Ena Besirevic’s Post

In the past six months, I’ve reviewed countless decks, mostly from venture capital firms, and a troubling trend has emerged. Much of the content feels generic, overly polished, and lacks substance. It turns out that many of these decks were created—either partially or entirely—by AI. While I fully support using technology to enhance efficiency and spark creativity, I’m concerned that some managers are treating their pitch decks as a checkbox exercise. They assume feeding generic ideas into an AI tool is enough to get the job done. It should go without saying, but your pitch deck is your first chance to tell your story to prospective investors. Using hollow, clichéd content can be a huge red flag. This is your opportunity to craft a narrative that’s uniquely yours. In today’s crowded market, where it’s already tough for emerging managers to capture attention and secure commitments, you need to invest the time in refining that story. Most allocators I’ve spoken with are searching for something fresh, something that stands out—led by someone who embodies their story. Despite all the advancements in technology, the most compelling words and narratives still come from you, not a machine. #venturecapital #investing #tellingyourstory #pitchdeck

The top 2 company data insights in demand for PE and VC firms right now are fundraising and headcount growth. They want to target then prioritize companies that have taken little or zero funding but are growing in headcount. Theory is these companies are hot and juicy like a 4th of July Texas sirloin….basically bootstrapped succulent targets ripe for VC/PE to gobble up equity for themselves. Nom 🥩nom 🥩. Two flaws with this theory: 1) Y’all gonna need to find different data points because AI is causing companies to grow amazing ARR, with high NRR, while headcount is stagnant or SHRINKING. 2) What kind of founder who has built a healthy, efficient and growing business would ever push their equity to the other side of the poker table to venture capital or private equity?

In our latest case study, Simon Tiu from Vertex Ventures advises new investors, covers AI investment workflows, and much more. Here are three predictions from Simon: 1️⃣ VCs are turning their attention to vertical applications of AI 2️⃣ A VC's deep industry experience and expertise will become less important to founders 3️⃣ Firms' thematic focus will broaden going forward

What's now a regular cadence, I hear from potential first-time #startup founders that pitch me for investment describing a great market opportunity coupled with an ecosystem "in". The in is usually knowing some industry regulators and/or bigger buyers in the space. But no real market description, no #TAM, and definitely no product description... so of course no real business plan (you can't tell me your plan is to sell 'X' product to 'Y' buyers if you can't describe X). If the plan was explicitly early research, that's one thing. If you've done this before, and know you need to research the potential market opportunity to determine if your good idea is big enough, fine. You can probably be trusted to (1) Do the research quickly and efficiently, and (2) Properly execute on insights gained if appropriate. But if you say "we've got a meeting lined up with (an important person), so you should invest now", I'll still have the "what's your plan to build a scalable business?" question as a response. I'm sure this is standard fare for #VCs, #Angels, and other folks that put themselves out there as open investors... but I don't. Maybe it's just the industry I work in? Both #AI and more specifically #LegalTech see lots of investment these days.

🙏Great insights from the team at Data-Driven VC and Dr. Andre Retterath. When you use unstructured data, you get more: — Insights — Accuracy — Efficiency — Confidence — Innovation — Precision — Competitive edge — Success — ROI Enter the power of text mining and LLMs. It's smart. It's transformative. It gives you an edge. Here's how it works: 1) Use both structured and unstructured data → Combine numbers with words → Get the full picture 2) Leverage ML models like BERT → Reveal hidden patterns → Go beyond the obvious 3) Automate the analysis → Save time and effort → Screen more startups effectively Why does this matter? Simple. This approach helps you: ☑ Make better decisions ☑ Identify high-potential startups ☑ Reduce investment risks So next time you're evaluating a startup: → Look at their descriptions → Use advanced ML models → Automate your analysis Your portfolio will thank you. ♻️ Repost this if you agree. PS: If you're still on the fence with investment crowdfunding, let me take you by the hand here: [ https://lnkd.in/ejgzhQQa ] 01. Scroll to the top. 02. Click "Building a list?" 03. Follow Yvan De Munck to never miss a post.

𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝘂𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗩𝗖𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗼 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 In the world of venture capital, due diligence isn't just a formality—it's the make-or-break stage of funding decisions. Investors need to minimize risk while ensuring startups are worth their bet. 🔍 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝘂𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹? It's an investigative deep dive that evaluates everything from a startup's financial health to its intellectual property, team dynamics, and risk factors. Think of it as peeling back every layer of the onion—painful but necessary. 💡 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗩𝗖𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘇𝗲 During the process, venture capitalists scrutinize: 1. The Team: Are the founders resilient, resourceful, and reliable? 2. The Market: How big is the pie? Is the slice they're after realistic? 3. The Risks: From regulatory hurdles to tech failures, all red flags get magnified. 4. The Finances: Audited accounts and hidden liabilities—investors want no surprises. 🎯 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 Transparency is key. Founders should have: • Comprehensive answers for questions on structure, IP, and compliance. • A clear roadmap that anticipates VC queries (even the hard ones). • Robust documentation to showcase credibility and preparedness. ⚠️ 𝗛𝗜𝗧𝗦𝗚𝗔𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗘: 𝗔 𝗖𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲 In 1998, this online ad firm dazzled with a $1B valuation—until hidden fraud by its founder surfaced, wiping out $525M in market value. A stark reminder: Due diligence isn't optional. By tackling the VC questionnaire head-on, founders can turn an interrogation into an opportunity to shine. It's your moment—prepare well. Credit: Kushim ----- Follow All Chance to learn from more innovative insights

