Venture Capital Journal’s Post

A functioning investment ecosystem needs to provide exit options. This is the biggest issue for #VC's right now. Private Equity firms are doing less M&A due to high interest rates and #IPO's are scarce. An interesting observation by Evelina Anttila: "There will be more pitch decks with exit slides." This is something #startup founders should seriously consider... Thanks to Amy Lewin from Sifted! https://lnkd.in/d5Riy5_P

Exits are going to be critical in getting the VC market moving in the right direction again. Exits, alongside new deals, will influence whether a lot of investors will be willing to grow again in the future. #vc #venturecapital #vcexits #portfolio #growth

VCs don’t just invest, they also “de-invest”. And right now, quite a few are getting desperate to do so. M&A and IPOs have fallen off a cliff over the past few years — and for VCs who need to return capital to their investors, all that poses a problem. What, then, is a VC to do? 👀 #venturecapital #VC #investors #mand Featuring insights from Evelina Anttila, CEO and managing partner of Wellstreet, Marc Fournier, cofounder and managing partner at Serena and Oliver Holle, CEO and managing partner at Speedinvest. 

The Startup Journey: From Idea to IPO Every great company starts with a idea, but what happens next? The journey through VC funding has stages of growth, risk, and opportunity. Whether you are at the Pre-Seed looking for validation or getting ready for your IPO, understanding where you stand and what investors expect is key. Pre-Seed/Seed (Very High Risk): It’s all about proving your business thesis and market fit. Family member, Friedns, AngelInvestors, and early VC invest in you and your vision for corporation. Its All about credibility! Early Stage (High Risk): Growth, growth & growth, venture capitalists want to see how your company can stand out from competitors and maintain a lasting advantage. Growth strategies and profitability need to be within reach.It’s make or break time! Late Stage (Moderate Risk): Now Focus shifts to efficiency and profitability. With hedge funds and private equity firms stepping in, it’s about maximizing growth and impact.You’re nearly there! IPO/Exit (Moderate Risk): Time for the grand finale. Whether it’s an IPO, acquisition, or merger, you’re delivering shareholder value and getting ready for the big leagues. Investors are looking for strong returns and smooth exits. Keep your investors engaged and aligned with your vision at every stage. Communication is KEY to getting the right kind of funding and scaling successfully! 🎯 Pawel Maj #privateequity #venturecapital #cfa #ca #caaspirants #cfalevel1 #investment #connections #business #finance #investmentbanking

It has become clear that most public and private market investors have shifted from growth-at-all-costs and hype to a focus on durability. With limited liquidity in recent quarters but strong investor demand for quality, it's time to recognize the potential of small- and mid-cap IPOs. Here are some reasons why these "hidden gems" are a smart choice for sustainable growth and long-term returns: https://lnkd.in/eZMaW2ge

VC valuations continued to slide from their peaks in 2021 and early 2022, with only pre-seed and seed deals bucking the trend. While median early-stage and late-stage valuations fell to their three- and five-year lows, respectively, an abundance of small funds competing for seed deals helped to keep prices up for companies in those categories. Not only did 2023 see a dismally low number of IPOs, but the median valuation of startups that managed to make a public debut declined to the lowest level in a decade. Although M&A activity dropped too, acquisition valuations increased year-over-year, according to our 2023 Annual US VC Valuations Report, sponsored by Morgan Stanley At Work and Mintz. #VCvaluations #venturecapital #vcfunding #capitalmarkets #ipos #seedfunding #capitalreport

Seems like market forces continue to be at work here: “Values will get adjusted down this quarter,” said Hans Swildens, a secondaries investor and founder of Industry Ventures. “There will be a markdown across the market. If that happens then the volume [of trade] will start spiking.” #venturecapital #privateequity #IPO #mergersandacquisitions #secondarymarket

How have valuations fared over the last year? PitchBook recently released their VC valuations report, reporting trends in pre-seed, early-stage, and late-stage investing. Some key points: 📈 Early-stage valuations remain high; small funds keep competition strong 📉 Startup exits lag; IPOs are down; M&A emerges but value growth is modest 💰 VC market sees significant down rounds; dilution risks rise with structured deals Check out the full report here: https://lnkd.in/ew5GxfM7

How have valuations fared over the last year? PitchBook recently released their VC valuations report, reporting trends in pre-seed, early-stage, and late-stage investing. Some key points: 📈 Early-stage valuations remain high; small funds keep competition strong 📉 Startup exits lag; IPOs are down; M&A emerges but value growth is modest 💰 VC market sees significant down rounds; dilution risks rise with structured deals Check out the full report here: https://lnkd.in/ew5GxfM7

Founders may have given VCs too much power to block an IPO https://buff.ly/4alhgHG by @techcrunch VCs may be playing hide and seek with your IPO dreams. Pushing for an IPO when waiting could yield higher returns isn't a smart move! #rafAIgual #AI #vc #founders #investors #IPO #returns