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How to?1. How to build and scale a product company?Building a company is a straightforward science, and we've laid it all out for you here. The real power lies in flawless execution. Dive in, master it, and execute relentlessly.<a href="https://www.newnex.io/blogs/startups/building-and-scaling-a-product-company-insights-from-top-founders-and-investors" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read here</a>2. Please don't take venture capital. This is a thought-provoking and beautifully crafted piece that challenges startups to reflect on their suitability for venture capital. If achieving $100 million in revenue or 100 million users within five years isn't within reach, it's worth reconsidering whether pursuing venture capital funding aligns with your goals.<a href="https://ehandbook.com/please-dont-take-venture-capital-7d0cc9b473ed" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read here</a> Pitch Decks:1. Sequoia Capital's pitch-deck template <a href="https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/sequoia-capital-pitchdecktemplate/46231251" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click here</a>2. Airbnb: Airbnb's early pitch deck is renowned for its clarity and effectiveness, helping the company raise $600,000 in 2008. <a href="https://www.slideshare.net/PitchDeckExamples/original-airbnb-pitch-deck-2008" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click here</a>3. Uber: Uber's initial pitch deck, presented under the name "UberCab," was instrumental in raising $200,000 in 2009.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/uber-pitch-deck/79089661" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click here</a> Reports:1. <a href="https://www.investeurope.eu/media/g3yobbcs/soet2024_report.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">State of European Tech, 2024, by Atomico</a> Relevant Books:1. <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zero-One-Notes-Startups-Future/dp/0804139296" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zero to One, Peter Thiel </a>2. <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hard-Thing-About-Things-Building/dp/0062273205" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hard Things About Hard Things, Ben Horowitz</a> ----Want to recommend relevant resources? leave us a comment here or send us a message on X - <a href="http://www.x.com/newnexhq" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">www.x.com/newnexhq</a>---Join the Future of Venture Capital Investing with Newnex <a href="https://www.newnex.io/edit/blogs/www.newnex.io" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Newnex</a> is the exclusive network designed for startups, venture capitalists (VCs), and limited partners (LPs) to fundraise and invest through trusted references. Our mission is to democratize access to institutional venture capital while maintaining quality. We aim to bring together 5,000+ VC and LP firms and 100,000 venture-scale startups on a trusted, reference-only platform for seamless private deal-making.

Startups and Venture Capital resources and sane advise

Building a successful product company and scaling it effectively is a challenging journey that requires strategic thinking, adaptability, and relentless execution. Drawing from the wisdom of renowned startup founders, investors, and thought leaders like Peter Thiel, here's a comprehensive guide on how to build and scale a product company. <ol><li>Start with a unique vision</li><li>Build something people want</li><li>Focus on Product-Market Fit</li><li>Launch early and iterate</li><li>Build a strong team</li><li>Embrace "Doing things that don't scale"</li><li>Develop a clear business vision</li><li>Focus on Growth</li><li>Build scalable systems and processes</li><li>Master distribution</li><li>Sequence markets correctly</li><li>Maintain financial discipline</li><li>Foster a culture of innovation</li><li>Stay focused</li></ol> Start with a Unique VisionPeter Thiel emphasizes the importance of starting with a contrarian truth. Ask yourself, "What important truth do very few people agree with you on?" This unique insight should form the foundation of your product company. Aim to create something truly innovative rather than making incremental improvements to existing products. Build Something People WantSam Altman's first piece of advice is simple yet crucial: make something people want. This involves talking to potential customers, identifying real pain points, and developing a solution that addresses these needs effectively. Focus on Product-Market FitBefore scaling, ensure you've achieved product-market fit. This means your product solves a real problem, customers are willing to pay for it, and there's a large enough market to support growth. Launch Early and IterateMichael Seibel of Y Combinator advises founders to launch their products as soon as possible. Don't wait for perfection; instead, release a minimum viable product (MVP), gather user feedback, and iterate rapidly based on this feedback. Build a Strong TeamA great team is critical for success. When building your team, hire smart, effective people committed to your vision, look for individuals who can grow with the company, and create a culture that rewards output and innovation. Embrace "Doing Things That Don't Scale"In the early stages, focus on activities that don't scale but provide valuable insights. Personally engage with customers, provide exceptional customer service, and manually perform tasks that you'll automate later. Develop a Clear Business VisionArticulate a clear, compelling vision for your company. This will guide decision-making, attract talent and investors, and keep the team aligned and motivated. Focus on GrowthSam Altman notes that "growth solves (nearly) all problems." To drive growth, set aggressive but achievable growth targets, monitor key metrics closely, and experiment with different growth strategies. Build Scalable Systems and ProcessesAs you grow, invest in scalable systems and processes. Standardize procedures across departments, invest in the right tools and technologies, and automate repeatable tasks. Master DistributionPeter Thiel emphasizes the importance of distribution. Don't fall into the "Field of Dreams" trap of thinking a great product will sell itself. Develop a robust sales and marketing strategy, focus on customer lifetime value (CLV) exceeding customer acquisition cost (CAC), and experiment with different distribution channels. Sequence Markets CorrectlyStart by dominating a small, specific market before expanding. Identify a niche market with few competitors, become the go-to solution in that market, and gradually expand to adjacent markets. Maintain Financial DisciplineAs you scale, maintain financial discipline. Keep burn rate low until you're sure everything is working, raise slightly more money than you think you need, and be frugal and focus on sustainable growth. Foster a Culture of InnovationEncourage ongoing innovation within your company. Create an environment where new ideas are welcomed, allow time for experimentation, and learn from failures and iterate quickly. Stay FocusedAvoid the temptation to pursue too many opportunities at once. Set clear priorities, say no to distractions, and execute relentlessly on your core mission. Case Study: Superhuman's Engine for Product-Market FitSuperhuman, a popular email client, provides an excellent case study on how to systematically achieve product-market fit (PMF). Here's how they approached it: The ProblemSuperhuman needed a way to measure and improve their product-market fit. They wanted to move beyond gut feelings and create a data-driven approach to product development. The SolutionRahul Vohra, Superhuman's founder and CEO, developed a framework to quantify and systematically increase product-market fit. Here's how they did it: 1. Measure PMF Score: Used Sean Ellis' question: "How would you feel if you could no longer use the product?" Calculated the percentage of users who answered "very disappointed" and aimed for the 40% benchmark Ellis identified as indicating PMF. 2. Segment Users: Divided users into "very disappointed," "somewhat disappointed," and "not disappointed" groups. Focused on understanding and expanding the "very disappointed" group. 3. Analyze Feedback: Asked follow-up questions to understand what users loved and what could be improved. Identified the product's main benefit and who it served best. 4. Build a Roadmap: Prioritized features and improvements based on user feedback. Focused on enhancing the core benefit for the target audience. 5. Repeat and Refine: Continuously measured PMF score and iterated on the product. Gradually improved the score from 22% to 58%. ResultsSuperhuman's systematic approach led to significant improvements: - PMF score increased from 22% to 58%- Clearer understanding of target users and core benefits- More focused product development efforts- Strong foundation for sustainable growth Key Takeaways1. Quantify product-market fit using a consistent metric2. Segment users and focus on your most enthusiastic cohort3. Continuously gather and analyze user feedback4. Build a roadmap that enhances core benefits for target users5. Iterate and measure progress regularly Building and scaling a product company is a challenging but rewarding journey. By following these insights from successful founders and investors, and learning from case studies like Superhuman, you'll be better equipped to navigate the complexities of startup growth and increase your chances of building a thriving, innovative company. Remember, the key is to start with a unique vision, build something people want, focus relentlessly on product-market fit, and continuously iterate based on user feedback and market demands.---Join the Future of Venture Capital Investing with Newnex <a href="https://www.newnex.io/edit/blogs/www.newnex.io" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Newnex</a> is redefining venture capital by fostering collaborative and private investing and fundraising between VCs (GPs), Limited Partners (LPs), and Startups. Newnex simplifies syndication and co-investment for institutional investors, with a mission to connect 5,000+ VC and LP firms and 100,000 venture scale startups on a trusted platform for seamless, reference-only private deal-making. Join Newnex for free <a href="http://www.newnex.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.newnex.io</a>

Building and Scaling a Product Company: Insights from Top Founders and Investors

Loadar Raises $4M to Streamline Freight ManagementBelfast startup Loadar has secured $4 million in seed funding to expand its freight procurement and management platform. Founded in 2022 by Ciaran Doherty, Loadar aims to reduce transport costs by 15% for large enterprises. - Funding: $4 million (€3.8 million) seed round- Lead investor: Frontline Ventures- Participating investor: Techstart Ventures- Founder: Ciaran Doherty (CEO) Loadar's platform offers multi-modal logistics solutions covering road, sea, air, and rail. The funding will support US market expansion and doubling the team size within a year. Will Prendergast of Frontline Ventures noted the platform's potential to manage transport costs and reduce carbon footprint simultaneously. Loadar plans to capitalize on the growing need for efficient logistics management in an increasingly disrupted global supply chain landscape. Corsmed Raises €3.3M to Revolutionize MRI ScanningStockholm-based MedTech startup Corsmed has secured €3.3 million in funding to advance its MRI simulator software. The investment round was co-led by Luminar Ventures and Big Pi Ventures, bringing Corsmed's total funding to €9.5 million. - Founded in 2019 by Erik Jacobsson (CEO), Christos Xanthis (CTO), and Athanasios Polimeridis (CSO)- Aims to reduce MRI scan times from 45 minutes to 2-3 minutes- Software can generate high-resolution 3D brain contrasts 10 times faster than current norms- Already used by institutions like The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, CNI College, and Gurnick Academy- Has saved over 80,000 hours of traditional scanner usage The funding will support FDA approval, commercialization, and global distribution efforts. Corsmed's technology aims to democratize MRI scans, potentially saving thousands of lives daily by enabling earlier detection of life-threatening conditions at a fraction of the current cost.Investments is led by:- Magnus Bergman, co-founding Partner at Luminar Ventures- Nick Kalliagkopoulos, Partner at Big Pi Ventures AI Cloud Startup Vultr Secures $333M in Landmark Funding RoundVultr, a West Palm Beach-based cloud infrastructure startup, has raised $333 million in its first external funding round, achieving a valuation of $3.5 billion. Founded in 2014 by David Aninowsky, Vultr offers AI infrastructure and cloud computing services across 32 global data center locations. - Funding: $333 million- Valuation: $3.5 billion- Founded: 2014- Headquarters: West Palm Beach, Florida The investment round was co-led by LuminArx Capital Management and AMD Ventures. This marks Vultr's first equity financing since its inception, following a $150 million credit facility secured in 2021 from Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase. Vultr plans to use the funding to expand its GPU fleet, particularly focusing on AMD's MI300X accelerators, and enhance its global data center network. The company aims to support enterprise customers and AI innovators in building, deploying, and scaling AI worldwide. - David Aninowsky: Founder and Executive Chairman of Vultr- J.J. Kardwell: CEO of Vultr- Tanisha Keshava Bellur: Partner at LuminArx- Mathew Hein: Senior VP and Chief Strategy Officer at AMD This investment highlights the growing demand for AI infrastructure and positions Vultr as a significant player in the rapidly expanding AI chip market, competing with major cloud providers by offering more affordable and flexible infrastructure options. Agave Games Secures $18M Series A for Hit Mobile Game "Find the Cat"Turkish startup Agave Games has raised $18 million in a Series A funding round for its popular mobile game "Find the Cat." The puzzle game, which challenges players to locate cats in complex illustrations, has amassed over 10 million downloads since its August launch.- Total funding: $25.5 million- Post-money valuation: Approximately $100 million- Revenue: $10 million on Android alone (per SensorTower estimates) Investors:- Felix Capital (co-lead)- Balderton Capital (co-lead)- E2VC - Alper Oner: CEO and co-founder- Ali Baran Terzioglu: Co-founder- Burak Kar: Co-founder- Oguzhan Merdivenli: Co-founder- Rob Moffat: Partner at Balderton Capital Agave Games plans to use the funding to expand its team and develop at least two new titles in the coming year. The company leverages AI in its creative process, using it to generate initial game images before human artists refine them. This investment highlights Turkey's growing prominence in the mobile gaming industry, following successful ventures like Peak Games and Dream Games. Agave aims to capitalize on the booming casual mobile game market, with investors seeing potential for it to become a $100 million revenue company. SleepCogni Secures £300,000 in Bridging Round for Insomnia CareSheffield-based medtech startup SleepCogni has raised £300,000 in a pre-approved Enterprise Investment Scheme bridging round, bringing its total funding to £3.9 million. The company, which focuses on insomnia care, received support from existing investors and grants for this latest funding round. 1. Funding: £300,000 raised, total funding now at £3.9 million2. Investors: Existing investors and grants (specific names not disclosed)3. Future plans: Larger funding round planned for 20254. Goals: Achieve CE and FCC approvals, commercialize in the global sleep tech market The leadership team:- Richard Mills: Chief Executive Officer- Mark Milton-Edwards: Newly joined (former head of product and health solutions at Teva Pharmaceuticals)- Joseph Hawkins: Appointed as Chief Operating Officer The company's therapy has shown significant improvements compared to sham control in randomized clinical trials. SleepCogni is also involved in a project with Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust to address insomnia in children, supported by over £340,000 from Innovate UK. Bureau Raises $30M in Series B to Combat Identity FraudCybersecurity startup Bureau has secured $30 million in a Series B funding round led by Sorenson Capital. This investment values the company at $150 million and will fuel its efforts to tackle user identity fraud. - Funding: $30 million Series B- Valuation: $150 million- Lead investor: Sorenson Capital- Other investors: PayPal Ventures, Commerce Ventures Bureau's AI-driven tools, including the Money Mule Score, have attracted clients such as Rapido and IDFC First Bank. The company plans to use the funds for: 1. Geographical expansion into Saudi Arabia, North America, and Mexico2. Workforce growth, aiming for a 41% increase by 20253. Advancement of AI-driven innovations This funding round reflects the growing demand for cybersecurity services, especially as high-profile cyberattacks on companies like Microsoft and Walt Disney continue to rise. Bureau's expansion into emerging markets aligns with the global trend of businesses strengthening their defenses against cyber risks, potentially influencing future investment strategies and national security frameworks. Perplexity AI Secures $500M Funding, Acquires CarbonPerplexity AI, creator of an AI-powered search engine, has raised $500 million in a new funding round, valuing the company at $9 billion. This significant investment, led by Institutional Venture Partners, marks Perplexity's fourth funding round in 2024, dramatically increasing its valuation from $520 million at the start of the year 1. Funding: $500 million raised2. Valuation: $9 billion3. Lead investor: Institutional Venture Partners4. User base: Over 15 million active users (as of March) Alongside this funding news, Perplexity announced its acquisition of Carbon (JDCT Inc.), a startup specializing in retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) technology. This acquisition aims to enhance Perplexity's premium features, allowing users to search through personal files and work messages Perplexity's AI search engine differentiates itself by providing real-time information in a conversational format, similar to ChatGPT but with up-to-date web searches. The company offers both free and subscription-based services, with premium features including internal file search and enhanced finance-related tools The acquisition of Carbon and the substantial funding indicate Perplexity's potential move towards enterprise search solutions, positioning it to compete with other major players in the AI industry such as OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft ---Join the Future of Venture Capital Investing with Newnex <a href="https://www.newnex.io/edit/blogs/www.newnex.io" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Newnex</a> is redefining venture capital by fostering collaborative and private investing and fundraising between VCs (GPs), Limited Partners (LPs), and Startups. Newnex simplifies syndication and co-investment for institutional investors, with a mission to connect 5,000+ VC and LP firms and 100,000 venture scale startups on a trusted platform for seamless, reference-only private deal-making. Join Newnex for free <a href="http://www.newnex.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.newnex.io</a>

