Nicole DeMeo

"But I think consumer is actually a great place to be building and investing. Whenever something is out of favor, that’s a sign it’s probably a good place to spend time: this is an industry built on being contrarian, not built on following the herd. We’re entering a compelling few years for consumer entrepreneurship. Big consumer wins compare favorably to big enterprise wins—relative to Snowflake’s market cap, Uber is ~3x in size, Airbnb is ~2x in size, and DoorDash is roughly equal. (Snowflake is the biggest enterprise IPO of the last decade.) The last few years produced a windfall of consumer outcomes, yet investors today almost write off the category." https://lnkd.in/gNR-Wwcn

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Last week, I had the pleasure of moderating a discussion on navigating FOAK in climate tech at the Greentown Labs Summit in Boston (which had >600 people!!). Here’s a quick rundown of what was shared by Katherine St. James of Spring Lane Capital, Paris Smalls, PhD of Eden GeoPower, and Hannah Friedman of Planeteer Capital: 🌱 What is the definition of FOAK? We discussed how the term can be controversial - it's almost too general because it doesn't identify what kind of "First" FOAK refers to - first team project? First geography? First of a technology in a sector? First time for the integration of a system? It's also too specific because it has the word "first" in it, which can be anathema to later stage / project finance investors. 💰 Partnerships for Funding FOAK Projects We discussed how important it is to build a blended capital stack & use off-balance sheet capital for a project so you're not using the most expensive equity dollars to fund an infrastructure project with low-ish IRR. We also talked through being creative about using corporate partners to provide in-kind services or ink some agreement (at least an LOI) to attract this funding. 🏛 Role of Government We talked about how government capital is seen by investors & how it can be catalytic for FOAK. Government capital can provide validation that a startup has passed a rigorous diligence process by a third party - and incentives like grants or credits can help improve returns for the first project- but it's important to be doing this in conjunction with getting customer validation and to be able to present line of sight to competitive economics without concessionary capital. 👥 Advice for FOAK startups The panelists offered some very specific pieces of advice for startups going through FOAK: how to get creative with things like revenue sharing agreements or convertible notes, getting smart with project development early on (like with DeveloperU), being careful about using FOAK too liberally with certain investor groups, getting the right commercialization / FOAK talent in and around you early Huge thanks to the panelists and the team at Greentown Labs (Jill Kirkpatrick, Julia Travaglini, Aisling Carlson, etc you rocked it!!) for hosting this discussion on bridging the FOAK gap. Also immensely enjoyed the rest of the agenda. Check out the full recap & videos here: https://lnkd.in/d9ApYe9Y #ClimateTech #FOAK #ClimateFinance #ProjectDevelopment #GreenTech #CleanEnergy

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In a startup's early days, founders often skip detailed compensation planning, instead choosing round numbers and moving on. This is an admirable sentiment. But over the long term, founder compensation design can matter a lot to the company, so it's worth taking some time to think this through. Here are some benchmarks and suggestions for founder compensation across: 1. Salary 2. Equity Split 3. Vesting https://lnkd.in/gcDXehXx

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Good to see an #IPO in the DX space with Tempus AI. With 11M shares at $37 per share at #top 🚀 end of the expected range, raising $410M at a valuation of $6B Founded in 2015, Tempus is creating an intelligent diagnostics platform for precision medicine ⚕. #Positive #news Looking forward what's come. #AI #healthcare #data #digitalization #DX https://lnkd.in/dJiKrrPC

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Insightful look into bioplatform strategy, and what it takes to raise a Series A from my partner, Omri Amirav-Drory: https://lnkd.in/dFv7GbF6

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🛍️ Retailers: you can say goodbye to excess inventory headaches! Ganas Ventures is proud to invest in LiquiDonate, the tech that makes it happen, in community. Disney Petit, MBA, and the LiquiDonate team are transforming how retailers manage returns and inventory sustainably. Get in touch with Disney to learn more. #circulareconomy

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Great article on the founder-investor relationship—one that’s so critical to the success of any venture. Tough times are inevitable, and the true strength of a founder-investor partnership isn’t measured during the good times, but in how both sides show up when things go wrong. These moments test trust, alignment, and shared resilience. As founders, we’re expected to lead our teams through crises, rally, adapt, and navigate the storm. The best investors also show the same level of leadership and step up during challenging moments, offering guidance, empathy, and actionable solutions. It’s a collaborative effort, and I’ve been fortunate to witness how impactful it can be when investors show true leadership. One way to ensure this is to work with investors who’ve been in your shoes before—there’s nothing quite like operator investors to bring valuable perspective and support when it matters most.

