Nico Stainfeld

Among the many inefficiencies weighing on the heavy construction sector, equipment maintenance management is one of the more costly, particularly for heavy equipment dealers who bear the primary responsibility for managing the maintenance of the equipment they sell. We are pleased to have Digital Iron join C2V's portfolio. Ditial Iron seamlessly integrates machinery manuals, CRM data, and customer ERP systems to create a centralized source of equipment specifications, maintenance parameters, and field usage data and provides a natural language interface for researching these issues (the gen AI piece). Once dealers have established the cause of each issue, Digital Iron will automatically check dealer inventory and third-party suppliers for availability, lead time, and price of the necessary parts. This information can then be instantly shared with customers for approval and immediate order of needed parts. In addition to saving hours (often days) identifying and sourcing replacement parts, Digital Iron’s AI models also compare equipment usage information to manufacturer useful life/replacement recommendations for each component and prompt dealers to proactively suggest parts replacements to customers, allowing them to monetize all of the additional (and substantial) post-sale revenue for each piece of equipment they sell. https://lnkd.in/e2QJeQut #ai #construction #investing

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Seed VCs are turning to new ‘pro rata’ funds that help them compete with the big firms Alpha Partners, SignalRank and now SaaS Ventures help seed VCs pay for shares when big VCs try to price — or push — them out Lee Edwards, partner at Root VC, has a saying at his firm that “pro rata rights are earned, not given.” That may be a bit of a stretch since pro rata refers to a term that VCs put in their term sheets that gives them the right to buy more shares in a portfolio company during consequent funding rounds to maintain an ownership percentage and avoid dilution. Still, while these rights are not exactly “earned,” they can be expensive. One of the latest trends in VC investing these days are funds dedicated to helping seed VCs exercise their pro rata rights. https://lnkd.in/dRM3RvdA By Christine Hall

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Last month, Uncork Capital celebrated its 20th anniversary with a jubilant gathering attended by 420 guests, marking two decades of success in the venture capital realm. Over the years, the firm, alongside industry peers like First Round Capital and Felicis, has witnessed remarkable growth, now managing billions of dollars in assets. This expansion reflects the flourishing landscape of venture capital, with the industry experiencing exponential growth in investment. Moreover, positive shifts in VC norms, such as the evolving attitudes towards board seats, underscore a commitment to providing tailored support to startups, enhancing their growth prospects. Amidst discussions surrounding sectors like AI, optimism prevails, emphasizing a steadfast dedication to investing in innovative ventures with lasting impact. Read More Here: https://lnkd.in/efN6-Spd Branded Hospitality Ventures Jeff Clavier Susan Liu Ashley Cravens Tripp Jones Sarah Du Andy McLoughlin Amy Saper #innovation #technology #management #venturecapital #startup

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Thousands of applications and hundreds of interviews later, we have selected a spectacular class of 12 startups for the Techstars Miami program. Our companies are in Biotech, Aviation, Defense, Climate, Compliance, Healthcare, Logistics, E-Commerce, and more. BioReact : Bioprocess Meets Ai: AI-driven biotech analytics software for R&D scientists. Cai Creative: AI-driven composing environment that simplifies music production for non-technical musicians. It overcomes the complexity of DAWs and empowers users to create and edit music effortlessly. Cosito Inc.: Physical world insights for businesses, powered by AI sensors. Fivvy: Real-time insights into customer behavior and market trends by analyzing user device metadata, enabling businesses to optimize marketing and accelerate growth. Climatta: Simplified ESG compliance for businesses with an easy-to-use platform. Galilei Learning (Techstars 24') Learning: Boost your frontline training with gamified learning and real-life application. HyperVention: AI platform that personalizes drug schedules for hypertensive patients. Kindlee: Debiasing tools for high-risk AI/ML use cases, making inclusion profitable and ensuring fairness while complying with AI regulations. Konvas AI (Techstars '24): AI agents that automate marketing and boost sales for e-commerce brands. Roger: Real-time flight advice for pilots to enhance safety and efficiency. VendorConnect: Automated document processing for logistics operators, solving slow, costly, and error-prone manual data entry to help small and mid-sized companies scale efficiently. Stealth Company Stealth company in the AI and defense space. #givefirst #techstars Techstars

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What Dave McClure is building resonates well what we are doing with our Siena Secondary Fund. Although one focuses on fund stakes and the other company positions, the journey is the same - need to educate the market about what is #VC #secondary and how to benefit from it...