Perplexity, Loadar, Corsmed, Vultr, Agave Games, SleepCogni, Bureau announces $889 million fundraising

<blockquote>Ayar Labs, a silicon photonics startup valued at $1 billion, has completed a $155 million Series D funding round with investments from major tech players including AMD Ventures, Intel Capital, and Nvidia. The company's optical interconnect technology aims to replace traditional copper-based electrical I/O in chip connectivity, addressing the growing demands of AI infrastructure.</blockquote> Founded in 2015, Ayar Labs has developed in-package optical interconnects that promise to overcome the limitations of copper and pluggable optics. The company's TeraPHY optics transport and SuperNova laser source technologies are designed to eliminate interconnect bottlenecks by enabling faster data movement required for large-scale AI workloads. This innovation is expected to reduce latency, power consumption, and operational costs, ultimately optimizing AI infrastructure efficiency. With AI infrastructure projected to attract over $1 trillion in investment in the next decade, Ayar Labs is positioning itself as a key player in shaping its future. The company has already shipped around 15,000 units to select customers and anticipates growing this number to over 100 million units annually by 2028. The recent funding will be used to expand manufacturing capabilities and increase customer engagements. While the investments from major tech companies like Nvidia, AMD, and Intel suggest potential future deployments of Ayar Labs' technology, industry experts caution against jumping to conclusions. These investments may also serve as a means for these companies to gain insight into Ayar Labs' developments and secure priority access to the technology if they choose to implement it in the future.---Join the Future of Venture Capital Investing with Newnex <a href="https://www.newnex.io/edit/blogs/www.newnex.io" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Newnex</a> is redefining venture capital by fostering collaborative and private investing and fundraising between VCs (GPs), Limited Partners (LPs), and Startups. Newnex simplifies syndication and co-investment for institutional investors, with a mission to connect 5,000+ VC and LP firms and 100,000 venture scale startups on a trusted platform for seamless, reference-only private deal-making. Join Newnex for free <a href="http://www.newnex.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.newnex.io</a>

Optical Interconnect Startup Ayar Labs Secures $155 Million in Funding to Revolutionize AI Infrastructure

SandboxAQ, an enterprise SaaS company at the forefront of AI and quantum technology, has recently secured over $300 million in funding, propelling its valuation to an impressive $5.6 billion. This significant investment underscores the growing interest in quantum-inspired AI solutions across various industries and positions SandboxAQ as a leader in the emerging field of AI and quantum technologies. Founded by serial entrepreneur Jack D. Hidary in 2016 while at Alphabet Inc., SandboxAQ emerged as an independent entity in March 2022. The company's core focus lies in developing Large Quantitative Models (LQMs), which differ from traditional Large Language Models by using equations to generate data, offering a more efficient and accurate method for solving complex scientific and business problems. SandboxAQ's technology stack addresses critical challenges across multiple sectors, including healthcare, energy, chemicals, aerospace, defense, and cybersecurity. The company's key focus areas include: 1. AQBioSim: Accelerating drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases.2. AQChemSim: Advancing materials science, particularly in battery design and chemical manufacturing.3. CardiAQ: A magnetocardiography (MCG) device for more precise cardiac diagnostics.4. AQNav: A real-time AI magnetic navigation system providing an alternative to GPS in denied environments. The recent funding round attracted a mix of prominent investment firms and individual investors, including Fred Alger Management, LLC, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., Mumtalakat, Parkway Venture Capital, Breyer Capital, Rizvi Traverse, S32, US Innovative Technology Fund, Guggenheim Investments, and Section 32. Notable individual investors include Eric Schmidt (former Google CEO), Marc Benioff (Salesforce CEO), David Siegel (Two Sigma co-founder), and Yann LeCun (AI scientist and Turing Award winner). Eric Schmidt, who serves as the chairman of SandboxAQ's board, emphasized the importance of LQMs in maximizing the return on investment from AI for leading global enterprises. Jim Breyer of Breyer Capital highlighted the significant growth potential and opportunity for LQMs across various industries, describing SandboxAQ as a "generation-defining company." SandboxAQ has established partnerships with several high-profile organizations, including Accenture, Deloitte, Vodafone Business, Softbank Mobile, Mount Sinai Health System, and the US Air Force. These collaborations aim to expand the company's customer base and drive innovation in quantum-inspired AI solutions. The company's team consists of 55 engineers, scientists, and technologists from diverse fields such as physics, chemistry, AI, neuroscience, cryptography, and mathematics. This multidisciplinary approach allows SandboxAQ to develop practical solutions for a broad range of use cases, including post-quantum cryptography modules to enable global companies to transition to a more secure cyber architecture. As the world enters what SandboxAQ calls the "third quantum revolution," the company is positioning itself at the forefront of AI and quantum software development. By addressing significant business and scientific challenges, SandboxAQ aims to transform industries and drive innovation in critical areas such as drug discovery, clean energy, and data security. With its recent funding and strong backing from industry leaders, SandboxAQ is well-positioned to accelerate the development of its LQMs and AI applications, recruit top talent, and expand its impact across various sectors. As the company continues to grow and innovate, it is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of AI and quantum technologies, potentially revolutionizing how businesses and governments approach complex computational challenges.

SandboxAQ: Pioneering the Next Era of AI and Quantum Technologies

In a stunning display of investor confidence, Databricks has secured a record-breaking $10 billion funding round, valuing the company at an impressive $62 billion. This unprecedented raise not only cements Databricks' position as a leader in the data analytics and AI space but also signals a significant shift in the tech investment landscape. Founded in 2013 by a team of data scientists and engineers from the University of California, Berkeley, Databricks has developed a unified data analytics platform that simplifies data engineering, collaborative data science, and machine learning. The company’s Lakehouse architecture combines the best features of data lakes and data warehouses, enabling organizations to process and analyze large datasets efficiently. With a customer base exceeding 10,000, including industry giants like Block and Shell, Databricks has demonstrated substantial growth and influence in the AI and data analytics sectors. The Funding RoundThe recent funding round, led by Thrive Capital with participation from Andreessen Horowitz, Insight Partners, and Iconiq Growth, is notable not only for its size but also for its strategic timing. The $10 billion investment is the largest U.S. venture capital deal of 2024 and second largest ever, only after SpaceX's, reflecting robust investor confidence in Databricks’ business model and growth trajectory. The capital is earmarked for several key initiatives: •	Employee Stock Option Liquidity: A portion of the funds will provide liquidity for employee stock options, enhancing talent retention and attraction by offering financial rewards to existing and prospective employees.•	Product Development: Investment in new AI products will enable Databricks to expand its offerings and maintain a competitive edge in the fast-paced AI industry.•	Acquisitions: The funding provides the financial flexibility to pursue strategic acquisitions, further broadening Databricks’ technological capabilities and market reach.•	International Expansion: With plans to extend its global footprint, Databricks aims to tap into emerging markets and diversify its revenue streams. Databricks is on track to achieve $3 billion in annual revenue by January and anticipates positive free cash flow, indicating a sustainable and profitable business model. Databricks' Market PositionIn the competitive landscape of data analytics and AI, Databricks faces formidable rivals, including Snowflake, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud BigQuery, Microsoft, and MongoDB. Each competitor offers distinct solutions in data storage, processing, and analysis: •	Snowflake: Specializes in cloud-based data warehousing, providing scalable storage and analytics services.•	AWS: Offers a comprehensive suite of cloud services, including data storage and machine learning tools.•	Google Cloud BigQuery: Focuses on large-scale data analysis with a fully managed, serverless data warehouse.•	Microsoft: Provides integrated cloud services and AI solutions through its Azure platform.•	MongoDB: Delivers a general-purpose, document-based, distributed database built for modern application developers. Databricks differentiates itself through its Lakehouse architecture, which seamlessly integrates data engineering, data science, and machine learning into a single platform. This unified approach simplifies workflows and accelerates innovation, offering a compelling value proposition to enterprises seeking comprehensive AI solutions. The AI-Driven Market LandscapeThe AI market is experiencing explosive growth, with projections suggesting it will reach $1.81 trillion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 37.3%. This growth is driven by increasing practical applications of AI technology across industries. Databricks is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend. As George Mathew notes, "Where is this high-quality data coming from? For the enterprise, it's going to come from a place like Databricks". The company's ability to provide high-quality data for AI and machine learning applications gives it a significant advantage in the evolving market. The FutureThe massive funding round provides Databricks with substantial resources to fuel its growth and innovation. The company can now accelerate its product development, expand its global presence, and potentially make strategic acquisitions to strengthen its market position. This funding also validates Databricks' strategy of focusing on AI-driven data analytics. As businesses increasingly rely on AI for decision-making and operations, Databricks is poised to play a crucial role in providing the necessary data infrastructure and tools.The substantial funding and strategic investments position Databricks favorably to capitalize on several emerging trends in the AI and data analytics markets: •	Generative AI: With the acquisition of MosaicML, Databricks has enhanced its capabilities in generative AI, enabling customers to build and deploy sophisticated AI models.•	Data Democratization: By simplifying data access and analysis, Databricks empowers a broader range of users within organizations to leverage data-driven insights, fostering a culture of innovation.•	Industry-Specific Solutions: Tailoring AI applications to specific industries allows Databricks to address unique challenges and opportunities across various sectors, enhancing its market appeal.•	Global Expansion: Entering new international markets diversifies revenue streams and mitigates risks associated with regional economic fluctuations. The raise may also accelerate Databricks' path to an IPO. While the company has the financial flexibility to choose its timing, the strong investor interest could push it towards going public sooner rather than later. Databricks' $10 billion funding round is more than just a financial milestone; it's a testament to the growing importance of AI-driven data analytics in the business world. As companies across industries seek to harness the power of their data through AI and machine learning, Databricks is positioning itself as the go-to platform for these critical needs. The company's journey from a big data tool provider to an AI-powered analytics leader showcases its ability to innovate and adapt. With this substantial funding, Databricks is well-equipped to shape the future of enterprise AI and data analytics, potentially redefining how businesses leverage their data in the AI era. As the AI market continues its rapid expansion, Databricks' success story serves as a beacon for the transformative potential of AI in enterprise technology. The coming years will likely see Databricks playing an increasingly central role in driving AI adoption and innovation across the business landscape. ---Join the Future of Venture Capital Investing with Newnex <a href="https://www.newnex.io/edit/blogs/www.newnex.io" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Newnex</a> is redefining venture capital by fostering collaborative and private investing and fundraising between VCs (GPs), Limited Partners (LPs), and Startups. Newnex simplifies syndication and co-investment for institutional investors, with a mission to connect 5,000+ VC and LP firms and 100,000 venture scale startups on a trusted platform for seamless, reference-only private deal-making. Join Newnex for free <a href="http://www.newnex.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.newnex.io</a>

DataBricks - generational AI company raised $10billion, second largest VC round ever

United States Cala Health, a San Mateo-based bioelectronic medicine company providing medical devices for managing chronic health conditions, raised $50 million. Founded by Kate Rosenbluth, Scott Delp, and Serena Wong, the company is backed by investors including Action Potential Venture Capital, Google Ventures, and Lux Capital. The funding was announced on December 16, 2024. LambdaTest, a San Francisco-based provider of cloud-based tools for cross-browser testing, secured $38 million. Founded by Asad Khan, Jay Singh, and Mayank Bhola, the company's investors include Avataar Venture Partners and Qualcomm Ventures. The announcement was made on December 16, 2024. RapidCanvas, an Austin-based no-code auto AI platform, raised $16 million. Founded by Kedar Samant, Rahul Pangam, and Uttam Phalnikar, the company is backed by Accel, Peak XV Partners, and Valley Capital Partners. The funding was disclosed on December 16, 2024. Silent Push, a Reston-based threat intelligence solution, secured $10 million. Founded by Ken Bagnall, the company's investors include StepStone Group and Ten Eleven Ventures. The announcement was made on December 16, 2024. Sublime Security, a Washington-based AI-powered email security platform, raised $60 million. Founded by Ian Thiel and Joshua Kamdjou, the company is backed by Citi Ventures, Index Ventures, and IVP. The funding was announced on December 16, 2024. Twelve Labs, a San Francisco-based multimodal AI platform for video foundation models, secured $30 million. Founded by Aiden Lee, Dave Chung, Jae Lee, SJ Kim, and Soyoung Lee, the company's investors include Databricks Ventures and Snowflake Ventures. The announcement was made on December 16, 2024. Vapi, a San Francisco-based AI services provider for group meetings, raised $20 million. Founded by John Dearsley and Nikhil Gupta, the company is backed by Abstract, Bessemer Venture Partners, and Y Combinator. The funding was disclosed on December 16, 2024. Ask Sage, a Bentonville-based GPT-driven AI assistant for government teams and corporations, secured $17 million. Founded by Nicolas Chaillan, the company's investors include Mucker Capital and Sapphire Ventures. The announcement was made on December 16, 2024. Aampe, a San Francisco-based mobile app engagement and personalization infrastructure provider, raised $18 million. Founded by Paul Meinshausen, the company is backed by Theory Ventures and Z47. The funding was announced on December 16, 2024. Electrified Thermal Solutions, a Medford-based company focused on decarbonizing industry through renewable heat solutions, secured $19 million. Founded by Daniel Stack and Joey Kabel, the company's investors include Clean Energy Ventures and EDP Ventures. The announcement was made on December 16, 2024. Azimuth AI, a Folsom-based embedded silicon product company for edge computing applications, raised $11.5 million. Founded by Praveen Yasarapu and Sridevi Badiga, the company is backed by AUM Ventures, Cyient, and Moneta Ventures. The funding was disclosed on December 16, 2024. United Kingdom Embeddable, a London-based startup, secured €6 million from OpenOcean. The funding announcement was made on December 16, 2024. Europe Perciv AI, a Dutch startup transforming radar perception for autonomous systems, raised €2.5 million. The funding announcement was made on December 16, 2024. Askel.ai, a Tallinn-based startup, secured €380,000 in a pre-seed funding round led by Superangel. The announcement was made on December 16, 2024.

