lemon.markets’ Post

Shaping the Future of Fintech Through Strategic Acquisitions and Investments At Rikvin Ventures, we are at the forefront of driving the fintech industry forward. With our existing investment in a NASDAQ-listed firm, we are committed to the transformative power of fintech. What sets us apart is our focus on providing strategic resources and collaborative support to address challenges and leverage opportunities within the fintech sector. Our goal is to build synergies that accelerate growth and foster innovation. We are actively seeking fintech companies with: * Strong performance track records * Ambition to make a significant impact in the fintech landscape * Openness to being part of a larger vision Our strategy involves: Growth through acquisitions: Strengthening portfolio companies by integrating complementary businesses and technologies Support for scaling up: Providing capital and strategic insight to help companies scale effectively and enter new markets If you are leading a fintech company that resonates with our goals, or if you know of potential acquisition targets that fit our growth model, we'd love to connect. Reach out to me at satish@rikvinventures.com. At Rikvin Ventures, we aim to build a legacy in the fintech sector by transforming challenges into opportunities and turning visionary ideas into reality. #Fintech #StrategicAcquisitions #GrowthStrategy #RikvinVentures #Innovation

The Information broke the news of Ramp getting a 36% increase in valuation for a #fintech supported by Founders Fund and Khosla Ventures, providing a 36% increase from their last financing round. The fact that Keith Rabois led the round from his new firm at Khosla Ventures provides an incredible stamp of approval since I am sure the hurdle was that much higher, internally, to essentially double down on his legacy investment from Founders Fund. What do you think? #management #venturecapital #privateequity #fintech #capitalmarkets

Ramp just raised a $300M Series D led by Thrive Capital and Sands Capital, with participation from General Catalyst and Founders Fund. This brings their valuation to $5.8B - a significant achievement in the current market. What does this mean? A few thoughts: > Fintech is still hot: Even amidst valuation adjustments, strong players like Ramp are proving there's still plenty of investor appetite for disruptive solutions. > Spend management is a key battleground: Ramp's growth and diversification signals the importance of helping businesses control and optimize their spending. > Expect more consolidation & competition: This funding will fuel Ramp's product development and expansion into adjacent areas, likely heating up the race in the broader fintech space. Opportunities abound for VCs: > Early-stage fintechs tackling niche problems could be attractive as larger players like Ramp expand their reach. > B2B payments & financial automation remain areas for innovation, as businesses seek efficiency gains. > Partnerships & integrations with established platforms like Ramp could offer fast-track growth for startups. #Fintech #VC #funding #innovation #TwentyFold

I'm writing some pieces for a well-respected fintech serving the VC/founder ecosystem. Topics include: 1. How early-stage companies are valued 2. How late-stage companies are valued 3. How non-startup (think SMB, cash-flowing) businesses are valued for exit potential Looking for a few quotes from investors. Thought I'd give my network first dibs. DM me if you're willing to answer a few questions.

At FoxCraft Partners, we turn possibilities into reality. After six months of consideration, we partnered with a leading fintech startup. In our first quarter together, we not only met but exceeded placement goals, focusing on improving margins and fostering collaboration and diversity. Our client appreciated the 70% cost reduction compared to last year, maintaining profitability and surpassing ROI expectations. Looking ahead, with plans to double our team size and achieve significant growth by year-end, we're confident in our early-stage progress before enhancing our web presence. At FoxCraft Partners, we deliver value through excellence, innovation, and client success. Here's to ongoing growth and impactful partnerships in talent acquisition. Yes, we made a difference. #FoxCraftPartners #Fintech #TalentAcquisition #Collaboration #Diversity #Innovation

Ramp announces Series D-2 capital raise! 🎉 The Fintech startup is completing a $150 million Series D-2 funding round, raising the company’s valuation to $7.65 billion. This round was co-led by Khosla Ventures and Founders Fund, with additional new investors Sequoia Capital, Greylock, and 8VC.   Ramp started as a corporate card provider and now has expanded into expense and finance management tool for businesses. This new funding will allow them to triple down on the next wave of innovation to deliver more value for their customers, including a range of AI tools. This includes automating cumbersome processes, providing deeper insights into spending, enhancing decision-making capabilities, and more. Congrats to the Ramp team and its funding partners 👏 https://lnkd.in/d5rUyyZs #techfunding #fintech #procuretech #spendmanagement #technews

NYC, the capital of fintech. Over the last year, VC investment in NYC Fintech companies outpaced SF by 135%. This is not surprising for industry insiders. In fact, I expect the gap to become even wider as NYC early stage Fintech companies mature and raise large growth rounds in the coming years. SF is still the place to be if you’re in Hardware, Deep Tech, and many other industries. But if you’re building a US fintech company, NYC is the place to be. At Gilgamesh Ventures we’ve invested in a dozen NYC Fintechs and we’re looking to back a few more in 2024. We’d love to meet you if you’re getting started! Fintech Leaders Peter Walker

The big #VC market correction has yet to play out. Glarring Evidence: Approximately 40% of #Unicorns now trade below $1 billion in secondary markets. Sources: Hiive, with additional analysis from Cowboy Ventures. Four Takeaways: 1. Obvious: Many late-stage private companies could face #DownRound valuation corrections or disappointing exits. 2. Less Obvious: When M&A activity shifts into overdrive this year (Q2 or sooner), don't fall for the #FearOfMissingOut if you're running a financially sound business that doesn't need cash. Many of the #FOMO deals will involve cash-starved companies & fire sales ... and sharply reduced valuations that are never publicly disclosed. 3. Big Opportunity: M&A buyers should be able to scoop up intellectual property for pennies on the dollar -- at least compared to 2022 valuations. 4. Bigger Opportunity: #Seed and #SeriesA #startups with savvy leaders should proceed with reasonably priced funding rounds -- and disrupt many of the falling stars that missed their paths to profitability. Got questions? Contact Channel Angels leaders such as yours truly, Gerwai Todd or Kevin Blake.

Would you rather... -> $1B valuation OR -> make $10M Founders are so conditioned by VCs to strive for the unicorn valuation because that's what THEY need to return their fund. The reality for a founder is that very few companies will be a unicorn, but building a real business with an exit worth $10M to the founder is very realistic. Guess what? The $10M is real money in your bank account... The valuation is vapor. The traditional venture path is not the only path. #GTMCheatCode

Yesterday I spoke with a founder of a Series A Fintech startup about hiring their first CFO. I was introduced directly by another CEO under the same VC. They have entered a niche that not many companies dare to enter. Not because of the market isn't big; it's HUGE. It's also full of tailwinds. People just don’t think it’s a "sexy" space. When you learn more, you start to see what matters: - Super early stage, founded in 2021 (equity angle for candidates) - $0-4M ARR in just one year - 100% growth every 3 months The product solves an important problem in an underserved market, and they are taking a winner-take-all approach. After speaking with their CEO, I think they have a good shot at succedding. DM me if you think this is for you.