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I am excited to share that Seraphim Space has reached first close on our new early stage fund to support SpaceTech’s brightest stars 💫 With the space sector now entering the next phase of its transformation, the Fund will focus on investing at Seed and Series A stages in the next generation of visionary entrepreneurs looking to transform science fiction into science fact. Through this innovative model of supporting SpaceTech’s brightest stars from their inception through to helping them achieve escape velocity, Seraphim Space has gone on to establish itself as the most prolific SpaceTech investor globally, having supported more than 120 SpaceTech companies in 27 countries worldwide that collectively have raised more than $3 billion in funding🚀 Key themes the Fund anticipates investing in include: 👾 The application of artificial intelligence to the treasure trove of satellite data to unlock near real time insights about the world to help combat challenges posed by climate change and global security 🛰 The merging of terrestrial and space-based communications networks to enable ‘always on’ ubiquitous connectivity for both people and machines 👨‍🚀 Utilising the unique microgravity environment of space to drive the next wave of scientific breakthrough in areas such as biotech and material science 🌍 The creation of space-based networks for on-orbit edge compute, internet/ communications and data relay to power the developing in-orbit economy The Fund has already made nine investments aligned with some of these key themes into these world changing companies: -Hubble Network – Internet of Things satellite constellation for connecting directly to billions of Bluetooth enabled devices -Delos Insurance Solutions – Space data powered wildfire home insurance provider -ATMOS Space Cargo cargo return service for life sciences -Auriga Space – Novel electro-magnetic launch system Thanks to the entire team for their hard work and dedication into finding and supporting the most exciting SpaceTech companies globally. https://lnkd.in/e5At5aR2 #VC #Fundingnews #SpaceTech #Investinspace

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In this Lobster Talks episode, Eduardo de Leon discusses how Coba (YC S23)'s platform compares to crypto when it comes to cross-border transactions. ✅ Coba's funds flow allows for near-instantaneous settlements in 2-3 seconds, outpacing some crypto transactions. ✅ Eduardo highlights the speed and reliability of Coba's traditional banking rails, especially for urgent transactions. ✅ While acknowledging the potential benefits of crypto, Coba prioritizes the trust and convenience of the Mexican banking system. ✅ Coba remains open to exploring crypto integration for specific use cases, but emphasizes the importance of choosing the right tool for each market and situation. Tune in to the full Lobster Talks episode on your favorite podcast platform or watch it on YouTube to learn more about Coba's innovative approach to cross-border payments. -> https://lnkd.in/eNBSTP2Z . . . . . #Fintech #CrossBorderPayments #LatinAmerica #Contractors #Startups #YC #YCombinator #Pivot #Crypto #Growth #FounderAdvice #Coba #Podcast #LobsterTalks

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🚨 New Episode Alert 🚨 We are delighted to share our new Portfolio Spotlight: Xona Space Systems with Co-Founder and CEO Brian Manning 🛰 In this episode, Leah Martin is joined by Brian Manning, Co-founder and CEO of Xona Space Systems. Xona is developing a commercial PNT (Positioning, Navigation, and Timing) service through a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites. Their technology provides secure navigation and timing services for autonomous vehicles, UAVs, mobile robotics, and other critical applications, ensuring resilience and accuracy for modern intelligent systems.   Also joining the conversation is Lewis Alun Jones, Investment VP at Generation Space. Listen in as Brian shares his background and the origin story of Xona, discusses the company's mission and scale, and highlights the importance of their work in the new space economy. Discover what sets Xona apart from its competition, its biggest achievements, and its vision for the future. 🌌   Listen here 👉 https://lnkd.in/ed8MzXbc - or on all major platforms #generationspace #podcast

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Third and last part of my post with some insights from the #fundraising of our latest fund. Some of the tools we used and how we managed to get the finish line successfully!