$299 million Startup Funding Announcements 

India has emerged as a standout performer in the global landscape of tech initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2024, defying the broader trend of subdued listing activity worldwide. As the world’s most populous nation, India is now gearing up for a significant surge in startup IPOs in 2025, with over 20 companies readying to go public. According to TechCrunch, 12 startups, including seven tech-focused firms, debuted on Indian stock exchanges in 2024. This robust performance starkly contrasts with major markets like the United States, China, Europe, and the United Kingdom, where tech IPO activity has remained stagnant or declined. India’s distinct position in the global IPO landscape can be attributed to several factors: robust economic growth, a rise in domestic capital, and political stability. The country’s capital markets have experienced remarkable progress, with market capitalization doubling and daily trading volumes tripling between 2019 and 2024. A diverse lineup of companies is preparing for public listings in 2025, including business-to-business platforms like Infra.Market and Zetwerk, quick-commerce startup Zepto, e-commerce giant Meesho, and investment app Groww. Swiggy, the food delivery platform, has already made headlines with its $1.35 billion IPO in 2025, marking the largest global tech listing of the year. This flurry of IPO activity comes against the backdrop of a slowdown in private market dealmaking, prompting startups to focus on financial discipline and accelerate their IPO readiness. This shift represents a turning point for the Indian market, which has traditionally grappled with limited exit options and skepticism toward loss-making firms entering public markets. Currently, tech and healthcare firms make up less than 20% of India’s Nifty 50 index, compared to over 50% in the S&amp;P 500. This underscores the untapped potential for growth in India’s tech sector. With a wave of IPOs on the horizon, India is poised to cement its status as a leading destination for tech listings, propelled by a dynamic capital market and a flourishing innovation ecosystem.

India's Tech IPO Boom: 20 companies preparing for IPO

Business transactions are now so fast that the selection of a suitable B2B payment platform can help to smooth transactions and cash flow. There are now so many options presented that it is hard to decide which best meets the needs of the business. This article gives an overview of key factors and how one may go about choosing a suitable <a href="https://eximpe.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">B2B payments platform</a> for the company. Understanding B2B Payments B2B payments are business-to-business transactions, which also involve the purchase of both goods and services. The frequency of transactions can be quite infrequent, and the amount can greatly vary. This means that it is prudent to have a strong payment solution that caters to your needs. A good B2B payments platform will help you automate processes, provide cost-cutting benefits, and efficiency while strictly keeping within the bottom line. Common Types of B2B Payment Methods <ol><li>ACH Transfers: Commercial businesses also use Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfers so that they can electronically <a href="https://eximpe.com/use-cases-for-importers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">send payments</a> and <a href="https://eximpe.com/use-cases-for-exporters/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">receive payments</a>. Periodic payments may be transferred at a relatively low cost using ACH.</li><li>Credit Cards: Several companies can accept credit card payments for their services or products. This payment method is more convenient but comes with even higher processing fees.</li><li>Wire Transfers: This method is considered very secure and rather prompt. However, the transfer usually comes with huge fees. International wire transfers are normally much slower than domestic wire transfers.</li><li>Checks: Though conventional, checks are very rare today because the processing times are longer, and they are prone to fraudulent acts.</li><li>Digital Wallets: Increasingly used, digital wallets provide easy and quick online payment methods.</li></ol> Key Features to Look for in a B2B Payments Platform <ol><li>Versatile Payment Options: A good B2B payment platform should offer a variety of payment methods to accommodate your business's needs. This flexibility ensures that you can cater to the preferences of your suppliers and clients, whether they prefer ACH transfers, credit cards, or digital wallets.</li><li>Integration Capabilities: Ensure that the B2B payments platform you choose can seamlessly integrate with your existing accounting software and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. This integration will streamline your financial operations and reduce manual data entry errors.</li><li>Cost Efficiency: Cost is a significant factor when selecting a payment solution. Evaluate the transaction fees associated with each platform and consider how these costs will impact your overall budget. Some platforms may offer lower fees for high-volume transactions or provide cashback incentives through virtual cards.</li><li>Security Features: Given the sensitive nature of financial data, security should be a top priority when choosing a B2B payments platform. Look for features such as encryption, fraud detection tools, and compliance with industry regulations like PCI DSS to protect your business from potential threats.</li><li>Real-Time Reporting and Analytics: A robust payment solution should provide real-time visibility into your payment workflows. This feature allows you to track invoices, monitor cash flow, and analyze payment trends effectively—essential for making informed business decisions.</li><li>User-Friendly Interface: An intuitive user interface is vital for ensuring that both your team and your clients can navigate the platform easily. A complicated system can lead to frustration and errors, so prioritize platforms that offer straightforward navigation and clear instructions.</li><li>Customer Support: Reliable customer support is crucial when dealing with financial transactions. Choose a B2B payments platform that offers responsive customer service through multiple channels—such as phone, email, or chat—to resolve any issues quickly.</li><li>Scalability: As your business grows, so will your payment needs. Select a platform that can scale with you, accommodating increased transaction volumes or additional features as required without compromising performance.</li></ol> Evaluating Your Options Once you have identified the key features you need in a platform, it's time to evaluate potential providers:<ul><li>Research Reviews: Look for customer reviews and case studies to understand how different platforms perform in real-world scenarios.</li><li>Request Demos: Many providers offer free trials or demos of their platforms. Take advantage of these opportunities to assess usability and functionality firsthand.</li><li>Compare Pricing Models: Different platforms have varying pricing structures—some charge per transaction while others may have monthly fees or tiered pricing based on usage.</li></ul> Final Thoughts Now that you understand the essential features of a B2B payments platform, you can begin evaluating options that align with your business needs. Ensure that you thoroughly assess each provider's offerings regarding versatility, integration capabilities, security measures, and cost efficiency. By selecting the right payment solution tailored to your organization's requirements, you'll not only streamline operations but also enhance relationships with suppliers and clients alike. Stay proactive in monitoring trends in B2B payment technology to ensure that your chosen solution continues to meet your evolving business demands. For more insights on optimizing your financial operations, follow us as we explore the latest trends in B2B payment solutions!

How to Choose the Right B2B Payment Solution for Your Business

Uber, the tech giant known for revolutionizing transportation, is making waves in the artificial intelligence industry with its new division, Scaled Solutions. This innovative venture transforms Uber's internal data labeling team into a powerhouse serving both in-house needs and external clients, marking a significant leap into the AI services market. Scaled Solutions: A Game-Changer in AI Data AnnotationUber's Scaled Solutions is rapidly emerging as a formidable player in the AI data labeling arena. With a global workforce spanning the United States, Canada, India, Poland, and Nicaragua, this division offers a comprehensive suite of services including:Image and video annotation<ul><li>Text labeling</li><li>Map validation</li><li>AI-generated code evaluation</li></ul> The team's expertise stems from Uber's vast experience in managing gig economy workers, giving them a unique edge in the market. High-Profile Partnerships and Market ImpactScaled Solutions has already caught the attention of industry leaders. Partnerships with Aurora Innovation, a self-driving vehicle company, and Niantic, the creator of Pokémon Go, showcase the division's capabilities and market appeal. These collaborations not only validate Uber's approach but also position the company as a serious contender in the AI services sector. Competing in a Growing MarketThe launch of Scaled Solutions puts Uber in direct competition with established players like Scale AI and challenges traditional BPO providers such as TaskUs and Telus International. Uber's entry is poised to disrupt the market dynamics, leveraging its unique position at the intersection of gig economy management and AI technology. Strategic Advantages of Scaled SolutionsBy separating Scaled Solutions from its core business, Uber gains several strategic advantages:1. Revenue Diversification: Expanding beyond ride-hailing and delivery services.<ol><li>Expertise Utilization: Applying gig economy management skills to a new, high-growth sector.</li><li>Market Expansion: Tapping into the rapidly growing AI data labeling market.</li><li>Specialized Development: Creating tools and processes tailored for AI data annotation.</li><li>External Client Focus: Effectively marketing and providing services to a broader client base.</li></ol> The Future of AI ServicesUber's bold move into AI data labeling through Scaled Solutions represents a significant shift in the company's strategy. It positions Uber not just as a transportation and delivery company, but as a potential leader in AI services. As the demand for high-quality data annotation continues to grow in the AI industry, Uber's Scaled Solutions is well-positioned to play a crucial role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence development. ﻿This strategic expansion showcases Uber's adaptability and foresight, potentially transforming the company into a major player in the AI services industry while maintaining its stronghold in the transportation sector. As Scaled Solutions continues to evolve and attract more high-profile clients, it may well become a cornerstone of Uber's future growth and innovation strategy. ---Join the Future of Venture Investing with Newnex<a href="https://www.newnex.io/edit/blogs/www.newnex.io" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Newnex</a> is redefining venture capital by fostering seamless collaboration between General Partners (GPs), Limited Partners (LPs), and startups. Designed for institutional investors, our platform streamlines syndication and co-investment across both direct and LP deals. With a mission to unite over 5,000 VC and LP firms on a single, unified platform, Newnex enables effortless private deal-making based on reference-only transactions.

Uber Revolutionizes AI Data Labeling with Scaled Solutions

In the world of startups, venture capital often seems like the holy grail. However, a growing number of entrepreneurs are choosing a different path: bootstrapping. This approach, which involves building a business without external funding, offers unique advantages and challenges. The Power of Self-Funding Bootstrapping allows entrepreneurs to maintain complete control over their company's direction, culture, and values. This autonomy can be invaluable, especially when the founder's vision doesn't align with typical investor expectations. Many successful companies have bootstrapped their way to significant acquisitions, retaining 100% ownership until the exit. Strategies for Success Focus on Revenue: Successful bootstrapped businesses often generate revenue quickly and solve immediate, painful problems for customers willing to pay. Some platforms build their business models around immediate monetization by taking a small cut of each transaction. Niche Domination: Start by focusing on a specific, underserved segment of your target market. Many successful companies began with a narrow focus before expanding to serve a broader audience. Creative Problem-Solving: Limited resources force bootstrapped startups to find innovative solutions. Some companies have found success by focusing on doing a few things exceptionally well, resulting in products known for their simplicity and ease of use. Building a Strong Team Attracting talent without high salaries can be challenging, but many bootstrapped companies have found success by offering non-monetary benefits. Some startups attract talent by openly sharing the company's revenue, salaries, and equity distribution. Defining Your Own Success Bootstrapping allows entrepreneurs to define success on their own terms. Whether it's building a profitable lifestyle business, creating a company with positive impact, or eventually selling for a significant sum, the bootstrap path offers flexibility and control. In conclusion, while bootstrapping may not be suitable for every business, it offers a viable alternative to the venture capital route, allowing entrepreneurs to build resilient, profitable companies while maintaining their vision and independence.

Bootstrapping: The Path to Business Success Without Venture Capital

Atomico published <a href="https://www.stateofeuropeantech.com/keynote" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The State of European Tech 2024</a> report, a comprehensive overview of the European tech ecosystem's growth, challenges, and future prospects over the past decade. Europe's tech ecosystem has experienced remarkable growth over the past decade, according to the State of European Tech 2024 report. Since 2015, the continent's tech talent pool has expanded sevenfold, while total investment volume has increased tenfold, reaching approximately $45 billion in 2024. The number of companies valued at over $1 billion has grown from 72 in early 2015 to 358 in 2024, demonstrating Europe's ability to nurture startups from inception to IPO. The report highlights significant improvements in the entrepreneurial culture. A majority of experienced founders note positive changes in various aspects of the tech landscape, with 79% seeing improvement in access to capital and 77% noting better availability of talent. However, challenges remain. The report identifies a $375 billion growth stage funding gap compared to the US. There's also a concerning trend of European founders considering starting their companies in the US, with 23% indicating they would do so today, although 72% would still choose to stay in Europe. The report outlines six key areas for improvement, including addressing the low 0.007% share of European pension funds invested in European VCs. Initiatives such as the Tibi initiative, WIN-Initiative, and Mansion House Compact are emerging to tackle these challenges. The European tech ecosystem is increasingly focused on solving major global challenges. Notably, 11% of US tech companies have European founders, while only 6% of European tech companies have US founders, indicating a flow of talent from Europe to the US. Looking ahead, the report sets ambitious goals for the next decade, including the creation of over 15 million new tech jobs, the emergence of trillion-dollar companies, and an added ecosystem value exceeding $5 trillion. These projections underscore the potential for continued growth and innovation in European tech, provided the identified challenges are effectively addressed. As the ecosystem matures, the emphasis on sustainable growth, equal access to opportunities, and strategic policy initiatives will be crucial in realizing the full potential of European tech. The next decade promises to be transformative, with the potential to reshape Europe's economic landscape and its role in global innovation. In summary: • Europe's tech talent pool has grown 7x since 2015 • Total investment volume increased 10x in 10 years, reaching ~$45B in 2024 • Number of $1B+ valued companies in Europe grew from 72 in 2015 to 358 in 2024 • 79% of experienced founders see improvement in access to capital • 77% note better availability of talent • $375B growth stage funding gap compared to the US • 23% of European founders would start their company in the US today • 72% of European founders would still choose to stay in Europe • Only 0.007% of European pension funds are invested in European VCs • 11% of US tech companies have European founders, while 6% of European tech companies have US founders • Key initiatives addressing challenges: Tibi initiative, WIN-Initiative, Mansion House Compact • Goals for the next decade:&nbsp;- Creation of 15M+ new tech jobs&nbsp;- Emergence of trillion-dollar companies&nbsp;- Added ecosystem value of $5T+ • Focus on solving major global challenges and creating role models across sectors and countries

