TheOnePoint

This episode of TheOnePoint features Til Klein from identity.vc  Til and I connected over a shared vision of supporting diversity in our venture ecosystem. And, Til is doing so much more beyond just supporting.  identity.vc is the first fund in Europe to back LGBTQ+ founders in the early stages.  He comes with a stellar background to achieve this mission. Having been a founder himself Til has the knowledge, strategic insights, and network to unlock this investment thesis in Europe.  With the first close of his VC fund in 2024 and a few investments already committed - Til is looking forward to 2025. LPs invest in their fund because they believe in the thesis that diversity drives performance. Social impact is the cherry on top! Where to find Tim Klein: • LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tilklein/⁠ • Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://identity.vc/ Where to find Rohit Yadav: • Web: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/rohityadav⁠⁠ • LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohityadav23/⁠  • Newsletter: ⁠All Things VC⁠  (⁠https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7081921640367808512/⁠) In this episode of TheOnePoint, we talk about: (00:00) Podcast episode intro (01:21) Intro: Til Klein  (02:02) Intro: identity.vc (04:54) Launch of identity.vc and experience running the Fund (05:57) Support from LPs for identity.vc (07:42) Current state of diversity in the venture ecosystem (12:34) Should LPs have a separate bucket for Emerging Managers (14:48) Support and guidance for Emerging Managers (17:25) Comparison of U.S. and EU ecosystems (19:15) Challenges faced by diverse founders (23:09) Startup awareness of diverse founders (25:42) Bridging knowledge gaps for diverse founders (27:26) The importance of community for founders (29:25) Role of mentorship (31:44) Building community for Founders (35:07) How should founders navigate rejections and feedback (39:32) How should founders rationalize the choice of VC (42:42) Future of diversity-focused VC funds  (45:48) An inspirational idea Thanks for listening!

In a thought-provoking discussion, Guy Conway, co-founder of Koble, shares insights on how AI is revolutionizing venture capital. He emphasizes that while many VCs use AI for startup discovery, its real power lies in automating investment decisions, fostering data-driven insights. Guy discusses the evolution of VC roles in response to AI advancements and how Koble is innovating with algorithmic strategies to enhance early-stage funding. Their mission aims to transform the funding landscape, making it more efficient and impactful.

Last year in September, we published a unique report called ‘Diverse by Default’ (Link) in which we explored the What, the Why, and the How of the topic.  We all know the what (Lower funding to diverse founders, founder experience being filled with challenges). We also understand the 'Why' - Diverse teams make better decisions and investments, leading to more innovation and better business outcomes. But, we needed to build and implement the ‘How.’  In last year’s report, we surveyed and interviewed around 40 ecosystem people (Investors, founders, and operators) to find a pragmatic approach, tangible methods, and productive frameworks. Now. One year later, I’m interviewing VCs with topics like diversity, overlooked founders, underrepresented founders, and immigrant founders embedded in their investment thesis and exploring what has changed in our ecosystem.  So, to discuss this topic from multiple dimensions, I was joined by Ihar Mahaniok from Geek Ventures Where to find Ihar Mahaniok: • LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahaniok/ • Website: ⁠⁠https://geek.vc/ Where to find Rohit Yadav: • Web: ⁠https://linktr.ee/rohityadav⁠ • LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohityadav23/ • Newsletter: ⁠All Things VC⁠  ( https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7081921640367808512/ In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Episode intro (01:21) Intro: Ihar Mahaniok (02:09) The story and inspiration behind Geek Ventures (05:57) Experience running Geek Ventures and Portfolio discussion (10:43) Evolving landscape of diversity and immigration (18:36) Future of diversity aligned funds (21:32) Biggest challenges faced by diverse founders (25:11) Low-hanging solutions to the challenges (29:57) Rationalizing founders choosing VCs (32:53) Another piece of advice for founders (33:56) One interesting thing from the ecosystem Thanks for listening.

Join Gabriel Shin, co-founder of Landscape, an AI operating system for venture capital, as he shares insights from his banking background. He discusses the revolutionary impact of AI on the venture landscape, enhancing investment efficiency through data-driven strategies. Topics include the future trends in venture capital, the importance of relationships amidst technology, and the evolving role of junior VC talent. Discover how AI can free individuals to focus on innovation rather than displacement, all while navigating the challenges of adapting to these rapid advancements.

