Karma Ventures

🔸 Exciting news from portfolio…welcoming Juha Hyytiäinen as the new CFO of Wirepas! 🔸 We asked Juha to share some thoughts on the past and present: After serving as CFO for a publicly traded company, what inspired you to join Wirepas? “I’m truly inspired by Wirepas’ groundbreaking wireless IoT solutions, the strong IPR position, and the brilliant people driving the innovation. What sets Wirepas apart is the unique ‘can-do’ attitude, embodied in the motto ‘Get the shit done.’ It’s a refreshing approach in the tech industry.” 🚀✨ How do you see your experience benefiting Wirepas as it scales? “I believe that implementing governance and financial reporting practices from larger international businesses will provide valuable support to Wirepas as it moves into the scale-up phase.” 📈🤝 Wirepas is embarking on a revolutionary approach to IoT in India. How do you envision your role as CFO supporting this ambitious expansion, especially in terms of managing financial strategies for such a large-scale market entry? “Close collaboration with our customers is essential to making win-win decisions, especially in areas like working capital and risk management. India offers immense market potential. While regulatory and bureaucratic complexities add unique challenges, I am committed to ensuring full compliance with statutory and tax requirements to navigate this dynamic market successfully.” 🌏📊 What personal values guide your approach to leadership and decision-making in this fast-paced environment? “I value open and honest dialogue as the foundation for meaningful collaboration and achieving ambitious goals. I believe in working relentlessly as a team, with a clear focus to make the most of our resources. While reaching these targets often requires going the extra mile, I prioritize respect and empathy, ensuring everyone feels valued and supported along the way.” 💬💪 Welcome, Juha! 🌊 #Wirepas #IoT #CFO #Scaling #Innovation #vc

📍During the last weeks of October you can find Karma at: 🔸22.10|| Linda, Prague, "Tech Happy Hours" by Startup Kitchen, Tensor Ventures, CERN 🔸22.10|| Arthen Stockholm, "Sting Day 2024", hosted by Sergel Hub 🔸22.10|| Tommi & Kristjan, Luxembourg, "Ugly Duck" by European Investment Fund (EIF) 🔸23.10-24.10|| Arthen, Sofia, Webit 🔸23.10|| Linda, Prague, Engaged Investments Conference 🔸23.10|| Margus, London , European VC Managers Forum, by Isomer Capital 🔸24.10-25.10|| Tommi, Bordeaux, Inpho Venture Summit 🔸29.10-30.10|| Kristjan, Lausanne, Switzerland "Digital Frontiers and Trust", by Tech Tour 🔸30.10-31.10|| Ska, Berlin, Stage Two

🚪 Exiting in 2024: Is the path to liquidity disappearing?🚪 The IPO market is nearly nonexistent, with fewer tech IPOs than even during the fallout of the dotcom bubble. 🔸 Large M&A deals are facing regulatory blocks, forcing companies to explore creative options like reverse acquihires. 🔸 VC-backed IPOs are reaching new lows. 🔸 Exit rates remain unchanged over time despite companies scaling faster than ever. 🔸 Startups are increasingly looking for alternative paths to liquidity. What are the smartest routes for startups to navigate? #ExitMarket #IPO #VentureCapital #StartupExits 📊 📈 📉 isights by Arthen

📈 How is the VC ecosystem evolving? Arthen shared insights into few key trends during our Portfolio Day. While public markets reflect optimism, the VC ecosystem paints a different picture: 🔸 Whilst lower than recent peaks there is a positive long-term trend in VC funds raised, however new VCs are feeling the pressure with most funds going to experienced managers and a trend towards megafunds. 🔸 Dry powder remains, but is not actively being deployed - as evidenced by the drastic reduction in startups reaching the next round across all stages. Even unicorn headcount growth has slowed dramatically, signaling a cautious approach across the ecosystem. 🔸 VC distributions are at historic lows, due to an anemic exit market (stay tuned for more...). As we navigate these turbulent times, one major challenge remains: exits. Stay tuned for our next post on exit opportunities. 👇 #VCEcosystem #FundingTrends #VentureCapital

Has the VC market recovered from recent troubles? Arthen shared some interesting facts at Karma Portfolio Day. 🔸 While Big Tech and AI are propelling public markets to new heights, unprofitable, fast-growing companies are down 20% YTD. This leaves many founders confused as the broader market recovery isn't reflected in fundraising conversations. 🔸 Multiples down by 72% from 2021 highs. 🔸 40% of funding rounds are bridge rounds, double the pre-COVID average. 🔸 23% of rounds are down rounds over past quarters, again twice the pre-pandemic figures. The funding landscape is challenging, but it’s not just about raising capital—what about the state of the VC ecosystem itself? Find out more in the next post. #KarmaVentures #FundingMarket #VC #DeepTech #StartupFunding

🔸Linda  was recently invited by LSX - partnering for Life Science eXecutives to provide insights into the Baltoscandic entrepreneurial ecosystem and explore ways to broaden cooperation between Baltic and Nordic regions. Alongside Kaari from Estonian Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (EstVCA), Linda dove into the state of talent and entrepreneurship in the Baltics during a coffee morning with Ambassador Andre Pung. The discussion opened up exciting opportunities for collaboration, further strengthening the bridge between the two ecosystems. 🇩🇰 🇪🇪 #KarmaVentures #Baltics #Nordics #VC #EUDeeptech

🔶 Portfolio Day 2024 for connection, reflection, and growth. 🔶 Founders shared stories with unparalleled honesty—NoBS, discussing triumphs like raising new rounds, reaching break-even, exploring exit options, as well as the tough moments that shaped their journeys over the past year. It was an environment of trust, substance, and the genuine exchange of experiences. Many thanks to Steven Scheers, Sarah Moger, and Jaan Aru for your participation and guidance. 🤝 From founders connecting with Karma LPs over dinner and drinks 🍷🍽️ to reflecting on purpose with a Tibetan monk on a small coastal island, this years Portfolio Day was about more than business—it was about being present as a human. 🌍 We are truly grateful to walk this path alongside such determined and visionary founders who are as driven by action as we are. 🌊 Wirepas, Tuum, Minut, BforeAI, MeetFrank, Pactum AI, CGTrader, Infermedica, Xolo, HYDROGRID, CybExer Technologies #KarmaVentures #PortfolioDay #FoundersJourney #DeepTech #VC #Gratitude #Community #EUDeepTech #InvestEurope #DeeptechSoftware 📷 by Tiina-Liina

🇱🇹 Last week's Startup Fair was about new and familiar faces. Grateful to have been part of this year's event. Until next time, Startup Lithuania! #StartupFairLT #VC #DeepTech #PitchBattle

🔸Linda is heading into back-to-back event season, with no GPS needed. 👉 02-03 October: She’ll be at How To Web in Bucharest, ready to explore further the startup ecosystem that gave us the gift of DRUID AI 👉 08-09 October: Then off to LSX - partnering for Life Science eXecutives Nordic Congress, where biotech, healthtech, and medtech leaders will be mapping out the future. Linda will take the stage and introducing the Baltic and Scandinavian investment scene for the biotech and life science industries. If you’re attending, let’s connect— often the best route is the one you didn’t plan for. #HowToWeb #LSXNordic #VC #DeepTech #Biotech #MedTech #StartupNetworking #KarmaVentures

🥨 Bits & Pretzels, is here, Ska will be present from Karma. 🔸Let’s connect—after all, we might be on a same journey but just don't know it yet. #BitsAndPretzels #VC #DeepTechSoftware #DeepTechEurope