The State of European Tech 2024: A Decade of Growth and Future Potential

The European Union’s ambition to lead in green tech and innovation has hit a wall with the troubles facing two of its most prominent startups: Northvolt, the battery manufacturing giant, and Lilium, the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) pioneer. Both companies have been hailed as symbols of Europe's technological progress, receiving substantial public funding and private investments. Yet, they are now grappling with financial crises that expose the fragile foundation of Europe’s tech ambitions. What Went Wrong at Northvolt?Northvolt, once poised to challenge China's dominance in battery production, has stumbled under the weight of its own aspirations. Despite raising over $15 billion from investors including Volkswagen and JPMorgan, the company is struggling to deliver commercially viable results. Commercial Failures:1. Unrealistic Scaling Goals:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Northvolt aimed to rapidly scale up production at its flagship gigafactory in Skellefteå, Sweden. However, the company underestimated the complexities of ramping up manufacturing at scale, leading to production delays and quality issues.&nbsp; 2. Missed Market Expectations:&nbsp;&nbsp;Automotive giants like BMW and Volvo expected high-quality, cost-competitive batteries. Northvolt’s inability to deliver on time forced customers to cancel contracts, such as BMW’s $2 billion order, which significantly impacted the company’s financial stability.a 3. Cost Challenges:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Competing with cheaper Asian manufacturers, particularly those in China, proved a daunting challenge. Northvolt's batteries were more expensive to produce due to high labor costs, energy costs in Europe, and inefficiencies in scaling production. 4. Lack of Diversified Revenue Streams:&nbsp;&nbsp;Unlike competitors that serve multiple sectors, Northvolt remained overly reliant on the automotive industry, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in demand or customer pullouts. What Went Wrong at Lilium?Lilium’s ambitious vision of eVTOL air taxis captivated investors and governments alike, but its commercial strategy fell short in several critical areas. The company’s failure to secure funding and its decision to file for insolvency have highlighted deeper issues in its business model. Commercial Failures:1. Unrealistic Product Timelines:&nbsp;&nbsp;Lilium promised to bring its eVTOL aircraft to market quickly, but the complexities of certification and technological hurdles slowed progress. This delay eroded investor confidence and put the company at odds with its funding needs. 2. High Development Costs:The development of eVTOL aircraft is extraordinarily capital-intensive, requiring billions of euros in funding. Despite raising a total of approximately $375 million from eight funding rounds, including significant investments from Tencent, Atomico, and Earlybird, Lilium faced mounting operational and development costs that far outpaced its available resources. 3. Limited Market Demand:&nbsp;&nbsp;The concept of urban air mobility remains speculative. Despite initial hype, practical challenges—such as infrastructure requirements, air traffic control integration, and regulatory hurdles—cast doubt on the market’s near-term viability. This uncertainty discouraged potential customers and investors. 4. Unproven Technology:&nbsp;&nbsp;Lilium’s reliance on a unique ducted fan design for its aircraft raised technical and efficiency questions. Many industry observers were skeptical about whether the technology could meet the range, speed, and payload requirements to make the business commercially viable. Public Funding ReceivedBoth companies were bolstered by substantial public funds intended to drive innovation and sustain Europe’s technological edge: Northvolt:&nbsp;- $1 billion from the European Investment Bank.&nbsp;- €902 million approved by the European Commission for a German battery plant.&nbsp;- SEK 625 million (€55 million) in Swedish government grants.&nbsp;- Investments from Swedish pension funds, totaling SEK 5.8 billion (€513 million). Lilium:&nbsp;- Initially approved for a €220 million funding commitment from the French government, contingent on production facilities in France.&nbsp;- The company’s German funding request for €100 million was ultimately denied. Key Private InvestorsBoth startups attracted significant venture capital investments, often from funds backed by public money:- Northvolt: Backed by Volkswagen, Goldman Sachs, and EIT InnoEnergy, the EU-backed energy innovation fund.- Lilium: Received funding from Atomico, which itself benefits from support by the European Investment Fund (EIF). The Broader European ContextThe struggles of Northvolt and Lilium highlight systemic issues in Europe’s ability to support its tech sector: 1. Funding Gaps: Europe lags significantly behind the U.S. in venture capital funding. In 2023, European startups attracted $45 billion, compared to $120 billion in the U.S. 2. Policy Deficiencies: Unlike the U.S.’s Inflation Reduction Act, which provides robust incentives for clean energy, Europe’s support systems lack clarity and scale. Bureaucratic hurdles and slow approval processes hinder the ability to respond quickly to market needs.﻿The crises at Northvolt and Lilium underscore the need for Europe to rethink its tech funding strategies. While public money has flowed into promising ventures, it has not been matched by sustained private investment or a supportive ecosystem for growth. Both companies' failures point to larger structural issues, including the difficulty of scaling complex technologies, the high costs of operating in Europe, and limited market readiness for futuristic products.

European Tech Dream Stumbles: What Went Wrong with Northvolt and Lilium, Their Public Funding, and the Broader Context

We've all heard the classic advice on founding and scaling a startup: find the right co-founders, raise venture capital, and build key relationships early to ease fundraising, recruitment, and growth. But the truth is that scaling a startup often means confronting the hard realities of life. Not everyone has a co-founder—or a good one. For every productive co-founder relationship, there are plenty that don’t work out. Some co-founders may lack motivation, some may struggle to execute, and others face personal challenges that impact their work. The fact is, startups are built by people, and people are complex. So, instead of viewing scaling purely as a growth exercise, think of it as a process of stakeholder risk mitigation. Anticipate potential risks: the impact of a mismatched co-founder, the fallout from a poor hire, or a venture capitalist's hesitation to invest. Think from their perspectives. Identify what each stakeholder risks in joining your journey, then actively propose strategies to mitigate those risks. Make it easy for them to say "yes" by demonstrating that you've considered and addressed the challenges. In other words, scale by thinking for others. When thinking about risk mitigation in practical terms, especially when scaling a startup, it’s essential to recognize the motivations and risk tolerance of each stakeholder. Here’s how this approach can work across different areas: 1. Hiring: Startups often lack the brand prestige, competitive salaries, and stability of established companies. But by understanding a candidate’s motivations—whether they’re seeking autonomy, creative input, rapid growth, or financial gain—you can tailor a compelling offer that aligns with these drivers. For instance, if they’re motivated by independence, offer a clear pathway to lead initiatives. If it’s monetary, structure a competitive equity package or performance-based incentives. Once you secure the hire, document what persuaded them to join. This ensures you stay aligned with their motivations over time, promoting longevity and satisfaction in the role. 2. Selecting or Compensating for a Co-Founder: Many entrepreneurs partner with friends or acquaintances as co-founders, often due to shared interests or life circumstances. But the reality is that not all co-founders are equally invested in the startup's risks and rewards, and not everyone will handle the journey’s inevitable challenges. If you don’t have a co-founder, it doesn’t mean scaling is off the table; it means building additional layers of support. Start by hiring a strong second-in-command, someone like a “Sheryl Sandberg” to your “Mark Zuckerberg,” who can bring stability and help balance the load. This structure reduces reliance on a single person, making the company more resilient and attractive to investors. 3. Securing Venture Capital: Venture capitalists face a high degree of risk, particularly with team-related uncertainties. Their biggest concern is often not just the product or market risk but the risk within the founding team itself. This is why VCs tend to prefer companies with co-founders, as it provides continuity if something happens to one founder. If you're a solo founder, address this by demonstrating a well-rounded, capable team that can maintain momentum if you’re unavailable. Offer solutions that de-risk their investment: show a reliable operational plan, clarify succession strategies, and present a capable, diversified team. Doing so not only increases your chances of fundraising success but reassures VCs that you’ve anticipated and mitigated key risks, making you a stronger investment choice. <blockquote>Adopting a mindset of risk mitigation —thinking from others’ perspectives and addressing their potential concerns—can take you far in building a successful, resilient company. This approach doesn’t just apply to hiring or securing investment; it’s invaluable for securing clients, expanding into new markets, and ultimately planning for a successful exit.&nbsp;</blockquote> Exit strategy, in particular, deserves a separate conversation. But the essence is this: by creating pathways for various exit opportunities, you increase the company’s value and flexibility. Sometimes, you can position your company as an asset to potential acquirers by showing them that acquiring you will make them stronger than going it alone. When this value is evident, an exit becomes not just possible but almost inevitable. In short, by focusing on risk mitigation and strategically aligning with others’ goals, you can build a foundation for growth, resilience, and the eventual realization of the company’s full potential.

For Resilient Startup Scaling, Embrace Stakeholder Risk Mitigation

Venture capital (VC) is a powerful funding source for startups with high growth potential. As a founder, understanding how VC works and how decisions are made is crucial for navigating the fundraising landscape and scaling your business. How Venture Capital WorksVenture capital firms invest money into promising startups in exchange for equity. These firms raise funds from limited partners (LPs), such as wealthy individuals, pension funds, and institutions. The VC firm then deploys this capital across a portfolio of startups, aiming to generate significant returns. The Investment Process1. Pitch and Due Diligence: Founders present their business to VC firms, often through warm introductions. If interested, the VC conducts thorough due diligence on the startup.2. Term Sheet: Upon deciding to invest, the VC presents a term sheet outlining investment terms, including valuation and equity stake.3. Funding Rounds: Startups typically go through multiple funding rounds (Seed, Series A, B, C, etc.) as they grow, with each round involving larger investments.4. Board Seats: VCs often take board seats to actively guide the company's strategic direction.5. Exit: VCs target a profitable exit, often through acquisition or IPO, ideally within 5 to 10 years. However, many companies take longer to reach this stage, which is accepted (tolerated) as long as the startup maintains strong growth. A clear path to exit is a critical factor in deal assessment, helping VCs gain the confidence needed to invest. What VCs Look For- Large market opportunity- Scalable business model- Strong founding team- Traction and growth metrics- Competitive advantage Pros and Cons for FoundersPros:- Access to significant capital- Expertise and networks- Credibility boostCons:- Dilution of ownership- Pressure to grow rapidly- Loss of some control Stages of VC Funding- Pre-seed: Very early stage, often for product development- Seed: Initial funding to get operations off the ground- Series A, B, C: Progressive rounds for scaling and expansion Venture Capital Decision-Making ProcessThe VC decision-making process is a structured approach that firms use to evaluate potential investments. Understanding this process can help founders better prepare and navigate their fundraising journey. Discovery PhaseIn this initial stage, VCs become aware of potential investment opportunities through various channels:- Warm introductions from trusted sources- Attending startup events and pitch competitions- Inbound applications or cold outreach from founders- Proactive research and tracking of promising startupsVCs often use tools and databases to monitor startups' growth metrics and industry trends. As a founder, making yourself visible in the startup ecosystem and building relationships early can be beneficial. Capture PhaseOnce a startup is on a VC's radar, it enters their tracking system:- The startup's information is added to the VC firm's Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system- Associates or analysts gather initial data about the company- Some firms may begin engaging with the startup by sharing relevant research or insightsFounders should ensure that the information they share is accurate and consistent across various platforms. Shameless Plug for Newnex:Newnex is an all-in-one platform where VCs can efficiently receive deals, engage with founders, and seamlessly refer opportunities to other VCs. By moving beyond traditional, siloed CRM systems, Newnex fosters a truly collaborative and connected experience. Our ambition is to shape the future of institutional investing, empowering VCs, LPs, and founders with a streamlined, future-ready approach to deal-making. Initial ReviewAt this stage, junior members of the VC firm (often associates or analysts) conduct a preliminary assessment:- They review the startup's pitch deck and available information- They may have initial conversations with the founding team- The goal is to determine if the opportunity aligns with the firm's investment thesis and warrants further investigationIt's important for founders to engage professionally with all team members, as these junior staff often play a crucial role in championing deals internally. Deep DiveIf a startup passes the initial review, the VC firm conducts a more thorough analysis:- A partner or senior team member typically leads this phase- They examine the startup's metrics, competitive landscape, and key areas of interest in detail- The team may conduct customer references, market research, and financial analysis- This process often results in an internal investment memo summarizing all findingsFounders should be prepared to provide detailed information and facilitate any due diligence requests during this phase. Investment Committee PresentationThe final decision-making stage involves presenting the investment opportunity to the firm's investment committee:- The lead partner or deal team presents the startup to the committee- They discuss the opportunity, potential risks, and expected returns- The committee may ask for additional information or clarificationThe exact decision-making process varies among firms. Some use a voting system, while others rely on consensus or give certain partners veto power. Decision and Term SheetBased on the investment committee's decision, the VC firm will:- Decline to invest and communicate their reasons to the founder- Express interest in investing and issue a term sheet outlining proposed investment terms- Request additional information or time to make a decisionIf a term sheet is issued, this initiates the negotiation phase, leading to the final investment agreement if both parties reach mutually acceptable terms. Post-Investment InvolvementAfter investing, VCs typically:- Take a board seat or observer rights- Provide ongoing support and guidance to the startup- Monitor the company's progress and help with future fundraising rounds Timeline:The timeline for deal-making can range widely, from as short as 3-4 weeks to over a year. For highly sought-after startup deals, where multiple investors are actively aligning to make it happen, deals might close in as little as four weeks. However, the typical timeline for a solid deal is usually around 4-6 months. For deals that may not be a perfect fit or lack clear growth indicators, the process could extend beyond a year. Founders should begin engaging with potential investors early—well before officially launching their fundraising efforts—to keep them informed and foster interest ahead of the formal process. Understanding these basics and the decision-making process can help founders approach VC funding strategically, aligning it with their startup's growth trajectory and long-term vision. It's important to note that while this outlines a typical process, each VC firm may have its own unique variations and criteria for decision-making. By being well-prepared and informed, founders can increase their chances of securing venture capital funding and building successful partnerships with investors.---<a href="https://newnex.io/praveen" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Praveen Paranjothi </a>founded Newnex after&nbsp;investing over $500 million in LP and direct venture capital across top-tier firms such as the European Investment Fund, Siemens Pensions, and serving on 15+ boards across Europe, Israel, the US, and India. His vision: to bring greater efficiency to institutional venture capital investing. If public markets can operate seamlessly, so can private markets—and that’s the mission behind Newnex. We invite startups, VCs, LPs, CVCs, and family offices to join us in shaping the future of institutional investing: <a href="http://www.newnex.io" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.newnex.io</a> Read more about <a href="https://www.newnex.io/blogs/venture-capital/what-is-philanthropic-venture-capital-aka-venture-philanthropy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Venture Philanthropy</a>, maybe that's an interesting instrument for your startup.

