Creek portfolio company Maybern. It captures a lot of the promise Camber Creek sees in Maybern and the challenges the company is tackling. For example: • There are $15 trillion worth of investment in private funds doing intricate calculations in Excel. The market is enormous. • Errors can be costly and lead to lawsuits or even penalties from regulators. • Cutting through this complexity is not easy. One day, we’ll look back on archaic fund accounting processes and shake our heads at how far we've come. It’ll be because of Ross Mechanic, Aswhin Raghu, and their team. https://lnkd.in/e7P-RT-m

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The recently published Institutional Investor Digital Asset Study from Fidelity Investments certainly has some eye opening stats to browse through. Cudos to the team for a clear and concise overview. What stuck out most was the top reason investors cited for their change of view on the space... 💡 increased understanding 💡 This is still a new asset class, demonstrably so in the United States where acceptance has been slow. Increased education and understanding is paramount. Anyone with questions, reach out, always happy to answer incoming messages. Some other interesting tidbits: 1) Price volatility remains one of the largest barriers to entry [more thoughts to share here but at a later date...] 2) 30% of respondents saw digital assets as their own, unique asset class [interesting, what is your allocation to it?] 3) US investors remain the least accepting of digital assets [I think this really goes back to the first point of the post, increased understanding and truly think the tide is turning] If you are curious about the space, here to help through it. As someone who spent a decade working with fintechs and financial companies I get the skepticism. As an investor however, skate to where the puck is going, not where it has been the past twenty years #digitalassets #crypto #blockchain Full Survey (link below) https://lnkd.in/g7h2_Bq8

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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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The #Commercial Excellence and Growth levers for #privateequity portfolio company #valuecreation is frequently raised, but prioritizing the levers are agonized over. https://ow.ly/1jEc50SRX0r

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Two years ago, we launched KKR Ascendant, a strategy within KKR’s Americas Private Equity platform focused on investing in middle-market businesses. Today, we celebrated a major milestone: the final closing of the KKR Ascendant Fund. We see a significant and growing opportunity to use our leading platform and resources to help high-quality middle-market businesses grow, scale and create value for their customers and employees. One way we’re doing this: By supporting the implementation of employee ownership programs at every majority-owned company in which the fund invests. This strategy is based on the belief that employee engagement is a key driver in building stronger companies. To date, more than 50 KKR portfolio companies have awarded billions of dollars in equity to over 110,000 non-senior management employees. Ascendant has already invested in six leading North American companies, including Alchemer, 123Dentist, Industrial Physics, Potter Global Technologies, mdf commerce and Marmic Fire & Safety Co. – and we’re just getting started. Learn more: https://go.kkr.com/3Bg5JwX

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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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-Looking forward to the panel at the Markets Group's Private Equity Boston Forum on Thursday morning. On the agenda for the panel: Given the current investment environment, how can we best invest, create value and find liquidity for our investors?

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Interesting data and good work from Carta in their inaugural VC fund performance report analyzing benchmarks for more than 1800 funds across six recent vintages - https://lnkd.in/e5R_dhXp Take a look at the pace of investments. As expected, capital deployment has slowed since the 2020 peak, with 2022 funds only using 43% of their capital after 24 months, down from 60% in 2020. This trend seems broadly consistent across private company and fund investing, with GPs and their LPs being more cautious and selective with capital allocation. Raising capital is tough today. Full stop. It's easy to focus on that, but I'd encourage us all to instead consider and focus on what is less talked about - that this cautious approach has created a large amount of available capital aka "dry powder," dedicated and ready to support special founders. The best founders are aware of private market dynamics, which impact the time needed to raise rounds and the milestones they must hit to successfully do that, but their primary focus is always the mission and the customers they serve. They are committed to building products to solve their customers' problems regardless of what us investors think. Building generational companies is never easy, but many have been and will continue to be built in tough markets. I try to take a similar approach in supporting founders. That doesn't mean ignoring market conditions, which can greatly impact my investment decisions and outcomes, but like focused founders, I know it makes more sense to dedicate my limited daily energy to what I can control. That means finding and supporting founders who are transforming or creating markets and doing everything I can to help them win, no matter what the market is doing. I hope to collaborate with many doing the same. Have a great week and see you out there! Note: These thoughts and opinions are solely mine and and mine alone. They do not reflect and are not associated with any company I am part of.

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Can't wait to reconnect with the brilliant Amanda Herson and join the discussion with Maciek Gnutek and Iain Martin at Slush about our fund models and what they mean for Founders ❄ 🚀

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Is Private Equity back? An insightful episode of the NextWave Private Equity podcast, which delved into the current state of the Private Equity (PE) market. Key Takeaways: 1. Resurgence in Deal Activity: The PE market is experiencing a robust recovery, with deal activity increasing due to clearer economic indicators and improved financing options. 2. Challenges in Exit Strategies: Despite the uptick in deals, exit strategies remain sluggish, presenting challenges for both investors and firms. 3. Tech Sector Attraction: The technology sector is attracting significant PE interest, with favourable financing conditions leading to a rise in tech-focused deals, indicating a positive market trajectory. #PrivateEquity #TechInvestments #MarketTrends #Podcast #AfricaGrowthLLC https://lnkd.in/eDaJ-X6z

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The findings from Private Equity International's LP Perspectives 2025 Study resonate deeply with what we’re seeing in private markets. After a challenging few years, it’s heartening to see renewed optimism among LPs, with 90% expecting private equity to meet or exceed benchmarks next year. This speaks to the resilience and adaptability of the industry... The debate around GP stakes and continuation funds is particularly interesting. While innovation is critical, it’s clear that success depends on how well managers align their strategies with the evolving needs of LPs. It’s a reminder to stay close to investor sentiment and focus on "delivering genuine value". At Fortius Partners, we are committed to helping funds stay ahead by aligning commercial and sales strategies with the realities of the market. Seeing this optimism gives us even more confidence in what’s possible for 2025 and beyond. What are your thoughts on these trends? #PrivateEquity #LPInsights #Innovation Simon Andreas Hofmann #ValueCreation

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