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Create Health Ventures Launches Inaugural $21M Fund for Early-Stage Digital Health Startups  Create Health Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage digital health companies, has closed its debut fund, raising $21 million, surpassing its initial target. Launched in 2024, Create Health Ventures is based in Austin, TX, and Chicago, IL. The firm focuses on technologies that enhance healthcare access, improve patient experiences, and deliver value across payers, providers, and pharmaceutical companies. *Its primary focus includes:   1. Payer-Facing Technologies: Solutions that improve member experiences, enable seamless data and workflow integration, and scale technology across geographies.   2. Clinical Trial Enablement: Tools to help pharmaceutical companies recruit and retain participants for late-stage clinical trials as demand increases. *Founders and Approach:   Create Health Ventures was co-founded by Emma Cartmell and Amit Aysola, healthcare veterans with over 45 years of combined experience. They bring operational expertise, regulatory insight, and an extensive network to portfolio companies. The firm exclusively invests in startups led by healthcare industry founders, leveraging its unique value-added platform for scaling businesses.  *The platform includes: - Business development support   - Access to executive coaches   - Connections to healthcare leaders   - Cross-selling opportunities among portfolio companies  *Key Quotes by GPs:  - Emma Cartmell: “Founders from the healthcare industry understand the challenges and opportunities to improve patient outcomes. Supporting them is the most impactful way we can positively transform healthcare.”   - Amit Aysola: “Payers and pharmaceutical companies are driving demand for connected, scalable solutions, and we are investing in companies to meet these needs.”  *Investments and Impact:  The firm has made five investments so far and partners with foundations, impact investors, and strategic healthcare veterans to mentor portfolio companies.  *Portfolio CEO Feedback:   - Dr. Chip Grant (Watershed Health): “Create Health Ventures has been invaluable in scaling operations and fundraising.”   - Shara Cohen (Carallel): “They are the most collaborative and active investor team I’ve worked with.”   - Neil Batlivala (Pair Team): “They’ve helped us manage growth and reach underserved communities.” If you are experiencing difficulties in raising fresh capital and would require warm introductions to new LPs, contact G+QUANT     ▶ Please use G+QUANT's link for inquiries and fund decks, or send your inquiry directly to [email protected] #VentureCapital #DigitalHealth #HealthcareInnovation #Startups #ClinicalTrials #PatientCare #HealthTech #HealthEquity #CreateHealthVentures

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The one thing that is certain in the digital health space is companies will continue popping up with new commercial model trying to achieve that elusive goal of building a profitable scalable business. This in itself is not surprising since there are so few examples of digital health companies that have navigated a successful path to market. I bumped into the Prenetic's team several years, at the time I would describe their business as being hardcore medical with a focus on cancer diagnostics and screening using genomic data analytics. The innovative company is based out of Hong Kong. So it was interesting to see them pop up in the news this week with a partnership announcement with David Beckham and the launch of a new consumer health brand! Their isn't much available about the products they will focus on but I assume it will combine their genomic data analytics capabilities together with a health and wellness focus to create targeted care and prevention products. I also assume all of this will be enabled by some kind of digital health tech or platform. Prior to the announcement the company was starting to delve into using DNA based data to create customised health and wellness programs. Seeing a digital health company jump between the medical and consumer space probably won't raise an eye-brow these days, but doing so through the launch of a celebrity backed brand is a different play on this model!