Venture Capital: An Essential Guide for Startup Founders Raising from VCs

At Newnex, we are constantly focused on finding ways to support startups and investors in scaling both businesses and investments successfully. To help with this, we’ve created a comprehensive checklist designed to guide startup founders through the various stages of growth: pre-seed, seed, Series A, and Series B. Each stage comes with its own unique set of priorities, and this checklist offers a clear, structured roadmap to help founders and investors stay focused on the specific goals that matter most at each stage of scaling. It's a practical tool to ensure a single-minded focus on driving growth and achieving sustainable success. Pre-Seed Stage (Idea Validation &amp; Early Traction) 1. Foundational Setup&nbsp;&nbsp;- Establish the core founding team (complementary skills, shared vision).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Validate problem-solution fit with potential customers.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Create a minimum viable product (MVP) to test market demand.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Legal structure: Incorporate the company, set up equity distribution (cap table). 2. Customer Discovery&nbsp;&nbsp;- Identify the target market and early adopters.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Conduct user interviews and surveys to validate the core assumptions.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Define key value proposition and core product features.&nbsp;&nbsp;3. Market Research &amp; Product Testing&nbsp;&nbsp;- Research competitors and market dynamics.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Gather feedback through MVP iterations.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Develop a go-to-market strategy (initial channels, messaging). 4. Financial Planning&nbsp;&nbsp;- Set up basic accounting and financial tracking.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Establish a low burn rate; bootstrap as much as possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Secure pre-seed funding through friends, family, and angels. 5. Hiring &amp; Culture&nbsp;&nbsp;- Hire the initial core team (keep it lean).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Set the foundation of your company culture, values, and mission.&nbsp;&nbsp;6. Metrics to Focus On&nbsp;&nbsp;- Customer validation metrics (number of early users, feedback).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Product-market fit signals (high engagement, repeat users).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Basic financial metrics (burn rate, runway). Seed Stage (Product-Market Fit &amp; Early Growth) 1. Product-Market Fit&nbsp;&nbsp;- Continue iterating on the product based on customer feedback.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Refine your value proposition and product to fit the market’s needs.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Increase product adoption and retention with your target users. 2. Revenue &amp; Monetization&nbsp;&nbsp;- Develop early revenue models and pricing strategy.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Test your monetization channels (paid subscriptions, freemium, etc.).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Start tracking your customer acquisition cost (CAC) and lifetime value (LTV). 3. Team Expansion&nbsp;&nbsp;- Begin hiring additional team members (marketing, sales, product, engineering).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Solidify company culture and onboarding processes.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Build a core leadership team to delegate key functions (marketing, product, sales). 4. Marketing &amp; Distribution&nbsp;&nbsp;- Scale go-to-market strategies that are working (ads, SEO, content marketing, partnerships).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Focus on customer acquisition and building brand awareness.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Build out early marketing and sales teams. 5. Investor Relations&nbsp;&nbsp;- Develop and maintain relationships with potential investors for future rounds.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Prepare your pitch and fundraising materials (deck, financials, roadmap).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Raise seed funding, ensuring you have enough runway (12–18 months). 6. Metrics to Focus On&nbsp;&nbsp;- User growth and engagement (acquisition, activation, retention).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Key financial metrics (runway, CAC, LTV).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Product stickiness (user retention, daily/weekly/monthly active users). Series A Stage (Scaling Product &amp; Expanding Market) 1. Scaling Operations&nbsp;&nbsp;- Focus on scaling product development and operational processes.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Invest in backend infrastructure to handle increased customer demand.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Refine and improve the core product based on deeper customer data insights. 2. Customer Acquisition &amp; Growth&nbsp;&nbsp;- Expand your customer acquisition channels (ads, partnerships, outbound sales).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Focus on automating and optimizing the sales process.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Develop sophisticated user onboarding and customer success strategies. 3. Revenue Growth &amp; Unit Economics&nbsp;&nbsp;- Double down on monetization strategies and optimize revenue streams.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Focus on improving unit economics (reduce CAC, improve LTV).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Expand pricing strategies to capture more value from different customer segments. 4. Team &amp; Culture Expansion&nbsp;&nbsp;- Hire for scaling teams: operations, engineering, marketing, customer support.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Develop clear organizational structures and management hierarchies.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Focus on leadership development and building middle management layers. 5. Brand Building &amp; Market Positioning&nbsp;&nbsp;- Invest in brand development (PR, content marketing, social proof).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Build a strong narrative around your brand and mission.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Penetrate new markets or expand offerings to new geographies. 6. Fundraising &amp; Investor Communication&nbsp;&nbsp;- Raise Series A funding (target 18–24 months runway).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Keep communication clear and regular with current and prospective investors.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Align funding with clear scaling goals (new hires, product growth, market expansion). 7. Metrics to Focus On&nbsp;&nbsp;- Revenue growth (MRR, ARR).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Customer acquisition efficiency (CAC payback period).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Churn rate and user retention.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Profitability (gross margins, burn multiple). Series B Stage (Rapid Growth &amp; Market Leadership) 1. Aggressive Scaling&nbsp;&nbsp;- Focus on high growth by scaling product development, customer acquisition, and sales teams.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Build infrastructure for large-scale operations (systems, security, compliance).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Prepare for international expansion or diversification of product offerings. 2. Operational Efficiency&nbsp;&nbsp;- Streamline processes and increase operational efficiency (automation, tooling, data-driven processes).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Build out leadership and management teams to manage growing headcount.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Optimize supply chains, manufacturing (if applicable), and backend scalability. 3. Revenue Expansion&nbsp;&nbsp;- Explore additional revenue streams, upsell/cross-sell opportunities.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Implement advanced sales and marketing strategies (ABM, influencer marketing, partnerships).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Focus on increasing gross margins and scaling customer success. 4. Product Differentiation &amp; Innovation&nbsp;&nbsp;- Invest in research and development to maintain product leadership.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Innovate with new features or complementary products that expand market share.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Expand product-market fit in secondary markets. 5. Fundraising &amp; Financial Strategy&nbsp;&nbsp;- Raise Series B funding (with a focus on fueling rapid growth).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Strengthen financial reporting, forecasting, and compliance (move towards audits, potential exit/IPO preparation).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Build relationships with growth-stage investors. 6. Metrics to Focus On&nbsp;&nbsp;- Revenue growth (high double-digit or triple-digit year-on-year growth).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Profitability and path to breakeven.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Expansion of LTV (new product features, cross-sell/upsell).&nbsp;&nbsp;- Reduction of churn rate.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Team productivity and engagement (scaling culture). Each checklist emphasizes the key focus areas for every stage of funding, helping founders prioritize product-market fit, growth, and operational efficiency as they navigate the startup journey. If you think we've overlooked anything important, we welcome your comment and feedback!

The Startup Scaling Checklist: A Framework for Founders from Founding to Series-B stages

Press Release: cspaar.erp Expands European Presence with Strategic Partnerships and Tailored ERP Solutions for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Aarhus, Denmark – 2024 – Scandinavian IT company cspaar continues to push boundaries in ERP solutions, delivering customized systems to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Denmark and the Netherlands. With a strong focus on growth and innovation, cspaar has entered into key partnerships that further enhance its market reach. cspaar has partnered with the Dutch consulting company Keep ERP Simple, which will handle the sales and distribution of cspaar.erp in the Netherlands. This collaboration marks a significant step in cspaar’s European expansion strategy, making it easier for Dutch businesses to access and benefit from their comprehensive ERP solution. Since its founding in 2021, cspaar.erp has provided customized ERP systems covering order management, point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory management, and accounting. The key advantage of cspaar.erp is that clients only need to rely on **one** supplier for all their business infrastructure, reducing complexity and increasing operational efficiency. “We are excited about the opportunities this partnership brings,” said Caspar Christophe Ejsing, CEO of cspaar. “Our goal has always been to help small and medium-sized businesses streamline their workflows by offering a comprehensive ERP solution that meets their unique needs. This new collaboration will allow us to provide even better solutions and services.” cspaar.erp stands out in a competitive landscape that includes companies like Flatpay, C1ST, and iZettle, by offering an all-in-one ERP solution that combines various functions on a single platform. This eliminates the need for multiple systems and suppliers, simplifying both setup and daily operations for businesses. As part of its growth strategy, cspaar is focused on expanding further into Europe while continuing to invest in product development and customer support. The company also offers prospective clients a 25% discount on the first 6 months of using the software, allowing them to explore the system’s capabilities and see how it can enhance their operations. With a strong commitment to customer satisfaction and a broad range of services, cspaar.erp is on track to become the preferred ERP solution provider for small and medium-sized businesses across Scandinavia and Europe

cspaar.erp Expands European Presence

Newnex’s latest edition of Top Tech and Venture Capital News provides a comprehensive overview of significant events in the technology and investment space. <ul><li>Venture Capital has an exit problem <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2024/07/04/spains-exposure-to-climate-change-helps-madrid-based-vc-seaya-close-e300m-climate-tech-fund/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li><li>OpenAI Launches Advanced Voice Mode for ChatGPT: OpenAI has begun rolling out its Advanced Voice Mode, offering hyper-realistic audio responses to a select group of ChatGPT Plus users, with a wider release planned for fall 2024. <a href="https://www.newnex.io/feed/openai-launches-advanced-voice-mode-for-chatgpt-a-new-era-of-hyper-realistic-audio-responses" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li><li>Tech Giants Face AI Investment Challenges: Despite stock market penalties, tech companies argue that the risks of underinvesting in AI are greater than overinvesting. <a href="https://www.newnex.io/feed/ai-this-sums-it-up-the-risk-of-underinvesting-is-dramatically-greater-than-the-risk-of-overinvesting" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li><li>OpenAI's Valuation Hits $80 Billion: OpenAI has reached an $80 billion valuation following a strategic share sale led by Thrive Capital, reflecting significant interest in AI technologies. <a href="https://www.newnex.io/feed/openai-turns-to-strategic-investments-as-it-reportedly-reaches-80-billion-valuation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li><li>Web3 Startups Secure $1.1 Billion in July: Venture capitalists invested over $1.1 billion across 118 deals in Web3-based startups in July. <a href="https://www.newnex.io/feed/web3-based-startups-raised-more-than-11-billion-from-venture-capitalists-across-118-deals-in-july" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li><li>BNP Paribas to Acquire AXA IM: BNP Paribas is set to acquire AXA Investment Managers, including a management buyout of AXA VP. <a href="https://www.newnex.io/feed/bnp-paribas-to-acquire-axa-im-axa-vps-management-buyout" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li><li>BendingSpoons Acquires WeTransfer: Italian company BendingSpoons has acquired the file transfer service WeTransfer. <a href="https://www.newnex.io/feed/italys-bendingspoons-acquires-file-transfer-service-wetransfer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li><li>Advancements in Solid-State Battery Technology: New solid-state battery technology promises up to 600 miles on a single charge. <a href="https://www.newnex.io/feed/solid-state-battery-tech-for-600-miles-on-single-charge" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li><li>Satellite Milestone: Humanity has launched 10,000 satellites, with Starlink accounting for over 6,500. <a href="https://www.newnex.io/feed/humanity-reached-10k-satellites-of-which-starlink-accounts-for-approximately-two-thirds" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li><li>Google Abandons Third-Party Cookie Phase-Out: Google has decided to abandon its plan to phase out third-party cookies in Chrome. <a href="https://www.newnex.io/feed/google-abandons-plan-to-phase-out-third-party-cookies-in-chromegoogle-has-decided-not-to-cancel-and-replace-third-party-cookies-in-its-chrome-browser-" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li><li>UK Boosts Quantum Technology Funding: The UK has allocated £100 million to establish five quantum technology hubs across England and Scotland. <a href="https://www.newnex.io/feed/britains-quantum-technology-ambitions-have-received-a-100m-boost-to-establish-five-quantum-technology-hubs-across-england-and-scotland-these-hubs-anno" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li><li>India's Private Capital Exits: India saw $25 billion in private capital-backed exits in 2023 and $11.5 billion in the first half of 2024. <a href="https://www.newnex.io/feed/india-saw-25-billion-in-private-capital-backed-exits-in-2023-and-115-billion-in-the-first-half-of-2024-according-to-new-data-from-the-global-private-c" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li></ul> Startups fundraising track - we tracked $2.4billion funding rounds between Asia, Israel, Europe and the US. Total $450 million raised by Startups in Asia and Israel:<ul><li>Rapido (India): Ride-hailing startup raised $120 million, entering unicorn club, led by WestBridge.</li><li>Matter Motor (India): EV maker raised $35 million in Series B funding.</li><li>Meragi (India): Wedding services startup raised $9.1 million in Series A led by Accel.</li><li>DeepC (Germany): Radiology AI startup raised €30 million (approximately $33 million).</li><li>Mayhem Studios (India): Mobile gaming studio raised an undisclosed amount from Lumikai.</li><li>DruCare (India): Healthtech startup raised $1.2 million in pre-Series A funding.</li><li>Dezerv (India): Wealthtech startup raised ₹265 crore (approximately $32 million) in Series B funding.</li><li>Immuneel Therapeutics (India): Raised ₹100 crore (around $12 million).</li><li>Timbuckdo (India): On-demand talent platform raised ₹2 crore (approximately $240,000).</li><li>AryaAg (India): Agritech startup raised $29 million.</li><li>Lakera AI (Switzerland): AI safety startup raised $20 million.</li><li>Caldera (Israel): "Rollup-in-a-box" platform raised $15 million from Peter Thiel's venture fund.</li><li>CytoReason (Israel): AI healthcare startup raised $80 million.</li><li>Partior (Singapore): Blockchain settlement startup raised $60 million.</li><li>IVP Semi (India): Chip company raised $5 million.</li></ul> Europe - Total startup funding $387.7 million<ul><li>Flo Health (UK): Women's health app raised over $200 million, achieving unicorn status.</li><li>4D Medicine (UK): Biomaterial startup raised £1.1 million (around $1.4 million).</li><li>Ocula (UK): E-commerce analytics platform raised an undisclosed amount in Series A funding.</li><li>Cognisyc (Romania): Received investment from Early Game Ventures, amount undisclosed.</li><li>Plum (UK): Financial wellness platform raised $10 million.</li><li>Maurten (Sweden): Sports nutrition company raised €20 million (approximately $22 million).</li><li>Kolum (Germany): Raised €21 million (around $23 million) in pre-seed funding.</li><li>LegalFly (Turkey): Legal services AI startup raised $15 million.</li><li>Hero Software (UK): SaaS platform for tradespeople raised $40 million in Series B funding.</li><li>Adam (Czech Republic): Home improvement platform raised €3 million (approximately $3.3 million).</li><li>Soda (Belgium): AI data quality startup raised $14 million.</li><li>Planqc (Germany): Quantum startup raised $54 million.</li><li>Helsing (Germany): Defense startup valued at $5 billion following its latest funding round.</li><li>Switchee (UK): Smart home technology startup raised $5 million.</li></ul> USA startups raised c. $1.6 billion<ul><li>Q Bio (USA): Preventative health scan startup raised an undisclosed amount for new MRI machine development.</li><li>Runway (USA): AI video startup reportedly seeking to raise $450 million.</li><li>Magic (USA): AI coding startup seeking $1.5 billion valuation in new funding round.</li><li>Posh (USA): Event startup raised $22 million.</li><li>Vanta (USA): Internet security startup raised $150 million in Series C funding.</li><li>Monarch Tractor (USA): Autonomous electric tractor company raised $133 million.</li><li>Third Arc (USA): Oncology and immunology startup launched with Series A funding, amount undisclosed.</li><li>Harvey (USA): OpenAI-backed legaltech startup raised $100 million.</li><li>Heeler (USA): Application security company raised $8.5 million.</li><li>Cohere (Canada): AI startup raised $500 million.</li><li>Sentient Labs (USA): AI and crypto startup raised $85 million, led by Peter Thiel.</li><li>Hebbia (USA): AI document search tool raised $130 million.</li></ul> Founders' Speak:An interview with Eleven Labs founder about raising $101 million in 2 years - <a href="https://www.newnex.io/feed/elevenlabs-on-raising-101m-in-two-years" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a> Venture Capital funds launched with $3.6 billion dry-powder <ul><li>Tenzing Fund III has successfully closed with a substantial fund size of £900 million, equivalent to approximately $1.15 billion USD. This fund, based in the UK, focuses on technology investments and marks a significant milestone for Tenzing as it aims to support innovative tech companies. <a href="https://www.insidermedia.com/news/national/tenzing-closes-third-fund-at-900m" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li></ul> <ul><li>Trill Impact has launched its inaugural venture fund, raising €90 million (around $98 million USD). This fund targets early-stage companies in Europe that are driven by impact, particularly those addressing global challenges aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. <a href="https://impact-investor.com/trill-impact-closes-venture-fund-after-raising-e90m/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li></ul> <ul><li>Forestay Capital has closed its fifth fund with a total of $220 million, specifically focusing on early-stage technology startups in Israel and Europe <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/european-venture-capital-firm-closes-220m-fund-with-focus-on-israeli-startups" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li></ul> <ul><li>13books Capital has raised £95 million, which is approximately $121 million USD, to establish a venture capital fund that concentrates on fintech investments. This fund seeks to capitalize on the growing fintech sector. <a href="https://www.cityam.com/13books-capital-raises-121m-for-fintech-venture-capital-fund/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li></ul> <ul><li>venBio has raised $528 million for its fourth fund, focusing on investments in life sciences, which aims to support innovative healthcare solutions. <a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/venture-capital-veteran-venbio-raises-528-million-life-sciences-investment" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li></ul> <ul><li>ICONIQ Growth has wrapped up its seventh fund with a remarkable size of $5.75 billion, targeting growth investments in technology across a global landscape. <a href="https://www.iconiqcapital.com/growth/insights/iconiq-growth-raises-5-75b-to-support-the-next-generation-of-exceptional-founders" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li></ul> <ul><li>Index Ventures has successfully raised $2.3 billion, which will be allocated to both venture and growth investments in technology startups globally. <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2024/07/09/index-ventures-raises-23-billion-for-new-venture-and-growth-funds/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li></ul> <ul><li>Sovereign's Capital has announced its largest fund ever, closing at $400 million, with a focus on early to growth-stage investments in technology and healthcare sectors across the US and Southeast Asia. <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240710348091/en/Sovereign%E2%80%99s-Capital-Closes-its-Largest-Ever-Venture-Capital-Fund" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li></ul> <ul><li>Industry Ventures has raised $900 million to invest in small early-stage VCs and their breakout startups, emphasizing the importance of nurturing emerging talent in the venture capital landscape. <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2024/07/02/industry-ventures-raises-a-900m-fund-for-investing-in-small-early-stage-vcs-and-their-breakout-startups" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li></ul> <ul><li>Frumtak Ventures has closed its fourth fund at $87 million, focusing on supporting startups in Iceland. <a href="https://tech.eu/2024/07/10/icelandic-frumtak-ventures-closes-fourth-fund-at-87m/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li></ul> <ul><li>Alpine Space Ventures has raised €170 million (approximately $185 million USD) to target Series A rounds in the space tech sector. <a href="https://www.eu-startups.com/2024/07/alpine-space-ventures-closes-e170-million-fund-to-target-series-a-space-tech-rounds/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li></ul> <ul><li>Carbon Equity has launched a new climate tech fund, raising €60 million (around $65 million USD) to invest in sustainable technologies. <a href=" https://impact-investor.com/carbon-equity-raises-e60m-for-new-climate-tech-fund/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li></ul> <ul><li>J2 Ventures has secured $150 million to propel technology startups that cater to both civilian and government applications. <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2024/07/04/j2-ventures-focused-on-military-healthcare-grabs-150m-for-its-second-fund/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li></ul> <ul><li>Seaya Andromeda has closed a climate tech fund with a total of €300 million (approximately $327 million USD), focusing on investments in environmentally sustainable technologies. <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2024/07/04/spains-exposure-to-climate-change-helps-madrid-based-vc-seaya-close-e300m-climate-tech-fund/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li></ul> Learning: <ul><li>16 Leadership Lessons from Amazon - <a href="https://www.newnex.io/feed/16-leadership-lessons-from-amazon-" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more</a></li></ul>----<a href="https://newnex.io" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Newnex is an exclusive platform</a> designed for institutional investors for private venture capital syndications (GP-GP) and co-investments (GP-LP). Join the exclusive global network of VCs, Family Offices, LPs, and Asset Owners for confidential deal-making.