This time last week we were cruising into the final hours of IMpower Incorporating FundForum, and a rainbow appeared off the coast! Here's some of the golden insight from day one on the Distribution Stage. Key takeaways: The direction of travel is more personalized client service and individually built portfolios.         Investors want us to serve them better in less time with stronger outcomes.        The distribution and client relations model needs to evolve into a much deeper understanding of the client and their needs. It’s time to move away from a product-centric model to deeper client engagement focused on solutions. Distinguishing between value and price is really important.       The industry is adopting tech and product innovation to better connect advisors to clients, especially among the mass affluent.    Digital is erasing borders, allowing much faster expansion and reaching new investors. There’s price compression regardless of the vehicle. White labeling and sub advising is growing.   Not all boats are rising like 10-15 years ago but it’s leading to a lot of partnerships with the best of the best in sectors. You need to specialize to stand apart. Tokenization is here—let's embrace it. Relationships come first. Take care of them and invest in them. Be transparent, honest, and in constant communication with your clients.    You need to be able to easily explain your investment strategy to a child. An 11 year old should be able to understand it.       AI is enabling us to serve clients better and freeing us from boring work, to do more important things that only humans can do. 

Explain it Like I'm Five (or at least like an Investor!) I’ve seen many founders, particularly in tech, struggle to raise funds—not because their ideas lack potential, but because they fail to articulate their business model and technical features clearly. Investors require transparency wrt revenue model, market strategy, and how your technology works. If you can’t break down your tech stack or explain your product's key features, what are we even doing, guys? A founder who can communicate these details well is able to build trust and show they truly understand their business. Investors back clarity over just a great vision (or at least some of us do!). Last week, I spoke to two starkly different founders, each undoubtedly earnest and enterprising. Over 3 separate calls, an hour each—with one in which we even brought an AI expert on board—the first founder, building in AI, still couldn’t clearly describe their tech buildup or specific revenue model. Upon being asked for a demo, they kept talking about how their product would make the customer more efficient and productive (great, but how?). In contrast, the second founder took all but 40 minutes to explain how they automated the work floor, gave details on key stakeholders, highlighted additional layers of stakeholders they could build for, thereby expanding their target markets, and broke down their tech stack like a pro. Imagine the opportunities lost when founders muddle their message, trying to "convince" the investor instead of simply and clearly explaining what they’re building. Gotta have faith in your investor to grasp the complexities of technology. And if they don’t, think like you are explaining it to a five-year-old, and then try again 🤷♀️ 😉 #venture #capital #founders #pitchright

💡𝟰 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀🔗 Securing investment requires more than just a good idea; it demands building trust and credibility with potential investors. Establishing this trust involves showcasing your team's expertise, demonstrating traction, and clearly articulating your vision. Here are a few key strategies to build that essential credibility: 🔎𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 Study the background of your potential investors, understand their core values, and analyze their previous investments to determine what they are looking for. Contact founders they have previously invested in and ask about their experiences. Remember: angels invest their own money quickly, often emotionally, while VCs invest others' money, needing more time and multiple meetings. 📒𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 Know your audience, simplify your pitch, and connect personally. Try to create a personal connection by finding common ground or shared interests, and engage the investor in a meaningful conversation. Focus on the essentials: what problem your product solves, why your team is uniquely qualified, and the market opportunity. Use clear, concise language and compelling visuals to convey your message effectively. 📜𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 Have a concise executive summary and a visually appealing slide deck ready. Highlight key metrics and traction, presenting concrete data showcasing your startup’s growth, user acquisition, and market validation. Always be prepared for questions; try to anticipate common questions and prepare thoughtful answers. Be ready to discuss financials, market strategy, and long-term vision. 📢𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 Use personalized, tested email templates. Refine your approach based on feedback to improve conversion. In general, send a thank-you email within 24 hours, recapping key points and expressing your eagerness to continue the conversation. Include any additional information requested during the meeting. 🚀For a detailed guide and email templates, subscribe to our page and 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 “𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆-𝘁𝗼-𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀.”🚀 Tractionboard.co (Techstars 23') Arohi Jain

🚀 Introducing Launchpad: Your Home for AI & Finance! 🚀 (Join folks from Sequoia Capital, Citadel, BlackRock, Stanford University, Carnegie Mellon University, SoFi, FactSet, and some of the top researchers across the Globe.) Today, I'm beyond thrilled to share something super close to my heart - Launchpad, a dream turned reality and a space where the brightest minds in AI, Finance, and Tech meet. We have been running a pilot community with some leading AI and Finance folks for the last few weeks and received thousands of requests to join. As a result of those requests, we are scaling this effort with Launchpad - an exclusive AI Finance discord community for investors, founders, researchers, industry professionals, and students from across the Globe. The intersection of AI and Finance presents some of the hardest challenges known to mankind. I strongly believe that the best way to solve these challenges is through collaboration. Everything in finance as it currently stands must and will be disrupted by AI. And that is what Launchpad will facilitate. Launchpad will bring the two disciplines together and generate new research, new startups, new jobs, and lots of cool discussions. Launchpad is already home to folks from Sequoia, Citadel, BlackRock, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, SoFi, FactSet, various hedge funds, and the top AI researchers from across the US, UK, Canada, and India. If this sounds like a place to be, I and the entire Launchpad community would love to have you join. 👉 Here's your exclusive invite: https://lnkd.in/d5daTiXH #artificialintelligence #finance #fintech #community