Deep Tech Catalyst

Host: Nicola Marchese Guest: Dee Zheng #DeepTechCatalyst Don't miss the ⁠⁠⁠full video podcast⁠ on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠educational platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠ KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1. The funding dynamics in early-stage ventures can vary significantly by sector, particularly within climate tech. Founders should focus less on stage labels and more on leveraging their unique strengths to attract the right type of funding. 2. Pre-seed funding generally supports teams with a concept but no market-ready product, while seed rounds involve more advanced progress such as prototypes and early pilots. Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) are often used to assess a startup's maturity, especially in deep tech sectors. 3. Founders should consider multiple factors when choosing an investor, such as geographic focus, sector specialization, funding stage focus, value-added services, and the level of engagement. Understanding these factors can help founders make more strategic decisions when approaching investors. 4. At the pre-seed stage, the key focus is on demonstrating founder-market fit. Investors look for signals that show founders' awareness of the market, their strengths, and how well they understand industry challenges. Highlighting your strongest attributes is crucial. 5. In early-stage ventures, market validation is critical. Investors pay attention to the resources potential customers are dedicating to your startup. Tangible commitments, such as partnerships or resource allocation, often weigh more heavily than advisory roles or mere expressions of interest. MORE ABOUT THE SCENARIONIST: - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discover all the episodes, trends analysis, and more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stay in the loop with our latest news.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Let’s connect.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #cleantech #fundraising #venturecapital #vcs #techtransfer #startups #deeptech #hardtech #industry #tech #strategy #founders #technology #entrepreneurship #phd #science Disclaimer: This content is provided solely for educational and informational purposes and should not be interpreted as financial or legal advice. Given the complexity and potential impact of these terms, it is crucial to consult with an attorney. Legal expertise is invaluable in navigating these technical aspects and ensuring that the terms are in your best interests before finalizing any agreements.

Host: Nicola Marchese Guest: Roee Furman #DeepTechCatalyst Don't miss the ⁠⁠⁠full video podcast⁠ on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠educational platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠ KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1. The global energy infrastructure is undergoing a major shift towards renewable energy integration, driven by national policies. This transition opens up innovation opportunities across the value chain, from planning and optimization to management and automation. 2. While advancing through Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) is essential, startups must also focus on commercial viability. Establishing design partnerships and proving real market demand are crucial to attracting investors and ensuring scalability. 3. Scaling clean energy startups requires considering not just financial scalability, but also commercial, engineering, and business model expansions. Entrepreneurs must envision their companies at scale early on and ensure their technologies can integrate into large-scale projects. 4. As startups move from early-stage development to more substantial financing, demonstrating bankability becomes essential. Engaging early with financiers, securing grants, and collaborating with firms that validate technology are critical steps in this process. 5. Transitioning from academic research to leading a startup presents unique challenges. Founders must develop a broad understanding of technical, regulatory, and financial aspects. Strong financial leadership, whether through a CFO or experienced CEO, is crucial for long-term success. MORE ABOUT THE SCENARIONIST: - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discover all the episodes, trends analysis, and more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stay in the loop with our latest news.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Let’s connect.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #energy #renewable #cleantech #fundraising #venturecapital #corporateventurecapital #cvc #vcs #corporateventuring #techtransfer #startups #deeptech #hardtech #industry #tech #strategy #founders #technology #entrepreneurship #phd #science Disclaimer: This content is provided solely for educational and informational purposes and should not be interpreted as financial or legal advice. Given the complexity and potential impact of these terms, it is crucial to consult with an attorney. Legal expertise is invaluable in navigating these technical aspects and ensuring that the terms are in your best interests before finalizing any agreements.