Newnex Venture Insights - Latest tech and venture capital news

Namma Yatri, the open-source ridesharing app, has reportedly secured $11 million in pre-Series A funding! 💰Google joins as an investor, part of its $10 billion India commitment<ul><li>Round co-led by Blume Ventures and Antler</li><li>Operates on ONDC, India's initiative to democratize e-commerce</li><li>Completed 46 million+ rides across multiple Indian cities</li><li>What sets Namma Yatri apart? 🤔</li><li>No commission fees, unlike Uber and Ola. </li><li>Small monthly fee from driver partners</li></ul>Founded by Magizhan Selvan and Shan M S to address driver frustrations, Namma Yatri is an innovative open-source ride-sharing startup based in Bengaluru, India. Launched in 2022, the app connects customers with auto-rickshaw and cab drivers without charging any commission fees. Instead, it sustains itself through a small monthly fee paid by its driver partners, making it a unique player in the ride-sharing market dominated by Uber and Ola, which charge drivers 25-30% commission per ride.The startup was incubated by Juspay, a SoftBank-backed financial services company, and later spun off into a separate entity called Moving Tech.Namma Yatri operates on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), an interoperable platform backed by the Indian government to democratize e-commerce.The app has facilitated over 46 million rides across more than half a dozen Indian cities, including Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Recently, Namma Yatri raised $11 million in a pre-Series A funding round co-led by Blume Ventures and Antler, with participation from Google, which aligns with Google's broader $10 billion investment commitment in India.Moving Tech’s co-founders, Magizhan Selvan and Shan M S, have emphasized empathy and a differentiated approach in their business model, focusing on addressing the frustrations of drivers within the existing ride-sharing ecosystem. The new funding will be used to expand Namma Yatri's engineering and R&amp;D teams and to explore additional transportation options, including buses. Namma Yatri is a testament to the potential of open-source solutions in transforming traditional business models and improving livelihoods in the gig economy.

Google invests in Indian open source Uber competitor - Namma Yatri

OpenAI has launched GPT-4o mini, a cost-efficient small language model designed to enhance accessibility and affordability for various applications.&nbsp; ﻿Key Highlights and Features of GPT-4o Mini 1. Performance<ul><li>GPT-4o mini outperforms GPT-4 in chat preferences, as reflected in the LMSYS leaderboard.</li><li>It achieves an impressive score of 82% on the MMLU benchmark.</li></ul> 2. Cost-Efficiency<ul><li>The model is priced at 15 cents per million input tokens and 60 cents per million output tokens.</li><li>This pricing makes it significantly cheaper than previous models, including being 60% less expensive than GPT-3.5 Turbo.</li></ul> 3. Capabilities<ul><li>GPT-4o mini supports both text and vision in its API.</li><li>It features a large context window of 128K tokens and includes knowledge up to October 2023.</li></ul> 4. Benchmark Performance<ul><li>The model surpasses GPT-3.5 Turbo and other small models on various academic benchmarks, excelling in textual intelligence and multimodal reasoning.</li></ul> 5. Safety Measures<ul><li>Built-in safety features help filter out undesirable content.</li><li>The model uses reinforcement learning with human feedback (RLHF) to align with OpenAI's safety policies.</li></ul> 6. Availability<ul><li>GPT-4o mini is available through the Assistants API, Chat Completions API, and Batch API.</li><li>It is accessible to ChatGPT Free, Plus, and Team users, replacing GPT-3.5.</li></ul> 7. Future Developments<ul><li>OpenAI plans to continue enhancing model capabilities while further reducing costs, aiming for seamless integration of AI into applications and websites.</li></ul> This launch marks a significant advancement in making powerful AI models more accessible and affordable for developers and users. Read more: <a href="https://openai.com/index/gpt-4o-mini-advancing-cost-efficient-intelligence" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://openai.com/index/gpt-4o-mini-advancing-cost-efficient-intelligence/</a>

GPT-4o mini launched, cheaper access for startups and small businesses

At Newnex, we have compiled a list of essential startup events to help you plan effectively: February<ul><li><a href="https://www.4yfn.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">4YFN - MWC</a>: Barcelona, Spain (26-29 Feb)</li></ul> March<ul><li><a href="https://hello-tomorrow.org/global-summit/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hello Tomorrow Global Summit</a>: Paris, France (21-22 Mar)</li></ul> May<ul><li><a href="https://www.eu-startups.com/eu-startups-summit-2024/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EU Startup Summit</a>: Malta (9-10 May)</li><li><a href="https://tech.eu/event/2024/summit-london/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tech EU Summit</a>: London, UK (16-17 May)</li><li><a href="https://www.gitex-europe.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GITEX Europe</a>: Berlin, Germany (21-23 May)</li><li><a href="https://latitude59.ee/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Latitude 59</a>: Tallinn, Estonia (22-24 May)</li><li><a href="https://vivatechnology.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Viva Tech</a>: Paris, France (23-24 May)</li></ul> June<ul><li><a href="https://viennaup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vienna Startup Festival</a>: Vienna, Austria (3-9 Jun)</li><li><a href="https://www.southsummit.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">South Summit</a>: Madrid, Spain (5-7 Jun)</li><li><a href="https://londontechweek.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">London Tech Week</a>: London, UK (10-14 Jun)</li><li><a href="https://thenextweb.com/conference" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TNW Conference</a>: Amsterdam, Netherlands (20-21 Jun)</li></ul> September<ul><li><a href="https://techbbq.dk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TECHBBQ</a>: Copenhagen, Denmark (11-12 Sep)</li></ul> November<ul><li><a href="https://websummit.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Web Summit:</a> Lisbon, Portugal (11-14 Nov)</li><li><a href="https://slush.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Slush</a>: Helsinki, Finland (20-21 Nov)</li></ul> Contact: <a href="mailto:events@newnex.io" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">events@newnex.io</a> to be included in the list.

Startup Events to attend in Europe, Asia and the US in 2024

The European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) is a comprehensive regulation designed to ensure the ethical and safe development and use of AI technologies across the EU. The AI Act is now published by the EU. Here is a summary of its key points and practical information: Objectives and Scope<ol><li>Ensuring Trustworthy AI: The primary goal of the AI Act is to foster the development and use of AI systems that are safe, transparent, and respectful of fundamental rights. It aims to create a regulatory framework that balances innovation with the protection of public interests and fundamental rights.</li><li>Risk-Based Approach: The AI Act categorizes AI systems into different risk levels:</li></ol><ul><li class="ql-indent-1">Unacceptable Risk: Practices that pose a clear threat to safety, livelihoods, and rights are banned. These include social scoring by governments and certain uses of real-time biometric identification.</li><li class="ql-indent-1">High Risk: AI systems that significantly impact people's lives (e.g., those used in critical infrastructure, employment, and law enforcement) are subject to strict requirements. These include robust risk management systems, high-quality data sets, and detailed documentation.</li><li class="ql-indent-1">Limited and Minimal Risk: These AI systems have fewer requirements but must still adhere to transparency obligations, such as informing users they are interacting with AI.</li></ul> <ol><li>Conformity Assessments: High-risk AI systems must undergo rigorous conformity assessments before being marketed. This ensures they meet the necessary standards for safety and performance.</li><li>National Authorities and European Artificial Intelligence Board: Each EU member state will appoint national authorities to oversee the implementation and enforcement of the AI Act. The European Artificial Intelligence Board will coordinate these efforts to ensure consistency across the EU.</li></ol>Supporting Innovation<ol><li>Regulatory Sandboxes: To encourage innovation, the AI Act includes provisions for regulatory sandboxes, allowing developers to test AI systems in a controlled environment under regulatory supervision.</li><li>Support for SMEs: Recognizing the challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the AI Act provides measures to support their compliance, such as reduced fees for conformity assessments.</li></ol> Fundamental Rights and Ethical Considerations<ol><li>Protection of Fundamental Rights: The AI Act is designed to safeguard fundamental rights, including privacy, non-discrimination, and the right to a fair trial. It ensures that AI systems are developed and used in ways that do not infringe on these rights.</li><li>Ethical AI Development: The Act promotes the development of AI technologies that contribute positively to society and the environment. It encourages the use of AI to enhance human well-being and societal good.</li></ol> Practical Implications<ol><li>Compliance Costs: For businesses and public authorities developing or using high-risk AI systems, compliance costs are estimated between €6,000 and €7,000 per system, with additional annual costs for human oversight ranging from €5,000 to €8,000. Verification costs could add another €3,000 to €7,500.</li><li>Transparency and Accountability: AI systems interacting with humans, such as chatbots, must clearly inform users they are interacting with AI. Systems generating deep fakes must disclose their artificial nature.</li></ol> Legal Basis and Harmonization<ol><li>Legal Framework: The AI Act is based on Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), ensuring the establishment and functioning of the internal market by harmonizing rules for AI systems.</li><li>Avoiding Fragmentation: By setting harmonized rules, the AI Act aims to prevent the fragmentation of the internal market, ensuring legal certainty and a level playing field for AI developers and users across the EU.</li></ol> The AI Act sets a global standard for AI governance, promoting innovation while safeguarding ethical standards and public trust. It ensures that AI technologies are developed and used in ways that are safe, transparent, and respectful of fundamental rights, fostering a trustworthy AI ecosystem within the EU. Visit the official document on <a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=OJ:L_202401689" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EUR-Lex</a><a href="https://www.deloitte.com/lu/en/Industries/investment-management/perspectives/eu-ai-act-is-finally-here-requirements-overview.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Deloitte summary</a> #ArtificialIntelligence #EU #AI #Regulation