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🌟Innovative VC Firm Overcomes Exits Drought with Secondary Sales🌟 ⛵Navigating a challenging landscape where exits are scarce, Santa Barbara Venture Partners (SBVP) has pioneered a novel approach to sustain its growth and attract investors for its second fund: secondary sales. Instead of waiting for traditional exits like IPOs or acquisitions, SBVP opted to sell shares of its portfolio companies, demonstrating its ability to generate returns for investors and stand out in a competitive market. 🎤According to Dan Engel, founder and managing partner of SBVP, these secondary transactions have been a game-changer, sparking investor interest and bolstering the firm's credibility. By leveraging its recent successes, including a lucrative stake in sports-betting company DraftKings Inc.' acquisition of digital lottery app Jackpocket, SBVP seized the opportunity to return profits to its limited partners (LPs) and pave the way for its second fund. 💡Engel highlighted the challenges faced by young VC firms in raising subsequent funds, particularly amid a downturn in exit activity and heightened investor scrutiny. With traditional exit routes becoming increasingly elusive, the pressure is on for firms to demonstrate tangible returns and establish a track record of success. ✨"For us, secondary sales have been a game-changer. They've helped us return profits to our LPs and attract investors for our second fund," said Dan Engel. 💰For SBVP, the decision to pursue secondary sales was driven by the need to provide liquidity to LPs and validate its investment thesis in the eyes of prospective investors. By strategically offloading portions of its holdings in high-performing portfolio companies like Bark Technologies and Rad AI, SBVP not only generated substantial returns but also bolstered investor confidence in its ability to deliver results. ⚠Despite the complexities and potential stigma associated with early share sales, Engel emphasized the importance of prioritizing investor returns and seizing opportunities to unlock value for stakeholders. With a focus on profitability and transparency, SBVP remains committed to its mission of delivering sustainable growth and maximizing returns for its LPs. 🔍 "Returning profits to our investors is our top priority. By strategically selling shares, we're proving our commitment to delivering results and driving value for our stakeholders," added Engel. As SBVP continues to explore secondary transactions and expand its investor base, the firm stands as a testament to innovation and resilience in the face of market challenges. 🚀 ✅ Looking to raise capital for your #fund and increase the international pool of your LP #investors?   🤝 Need warm #LP introductions?   📝 Selling #secondaries to increase liquidity?   🧐 Looking for co-investments?   ▶ G+QUANT's link for inquiries and fund decks: https://lnkd.in/gjC_EuTE #VCInnovation #SecondarySalesSuccess #InvestorReturns #ValueCreation 

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What Laurel Mintz and Fabric VC are doing to change the current and long-standing suboptimal standards of venture capital is truly inspiring. The VC industry has historically been dominated by a narrow demographic, often overlooking the incredible potential that diverse founders bring to the table. Laurel's work is a breath of fresh air, showing that by supporting a wider range of voices and perspectives, we can achieve more innovative and successful outcomes. Her dedication to fostering an inclusive environment where all entrepreneurs have the opportunity to thrive is not just admirable, but necessary for the future of business. As a woman entrepreneur myself, I understand the challenges that come with navigating a landscape that hasn't always been welcoming or equitable. That's why I am so grateful for leaders like Laurel, who are not just talking about change but actively making it happen! #DEI #Entrepreneurship

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The top three ecosystems maintained their same positions from 2020, with Silicon Valley remaining at the top, followed by New York City and London, which are tied for second. This is according to the just-released ranking of cities by Startup Genome in its annual Global Startup Ecosystem Report (https://lnkd.in/g727835s). Tel Aviv moved up one spot in the rankings and tied Los Angeles in the number 4 position. Interestingly enough, Miami jumped 7 spots to the 16th position, while the two leading Chinese cities, Beijing (8th) and Shanghai (11th), both slid. #startups #techrankings #israeltech #startupnation #techstartups #VC

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I find it hard to believe that with millions of EVs entering the market and the proliferation of AI compute that PGE is actually going to have excess capacity in 2040 without any additional generation from 3rd parties. I am also curious if there are enough transmission lines and if PGE views that as someone else’s problem. Maybe they are planning on AI and ACTUAL figuring it all out! https://lnkd.in/gybsMmaw

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In #VirtualSpace, many of the physical interactions that restrain antisocial behavior vanish. Delusions of grandeur, narcissism, viciousness, impulsivity, and infantile behavior for some individuals rise to the surface. https://lnkd.in/gdrCxrrH #VirtualReality #metaverse

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In #VirtualSpace, many of the physical interactions that restrain antisocial behavior vanish. Delusions of grandeur, narcissism, viciousness, impulsivity, and infantile behavior for some individuals rise to the surface. https://lnkd.in/gdrCxrrH #VirtualReality #metaverse

