Mike MacIntyre’s Post

As a team passionate about SaaS development, we make it our mission to keep an eye on the most promising startups. 💫 Each year, we compile a list of the fastest-growing companies that are leading the charge in innovation, drawing investor attention, and winning over customers in this competitive market. For 2025, here are the top startups worth keeping an eye on: 1. Univerbal (founded by Philipp Hadjimina, Samuel Bissegger, David Niederberger) 2. Elyos Energy (founded by Adrian Johnston) 3. Vizcom (founded by Jordan Taylor, Kaelan Richards) 4. Heads Up (founded by Dave Korsunsky) 5. Vocode (founded by Ajay Raj, Kian H.) 6. SettleMint (founded by Matthew Van Niekerk, Roderik van der Veer) 7. orq.ai (founded by Sohrab Hosseini, Anthony Diaz) 8. HiPeople (founded by Jakob Gillmann, Sebastian Schüller) 9. Tegon (YC S23) (founded by Harshith M., Manik Aggarwal, Manoj Reddy) 10. Pivot (founded by Romain Libeau, Marc-Antoine Lacroix, Estelle Giuly) Want to know what innovative products they're building and the trends shaping the SaaS market? Check out the full text here 👇

SaaS Startup Funding: A Cooling Trend in 2024? Introduction • Despite a slight rebound in overall U.S. venture funding, the software-as-a-service (SaaS) sector has seen cooling interest in recent quarters. • SaaS and enterprise software companies have raised $47 billion in seed to growth-stage financing this year, which is far from last year's $174 billion tally. Current Landscape • Enterprise software stocks faced a tough week with Salesforce shares dropping 20% after lowering guidance due to cooling demand. • UiPath shares also plummeted around 30% following a disappointing earnings report. • The Bessemer Cloud Index, which includes many prominent public SaaS businesses, underperformed the Nasdaq and S&P 500, entering negative territory for 2024. • The index saw a particularly steep decline beginning in late May. Notable Fundings • Despite the challenging environment, some significant startup rounds have still closed. • Cloud security provider Wiz raised $1 billion in a Series E round co-led by Andreessen Horowitz, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Thrive Capital, setting a $12 billion valuation for the 4-year-old company. • Glean, an AI-powered work assistant company, raised $200 million in a Series D round in February. • Restaurant365 secured $175 million in funding led by Iconiq Growth to help restaurant operators manage and optimize finances and staffing. Implications • The number of megadeals in SaaS enterprise software has significantly decreased. Over the past 12 months, only 21 deals of $100 million or more were closed, compared to 147 financings in peak year 2021. • For 2024, year-over-year investment totals are lower due to a single large 2023 round by fintech unicorn Stripe ($65 billion Series I). • Public markets will be closely watched to see if earnings outlooks for SaaS heavyweights improve and if investors regain enthusiasm for the sector. • In private markets, investment remains subdued but steady, with a flow of deals still getting done. Conclusion While SaaS startup funding hasn't evaporated, it's clear that the sector is facing a more challenging environment compared to previous years. Investors and companies alike will need to navigate this cooling period with cautious optimism.

Founded by 🔥Srikrishnan Ganesan , 🔥Vignesh Girishankar and 🔥Deepak Bala 🌟Rocketlane 🚀🚀SaaS startup Rocketlane raises $24 Mn led by 8VC, Matrix and Nexus🚀🚀 🌟Empowering Businesses with SaaS: Rocketlane's successful $24 million funding round, led by 8VC, Matrix, and Nexus, showcases the startup's potential to revolutionize SaaS (Software as a Service) solutions, empowering businesses to streamline their operations and enhance productivity. 🌟Driving Innovation: The significant investment in Rocketlane highlights the startup's innovative approach to providing top-tier SaaS platforms, inspiring other tech entrepreneurs to push the boundaries of what’s possible in software solutions. 🌟Fueling Growth and Expansion: With this robust funding, Rocketlane is well-positioned to scale its operations, expand its market presence, and deliver even more value to its growing customer base. 🌟Strategic Partnerships: The backing by prominent investors like 8VC, Matrix, and Nexus demonstrates strong confidence in Rocketlane’s vision and strategy, setting a solid foundation for future collaborations and successes. 🌟Inspiring Leadership: Rocketlane’s leadership team exemplifies the power of visionary thinking and dedicated execution, inspiring other sartups to aim high and work relentlessly towards their goals. 🌟Enhancing Customer Experience: The funds will enable Rocketlane to further develop its platform, offering enhanced customer experience and support, which is crucial in today’s competitive business landscape. 🌟Pioneering SaaS Excellence: Rocketlane’s achievement underscores the importance of excellence in the SaaS industry, motivating other companies to strive for the highest standards in their products and services. 🌟Fostering a Culture of Innovation: This funding milestone encourages a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the tech community, driving progress and development across the industry. 🌟Catalyzing Industry Change: Rocketlane's success story is a catalyst for broader industry change, showcasing how targeted SaaS solutions can transform business operations and drive efficiency. 🌟Building a Bright Future: The substantial investment in Rocketlane is a testament to the bright future of SaaS startups, inspiring others to innovate, invest in their ideas, and contribute to the ever-evolving tech landscape. ✅️Share Your Startup Story 🚀📲 https://lnkd.in/ggir3Qap ✅️visite our website🌐 https://lnkd.in/dad4nH #SaaS #Rocketlane #FundingSuccess #Innovation #BusinessGrowth #TechStartup #8VC #MatrixPartners #Nexus #CustomerExperience #IndustryTransformation #VisionaryLeadership #Empowerment #TechForGood #StartupJourney #FutureOfTech #scoopearth