Host: Nicola Marchese Guest: Dennis Clark #DeepTechCatalyst Don't miss the ⁠⁠⁠full video podcast⁠ on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠educational platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠ KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1. Deep tech founders should recognize why corporations establish innovation arms or open innovation units. These entities are often set up in response to technological shifts, societal changes, and the need to rejuvenate or replace existing business models. 2. Collaborating with a corporate innovation arm provides access to valuable resources such as R&D capabilities, sales and marketing expertise, and global distribution networks. This can significantly accelerate a startup's growth and market entry. 3. Startups should engage with the right corporate divisions based on their technology's alignment with current or future needs. Understanding the perspectives of various stakeholders—such as product teams, corporate innovation units, and R&D departments—is crucial for effective collaboration. 4. Be aware of potential barriers to adoption, including lengthy evaluation processes, procurement challenges, and the specific needs of different stakeholders within the corporation. Understanding these factors can help tailor your approach and address potential obstacles. 5. Different stages of collaboration require different types of agreements. Early-stage startups may start with Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) or Joint Development Agreements (JDAs), while more developed startups might enter into licensing or off-take agreements to secure market validation and revenue. MORE ABOUT THE SCENARIONIST: - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discover all the episodes, trends analysis, and more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stay in the loop with our latest news.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Let’s connect.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #corporate #innovation #fundraising #venturecapital #corporateventurecapital #cvc #vcs #corporateventuring #techtransfer #startups #deeptech #hardtech #industry #tech #strategy #founders #technology #entrepreneurship #phd #science Disclaimer: This content is provided solely for educational and informational purposes and should not be interpreted as financial or legal advice. Given the complexity and potential impact of these terms, it is crucial to consult with an attorney. Legal expertise is invaluable in navigating these technical aspects and ensuring that the terms are in your best interests before finalizing any agreements.

Host: Nicola Marchese Guest: Tülin Tokatli #DeepTechCatalyst Don't miss the ⁠⁠⁠full video podcast⁠ on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠educational platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠ KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1. Capital flows from the largest investors at the top, such as Limited Partners (LPs) or mandators, through public investors like fund-of-funds, down to venture capital and private equity funds, and finally to startups. This structure underscores the dependency of each level on the previous for funding. 2. The entire venture capital process is driven by the need to create value for investors at each level. Successful startups not only return their investments but may become investors themselves, creating a cyclical investment pattern within the ecosystem. 3. LPs have varied investment objectives. Institutional investors may focus on policy-driven investments, like technology transfer from universities, which are essential for breakthrough innovations in Deep Tech. Meanwhile, smaller investors like family offices and angel investors have more flexibility in setting their investment preferences. 4. Effective operation of a VC fund involves aligning and incentivizing all parties involved, ensuring that both LPs and fund managers are invested in the long-term success of the fund. Proper governance and regular interaction with investors are crucial to maintaining trust and ensuring continued investment. 5. Key terms such as 'management fee' and 'carried interest' are fundamental to understanding how VC funds operate. The management fee covers operational costs, allowing fund managers to focus on investment management without financial distraction, while carried interest provides a share of the profits, incentivizing fund managers to generate high returns. MORE ABOUT THE SCENARIONIST: - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discover all the episodes, trends analysis, and more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stay in the loop with our latest news.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Let’s connect.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #limitedpartners #lps #fundraising #venturecapital #cvc #vcs #corporateventuring #techtransfer #startups #deeptech #hardtech #industry #tech #strategy #founders #technology #entrepreneurship #phd #science Disclaimer: This content is provided solely for educational and informational purposes and should not be interpreted as financial or legal advice. Given the complexity and potential impact of these terms, it is crucial to consult with an attorney. Legal expertise is invaluable in navigating these technical aspects and ensuring that the terms are in your best interests before finalizing any agreements.

Host: Nicola Marchese Guest: Samantha Huang #DeepTechCatalyst Don't miss the ⁠⁠⁠full video podcast⁠ on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠educational platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠ KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1. A term sheet is a non-binding agreement outlining key terms (such as valuation, amount raised, and ESOP pool) between a lead investor and a startup. It is crucial for all founders seeking capital and sets the stage for final legal documents. 2. Founders should negotiate the terms of the term sheet as it will influence the final legal financing documents that govern the startup’s operations and control post-financing. 3. Founders need to be familiar with terms such as valuation, the amount raised, ESOP pool, and dilution. Understanding these terms helps in assessing their impact on ownership and control. 4. Investors may exert control through shareholder-level protective provisions and board-level veto rights. These mechanisms are designed to balance interests and influence major corporate actions. 5. Process and Timeline: After receiving a term sheet, there is usually a 30 to 45-day period for finalizing legal documents. During this time, attorneys work to formalize the terms, and the capital is transferred once the financing phase is complete. MORE ABOUT THE SCENARIONIST: - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discover all the episodes, trends analysis, and more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stay in the loop with our latest news.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Let’s connect.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #termsheet #fundraising #venturecapital #cvc #vcs #corporateventuring #techtransfer #startups #deeptech #hardtech #industry #tech #strategy #founders #technology #entrepreneurship #phd #science Disclaimer: This content is provided solely for educational and informational purposes and should not be interpreted as financial or legal advice. Given the complexity and potential impact of these terms, it is crucial to consult with an attorney. Legal expertise is invaluable in navigating these technical aspects and ensuring that the terms are in your best interests before finalizing any agreements.