In this episode, we discuss pre-seed ClimateTech fundraising with four founders - Johanna Broell from Carbonsate , Laura Laringe from reLi Energy , Manu Pillai from CarbonBridge , and Matias Machado from Leap Photovoltaics ClimateTech has been one of the hottest investment areas in the VC world, and for good reason: ClimateTech startups are critical to solving human survival. However, only some things in ClimateTech are picture-perfect.  I constantly hear founders complaining about fundraising issues and challenges. They need to gain the proper awareness of what is required to fundraise. And this is especially true at the earliest stages of ClimateTech. It is even more complicated because a substantial part of ClimateTech is Atoms and not Bits.  In this episode, we delved into a comprehensive range of fundraising topics, each of which is crucial for understanding the complex world of ClimateTech fundraising.  They share practical advice, from the do’s and don’ts of fundraising to surviving pivots, thinking about investor outreach, and the role of grants and governmental support. This episode is a goldmine of actionable insights.  Where to find Johanna Broell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanna-broell/ Website: https://www.carbonsate.com/ Where to find Laura Laringe: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralaringe/ Website: https://www.relienergy.de/ Where to find Manu Pillai: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manurpillai/ Website: https://carbonbridge.io/ Where to find Matias Machado: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matiasimachado/ Website: https://www.leap-pv.com/ Where to find Rohit Yadav: Web: https://linktr.ee/rohityadav LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohityadav23/  Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7081921640367808512/  In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Episode intro (01:04) Intro: Johanna Broell and Carbonsate (03:03) Intro: Laura Laringe and reLi Energy (04:10) Intro: Manu Pillai and CarbonBridge (07:06) Intro: Matia Machado and Leap Photovoltaics (09:31) Founder's perspectives on ClimateTech market right now (28:23) One hot ClimateTech area, apart from your startup, what would it be and why? (19:19) Where do you see the future of ClimateTech headed? (32:32) Fundraising journey: Carbonsate (38:19) Fundraising journey: reLi Energy (42:13) Fundraising journey: Leap Photovoltaics (44:56) Fundraising journey: CarbonBridge (51:16) Other top challenges that founders face and their potential solutions (01:03:42) Tips, tricks, or resources for founders (01:14:17) Role of advisors and mentors in your founder journey   (01:17:24) What do you think about fundraising consultants? (01:20:26) Role of governmental support in the ClimateTech area  (01:28:29) What keeps you motivated? And, an interesting thing that you read/heard recently.

In this episode, we discuss Tech for Good concept in the venture capital business with Paul Miller OBE from Bethnal Green Ventures. Paul has been a pioneer in the Tech for Good movement in the UK since 2008. He was the perfect guest to explain the concept's humble beginnings and chart its evolution. Through BGV’s new fund, they aim to back up to 100 startups over the next four years. The reality is that the Tech for Good venture market wasn’t the same a decade back. It was practically non-existent. A few investors associated the term with charity, but thankfully, the perception has shifted over time.   We discussed Paul’s inspiration to start BGV, his journey, diversity as a topic in the ecosystem, and portfolio topics, and obviously covered many nuggets for the founders.  One important point—it’s not easy being a Tech for Good venture investor. There is always a mission to prove. BGV has done a remarkable job institutionalizing the process. Their investment selection methodology and impact reports are key for impact measurement in these ventures to build trust and ensure accountability. It was an insight-packed 50 minutes of recording. Where to find Ashish Kumar: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmiller/ • Website: https://www.bethnalgreenventures.com/ Where to find Rohit Yadav: Web: https://linktr.ee/rohityadav LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohityadav23/  Newsletter: All Things VC (https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7081921640367808512/) In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Episode Intro  (00:27) Intro: Paul Miller  (00:53) Intro: Bethnal Green Ventures (BGV)  (02:18) The evolution of Tech for Good in the venture business  (04:07) BGV's journey as a Tech for Good investor  (06:52) Challenges and stigmas in Tech for Good (07:47) Success stories from the portfolio (10:59) Measuring impact in startups (14:44) Diversity in the UK ecosystem (23:41) Founder challenges and solutions (28:58) Solving for lack of awareness among founders (34:34) Advice for founders (38:00) Role of mentors and advisors (39:52) LP side: How to balance Tech for Good with returns  (44:42) Future of Tech for Good funds (47:04) Personal musing: Fundraising is like espionage Referenced: Portfolio company Aparito (https://www.aparito.com/) which BGV exited in 2024 (https://www.bethnalgreenventures.com/blog/from-bgv-to-successful-exit-aparito)

In this episode we discuss the Growth stage venture capital investing in India with Ashish Kumar from Fundamentum. There is so much to unravel on this topic, mainly because, contrary to what one might think, there is a gap in the market. Growth stage investing is under-penetrated in India, with many early and late-stage funds but insufficient in the middle. There's still room for more growth-stage players.  In addition, in the background, India is a major destination for VC funding in the Asia-Pacific region and is witnessing increasing interest from both domestic and international investors. Factors like India’s geopolitical positioning, manufacturing expansion, and technological advancements contribute to this growth.   The perfect guest for this session was Ashish Kumar.  Ashish is Co-founder and General Partner (GP) of Fundamentum which raised USD 220+ million for its Fund II in 2022 to invest in Growth stage startups. He has over a couple of decades of experience with building and investing in companies and believes India will produce many globally relevant companies in various industries. Ashish has founded multiple companies over time that includes a global software technology, a travel technology.  Where to find Ashish Kumar: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashishk/ • Website: https://fundamentum.co.in/ Where to find Rohit Yadav: Web: https://linktr.ee/rohityadav LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohityadav23/  Newsletter: All Things VC  In this episode, we cover: Episode Intro (00:00) Intro: Ashish Kumar (01:16) Intro: Fundamentum (02:08) What makes the Growth stage investing attractive in the Indian context? (03:10) LPs investing in the Indian Growth stage ecosystem (06:33) Evolution of the Indian Growth stage VC Fund Managers (13:47) Challenges for VC Fund managers at the Growth stage investing (21:49) Developments in the Growth stage startup fundraising (25:04) Deal dynamics at Growth stage investing (27:45) Startup sectoral discussion in growth investing context (33:07) Exit opportunities (M&A and IPOs) for the growth stage companies (36:15) Key KPIs to look for when investing in Growth stage startups (39:55) Advice for startups at the Growth stage (44:29) Book recommendation (47:01) Referenced: Book Outliers from Malcom Gladwell (https://www.amazon.com/Outliers-Story-Success-Malcolm-Gladwell/dp/0316017930)