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Wing Venture Capital's Founder Docs project is a unique collection of startup wisdom, by founders, for founders. The authors of the docs are talented founders themselves, sharing their experience on the topics they are most passionate about. I'd like to highlight the contributions of Edo Liberty, founder / CEO of Pinecone. Edo writes about the special opportunities for the scientist / founder (and he is one of the best of this breed!), as well as some of the risks and challenges they face. I got a lot out of reading Edo's stuff and I suspect you will too! https://lnkd.in/g_wyRMiE

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The hidden years of inception stage. Founders & LP’s rarely understand that the journey of building a great company can involve up to three years of work before an early stage VC will get involved. h/t Peter Walker for the years from incorporation data from Carta https://lnkd.in/e5fFkvDt #vc #founders #investing Antler

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Looking to take your personal brand to the next level? If you want an exceptional, personalized approach, you can’t miss The MW Method Mirna Wetter has completely redefined personal branding by meticulously crafting a tailor-made playbook that align perfectly with who you are and what you want to communicate. I had the privilege of experiencing the MW Method, and it was truly transformative. 🚀 🚀 This process changed how I perceive myself, how I present my image, and how I communicate my message to both my personal and business communities. If you’re ready to elevate your brand, I can’t recommend Mirna enough! 😎 #PersonalBranding #MWMethod #Leadership #Communication #Growth

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Super helpful #Startup #Equity Calculator to determine the equity for early hires, thanks to Pear VC head of talent Matt Birnbaum! Thanks for sharing Pejman! 🙏🏼 You can read more here How to structure startup equity for early hires: https://lnkd.in/ggmpT5-Y Google Doc: https://lnkd.in/gjsvths6

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What do you do when a radical new technology puts your main product right in the crosshairs of disruption? Listen to David Okuniev — co-founder of Typeform | Ask awesomely — discuss the challenges of innovation within existing structures. David shared a game-changing insight: Radical innovation is really, really difficult to do inside your own product. He emphasized the need to break free from the constraints of familiarity and embrace change from outside the box. Henrik Werdelin and I have both seen our fair share of this in our respective careers. What struck us most was how David leveraged structure to overcome the innovator’s dilemma. By creating a culture of experimentation and providing space for bold ideas, he propelled Typeform beyond incremental improvements. What other hacks have you seen or employed to help your organization overcome the innovator’s dilemma? Share your stories below! 👇 And if you want to dive deeper into our conversation, click the link in the comments to catch the full podcast episode!

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Summary: Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has closed its satellite office in Miami Beach, just two years into a five-year lease. This decision comes as Miami's venture investments have dwindled and a16z's plans for global outposts did not go as expected. Key takeaways: A16z's closure of its Miami Beach office is a blow to its plans of expanding to global outposts and builds relationships with founders. Miami's venture investments have decreased significantly and the area has struggled to retain entrepreneurial talent. This decision by A16z highlights the challenges startups and investors face when trying to expand to new locations. Counter arguments: Miami's struggles with retaining talent and venture investments may not be the sole reason for A16z's closure. There could have been other factors at play. A16z's plans for global outposts may still be successful in other cities despite the closure in Miami Beach. #venturecapital #vc #venture

