Yair Vardi

We’re excited to announce that Pyka has raised $40M in Series B funding to accelerate the commercialization of their autonomous electric aircraft! Led by Obvious Ventures, with support from Piva Capital, Prelude Ventures, Metaplanet, and Y Combinator, this investment will expand Pyka’s impact in sectors like agriculture, cargo transport, and defense logistics. With commercial operations already underway across multiple continents and partners like Dole and Embraer, Pyka is transforming aviation while driving sustainability and decarbonization. ⚡✈️ More here from TechCrunch: https://lnkd.in/gGYfc824

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Summary: Defense tech startups have raised almost $3 billion in funding so far in 2024, surpassing the previous record of $2.6 billion in 2022. The increase in funding is driven by a few large rounds and the growth of the European defense tech scene. Key takeaways: Defense tech funding has reached a new high in 2024, surpassing the previous record from 2022. The increase in funding is driven by a few large rounds, including a $1.5 billion Series F raised by weapons manufacturer Anduril. The European defense tech scene has also seen significant growth, with large rounds raised by companies like Helsing and an increase in new venture firms. Counter arguments: Some may argue that the increase in funding for defense tech startups is concerning, as it suggests a growing need for new technologies in the face of an increasingly dangerous world. Others may argue that this trend could lead to a proliferation of companies focused on developing weapons and surveillance tech, rather than addressing underlying issues that contribute to global conflicts. #defensetech #startups #venturecapital #fundraising

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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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Ilya Sutskever has raised $1 billion from Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital for his 3-month-old startup Safe Superintelligence (SSI). The valuation lands at $5 billion according to sources. SSI, which currently has 10 employees, plans to use the funds to acquire computing power and hire top talent. It will focus on building a small highly trusted team of researchers and engineers split between Palo Alto, California and Tel Aviv, Israel. According to SSI, they've raised the money to help develop safe artificial intelligence systems that far surpass human capabilities. $1B raise at a $5B valuation. For a company that is a couple of months old and doesn't seem to have a product or even a single line of code in production. Wild. In this case, everyone knows it takes hundreds of millions to train models. So investors are essentially rolling the dice on an extremely well-regarded team. And if it takes about a billion just to get off the ground, the valuation would need to be at least in the couple billion range to make it worth it for employees to work there. US dream 🦅 #artificialintelligence #startups #venturecapital

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Top US cities for venture capital raised for Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A and Series B+ from July 2023 to June 2024. Anything surprising here? - How about Philadelphia ranking #4 for Pre-Seed and Seed rounds? - Philly is also on the board at #5 and #7 for Series A and Seriest B+ respectively. - Washington D.C. in the Top 10 for Pre-Seed, Seed and Series B+ - San Diego was #8 in Series A and #5 for Series B+, likely reflecting some activity in the life-sciences / bio-tech sectors there. I always love the data shared in the Carta Data Minute weekly newsletter. The fundraising environment for startups seems to be improving, so it will be interesting to keep an eye on the data as we head into the coming months that are typically the busiest for VC fundraising.

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Summary: The article discusses venture capitalist Ben Horowitz's involvement in donations and partnerships with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), in which he has facilitated the purchase of products from his own companies and connected the department with other companies in his portfolio. Key takeaways: Horowitz has donated at least $7.6 million to fund police department purchases and has also paid for improvements to the LVMPD's facilities. Critics argue that these types of donations bypass the typical procurement process and can lead to ongoing contracts where taxpayers foot the bill. Horowitz and his wife were motivated to move away from California due to changes in policies related to law enforcement, and Horowitz saw an opportunity to promote his companies in Las Vegas. Counter arguments: Horowitz argues that his donations provide a necessary boost for the LVMPD to adopt new technology, which is often difficult for public sectors to budget for. Horowitz's business partner, Marc Andreessen, also has a residence in Las Vegas and has reportedly made a significant purchase nearby, raising questions about a potential vested interest in promoting the city. #venturecapital #vc #venture #startups

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"Embracing the Pivot: How Investors Support Startups in Transition" Exploring the crucial role of adaptability in startups As investors, our role extends beyond funding—we must provide strategic guidance during these pivotal moments. Read more about navigating pivots in today's dynamic startup ecosystem: lool ventures Yaniv Golan Maya Azoulay Dina Walker Lena Young Roy Katzenelson Yair Kfir Maria Osipov