Here comes your weekly dose of European startup news, fresh insights and unique opportunities. Are you ready? :)  Shooting for the Stars: We are currently hunting for star speakers for next year's EU-Startups Summit. Who shall we invite? Richard Branson, Steven Bartlett, Mira Murati, (etc.) ? Please let us know in the comments here! And if you happen to be a star, VIP, or unicorn founder yourself, we are accepting speaker applications here.  Surprise, surprise: In case you didn’t already know, startups don’t pay full price on HubSpot! Apply to the HubSpot for Startups program to get access to a free CRM and up to 75% off new Professional/Enterprise HubSpot plans. Explore more offers in their festive toolbox for startups!  Fresh Venture Capital Funds: Luxembourg-based Bek Ventures just launched an over €235 million fund to support early-stage tech startups. Zurich-based Founderful closes a €133 million fund, aiming to establish a strong foothold in the Swiss tech ecosystem. Helsinki-based Maki.vc launched a €100 million fund for deep tech and brand-driven startups. Lisbon-based Bynd launched a €40 million fund to invest in Iberian tech startups.  Working towards a greener future: Amsterdam-based Sympower just raised €21.3 million to foster renewable energy integration. Munich-based tozero scored €11 million to expand recycled lithium production. Berlin-based KUGU secured €8.5 million to advance decarbonisation in real estate. Hovedstaden-based NitroVolt secured €3.5 million to realise green ammonia production. Ghent-based Zymofix landed €2 million to expand microbial solutions for sustainable agriculture. Munich-based Hula Earth raised €1.6 million aiming to scale biodiversity monitoring for global industries.  Big Fintech Funding Rounds: Milan-based Satispay just secured €60 million to expand its mobile payments and employee benefits platform, and Lyon-based Agicap raised €45 million aiming to redefine treasury management for midmarket businesses.  The AI Funding Boom continues: Berlin-based Tourlane secured €25 million to enhance AI-enabled travel experiences London-based Cogna raised over €14 million to boost productivity with AI-driven precision software. London-based big xyt secured €10 million to expand AI-driven financial markets analytics globally. Oslo-based Deckmatch landed €2.9 million to drive AI-powered deal flow analysis. London-based Workflow raised €2.8 million to make creative work faster using AI London-based Ooodles secured €2.5 million to expand flexible tech leasing for Irish SMEs. Saarbrücken-based MONA AI secured €2 million aiming to revolutionise recruitment through AI. Berlin-based Connecty raised over €1.6 million aiming to solve enterprise data’s three-dimensional problem. Stockholm-based DREM secured €1 million to expand heat pump technology with AI. reposted from Eu start ups

