Capnamic’s Post

Summary: This article discusses various topics related to startups and venture capital, including the unique approach of DVx Ventures, the impact of AI on the world of SaaS, and the recent news surrounding Jack Dorsey's departure from Bluesky. Key takeaways: DVx Ventures, a VC firm, follows an unconventional process of building startup ideas within their firm and then finding leadership teams. The impact of AI on SaaS is a growing focus, as seen by the recent investment in generative AI by New Enterprise Associates. The departure of Jack Dorsey from Bluesky raises questions about the future of this startup and the impact of his investment. Counter arguments: Despite the growth in AI-focused investments, the bar for startups to land Series A funding has also risen, potentially making it more difficult for emerging companies to secure funding. While there has been an increase in venture capital funding in the crypto sector, some startups and VC firms are still feeling the impact of the downturn in funding. #venturecapital #vc #startups #tech #fundraising

This is how The Chainsmokers turned their stardoms into launching a VC fund that already deployed $110M into tech startups. The Chainsmokers are a DJ duo consisting of Alex Pall and Andrew Taggart. They broke through in the music scene in 2012 and are best known for songs like Don’t Let Me Down and Closer. In 2016, they were ranked as the world’s highest-paid DJs, bringing in $38 million. They were looking for ways to invest their money and started to make angel investments, writing small cheques, mostly into tech startups. They were using their own money but wanted to go bigger. That’s why they partnered with industry experts to launch Mantis VC in 2020, a $35M fund focused on tech companies. The first fund already had some prominent investors such as Mark Cuban, Keith Rabois, Jim Coulter, and Ron Conway, who were early believers in the vision of Alex and Andrew. After they had deployed the first fund, they quickly closed a second fund of $81M, and they are now aiming to top that with a third fund. The Chainsmokers are successful in the VC space because they can be a true value add to their portfolio companies. Taggart says the firm’s mission is ultimately to find and fund a wide range of startups that could potentially benefit its young audience, and that he and Pall are happy to use their star power to help related founders when a particular technology catches their eye. The duo can promote their portfolio companies to millions of fans they already have direct relationships with. Not only that, they also have expensive personal networks, which can be leveraged for business development opportunities and future fundraising. They can open doors that startups simply cannot. The Chainsmokers are definitely not the only celebrities that run their own VC funds. There are many other examples like Serena Williams, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ashton Kutcher. And I can clearly understand why.

If you're a music tech founder looking for investment and you're not listening to Bob Moczydlowsky, what are you doing anyway? My interview with him is one giant mic drop chock full of tips for startups. I am already hearing from some of you on how you are pivoting because of this single conversation. #musictech #musictectonics #startup

After successfully building several tech ventures in Georgia, including digital advertising platforms and even organizing electronic music festivals, Nodo Ivanidze wanted to expand his impact beyond his own projects. That’s when he turned to angel investing. He saw it as an opportunity to support emerging companies with his expertise, while also staying connected to innovative ideas across tech and Web3. By investing in and advising early-stage startups, Nodo has been able to contribute to exciting projects in AI, fintech, and Web3, helping them navigate the same challenges he faced as an entrepreneur. For Nodo, it’s not just about financial backing, it’s about connecting with driven founders and sharing the lessons he’s learned along the way. His experience in startups and angel investing has also helped shape the strategic growth of MetaViu.io, positioning the company as a leader in immersive media and digital engagement. Check out the full interview to hear more about Nodo’s journey into startups and angel investing. https://lnkd.in/dwVERk7R #MetaViu #NodoIvanidze #AngelInvesting #TrailblazerSpotlight #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #TechInnovation

Thoughts from CES: VCs investing in hardware startups are in for a rude awakening... In the world of hardware, you need 1 of 2 things to be successful... "defensible IP/ Patents" or "mass market share" If you've got both, great! If you don't have either, good luck. One new product announcement from big-box consumer brands could kill a startup overnight. How would a robo lawn-mowing startup respond to Ryobi launching their own version? Short answer: they can't. I predict M&A will be the main way founders & VCs profit from hardware startups. Corporate Venture Capital teams, I'm looking at you... (featuring: dancing robot hologram from HYPERVSN)

Your advice on waiting to raise capital until you have some product-market fit is really valuable. Bootstrapping initially can help you fine-tune your idea and make sure you're using any funding you receive effectively. By achieving early traction, you make your startup more attractive to investors and strengthen your position. This approach can ensure that the funding you eventually secure is used to accelerate growth rather than just figuring out your product. It’s a smart way to build a solid foundation before seeking outside investment. #StartupFunding #BootstrapFirst #ProductMarketFit #EarlyTraction #VentureCapital #FounderAdvice #SmartFunding #Business #Entrepreneurship #VC

Unicorns. A little over 10 years ago, Aileen Lee coined the term unicorn for startups that had reached a $1B valuation within 10 years of founding. It was appropriate at that time given the rarity of the occurence (Statistically, only 1 out of 1,538 companies starting were able to become unicorns at the time). And in 2013, there were only 39 in existence, with ~1/3 that had already exited through an IPO or M&A. Times definitely changed from 2013-2023. The Cowboy Ventures wrote a sequel article recently, in which they counted over 530 US unicorns today, many a product of ZIRP fueled multiples, the general overabundance of capital in the markets coupled with excessive risk taking and speculation (particularly in 2H 2020 / 2021) . I wanted to go deeper with her on the topic to discuss their observations over the last 10 years, and how they believe things will play out going forward, both as it relates to the short term thinning of the herd, and the long term potential of startups (they project 1,300 unicorns in 2033). As part of our Venture Unlocked shorts series, Aileen and I discuss the Unicorn market, and what lies ahead. In the comments below, see the link to the interview. Hope you enjoy. #ventureunlocked #venturecapital

🟡 MARK YOUR CALENDARS! $100M STARTUP EP. 4 IS ON THE HORIZON! I’m excited to announce that the upcoming episode of $100M Startup will feature Mykola L. the founder of AndonPulse 🔖 Don’t miss out — check the link in the comments below, hit that “Notify me” button, and be sure to tune in TOMORROW for the YouTube premiere! #startup #SaaS #investments #saasstartup

🗣 German speakers: Want to know what we're up to at Oxyle? 🚀   Our Co-Founder and CTO, Silvan Staufert, has the answers for you.    Tune into the latest episode of Deutsche Startups to hear how we're tackling the Forever Chemicals crisis 🎧💡   👉 https://lnkd.in/dQ_jmAMT #startup #zurichstartup

Blue Ocean VS Red Ocean Recent came across a podcast episode from Prime Venture Partners (link in the comment), where they discussed the concepts of "Blue Ocean" and "Red Ocean" in the #startup landscape and how VC react to these ideas. Blue Ocean startups are like adventurers exploring uncharted waters, creating innovative solutions that have never existed before. These startups, such as MyGate, identify and solve unique problems in a way that sets them apart from the competition. However, breaking into these new markets can be challenging, and convincing investors of the potential may require patience. On the other hand, Red Ocean startups dive into crowded markets where competition is fierce, akin to swimming in bloody waters. Despite the saturation, these startups have the advantage of proving market demand. They must differentiate themselves from existing players to succeed. Which highlights the potential of Red Ocean startups, particularly in mature markets like #SaaS, #fintech where innovative solutions can disrupt established players. Overall, it is very important to understand the dynamics of Blue and Red Ocean #markets and tailoring strategies accordingly, whether it's pioneering new territory or carving out a niche in established #segment.