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Congrats to Christopher Robson, Kurtis Broda and Kristen Cote at Wyvern on bringing on fantastic new investors Guy Filippelli, Dan Madden and Isaac Carp, CFA at Squadra Ventures. I'm a broken record at this point, but we're in the early innings of the Earth Observation market, and as we're seeing with Wyvern there is more demand for hyperspectral data than supply. As we will see in the coming years, there will be all kinds of problems that can be addressed by understanding our world beyond what our eyes can see. https://lnkd.in/gEzTjYks

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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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🛰️ Extending the lives of satellites in geostationary orbit and disposing of end-of-life satellites and space debris in low-Earth orbit are reaching the commercial phase with three news items this week: two from the US and one from France. With SpaceX set to build the deorbit vehicle for International Space Station, this is the big one. It will be interesting to see how this segment will evolve. Mission success will guarantee a significant advance for the first one. It will probably become a winner-takes-all scenario, with the lion's share of the market going to the leader.

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Great time on the Embracing Erosion podcast w/Devon O'Rourke! We talked about: 🚀 How to scale a company from concept to 9-figure exit 🔄 How to break away from the traditional consulting model and apply product approaches ⏩ Why it’s important to iterate quickly and often with messaging 💸📈What signals are important to pay attention to when investing in startups and much more!

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Check out the latest issue of my investor-focused newsletter Not From Concentrate!

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Breaking news 🚀 $2B+ AUM! On May 21, 2024, we launched the Venture Investment Committee at Techosystem, and I am thrilled to announce that I was elected its Head! Thank you to all the members who entrusted me with this role. We collectively manage over $2B+ in assets! Interested in UA tech or want to join us? Don't hesitate to DM me! 🙌 The committee was initiated by the following members 🫶🏻: ⭐️ Investment funds: BRISE Capital, Flyer One Ventures, Geek Ventures, Horizon Capital, SID Venture Partners, Sigma Software Labs, SMOK Ventures, SMRK VC, UVentures, ZAS Ventures; ⭐️ Accelerators and incubators: CfE Accelerator UCU, Mission Possible, Startup Wise Guys, Vacuum Deep Tech Acceleration, YEP Accelerator, Innovation Hub of Zhytomyr Polytechnics; ⭐️ Physical persons: Yaroslav Krempovych, Yaroslav Yakovenko; ⭐️ Other companies: Kooperativ, Molfar. 📌 The Committee's mission is to enhance venture capital investment in Ukraine. Emerging from a dedicated working group, we have developed an investor database, conducted market research, launched an equity crowdfunding platform, and implemented a matching grants tool. We are also focused on raising awareness among venture capital stakeholders by creating programs to train angel investors. Looking forward to driving growth and innovation together!

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Some VC investors believe that brick and mortar - referring to a physical presence of some kind - should be avoided at all costs. Yet, the track record of clinic and hybrid care businesses in health care indicates otherwise. ==> One Medical (sold for $3.9 billion to Amazon), Oak Street (bought by CVS for $10.6 billion), Lifestance (IPO at $7.5 billion market cap), and PE-backed Premise Health (acquired by OMERS Private Equity for $1.1 billion) If a clinic is indicated as the optimal way to deliver care for that patient population, there are creative ways to build and operate them. Full article below with advice and strategies on how to build and operate hybrid clinics from my teammate Anarghya Vardhana from Maveron, Amir Dan Rubin from OneMedical Group, Steven Eidelman from Modern Animal and more!

