20VC: Turning $16.5M into $2.1BN; Lessons from the Greatest Venture Investment in European History: UiPath | Why VC is Not Being Commoditised | Why Price Does Not Matter | Lessons on Loss Ratio, Selling and Signalling with Cem Sertoglu
Nov 20, 2024
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Cem Sertoglu, a prominent venture investor known for turning a $16.5 million investment in UiPath into an astounding $2.1 billion return, shares his insights on the venture capital landscape. He discusses why he believes VC hasn't been commoditized and the importance of founder relationships. Cem reflects on crucial lessons from his UiPath journey, including reserve management and the significance of selective investment. He addresses common misconceptions, advising founders on how to choose the right VC and why price may not be the most critical factor.
Cem Sertoglu highlights the extraordinary ROI of turning $16.5 million into $2.1 billion through strategic investments in UiPath.
The podcast emphasizes the critical importance of selecting the right founders over product traction in early-stage startup investments.
Cem discusses the current commoditization of venture capital, urging firms to maintain a founder-focused strategy to differentiate themselves.
Deep dives
Exceptional Investment Returns
One of the most striking aspects discussed is the incredible return on investment achieved by the venture firm, turning $16.5 million into $2.1 billion, primarily driven by the growth of UiPath. The firm has reported a twenty-time multiple on invested capital, showcasing the extraordinary financial success of their first fund, where approximately 85% of the proceeds came from UiPath. The rapid rise of UiPath is highlighted, noting its historic growth from a million to a hundred million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) in a mere 21 months. This emphasizes both the potential and the importance of seizing opportunities in the venture capital landscape.
Transition from Founder to Investor
Jem Satoglu’s journey from being a founder to a successful venture capitalist is intricately detailed, emphasizing how his background shapes his investment strategies. After facing initial challenges in starting his first tech company, he recognized the significant funding gaps for startups in Eastern Europe and Turkey, leading him to raise a dedicated venture fund focused on that region. His investment philosophy is rooted in the belief that founders worldwide exhibit similar behaviors, particularly in their interactions with technology. This perspective allows him to identify promising startups that others might overlook.
Challenges of Market Dynamics
The podcast delves into the current state of venture capital and market dynamics, noting how external factors like economic cycles affect funding availability. The retraction of investment post-2021 is identified, with Jem stating that many investors quickly leave markets they've recently entered, often missing crucial regional nuances. His view is that these cycles, while challenging, are inherent to the venture landscape, and investors must adapt while maintaining long-term strategies. He highlights the importance of a disciplined approach amid fluctuating capital availability to mitigate risk and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
The Significance of Founders
A recurring theme in the conversation is the vital role of founders in driving startup success. Jem emphasizes that the qualities of a founder far outweigh market traction or product details at early stages, asserting that a great founder can pivot and adapt as needed. The importance of choosing the right founder is underscored, alongside acknowledging the connection and alignment between investors and entrepreneurs. This relationship is crucial, as it fosters an environment where both parties can navigate challenges collaboratively.
Evolving Industry Practices
In discussing changing practices in the venture capital industry, Jem reflects on the necessity for firms to adapt their strategies to remain competitive. He addresses how the venture landscape has become more commoditized with larger multi-stage funds entering seed investment spaces, raising concerns about the dilution of unique value propositions. He argues for a return to focused, founder-centered investment strategies that provide care and support. This evolution reflects a need for venture firms to innovate and differentiate themselves in an increasingly crowded market.
Cem Sertoglu is one of the great venture investors of the last decade. Cem is famed for writing the first check into UiPath and over several rounds turning $16.5M into $2.1BN. Cem recently started Bek Ventures, a $250M fund that was 3x oversubscribed.
In Today’s Show with Cem Sertoglu We Discuss:
1. Has Venture Capital Been Commoditised:
Why does Cem believe that VC has not been commoditised?
Why does Cem believe many VCs today are not even VCs anymore?
How does Cem advise founders who have offers from large multi-stage firms? What questions should they ask them pre-working with them?
How do the best founders select the VC they choose to work with?
2. Price, Reserves, Loss Ratios:
Why does Cem believe that price does not matter?
How does Cem approach reserves and reserves management?
What does Cem know now about reserves that he wishes he had known when he started investing?
Does Cem care about loss ratio? Does he do scenario planning when making investments?
3. Making $2.1BN on UiPath:
How did Cem meet Daniel for the first time? Was it obvious he was incredible?
Why did they only write a $1M check and not take the whole round with $1.5M?
Why did 40 of the best investors in Europe all turn down UiPath for the Series A?
What did doing the bridge round for UiPath teach Cem about reserves?
When was it obvious UiPath was going to be a mega hit?
How did they continue to concentrate capital with each round?
When did they first start to sell shares in UiPath?
What was their approach to the selldown of their position?
When the company IPO’d, how much of it did they have?
4. AMA with One of Europe’s Best:
Does signalling exist? How does Cem advise founders on this?
What has been his biggest loss? How did that change his mindset?
What has been Cem’s biggest miss? What did he not see?
Why does Cem always believe you should manufacture arguments with founders before investing?
Why does Cem believe a high GP commit can actually misalign the GP and the LP?
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