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Space tech-focused investment firm Seraphim Space Space launched its second VC fund, SSV II, to back early-stage startups in the global space tech market. The fund aims to build a portfolio of 30 startups, investing in seed and Series A stages. The latest fund's target size is larger than its predecessor's, which closed at £70M ($90M) in 2017. The fund's investment themes include AI applications for space data, in-orbit computing, space-enabled communications, and microgravity for science. Eutelsat is one of the limited partners that contributed to the latest fund. Seraphim Space aims to stand out with its track record, having returned three times the original investment from its first fund. The first fund's returns were driven by five exits, including Siemens' acquisition of UltraSOC and four IPOs of Arqit, AST SpaceMobile, Nightingale, and Spire Global. The British firm listed its growth fund Seraphim Space Investment Trust (SSIT) on the London Stock Exchange in July 2021, getting about £250M (~$300M) in gross proceeds. The fund's market cap touched an all-time low of £130M ($162M) in July 2023. The market for space tech is expected to grow significantly, with the World Economic Forum and McKinsey estimating it could be worth $1.8R by 2035.

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🙌 Huge congrats to portfolio company Emidat for closing their $4M seed round, led by General Catalyst, with participation of BOOOM💥 , Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund, Übermorgen Ventures, and incredible angels. With NP-Hard Ventures we're proud to double down! 🌍 Construction and real estate amount for around 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Emidat has built a software platform for automating the generation of validated Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certificates for this sector. Basically, they help the construction industry understand their environmental impact and support them in reducing it. 👩‍🚒 The speed of execution of this team is incredible. Lisa Oberaigner & Florian Fesch started Emidat a bit over a year ago, and already have 25 customers who have used or are using its platform for some 350 construction plans. Their database of materials contains information on over 150,000 construction products, spanning 13 product categories so far. But it’s just getting started. Thanks for having us on your journey! NP-Hard Ventures // Paul Veugen, Micha Hernandez van Leuffen // Melissa van den Brink - Romero More on TechCrunch: https://lnkd.in/ezctG2GU

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Summary: Keith Rabois, managing director of Khosla Ventures, is on a mission to turn Miami into the next Silicon Valley and has been actively promoting the city as a tech hub. Despite some challenges and opposition, Rabois remains optimistic about Miami's potential and the growth of its tech ecosystem. Key takeaways: Keith Rabois is determined to make Miami the next Silicon Valley and has seen progress with a growing number of seed investments in the city. Khosla Ventures, where Rabois works, has made multiple investments in Miami, including one into a startup aiming to "reinvent education." Rabois continues to split his time between Miami and San Francisco, but believes that Miami offers a better quality of life and potential for building a thriving tech community. Counter arguments: Some big name investors, such as Andreessen Horowitz, have pulled out of Miami, suggesting that the city does not offer the same opportunities as other established tech hubs. Miami still has a relatively small share of total U.S. seed investments (2.6%-3.5%) which may indicate a lack of resources and opportunities compared to other cities. #venturecapital

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🚀 This one’s for the founders: a masterclass in execution and innovation. This week, I sat down with Adhemar M., founder and CEO of Kovi, a Brazilian company redefining mobility through car subscriptions and connected tech in a market plagued by high costs and limited credit access. Backed by ~$145M in funding from the likes of Valor Capital Group, monashees, MAYA CAPITAL, Globo Ventures, Norte Ventures and Peter Thiel's family office, Kovi is addressing high car costs, tough credit barriers, and insurance gaps in one of the world’s most exciting markets. What we covered 👇🏻 ​🔑 Driving innovation: How Brazil’s mobility challenges are powering market transformation ​🤝 Connect the dots: Building stronger founder/VC partnerships through transparency and market education ⚙️ Complexity doesn’t scale: Lessons in building efficient, scalable operations 🌐 Break down silos: Creating synergy between tech and operations in a startup ​⚡ Clean win: How Brazil’s renewable edge and gig economy lead the EV growth Link in comments—don’t miss this one! 🎧 PS: Thank you Vander Corteze, MD for the intro to Adhemar and for some excellent question suggestions 👏🏻

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