AI Startups Face New Fundraising Rules: "Quality of Revenue" Will Matter Most in 2025 As we approach 2025, fundraising for startups is about to see a major shift, with venture capitalists increasingly looking for "quality of revenue" in the businesses they fund. Renata Quintini of Renegade Partners discussed the market's split: startups with high-growth, high-potential markets will likely attract investor attention, while those needing to build more robust, efficient models will face a tougher road. Shift from Quantity to Quality Securing customers and scaling revenue were primary goals for early-stage companies. Greylock partner Corinne Marie Riley emphasized that VCs are increasingly prioritizing *quality* of annual recurring revenue (ARR) over sheer numbers. It’s not just about gaining customers but creating a stable, loyal base. “There’s no set milestone for sales or growth,” Corinne Marie Riley explained. “Instead, we’re focusing on customers who stick around and increase their spending.” Building Moats to Attract Quality Customers For AI startups, this also translates to building a competitive moat, or unique value that can’t be easily replicated. Hustle Fund's Elizabeth Yin highlighted the importance of locking in customers, saying, "The more unique things that you can do that other people can’t do, the more that helps you." A standout example comes from Greylock’s portfolio company, Braintrust, which offers a platform for developers working on AI applications. With early adopters like Zapier, Coda, Airtable, and Instacart, Braintrust has demonstrated how quality customers can attract more prominent clients, building a cycle of influence and credibility. The AI Spending Plateau In the wake of 2024’s AI funding boom, companies experienced a surge in exploratory budgets for AI-driven products. As Bessemer Venture Partners’ Elliott Robinson pointed out, CIOs at large corporations were given significant budgets to explore AI capabilities. Sustainable Business Models Will Stand Out Ultimately, Renata Quintini suggests that startups need two things to thrive: a product or service that compounds over time, and a competitive edge that rivals can’t easily replicate. For AI and other early-stage startups, this means that a sustainable business model and loyal customers will be more important than ever as they seek funding in 2025. Key Takeaways for Startups in 2025 -Focus on Quality of Revenue: High-quality ARR from customers who stay and grow will matter more than revenue quantity. -Build Competitive Moats: Offer unique value that customers can’t find elsewhere to ensure loyalty and repeat business. -Be Strategic with Early Customers: Landing marquee names can attract further attention and build a credible base. -Sustainable Impact: With tighter CIO budgets, only products delivering proven results will secure renewals. #AI #Startups #VentureCapital #Fundraising #TechTrends #CustomerRetention #RevenueQuality #BusinessStrategy #2025Trends

🔵 SaaS Startup Funding Trends: Series A to B Progression ➡️ The image provides insights into the funding journey of SaaS startups in the US from 2018 to mid-2022, focusing on their progression from Series A to Series B rounds. The data reveals interesting patterns in the startup ecosystem. ➡️ From 2018 to 2021, there was a significant increase in the number of startups raising Series A funding, growing from 378 to 708. This surge indicates a robust early-stage funding environment for SaaS companies during this period. ➡️ The speed at which startups move from Series A to B varies. For instance, companies that raised Series A in 2020 showed the highest rate of quick progression, with 15.9% securing Series B within a year and 40.4% within two years. This could suggest a particularly favorable funding climate or strong performance among that cohort. ➡️ Interestingly, for startups from 2018 and 2019, about 52% managed to raise Series B within 4.5–5.5 years. This long-term view provides a more complete picture of the funding journey, showing that while some companies move quickly to Series B, many take several years to reach this milestone. The data for 2021 and the first half of 2022 is still developing, with lower percentages reaching Series B so far. This is expected, given the shorter time frame and potentially changing market conditions. Overall, while there isn’t a clear “traffic jam” in Series A companies moving to Series B, the progression varies significantly by year and takes considerable time for many startups. This data underscores the challenges and varied timelines in the startup funding landscape, providing valuable insights for founders and investors in the SaaS sector. #CapitalStats

[Tomorrow] Scaling Up: Moving from Early Traction to Sustainable Growth As startups move from gaining traction to scaling, the journey becomes both exciting and challenging. At this online event, experienced alumni and mentors from Founder Institute Vietnam will share their stories of overcoming scaling challenges, offer practical tips on growth management, and highlight key milestones that helped them succeed. This online event is designed to equip startup founders with the insights and strategies necessary to transition into this next phase of growth. Whether you're in the early traction stage or seeking sustainable growth, join us to learn from those who have successfully navigated this critical phase. // Time: 4:30 PM (GMT+7), tomorrow, Friday 11 October, 2024. // Platform: Zoom. // Register: in comment. Featured Speakers: 🌱 LAM DO - Co-Founder & CEO at VUIHOC - K12 online education platform - With 5,000,000 users nationwide, Vuihoc.vn aims to become the leading company in online K12 in Vietnam. To maintain a system with 100,000 users per day and up to 7,000 users at the same time, Vuihoc.vn owns a team of highly specialized experts in Web, LMS, API, Mobile App. Currently, Vuihoc.vn always maintains a stable system with 50,000 Web visits and 500,000 App downloads. 🌱 Linh P. - Founder & CEO at LOGIVAN Logistics Group -  Linh won 2018 Founder of the Year at the ASEAN Rice Bowl Awards, and is now included in Forbes Vietnam and Forbes Asia 30 under 30 in 2020. LOGIVAN has completed three rounds of investment, raising a total of $7.95m from high-profile investors including Insignia Partners, K3 Ventures, David Su - founder of Matrix China and VinaCapital Ventures. Currently LOGIVAN has over 10,000+ truckers on its platform. 🌱 Hieu T. - Founder & CEO at TopCV Vietnam - With an annual revenue growth rate of 300% and more than 200,000 clients and over 7 million users in Vietnam, TopCV has become a “phenomenon” in the field of HRTech. With the latest tens of millions of dollars in investment from Mynavi, TopCV also gained trust and credibility from domestic and foreign investment funds such as Nextrans, Next100, and VIC Partners… _____ We are recruiting startup founders for our coming accelerator, December 2024: FI.co/vietnam.