EU's AI Act Explained 

Newnex tracks European startup funding in the past month. We tracked $2 billion of capital raise, however the interesting bit, $1.5 billion taken-up by the top-5 startups including Mistral AI ($660m), Black Semiconductor ($279 million including $248 million grants), Volocopter ($220 million), H ($220 million) and CLoover ($125 million). AI Startups: 1. H (France): Raised $220M seed round to build foundational models, competing with Mistral AI and OpenAI.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Accel (lead), Amazon, UiPath, Eurazeo, Elaia Partners, BpiFrance, Aglaé Ventures, Eric Schmidt, Xavier Niel, FirstMark, Creandum. 2. Mistral AI (France): Raised €600M at €5.8B valuation.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: General Catalyst (lead), Lightspeed, Andreessen Horowitz, Bpifrance, BNP Paribas. 3. Cube AI (France): Raised $2.5M in pre-seed funding to automate back-office tasks in logistics.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: VentureFriends (lead), Eric Schmidt, Xavier Niel, K5 Global, Rodolphe Saadé, Olivier Pomel, Florian Douetteau. 4. Human Native AI (UK): Raised £2.8M seed funding for legal and ethical data for training large language models.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: LocalGlobe (lead), Mercuri. 5. Omi (France): Raised €13M in Series A funding for AI-powered visual generation.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Dawn Capital (lead). 6. Zeliq (France): Raised €9.2M seed round for AI sales solutions.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Exor Ventures (lead), Resonance VC. 7. Plancraft (Germany): Raised €12M Series A funding for AI-based video creation solutions.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Creandum (lead). 8. mika (Germany): Raised €800K in pre-seed funding for generative AI for automated accounting.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Samen Slimmer (lead). 9. StoryBox (Germany): Raised €5.5M in Series A funding for AI-based video creation.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Wille Finance (lead), BayBG, High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), CK Ventures, G8 Way Ventures. 10. NcodiN (France): Raised €3.5M for optical interposer technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Elaia, Earlybird Venture Capital, OVNI Capital. 11. Iris.ai (France): Raised €7.64M to enhance its AI engine for scientific research.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Silverline Capital (lead), European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator Fund. Cybersecurity: 1. <a href="https://www.onsecurity.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">OnSecurity</a> (UK): Raised £5.5M to develop software for testing vulnerable computer systems.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Gresham House Ventures (lead). Health and Wellness: 1. Voda (UK): Raised £270K pre-seed funding for LGBTQIA+ mental health services.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Freiraum Ventures (lead), Lightbulb Trust, ULTRA VC. 2. Amber Therapeutics (UK): Raised $100M (£78M) in Series A funding for medical technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: New Enterprise Associates (lead), F-Prime Capital, Lightstone Ventures, Intuitive Ventures, Oxford Science Enterprises, 8VC. 3. Natural Cycles (Sweden): Raised $55M in Series C funding for the first contraceptive app.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Lauxera Capital Partners (lead), Point72 Private Investments, J.P. Morgan (debt facility). 4. CARÁ Health (Estonia): Raised €620K early seed funding for maternity health and wellness.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Tera Ventures (lead), Startup Istanbul founder Burak Büyükdemir via StartupIst Ventures. Tech &amp; SaaS: 1. Ittybit (UK): Raised £1.5M for software simplifying large file uploads.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Mercuri (lead), Sure Valley Ventures, Oxford Capital, Baltic Ventures. 2. Slip (UK): Raised €2.9M seed funding for software solutions.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Adjuvo (lead), Haatch Ventures, Unbundled VC, Side by Side Partnership, angels Dan Elton, Julian Burnett. 3. StructureFlow (UK): Raised £4.7M Series A funding for visual modeling of corporate data.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Not specified. 4. Swiipr (UK): Raised £6M (€7M) in Series A funding for travel paytech.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Octopus Ventures (lead), TX Ventures, Solano Partners. 5. Vizcab (France): Extended Series A funding to €9M for LCA software for construction.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: KOMPAS VC (lead), Global Brain, Brick and Mortar Ventures. 6. Zefi.ai (Italy): Raised €1.6M in pre-seed funding for AI analyzing company interactions.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: 360 Capital (lead), 14Peaks Capital, B-Heroes, BIT, Secways, Aticco Ventures, Growth Engine, Vento, Exor Ventures, Halo. 7. Banktrack (Spain): Raised €2M seed round for treasury management software.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Kfund, 4 Founders Capital, LifeX, ENISA. 8. Resilience (France): Raised $25M for patient remote monitoring.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Picus Capital (lead), Red River West, existing investors. 9. Faircado (Germany): Raised €3M pre-seed funding for AI-powered second-hand shopping.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: World Fund (lead), Accel, General Catalyst, Lightspeed Venture Partners, NEA, Northzone. 10. Restate (Germany): Raised $7M seed funding for distributed applications.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Not specified. 11. Claimlane (Denmark): Raised €1.8M seed funding for returns and claims management.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Vendep Capital. 12. Rows (Germany): Raised €8M for cloud platform-based spreadsheet app.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Indico Capital Partners (lead), Cherry Ventures, Accel, Lakestar, Armilar Venture Partners. Energy &amp; Mobility: 1. Fuuse (UK): Raised £8.7M for EV charge point management.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: YFM Equity Partners (lead), Par Equity, angel investors. 2. Gireve (France): Raised €20M for European EV charging expansion.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Partech. 3. Qargo (Belgium): Raised £11M ($14M) Series A for digitizing and decarbonizing trucking.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Balderton Capital. 4. Volocopter (Germany): Raised €200M Series D for air taxi certification.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Avala Capital, Atlantia, Continental, NTT, Tokyo Century. 5. Cloover (Germany): Raised $114M seed funding for renewable energy platform.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Lowercarbon Capital (lead), 9900 Capital, QED. 6. Delta Green (Czech Republic): Raised €2.2M for grid balancing with renewables.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Tilia Impact Ventures (lead), Credo Ventures, Purple Ventures. Quantum Computing &amp; Advanced Tech: 1. C12 (France): Raised €18M ($19.4M) for quantum computing.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Varsity Capital, EIC Fund, Verve Ventures, 360 Capital, Bpifrance’s Digital Venture fund, BNP Paribas Développement. 2. Q*Bird (Netherlands): Raised €2.5M for quantum security technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: QDNL Participations, Cottonwood Technology Fund, InnovationQuarter. 3. Black Semiconductor (Germany): Raised €254M for graphene-based chip technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Porsche Ventures, Project A Ventures, Scania Growth, Capnamic, TechVision Fonds, German Ministry of Economic Affairs, North Rhine-Westphalia. 4. NcodiN (France): Raised €3.5M for optical interposer technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Elaia, Earlybird Venture Capital, OVNI Capital. 5. Neural Concept (Switzerland): Raised $27M Series B to apply AI for design optimization.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Forestay Capital (lead), D.E. Shaw group, Alven, Constantia New Business, HTGF, Aster Group. Others: 1. Uprent (Netherlands): Raised €200K pre-seed funding to transform the rental search process with AI.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Not specified. 2. THIS (UK): Raised £20M Series C for plant-based meat alternatives.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Planet First Partners. 3. Qargo (Belgium): Raised £11M ($14M) Series A for digitizing and decarbonizing trucking.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Balderton Capital. 4. Rohlik (Czech Republic): Raised €100M ($118M) for online grocery delivery expansion.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: Index Ventures (lead). 5. Karri (Estonia): Raised £775K pre-seed funding for smart walkie-talkies for kids.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Investors: 468 Capital.---Connect with the global VCs and LPs and privately syndicate and co-invest in venture capital at scale <a href="http://www.newnex.io" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.newnex.io</a>

European Startups Raise $2 Billion, with Top 5 Securing $1.5 Billion

Newnex Venture Insights: Trends, Fundings & Investments

Newnex Venture Insights' roundup of venture capital trends delving into the latest disruptive technologies, investments, and thought-provoking discussions shaping the entrepreneurial landscape. Top Stories <a href="https://www.newnex.io/feed/520" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">AI Revolution Unveiled</a>: Discover how ChatGPT 4o is reshaping the AI landscape and challenging industry giants. <a href="https://www.newnex.io/feed/519" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Navigating Uncertainty</a>: Gain insights from Bain &amp; Company's India Venture Capital Report 2024, illuminating strategies amidst market turbulence. <a href="https://www.newnex.io/feed/512" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The 'Eat What You Kill' Debate</a>: Join Wall Street's discourse on financial incentives and their implications for market dynamics. Featured Stories <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2023-wall-street-speeds-california-groundwater-depletion/?srnd=homepage-uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wall Street's Water Crisis</a>: Investigate the role of financial investors in California's water sustainability, probing the impact on farmland and groundwater reserves. <a href="https://www.newnex.io/feed/506" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">PremjiInvest's Tech Odyssey</a>: Discover how PremjiInvest is bolstering AI investments and harnessing technological advancements for future growth. <a href="https://www.newnex.io/feed/500" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Climate Warriors:</a> Journey with Startup Vaulted Deep securing a $58.3 million deal to combat climate change through underground waste sequestration. Spotlight on Ethics and Innovation <a href="https://www.newnex.io/feed/499" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">AI Avatars and Ethical Quandaries</a>: Explore the ethical implications raised by Reid Hoffman's AI avatar experiment, sparking crucial conversations about technology and humanity. <a href="https://www.newnex.io/feed/497" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Navigating AI Regulation</a>: Gain insights from business leaders and experts as they navigate the complex terrain of AI regulation. Europe's $2.98 billion startup funding Glaut: An Italian startup scaling qualitative research secured $1.4million funding. Investors included Italian Founders Fund, Brainstorm Ventures, Alecla7, Ithaca, BHeroes, Club degli Investitori, Eden Ventures, Delirus Capital, David Clarke, and Pietro Cesati. Carbonfact: A French startup specializing in carbon footprint measurement tools secured $15 million in funding for further development. Investors included Alven, Headline, and Y Combinator. CroBio: An agtech startup based in Cheshire, aiming to revolutionize agriculture through advanced microbial solutions. Investors in its seed round included The Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, SOSV, Ponderosa Ventures, and Catapult Ventures Group. Vivalyx: A biotech company focused on developing a preservation liquid for organ viability in transplantation raised €5.4 million in seed funding. Investors included Luc Starmans, Bernhard Kugel, Arve Capital, Ashok Rao, and numerous distinguished angel investors. Nusku: A climate technology company headquartered in Bristol secured £1 million in funding for its sustainability efforts, backed by the UK government. Urban Jungle: An insurtech startup raised £11.2 million to revolutionize insurance services with its innovative solutions. Investors included Intact Ventures, Ingka Investments, Mundi Ventures, Eka Ventures, Sony Innovation Fund, and Rob Devey. Birdwingo: A fintech firm based in Prague secured €1.2 million in funding for its financial services platform. Investors included Bienville Capital, company founders, and bank executives. Tuza: A payment processing startup for SMBs, formerly known as Statement, raised £4 million in seed funding. Investors included Connect Ventures, Northzone, Triple Point, and Entrepreneur First. SumUp: A London-based fintech company secured €1.5 billion for its payment solutions from private credit lenders. Investors included Goldman Sachs, AllianceBernstein, Apollo Global Management, Arini, Deutsche Bank AG, Fortress Investment Group, SilverRock Financial Services, Vista Credit Partners, BlackRock, Crestline Investors, Liquidity Capital, Oaktree Capital Management, Sentinel Dome, and Temasek. Made With Intent: A Manchester-based company enhancing e-commerce experiences secured £1.5 million for its personalized shopping platform, with investors including Mercuri, Portfolio Ventures, and Haatch. Ikerian AG: A Swiss developer of healthcare workflow solutions raised $6.18 million in Series A extension funding. Investors included Topcon Healthcare, Inc., Zürcher Kantonalbank, btov Industrial Technologies, Verve Ventures, and private investors. VoltR: A French startup specializing in the second life of lithium batteries secured €4 million in funding from investors including C4 Ventures, Exergon, Pays de la Loire Participations, Anjou Amorçage, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Wayve: A UK-based startup pioneering self-learning approaches for autonomous driving secured $1.05 billion in Series C funding. Investors included SoftBank Group, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Yann LeCun. Stonal: A real estate data management platform secured a strategic investment of up to €100 million from Aareon. CoreWeave: A cloud infrastructure firm for AI secured $1.1 billion in Series C funding from investors including Coatue, Magnetar, Altimeter Capital, Fidelity Management &amp; Research Company, and Lykos Global Management. Futura: An AI education company based in Milan raised €14 million in Series A funding for its educational platform, with investors including Eurazeo, United Ventures, and Axon Partners Group. SLAM Orthopedic: A Dutch startup focused on advanced sensor systems for surgical applications raised €2 million in seed funding from investors including Rising Star Venture Partners, individual investors, and Zeeuws Participatiefonds. everyone energy: A Berlin-based greentech startup secured a seven-figure seed financing round for undisclosed purposes, with investment from High-Tech Gründerfonds and neoteq ventures. Eleos: An insurtech startup secured €3.75 million in a Seed round for its insurance management solutions, with investment from Fuel Ventures and Indico Capital. Insempra: A German biotech firm secured $20 million in Series A financing for its innovative solutions, with investment from EQT Ventures, BlueYard Capital, Possible Ventures, Henkel dx Ventures, Bayern Kapital, and Alante Capital. Cetasol: A Swedish company specializing in maritime sustainability secured €2 million in seed funding from investors including Sarsia, ShipsFocus, and Impact X Capital. Phished: A cybersecurity startup headquartered in Belgium received an additional €7.5 million via a convertible bond from Flemish investment fund Welvaartsfonds. mimic: A Swiss startup challenging US firms in robotics secured a pre-seed round of €2.3 million from investors including Founderful, another.vc, Tiny.vc, and specialized angel investors. Kubos Semiconductor: A UK-based semiconductor firm secured $2 million in funding for its semiconductor solutions from investors including Martin Lamb, Drew Nelson, Geoff Haynes, Development Bank of Wales, FOV Ventures, and S4C Digital Media Limited. Magic Lane: A mapping and location platform secured €3 million for navigation purposes from investor No Such Ventures. 2i: An Edinburgh-based company specializing in testing and quality assurance secured eight-figure funding from Rockpool Investments. Sesame: A Valencia-based startup secured €23 million in fresh funding for its human resources management solutions, with investment from GP Bullhound funds and PSG. Nivoda: A London-based online jewelry marketplace secured $30 million in its Series B funding round from investors including Avenir Growth Capital, Headline, Abstract Ventures, and Canaan Ventures. India's $449 million startup funding Niqo Robotics: Agritech robotics firm Niqo Robotics, previously known as TartanSense, has raised $9 million in a new funding round. Brida Innovation Ventures led the round, with existing investor Omnivore Partners also participating in the funding. Charge Zone: The electric vehicle (EV) charging network Charge Zone has secured a $19 million commitment from British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution (DFI) and impact investor. DaMENSCH: D2C men’s lifestyle brand DaMENSCH has secured $2.5 million in its extended Series B round from existing investors. Notably, Matrix Partners, Saama Capital, Whiteboard Capital, and A91 Emerging Fund continued their participation in the round. TalkEsport: Mumbai-based esports media platform TalkEsport has recently concluded its pre-Series A funding round, securing $1 million from Saswat Ventures. Dexif: fintech startup, has recently secured $4 million in seed funding, with RTP Global leading the investment round. GO DESi: a startup in the packaged foods sector headquartered in Bengaluru, revealed that it secured $4.9 million in equity investment from Aavishkaar Capital. Poshn: a full-stack foodtech supply chain startup, has announced raising $4 million in equity and $2 million in debt in its pre-Series A funding round. The investment was led by existing investors Prime Venture Partners and Zephyr Peacock India. Knit: SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) startup Knit has announced securing funding of USD 1 million from Endiya Partners, Axilor Ventures, and angel investors. Other investors include JITO Incubation and Innovation Foundation (JIIF), We Founder Circle, Prataap Snacks, Apricot Foods, Workie, and IVY League Ventures. Superplum: Agritech startup Superplum has successfully raised $15 million in its Series A financing round, led by Erik Ragatz, former partner and current senior advisor of private equity firm Hellman &amp; Friedman. Ragatz joins a group of Superplum’s current investors, including Mark Siegel, Dan Rose, Steve Jurvetson, Rick Kimball, Binny Bansal, and Kabir Misra. BharatRohan: a startup specializing in drone-based hyperspectral remote sensing, has secured $2.3 million in funding from investors including Villgro Innovation Foundation, Caspian, RevX, Venture Garage, and other ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Parseable: a cloud-native log analytics platform, has successfully raised $2.75 million in a seed funding round. The round was led by Surge, the venture capital firm Peak XV's scale-up program for early-stage startups, with participation from Amsterdam-based venture capital fund NP-Hard Ventures. Atlan: Data and AI governance company Atlan has secured $105 million in its Series C funding round. The round was led by GIC, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, and Meritech Capital. Additionally, existing investors Salesforce Ventures and Peak XV Partners participated in the round. Treacle: a cybersecurity startup, has secured ₹4 crore in a pre-seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures. The company plans to utilize the funds for enhancing technical and business developments, marketing and office expenses, partnerships, and expansion in the Indian market. Meesho: Social commerce platform Meesho has raised $275 million in funding as part of an ongoing round. The investment comes from existing investors such as SoftBank, Prosus, Elevation Capital, and Peak XV Partners. Plotline: headquartered in San Francisco and Bengaluru, is instrumental in facilitating consumer app companies to swiftly and seamlessly customize their applications. Recently, the company secured $2.6 million in funding from Elevation Capital.----- <a href="https://newnex.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Newnex - the Global VC Co-Investor Platform</a> - join the global institutional VCs worldwide and co-invest in current and future rounds privately. Free and invite-only.

