Steve Gaston’s Post

“‘The most exciting companies in artificial intelligence are coming out of the US, but these companies are all rejecting Chinese investment,’ said one Chinese venture capitalist.” This is happening in Europe too, and not just in AI. A deeptech company having a Chinese investor on its cap table is going to severely complicate - even kill - the fundraising process. Many European deeptech scaleups are currently scrambling to clean up their cap tables of Chinese investors. The trend will only grow. https://lnkd.in/eckEWbui #vc #venturecapital #startups #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #tech #technology #innovation #deeptech #ai #artificialintelligence #money #business

Interesting article in the Financial Times this morning which explores a revival of investment in Europe’s technology start-ups. The unveiling of new funds from Creandum, Accel Europe, and Plural shows that VC firms are seizing on recent trends for AI start-ups, coupled with Big Tech valuations on Wall Street. At Chrome Capital, we look to invest in Europe’s diverse tech landscape and unlock opportunities with some of the world’s most innovative entrepreneurs. It will be exciting to see what the future of this space holds! #StartUps #VentureCapital #Tech #AI https://lnkd.in/eSrt95Wp

Startups are back in the spotlight! Major venture capitalists are zeroing in on startups specializing in AI, transformative digital healthcare, and the burgeoning field of pink technology. This surge of interest is no surprise. AI is revolutionizing industries, healthcare is undergoing a digital transformation, and pink technology is opening new markets. These sectors are ripe with potential, offering innovative solutions to pressing problems. Investing in these startups isn't just about financial returns—it's about driving progress and fostering innovation. Let's keep an eye on these game changers. The future looks promising! Read more about this exciting trend: https://lnkd.in/gP83a-qb Check this out: https://lnkd.in/gP83a-qb

🕚Here’s a flashback to an exciting and bold VC fund launch from 2023. 💸 ‘In mid-2023 UK based venture capital firm, IQ Capital raised $400m across two funds. This includes its fourth Venture Fund at $200m investing at seed and series A, and its second $200m Growth Fund for later stage companies.' 🌍 European 💡 ‘Deeptech start-ups with the ambition to scale globally.’ 📈 ‘IQ Capital’s PhD-rich team has invested in over 100 deep tech start-ups, attracting a further $1.4 billion follow-on capital to its portfolio and creating over 4,000 deep tech jobs.’ 💭 “#Deeptech will play a pivotal role in the UK’s ambitions to become a science superpower – with investment topping $17 billion over the last two years.” - Kerry Baldwin, co-founder, Managing Partner 💭 “Breakthroughs in “novel #AI, #energy, #climate, #robotics, #spacetech, #quantumcomputing, #syntheticbiology – all demonstrate what a significant opportunity deep tech now presents.” - Max Bautin, co-founder, Managing Partner 🗞️IQ Capital https://lnkd.in/eev4DTHP 👏 For the #AudaciousInvestors unleashing innovation and empowering tomorrow🚀 Kerry Baldwin I Max Bautin I Simon Hirtzel I Ed Stacey I Archie Muirhead I Alex Wilson I Jonno Evans OBE I Christopher Magazzeni I Jean Camu I Jordan Billiald I Elaine Hegarty I Ryan Stevens I Team IQ Capital … #venturecapital #vc #funds #startups #entrepreneurs #funding #tech #uk #entrepreneurship #technology #innovation #seedfund #growthfund

🚀Exciting Start to 2024 with Untapped Ventures! 🌟 A huge shout-out to the City of Burbank and Upstart Valley for making our State of AI Venture Landscape & Investment Opportunities in 2024 event a massive success! 📽 Missed the event? Experience the highlights in our 2-min recap video featured in George Bandarian's detailed blog post below. 👇 💡The AI revolution is here, and it’s reshaping our future. In the first half of 2023 alone, AI companies raised over $25B. The opportunity in AI is vast and now is the time to get involved. 🙏 A big thank you to everyone who brought their energy and insights to the event. We're thrilled to continue our journey with the City of Burbank. 👉 Are you at the forefront of AI innovation? We want to hear from you! Whether you’re pitching an AI startup or looking to invest in AI, let’s connect. #ai #artificialintelligence #venturecapital #vc #aistartups #techevents #entrepreneurship #investment #investor #investmentopportunities #aiinvestment #innovation #burbank