AI Startups Face New Fundraising Rules: "Quality of Revenue" Will Matter Most in 2025 #IndiaStartups #TechInnovation #Ecommerce #QuickCommerce #AIIndia #DeepTech #Bangalore #StartupGrowth #InvestmentTrends

#Supplychain tech venture trends Venturing into the rapidly evolving startup ecosystem, we see a world marked by #innovation, changing investor sentiment, and a renewed focus on sustainability and digitalisation. The #supplychain tech #startup ecosystem has raised more than USD 200bn in venture funding since 2016. The funding reached its peak in 2021, with the disruption in global supply chains amid the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the central role of tech companies in addressing the challenges. The ecosystem experienced a noticeable dip in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, the number of deals decreased by 26% and the funding level by 59%. This was due to a combination of factors including global inflation, rising interest rates, economic uncertainties, and geopolitical tensions. These factors have influenced investor sentiment and continue to do so today. This trend is not limited to the supply chain industry. There is a broader trend of slowing down venture capital investments on a global scale and across industries. * Green tech startups pave the way for sustainable #logistics Sustainability is the name of the game for many supply chain tech startups. Investors are increasingly favouring sustainable logistics models with venture funding for climate-conscious logistics. * #AI-powered supply chain startups boom AI-powered startups are leading the charge in optimising supply chains and according to Pitchbook they have attracted USD 50.5bn since 2018 accounting for 33% of total supply chain tech venture funding, USD 152bn. Pitchbook data shows more than 500 startups are leveraging AI to transform logistics, covering everything from autonomous trucks to warehouse automation and digital twins of supply chain. * The future of the supply chain tech startup ecosystem The supply chain landscape is evolving rapidly driven by technological innovation, sustainability priorities and a push for resilience. After a peak in funding in 2021 due to pandemic challenges, the following years witnessed a dip, influenced by global economic factors. A.P. Moller - Maersk

💡 UNICORN STARTUPS IN GERMANY ⏩ Germany, located in Central and Western Europe, extends from the Alps to the North Sea and the Baltic Sea across the North European Plain. With a population of 82.9 million, it ranks as the second-most populous country in Europe. ⏩ In the Regional Ranking of the Global Startup Ecosystem Index, Germany holds the 3rd position in Western Europe and the 7th position globally. Additionally, Germany’s ranking in the Global Innovation Index (GII) for 2023 is 8th. ⏩ Germany boasts the largest economy in Europe and ranks fourth globally, providing a robust economic landscape and exceptional infrastructure ideal for startups. With a rich history of technological breakthroughs, ranging from automotive giants to software conglomerates, Germany is a breeding ground for innovation. ⏩ Abundant in creative talent, the country nurtures talented individuals poised to elevate startups to greater heights . Leveraging its industrial legacy, Germany fosters collaboration, innovation, and solutions to prevailing challenges. ⏩ Recognized as a global hub for innovation, the nation’s unparalleled ethos positions it at the forefront of shaping the future of global innovation. Situated at the heart of Europe, Germany grants effortless access to a vast market, facilitating expansion into neighboring nations. ⏩ Over the past decade, Germany has firmly established itself in the European startup landscape, witnessing a notable increase in the perception of startups within the economy and renowned for its appeal to international startups. ⏩ The government actively encourage startups through policies, incentives, and funding programs, cultivating a conducive environment for business growth. Comprising incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces, the startup ecosystem provides vital support and networking opportunities. Unicorn startup of Germany included such as:- Celonis, N26, Personio, Mambu, Trade Republic, wefox, Qontigo, Ottobock, Worldcoin, GetYourGuide, Grover, Taxfix, 1KOMMA5°, Omio, OneFootball, sennder ,Infram, ABOUT YOU, Agile Robots SE, Chrono24, Flink, DeepL, Staffbase ,Choco, Razor Group, Berlin Brands Group, SellerX, Solaris SE, Helsing ,Volocopter, commercetools, TIER Mobility, Forto, NUCOM GROUP LTD ,Enpal, Flix, Contentful ,Scalable Capital, To share your startup story write us on - [email protected] Read more - https://lnkd.in/gi5NM-yg #Germanystartup #startupecosystem #unicornstartups #Germanystartupecosystem #startup