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Another edition of VCs Doing Work: Slauson & Co. 🎉Congrats to raising $100M for your second fund continuing your mission to make a difference!🎉 Wait... What and who is Slauson and Co? Slauson & Co. is a Los Angeles-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage technology investments, founded by Austin Clements and Ajay Relan. The firm's mission centers on economic inclusion and democratizing access to entrepreneurship for underrepresented founders. Slauson & Co. primarily invests in: Preseed and seed SMB Tech (tools supporting small and medium businesses) Consumer technology The firm typically writes checks between $500,000 and $2 million, aiming to lead most rounds. Since its launch in 2020, Slauson & Co. has made significant strides: Raised a $75 million Fund I, exceeding its initial $50 million target Backed 38 companies, with a majority led by people of color and at least half by women Recently closed a $100 million Fund II, demonstrating continued investor interest in their inclusive approach The firm has garnered support from prominent investors and organizations, including: PayPal Ron Conway (veteran technology investor) Ashton Kutcher will.i.am True Capital Management Alpaca VC Slauson & Co. is just getting started! If you think you have a startup that fits their thesis and stage, reach out! #diversity #inclusion #venturecapital #consumer #smb Brittany Crockett #longla #losangeles #celebration #vcsdoingwork

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Congrats to Eniac Ventures seeded Nirvana on their big A! 🚀 "Nirvana, a startup aiming to give health care providers and consumers the price of treatment before an appointment, raised $24.2 million in Series A funding, it tells Axios exclusively. Why it matters: The raise comes amid a push for greater transparency in health care bills, with one new government rule put into effect in 2021 and more being considered today. What they're saying: "In some weird behavioral way, people were used to the fact that you would sit in a waiting room for six hours and get the bill six weeks later," says Nirvana CPO Kelvin K Chan. "Looking back, that's incredibly strange and archaic, but I think that mentality is starting to shift." How it works: Embedded into health care providers' websites, the software reduces the chances that an insurance claim will be denied after the fact. It does so by using the patient's name, date of birth, and ZIP code to verify a consumer's coverage, Nirvana says. Traditionally, providers required the insurance ID card, which the company's executives say is susceptible to human error. Combining that with information from the provider about the consumer's condition, Nirvana offers an estimate of the appointment cost at the time of booking. Northzone led this round, joined by Inspired Capital, Eniac Ventures and Surface Ventures." Akshay Venkitasubramanian https://lnkd.in/ewznnP3y https://lnkd.in/ey4DPNBE

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Summary: The article discusses Palantir's role in the growing defense tech startup sector and its efforts to become a driving force in the industry. The company's CTO, Shyam Sankar, is determined to help Palantir create a defense tech ecosystem and maximize its impact beyond its government contracts. Key takeaways: Sankar has initiated the First Breakfast program to provide guidance and tools to defense tech startups, aiming to secure a head start in the industry and identify potential "next Palantirs." Palantir has spawned a whole ecosystem in its wake, as evidenced by the success of former employees who have gone on to start their own successful defense tech companies. Sankar is driven by an existential fear of America's war-readiness and believes that more innovative and adaptable solutions are needed to ensure national security in the future. Counter arguments: Some may argue that Palantir's efforts to support and influence the defense tech industry could raise concerns about its potential for monopolizing the market. Critics may point out that Palantir's controversial partnerships with government agencies, especially ICE, raise ethical concerns and contradict its stated mission to protect Western values.

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AMPLE update : Juniper Ventures Signs up to AMPLE Marketplace AMPLE : B2B Marketplace for Fresh Food. Impact Investment. See http://buff.ly/3W32D7p Steve Thomas - CEO/Co-Founder of AMPLE provides an update on a most recent business partnership: "...Juniper Ventures, which supplies over 23,000 meals daily to students in the London Borough of Newham, has become a keen buyer on the Ample Marketplace. Incorporated in April 2018 from the council’s catering and cleaning service, Juniper aims to operate with the social aspects of the local authority but with the business acumen and autonomy of the limited company that it is. Michael Hales, chief executive of Juniper Ventures and vice-chair-elect of LACA, said: “It is shocking that in the UK we waste 13m tonnes of food every year. As a hospitality business we are determined to do all we are able to help reduce this figure....".   Read the full update. https://buff.ly/3WnGEar REMINDER Ample Marketplace is a new B2B channel for unsold fresh food integrating e-commerce, logistics, and digital marketing. Ample is the UK’s first smart marketplace for wholesale food (with expansion plans for the US, EMEA and APAC). Ample creates value by shortening the supply chain, giving more control to sellers and value for buyers.  AMPLE is a portfolio company of XSS Capital. Join us on this investment journey? DM me for more info. #e-commerce #logistics #Impact Investing

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