Sasha Kostov’s Post

Full sized scooters are a sleeper solution to traffic, energy, and climate. What do we think about the Cybertruck aesthetics of these machines?

Using an analogy from my days flying helicopters, I wanted to make the case to founders for not raising too much capital out of the gate. Instead of thinking in terms of "runway," think about "fuel" which buys you time but also comes with its own weight. Check out my post on Runway vs Weight: Making the Case for Pre-Seed. I detail a few of the key downsides of taking on too much capital and why FirstMile Ventures has been focusing more on "pre-seed" rounds (which look a lot like "seed" rounds from 5 or 10 years ago)

Entrepreneurs on the Young Rich List have raised more than $US3.6 billion in funding from venture capital and private equity. Here are their top tips.

YPOG advised existing investor 10x Founders on its investment in the €55 million Series A financing round of the Aachen-based start-up cylib. The round was led by World Fund, Europe's leading climate tech VC, and Porsche Ventures, the venture arm of sports car manufacturer Porsche AG. Other investors include Bosch Ventures, DTCF | DeepTech & Climate Fonds, NRW Ventures as well as existing investors Vsquared Ventures, Speedinvest, and well-known business angels. YPOG had already advised 10x Founders on cylib's previous financings.    The financing round is the first venture co-investment by industrial giants Porsche and Bosch in Germany. The YPOG team consisted of Adrian Haase and Alexandra Steifensand.   Congratulations to 10x Founders and all parties involved!   ➡ Link to the press release in the comments below.    #YPOG #VentureCapital #Growth #Funds #Transactions

Sunderland Business Festival is now well underway. Alasdair Greig of Northstar Ventures spoke as part of a panel on the role venture capital plays in underpinning the city's ecosystem, driving prosperity and progress in the region. Our new Venture Sunderland Fund is aimed at start-ups and scale-ups who can bring cutting edge solutions to some of society's most challenging issues. If you would like to know more about the Venture Sunderland Fund and the kinds of businesses Northstar Ventures is keen to invest in, see more information at the link - https://lnkd.in/ej6hfEm3 #NorthstarVentures #VentureSunderlandFund #Sunderland #VentureCapital #SunderlandBusinessFestival #SunderlandExpo

The Power of Persistence and the Importance of Early Backers. The journey of Kevin Gosschalk - founder of Arkose Labs, is a remarkable example of perseverance and the crucial role early investors play in the growth of innovative ventures. Ranked 30 on the Young Rich List, Kevin has raised over $US106 million for his bot detection company, largely from offshore investors. However, it was Richard Moore, a Brisbane-based investor and member of Brisbane Angels, who was the first to believe in Gosschalk’s vision. This underscores the importance of local capital ecosystems in fostering innovation. Despite the difficulties in raising capital in Australia, Richard’s support, along with Brisbane Angels as the company’s first backers gave Arkose Labs the initial momentum it needed to scale globally. This story highlights not only the value of early-stage investment but also the resilience required to navigate the often challenging path to securing capital. It’s a reminder to investors and founders alike: belief in an idea, coupled with persistence, can lead to extraordinary success. Well done Richard Moore and Kevin Gosschalk on the journey to date, we are expecting even further growth from this tech company, founded here in Brisbane. #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #startups #innovation #leadership #ArkoseLabs #angelinvesting

🚀 Exciting Update: Danube Angels Teams Up with Gateway Ventures ! We're thrilled to announce our new partnership with Gateway Ventures at Danube Angels! Gateway Ventures has always been the most comparable company to Danube Angels, with a similar length of time on the market and success in equity financing. Together, we aim to streamline the investment process, offering investors a broader range of opportunities and facilitating co-investment opportunities. Read more about this partnership in the press release here: https://lnkd.in/eGeYiith #GatewayVentures #DanubeAngels #Partnership #StartupInvestments

Full Interview- “IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ACTION IS TAKED NOW ” Joram Voelklein, co-founder of venture capital firm Alpine Space Ventures, talks to Marcus M. Weber, Kearney partner and Global Head of Automotive - June 10, 2024 In conversation with Joram Voelklein, co-founder of venture capital firm Alpine Space Ventures, Marcus M. Weber, Kearney partner and Global Head of Automotive, talks about satellite technology and its implications for the automotive industry. An exchange about the power of Tesla, Europe's lagging behind and the question of why and how German OEMs should look to space." https://lnkd.in/eiC5Czz5

What is the “needle in a haystack” that the largest Venture Capital Trust, Octopus Titan VCT, is looking for? Which companies has it invested in lately? Meet the manager, Malcolm Ferguson – watch now: https://lnkd.in/eaBmcDzZ In this interview with Wealth Club’s Nicholas Hyett, CFA: ‣ What rare combination of factors makes an ideal Octopus Ventures investee company? ‣ Investing in Automata – a collaborative robotics company with some major customers ‣ Investing in Unlikely AI – the next business from Evi Technologies founder William Tunstall-Pedoe FREng - providing technology to make LLMs safer and more reliable  ‣ Investing in Partly – advanced matching for car part buyers and suppliers ‣ How Skin + Me is doing – direct to consumer tailored skincare provider that’s now the VCT’s second largest holding ‣ Why they invested in Pelago – a digital clinic for substance use management – and the progress it’s making in the US ‣ Portfolio rising star Vitesse PSP Limited – the platform provider for Lloyd's of London’s Faster Claims Payment (FCP) initiative ‣ What beyond funding does Octopus offer these companies? ‣ What’s behind the dip in net asset value of the VCT? ‣ Four reasons VCs like tough economic environments ‣ Risks of venture capital investments Watch now: https://lnkd.in/eaBmcDzZ Or listen later on  🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/ehmbNQnz 🎧 Apple Podcasts https://lnkd.in/ec-fZbhS 🎧 Google Podcasts https://lnkd.in/eaM8M_8N   IMPORTANT The opinions expressed in this video are the interviewee’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Wealth Club Limited. This interview, like our service, is not advice. Venture Capital Trusts are higher risk and less liquid than mainstream investments. You could lose your capital. Tax rules can change and tax benefits depend on your circumstances. If you’re unsure an investment is right for you, please seek professional advice. #deeptech #startups #scaleups #venturecapital

Good to read these slides before pitching.