Exciting Recap from Untapped Ventures AI Venture Event in Burbank! 🔥 And yes, a drive from the west side of LA to the Valley was totally worth it. Thank you for having me George Bandarian, this was an incredible event on the State of the AI Venture Landscape and Investment Opportunities! 🙏 The energy and insights shared were truly inspiring. I'll post the link to the recap video below, where I share a few of my thoughts. Whether you're an AI startup or an investor, I'd love to connect! #AI #VentureCapital #Innovation #Burbank #TechEvents #ArtificialIntelligence #Investors #AIInvestments

Why Truedigital Ventures 10  #Validations below 1. Growing Demand for #Capital:a) #Startup Activity: #startups globally continues to rise, driven by technological innovation, lower barriers to entry, and increasing entrepreneurial interest. b) Diverse #Funding Sources: Marketplaces can provide access to a wide range of investors, including #VCs, #angel investors, corporate investors, and alternative funding sources. 2. Efficiency and Accessibility : a) Streamlined #Fundraising Process: We simplify and streamline the fundraising process, reducing the #time and #effort required for #startups to find #investors.b) #Global Reach: We connect startups with a global pool of #investors, expanding their access to capital beyond local or regional #markets. 3. Data-Driven Decision:Truedigital Ventures uses AI to provide data and analytics on startups’ performance, market trends, investor behavior, and more. Leveraging #AI and #ML improve matchmaking between #startups and #investors . 4. #Democratization: a) Non-Traditional Investors: Allowing non-traditional or smaller investors, like accredited individuals, to participate in early-stage funding rounds, potentially leading to more diverse funding sources. b) #Inclusivity : #Startups from underrepresented regions or demographics that may not have access to traditional venture capital networks. 5. Changing #Investor Behaviour: a) Increasing Interest in Early-Stage Investments: TDVenturs rovided centralized #platform where investors can discover and engage with a variety of startups. Focus on #Sectors: Truedigital Ventures cater to specialized #investors looking for #startups in specific industries (e.g., biotech, fintech, cleantech) like #social impact or #sustainability. 6. Facilitating Transparency and Trust Standardized #DD: Truedigital Ventures provides verified information on #startups and reducing the uncertainty and risk often associated with early-stage investments. 7. Evolving #Funding Models: a) New Funding Mechanisms: Marketplaces adapt to new funding mechanisms, e.g tokenization & decentralized finance (DeFi), which could become more prevalent in the future. b)#Hybrid Models: #platform could facilitate hybrid models & funding sources (equity, debt, grants, etc.) 8.#Network Effects and #Ecosystem Building:a) #Network Effects: The value of our platform increases due to network effects. A large, engaged #community lead to more successful matches. b) Ecosystem Development: Beyond matchmaking, Truedigital Ventures support the broader #startup ecosystem by providing resources, mentorship, education. 9. Adaptation to #Economic Cycles: a) Adapt to economic cycles by shifting focus. During an economic downturn, for instance, they might emphasize connecting startups with alternative funding sources or facilitating M&A 10. #Platform Evolution and Innovation Continuous Improvement: Platform continuously evolve by incorporating new technologies, improving user experience, and expanding service offerings.