Newnex's roundup of venture capital and growth-equity insights, fundraisings and investments.

Mastering liquidation preference is crucial for entrepreneurs seeking investment. It safeguards investors' interests, ensuring a fair return in a sale or liquidation. Yet, understanding the nuances between participating and non-participating preferred stock is pivotal, as each carries distinct implications for investor compensation. While a company may boast a unicorn valuation and headline-grabbing exit figures, the reality can be starkly different. In some cases, even with a sale price of $2 billion, founders and early investors may walk away with zero returns. Let's understand how that could be possible. Founder Shares vs. Preference Shares: Founder Shares:Founder shares, usually common shares, are positioned at the bottom of the priority list in terms of receiving proceeds. In a liquidation event, common shareholders are entitled to the remaining proceeds after all preference shareholders have been compensated. Preference Shares:Preference shares are held by investors, typically from the latest funding round, and have the top priority in receiving proceeds. For instance, if the last funding round was Series E, Series E investors are first in line to receive their proceeds upon a company's liquidation. Liquidation Preference: Understanding liquidation preference is crucial for investors and entrepreneurs as it determines: - Whether they will recoup their initial investment.- Whether they stand to make a profit on their investment. Liquidation preference outlines the order in which shareholders are paid out during a company's liquidation, ensuring that preference shareholders are compensated before common shareholders. Non-Participating Preferred Shares: With non-participating preferred shares, investors have the option to choose between receiving either their liquidation preference amount or their share of the remaining proceeds, whichever is greater, but not both. If the liquidation proceeds are sufficient to cover the investors' liquidation preference, they will opt to take that amount and forego any further participation in the distribution of remaining proceeds. However, if the liquidation proceeds exceed the liquidation preference, investors may convert their preferred shares into common shares and receive their proportionate share of the remaining proceeds alongside common shareholders. Example: Let's say Investor A invested $1 million and owns 40% of the company with a 1x non-participating liquidation preference. If the company is sold for $5 million, Investor A can choose to either: - Take their $1 million back (their liquidation preference), leaving $4 million to be distributed among other stakeholders.- Opt to convert their preferred shares to common shares and receive their proportional share (40%) of the remaining proceeds alongside common shareholders. Participating Preferred Stock: Participating preferred stock entitles investors to both their liquidation preference and their share of the remaining proceeds, even if that results in receiving more than the liquidation preference amount. This feature allows investors to potentially achieve a higher return on their investment, particularly if the company is sold at a valuation significantly above the initial investment amount. Example: Now, consider the same scenario with Investor B, who invested $1 million and owns 40% of the same company but with a 1x participating liquidation preference. If the company is sold for $5 million: - Investor B first receives their $1 million liquidation preference.- Then, they further participate in the distribution of the remaining proceeds alongside common shareholders, based on their ownership percentage. IPO Exit: Understanding the Dynamics An Initial Public Offering (IPO) represents a significant liquidity event for a company, but it differs substantially from other forms of liquidation events, such as a company sale. The key distinction lies in the treatment of shareholdings and the timing of liquidity for investors. Conversion to Common Shares:Before a company goes public and its shares are listed on the stock market, all existing share classes, including preference shares held by investors, are typically converted into common shares. This conversion equalizes the footing between founders and investors, as all shareholders hold common shares. Lock-Up Period:However, one critical aspect of IPOs is the lock-up period. After the IPO, shareholders, including founders and pre-IPO investors, are typically subject to a lock-up period, usually lasting around six months. During this time, they are prohibited from selling their shares in the public markets. Importance of Post-Lock-Up Price:As a result, the immediate "pop" in share price on the first day of trading following the IPO matters less to founders and pre-IPO investors. What becomes more significant is the price of the stock once the lock-up period expires. After the six-month lock-up period, shareholders are free to sell their shares in the public markets, and the stock's performance during this period becomes crucial. Understanding the nuances of liquidation preference, including the distinction between participating and non-participating preferred stock, is essential for all parties involved in venture capital transactions. It shapes the distribution of proceeds in a liquidation event and influences the dynamics of investor-founder relationships. By comprehensively grasping these concepts, stakeholders can navigate venture capital deals with clarity and confidence.

Mastering Liquidation Preference: Key Considerations for Entrepreneurs and Investors

European and Indian Startups Fundraising News

European Startups funded recently - Newnex Fortnight

12 March 2024 We are delighted to bring the Newnex Fortnight India fundraising tracker for the thriving Indian venture capital ecosystem, produced in partnership with the <a href="https://www.startupeuropeindia.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: windowtext;">Startup Europe India Network</a>. In the past two weeks, Newnex Co-Investor Network has counted a total of over $340+ million in fundraising and deal-making activities in India. <a href="https://mokobara.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mokobara</a>, the direct-to-consumer (D2C) luggage brand, has secured $12 million in its Series B funding round. Peak XV Partners, formerly known as Sequoia Capital India, led the funding, with participation from existing investors Sauce VC and Saama Capital.&nbsp;<a href="https://shadowfax.in/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shadowfax</a>, a leading logistics service provider catering to hyper-local and on-demand delivery businesses in India, has successfully raised $100 million in a recent funding round. TPG NewQuest took the lead in Shadowfax's Series E financing round, incorporating some secondary transactions. Notable existing supporters such as Flipkart, Mirae Asset Venture Investments, IFC, Nokia Growth Partners, Qualcomm, Eight Roads Ventures, and Trifecta Capital also joined in the latest funding initiative.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mswipe.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mswipe Technologies</a> has concluded a $20 million growth equity round, with Alpha Wave Global leading the investment and the involvement of existing investors. Having recently obtained a payment aggregator (PA) license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the digital payments company has amassed over $125 million in funding from prominent investors like Matrix Partners, B Capital, DSG Consumer Partners, Epiq Capital, UC-RNT, and Ola. The newly secured funds will play a crucial role in Mswipe's plans to enhance its merchant payment network, as well as bolster product development and technological infrastructure.&nbsp;<a href="https://digantara.co.in/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Digantara</a>, a startup in the space technology sector, has secured $1.88 million in additional funding as part of an extended Series A round. The funding was led by Naman Finance And Investment Private Limited (NFAI), with participation from SIDBI Venture Capital.&nbsp;<a href="https://intrcity.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IntrCity</a>, the mobility platform that operates SmartBus and RailYatri, has secured an additional around $4.5 million in its Series C funding round. Mirabilis Investment Trust led this investment round, and it included contributions from existing investors such as Nandan Nilekani's family trust, Omidyar Network India, and Ujamaa Ventures based in the United States. The funds raised will be utilized by IntrCity to improve its product offerings, expand user acquisition efforts, and further develop services along its hub routes to cater to its expanding travellers base.&nbsp;<a href="https://zvolv.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zvolv</a>, a prominent global hyper-automation company operating in India, the US, MEA, Australia, and New Zealand, has successfully raised ₹16 crore in funding. The funding round was led by Silverneedle Ventures, with participation from existing investors including JSW Ventures and others. Zvolv intends to utilize the newly acquired funds to expand and reinforce its extensive LCNC (Low Code No Code) Hyper-automation capabilities. The focus will involve integrating a trust-based generative AI layer into the next generation of enterprise AI applications.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.credable.in/get-in-touch" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CredAble</a>, a fintech startup, has secured $10 million in a recent funding round from Equentia Natural Resources, based in Singapore.&nbsp;<a href="https://ei.study/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Educational Initiatives (Ei)</a>, an education software company, has successfully raised approximately $20 million in a secondary funding round from the HCL Group. Additionally, as part of the transaction, the IT company will acquire a minority stake in the Bengaluru-based Educational Initiatives from the private equity firm Gaja Capital.&nbsp;<a href="https://exlyapp.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Exly</a>, formerly known as MyScoot and a provider of business tools, has secured $6.2 million in a new funding round led by Chiratae Ventures. The round also saw participation from existing investors Mayfield India and Venture Highway. Exly's suite of offerings encompasses course builders, appointment schedulers, a marketing suite, as well as customer relationship management (CRM) and lead capturing conversion tools tailored for creators and solo-entrepreneurs.&nbsp;<a href="https://cardiotrack.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cardiotrack</a>, a company specializing in data-centric healthcare screening technology and services delivered through health and life insurance providers, has successfully raised $2 million in a pre-series-A funding round. The funding was led by Girish Narasimhan and co-investor Y S Shashidhar. Notably, Cardiotrack had previously secured an angel investment of $1.6 million from a group of Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNIs).&nbsp;AI startup <a href="https://dubpro.ai/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dubpro.ai</a> has secured $500,000 in its seed funding round, with Venture Catalysts leading the investment. Other participants in the round include Anicut Capital, 9Unicorns, JJFO, and FirstCheque.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.zactortech.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zactor Tech</a>, a brand specializing in financial wellness and literacy, has successfully raised an undisclosed amount in its pre-seed funding round. The funding, co-led by High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs), places the company's valuation at $3 million. The raised funds are earmarked for product development, user acquisition, and initiatives related to financial literacy.&nbsp;Proptech firm <a href="https://www.bandhoo.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bandhoo</a> has secured $0.9 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Venture Catalysts. The funding round also saw participation from Neeraj Aggarwal, Manish Gupta, S Srinivasan, Amit Khera, and Abhishek Kumar. Notably, Bandhoo had previously raised $1.5 million in its seed round in June 2021, with contributions from Unitus, InfoEdge Ventures, and Bharat Innovation Fund. Generative AI startup <a href="https://ema.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ema</a> has successfully raised $25 million in its inaugural funding round. The round was led by Accel, Section 32, and Prosus Ventures. Additional participants include Wipro Ventures, Venture Highway, AME Cloud Ventures, Frontier Ventures, Maum Group, and Firebolt Ventures. Noteworthy high-profile angels who joined the round comprise Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg, Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang, and Snowflake chief executive Sridhar Ramaswamy.&nbsp;Identity verification startup <a href="https://idfy.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IDfy</a> has secured $27 million in a combination of primary and secondary fundraising. Elev8, KB Investment, and Tenacity Ventures are among the contributors to this funding round.&nbsp;<a href="https://louisa.ai/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Louisa AI</a>, an AI-powered platform, has raised $5 million in seed funding to further develop its technology focused on systematizing "serendipity" in professional settings. Born from a concept at Goldman Sachs in 2018, Louisa AI utilizes network effects to facilitate business connections for sales and deal-making. The seed funding round garnered support from various investors, including Oxford University’s investment arms, early-stage venture capitalists such as Palm Drive VC, Evolution VC, Nucleus VC, Gaingels, and former Goldman Sachs partners, colleagues, clients, friends, and family offices.&nbsp;Social media startup <a href="https://join.hunch.in/43MnmhO" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hunch</a> has successfully raised $23 million in a Series A funding round. The round was led by Alpha Wave and Hashed Emergent, based in South Korea.&nbsp;Edtech start-up <a href="https://www.mycaptain.in/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MyCaptain</a> has secured ₹14 crore in funding from investors including Inflection Point Ventures, MyNavi, Piper Serica, Super Capital, and Ankur Capital. The company aims to expand its hybrid programs into various cities, establishing over four regional sales centres. Additionally, MyCaptain is planning to introduce new programs with a target of reaching a portfolio milestone of approximately 50 beginner courses and five placement readiness programs.&nbsp;Contract manufacturing startup <a href="http://www.zetwerk.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zetwerk</a> has secured $20 million in fresh investments from venture debt and private equity firm Wheelhouse Venture Capital. Notably, Rakesh Gangwal, the co-founder of Indigo Airlines, made the investment through the venture firm, Zetwerk.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theayurvedaexperience.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Ayurveda Experience (TAE)</a>, a direct-to-consumer company specializing in Ayurvedic beauty and health products, has raised $27 million in a funding round led by Singapore-based venture investment firm Jungle Ventures. The round also witnessed the participation of investors such as SIDBI Ventures, Anicut Capital, and Sharrp Ventures (a part of the Mariwala Family Office associated with consumer goods major Marico). In this funding, approximately $15 million was allocated as primary funding for the company, while the remaining funds were directed towards secondary share sales by existing shareholders.&nbsp;Direct-to-consumer (D2C) skincare firm <a href="https://foxtale.in/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Foxtale</a> Consumer has secured approximately $14 million in fresh equity funding. The funding round was led by Singapore-based Panthera Growth Partners, with participation from the company's existing investors, Matrix Partners India, and Kae Capital.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.planetspark.in/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">PlanetSpark</a>, an edtech platform based in Gurugram, has secured $17 million in an extended Series B funding round led by Prime Venture Partners through Seabright. Other participants in the round include InnoVen Capital, Alteria Capital, myPat, GGT3 Ventures, Ashish Gupta, and IAN Investors. The company's co-founders, Maneesh Dhooper and Kunal Malik, also made investments.&nbsp; <a href="https://abcoffee.in/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">abCoffee</a>, a speciality coffee company with tech-enabled grab-and-go services, has successfully raised $3.4 million in its Series A funding round. Nexus Venture Partners led the investment, with additional participation from Tanglin Venture Partners, the company's existing investor. This funding follows a $2 million seed funding round secured in September of the previous year, with contributions from Tanglin, 100X VC, Panthera Peak, OTP Venture Partners, and various angel investors.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bummer.in/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bummer</a>, a direct-to-consumer apparel company, has secured Rs 9.25 crore in a funding round, with leading participation from Gruhas' Collective Consumer Fund, backed by Nikhil Kamath. Fluid Ventures, a D2C-focused venture firm and an existing investor in Bummer, also took part in this funding round. The investment, made through fresh shares, will be entirely allocated to the company's growth and development.&nbsp;---&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newnex.io/discussions" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join Newnex - the global LP, VC and startup co-investor Network and Platform. </a>Bring together co-investors at scale.&nbsp;The future is digital: go beyond your immediate network and get your investments and fundraisings closed rapidly.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.startupeuropeindia.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join Startup Europe India Network:</a> Are you a startup, investor, corporate, expert active in Europe and India Tech or Climate? Join Startup Europe India Network to connect, engage and collaborate&nbsp;with the fast-growing Indian ecosystem&nbsp;<a href="http://www.startupeuropeindia.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.startupeuropeindia.net</a>