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Here are 10 insights from an AI venture studio, AltaML. Its co-founder Cory Janssen sold Investopedia to Forbes in 2007 and created 10 other niche “pedia” websites, spending millions annually on freelancers. In 2015, Cory attempted to launch a project on algorithmic content generation at the University of Alberta, which failed but led him to the local AI and ML academic community. It inspired him to launch AltaML in 2018, which has been developing AI products for corporations and, since 2021, employed the venture studio model. Insights: 1. Cory initially believed 80-90% of AI projects had commercial potential, but reality showed only 10-20% of 450 use cases were viable. 2. After working on hundreds of AI projects, they pivoted to focus on industry-specific solutions due to competition from major players in the horizontal layers of technology. AltaML has seen the most success in finance, particularly asset management, and is exploring opportunities in clean tech and healthcare. Deep vertical knowledge and data insights are their competitive edge. 3. As a studio, they launched 6 companies with a pipeline of 15 to 20 new ideas. 4. Their AI labs & services generate cash flow, which helps them to cover costs for the studio & launch new companies. They also use external funding. 5. Investment stages of their startups: 1) Experimentation: $10,000 to $20,000; 2) Development: $150,000; 3) Pre-seed: $500,000 to $750,000 in tranches; 4) Seed round: Co-lead with at least 25% external investment. 6. In the past, AltaML made the mistake of taking too much equity from founders, which led to complications. Now, they aim for a balance, taking 10% to 25% of common equity at the outset, depending on the extent of their involvement. 7. Ideal cap table for new startups: 60% founders, 15% stock option plan, 25% AltaML. 8. Cory compares the current hype around AI to the early days of the internet, predicting a significant shakeout similar to the dot-com bubble. He anticipates that, just as the post-dot-com era led to substantial value creation on the internet, a similar pattern will occur with AI, where the real value will emerge following an initial hype cycle. 9. Early attempts to form joint ventures with large corporations were difficult due to challenges in corporate innovation and changes in executive leadership, which disrupted ongoing projects. Cory noted that corporate environments often reward risk aversion, which conflicts with the entrepreneurial approach needed for innovative AI projects. 10. For more insights, watch our full interview with Cory; sorry for publishing it so late (we recorded it ~1 year ago): https://lnkd.in/diVjrNin

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A SAFE and convertible note had a baby and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati was the midwife- out popped the D-SAFE! 👶🏽🎉 A new #climatetech funding instrument was announced by Elemental Excelerator last week. One of the company’s main goals is to support smaller, up and coming companies during the awkward “Scale Gap” phase between #VC funding and natural growth. It’s called the #DSAFE (Development Simple Agreement for Future Equity) and it aims to aid the process by giving companies a small amount of cash to overcome initial risks and expenses during the developmental stages of a product launch or company. How does it work? D-SAFE has a redemption clause meaning companies can choose to have their payments offered as a loan or convert to equity at the investor’s discretion. Funders and companies will have clear communication and expectations about where the money is going and how it will be applied to either the company or the projects at hand. Financiers and companies will work together with more #transparency, and that’s a great boon for #startups and VC alike. As of this month, Elemental has already invested using D-SAFE in eight different companies, including Dimensional Energy and Origen — both companies investing in innovative and out-of-the-box solutions to environmental issues! Seems like a win-win on the surface. What do you all think about the D-SAFE? Alfredo Coppola Momoka Ueda Tim Wagner Stephen D. Torres Olya Irzak Natsuho Toyama Noriya Tarutani Shin Ogawa

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The Future of the Open Metaverse Starts Now Outlier Ventures has announced the first cohort of the Futureverse Base Camp Accelerator. Seven visionary startups, selected from 500 global applications, will accelerate the open metaverse on the Root Network. Intraverse is redefining gaming with NFTs, while Lifelike Digital brings digital humans to life. MintPass transforms travel into rewarding adventures, and Plurality revolutionizes web3 account creation. Spark bridges crypto and traditional finance, Nucanon pioneers game design, and REKT Interactive advances on-chain infrastructure. These startups will receive mentorship from industry leaders to shape the future. As Futureverse Co-Founder Aaron McDonald said, "The future is a collective vision." With #Futureverse's recent $54 million funding and partnerships with giants like Warner Brothers, the stage is set for these startups to redefine our digital future. Let me know Which startup excites you the most? more: https://lnkd.in/dJ9Tk2EX #Metaverse #Innovation #StartupAccelerator #TechRevolution #DigitalFuture #MondayFunding

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