Why Truedigital Ventures 10  #Validations below 1. Growing Demand for #Capital:a) #Startup Activity: #startups globally continues to rise, driven by technological innovation, lower barriers to entry, and increasing entrepreneurial interest. b) Diverse #Funding Sources: Marketplaces can provide access to a wide range of investors, including #VCs, #angel investors, corporate investors, and alternative funding sources. 2. Efficiency and Accessibility : a) Streamlined #Fundraising Process: We simplify and streamline the fundraising process, reducing the #time and #effort required for #startups to find #investors.b) #Global Reach: We connect startups with a global pool of #investors, expanding their access to capital beyond local or regional #markets. 3. Data-Driven Decision:Truedigital Ventures uses AI to provide data and analytics on startups’ performance, market trends, investor behavior, and more. Leveraging #AI and #ML improve matchmaking between #startups and #investors . 4. #Democratization: a) Non-Traditional Investors: Allowing non-traditional or smaller investors, like accredited individuals, to participate in early-stage funding rounds, potentially leading to more diverse funding sources. b) #Inclusivity : #Startups from underrepresented regions or demographics that may not have access to traditional venture capital networks. 5. Changing #Investor Behaviour: a) Increasing Interest in Early-Stage Investments: TDVenturs rovided centralized #platform where investors can discover and engage with a variety of startups. Focus on #Sectors: Truedigital Ventures cater to specialized #investors looking for #startups in specific industries (e.g., biotech, fintech, cleantech) like #social impact or #sustainability. 6. Facilitating Transparency and Trust Standardized #DD: Truedigital Ventures provides verified information on #startups and reducing the uncertainty and risk often associated with early-stage investments. 7. Evolving #Funding Models: a) New Funding Mechanisms: Marketplaces adapt to new funding mechanisms, e.g tokenization & decentralized finance (DeFi), which could become more prevalent in the future. b)#Hybrid Models: #platform could facilitate hybrid models & funding sources (equity, debt, grants, etc.) 8.#Network Effects and #Ecosystem Building:a) #Network Effects: The value of our platform increases due to network effects. A large, engaged #community lead to more successful matches. b) Ecosystem Development: Beyond matchmaking, Truedigital Ventures support the broader #startup ecosystem by providing resources, mentorship, education. 9. Adaptation to #Economic Cycles: a) Adapt to economic cycles by shifting focus. During an economic downturn, for instance, they might emphasize connecting startups with alternative funding sources or facilitating M&A 10. #Platform Evolution and Innovation Continuous Improvement: Platform continuously evolve by incorporating new technologies, improving user experience, and expanding service offerings.

🚨 News flash! AI Fund and KXVC, the venture capital arm of KBTG, are excited to announce a new strategic partnership aimed at growing and scaling new AI companies. This collaboration will leverage the strengths of AI Fund’s venture studio model and KBTG’s technological expertise as a leading tech voice in Southeast Asia to develop new solutions that address real-world challenges. Through this strategic partnership, AI Fund and KXVC will collaborate to build new companies together and strengthen connections between their respective ecosystems. Andrew Ng, Managing General Partner of AI Fund, remarked, “KXVC offers a powerful connection to the tech community in Thailand and across Southeast Asia. Under Ruangroj Poonpol’s leadership, KBTG has become a leading advocate for human-first AI solutions. We look forward to partnering with KBTG to identify novel startup opportunities to co-build to serve the Thailand as well as global market.” Ruangroj Poonpol, Group Chairman of KBTG, stated, “KXVC is thrilled to partner with AI Fund, a collaboration that leverages our advanced technology ecosystem to support pioneering AI startups. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to innovation and our belief in the transformative power of AI. Together, we are excited to catalyze the growth of new AI companies that are poised to transform industries.” The announcement of this partnership comes as Andrew Ng is scheduled to speak on opportunities in AI at KBTG Techtopia: A Blast From the Future. Held in Bangkok in July by KXVC’s parent company KBTG, Ng’s keynote address further underscores the partnership between AI Fund and KBTG to advance AI innovation. During his trip in Thailand, officially hosted by KBTG, Ng will also meet with the Prime Minister of Thailand, along with the country’s top leaders and executives, to exchange insights on the future of the AI landscape. #KBTG #KXVC #AIFund #BeyondPartnership #BeyondAI

🦄💰 𝐀𝐈 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤? 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 👇 While a growing chorus of investors raised concerns about AI-generated revenue compared to massive capital expenditures, AI funding grew again this past quarter led by xAI, CoreWeave, Wayve and Scale AI. Funding rounds for startups typically progress through several stages, each with distinct characteristics: 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 This is the initial funding stage, often involving friends, family, angel investors, or early-stage venture capital firms. It's used to support early product development and market research. 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗔 The first significant round of venture capital financing, typically raising $2-15 million. Investors look for companies with strong ideas and strategies for long-term profitability. Valuations can reach up to $50M. 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗕 Focuses on expanding market reach and growing the company. Funding amounts are usually higher than Series A, often ranging from $5-20 million. This round helps scale the business and increase its valuation. 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗖 Aimed at scaling the company significantly, often through expansion to new markets or acquisition of other companies. Funding amounts can be substantial, similar to or higher than Series B. 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗗 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 These later rounds (sometimes labeled up to Series Z) are for well-established startups looking to fund specific new projects, expand to new markets, prepare for IPO, or address other strategic needs. Each round involves the startup trading equity for capital, with the process typically taking 3-9 months per round. While it may sound a big opportunity for startups to attract many VCs and raise millions, that also means VCs will pretty much control the strategy and founders freedom will be limited. #startups #ai #business #vc #innovation #technology