Host: Nicola Marchese Guest: Julien Fredonie #DeepTechCatalyst Don't miss the ⁠⁠⁠full video podcast⁠ on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠educational platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠ KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1. Corporations often have robust technical capabilities and are generally patient, making them good partners for deep tech projects that require longer timelines, such as those involving quantum or fusion technologies. 2. Despite their potential as partners, corporations can have slow decision-making processes and complex internal structures, making it complex for startups to navigate and predict outcomes effectively. 3. For startups, it's crucial to not only engage with corporate innovation teams but also build broader networks within the organization to mitigate risks associated with high turnover in corporate investment sectors. 4. Corporate venturing units are pivotal in bridging the gap between startups and large corporations, providing an entry point for discussions, and helping navigate the cultural differences between corporate and startup environments. 5. Successful deep tech ventures often feature diverse teams that combine extensive research experience with business acumen and engineering skills, enhancing their ability to innovate and commercialize technologies. MORE ABOUT THE SCENARIONIST: - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discover all the episodes, trends analysis, and more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stay in the loop with our latest news.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Let’s connect.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #venturecapital #cvc #vcs #corporateventuring #techtransfer #startups #deeptech #hardtech #industry #tech #strategy #founders #technology #entrepreneurship #phd #science

Host: Nicola Marchese Guest: Anil Achyuta #DeepTechCatalyst Don't miss the ⁠⁠⁠full video podcast⁠ on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠educational platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠ KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1. Understanding the pivotal roles of CEO, CTO, and CCO is essential for deep tech startups, as these positions drive the company's strategic direction and innovation. 2. Investors prioritize teams that demonstrate resilience and cohesive dynamics, assessing their ability to handle challenges and work synergistically for long-term success. 3. During due diligence, investors scrutinize the interactions and alignment between team members, especially between the CEO and CTO, to ensure effective communication and shared strategic vision. 4. A balanced team with a CTO from an academic or industrial background and a CEO with startup experience is ideal, ensuring both innovative solutions and effective business scaling. 5. Startups can attract top talent by leveraging strong industry connections, showcasing early customer traction, and demonstrating robust evidence of concept and real-world application potential. MORE ABOUT THE SCENARIONIST: - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discover all the episodes, trends analysis, and more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stay in the loop with our latest news.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Let’s connect.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #venturecapital #cvc #vcs #team #teambuilding #hr #startups #deeptech #hardtech #industry #tech #strategy #founders #technology #entrepreneurship #phd #science

Host: Nicola Marchese Guest: Quentin Calleja #DeepTechCatalyst Don't miss the ⁠⁠⁠full video podcast⁠ on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠educational platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠ KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1. The space tech landscape is divided into upstream (satellite construction, launchers, software) and downstream (telecommunications, Earth observation) activities, with an emerging in-space economy (in-orbit services, space infrastructure, space tourism, asteroid mining). 2. Founders should be prepared to answer questions about market potential, scalability, technology differentiation, timing, collaboration with space agencies, competitive landscape, and team qualifications. 3. VCs prioritize technical knowledge, industry experience, business acumen, and soft skills like high energy, drive, and resilience in founding teams. 4. Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are crucial, with TRL 3 being the starting point for VC investments. A structured roadmap with major milestones, including the first in-orbit demonstration, is essential. 5. Hardware scales slower than software, and strategies for efficient manufacturing and integrating the manufacturing process from the beginning are important. Growth trajectories are often flat until a significant inflection point. MORE ABOUT THE SCENARIONIST: - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discover all the episodes, trends analysis, and more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stay in the loop with our latest news.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Let’s connect.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #venturecapital #vcs #spacetech #space #startups #deeptech #hardtech #industry #tech #strategy #founders #technology #entrepreneurship #phd #science

Host: Nicola Marchese Guest: Calvin A. Cupini #DeepTechCatalyst Don't miss the ⁠⁠⁠full video podcast⁠ on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠educational platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠ KEY TAKEAWAYS: 🔍 Look for visionary scientific leaders who are exploring new and uncharted domains. Their ability to tackle complex problems and their potential for innovation are key indicators of future success. 🤼 Transitioning from a research-focused mindset to an entrepreneurial one requires adapting to business uncertainties and effectively communicating potential. Founders with a scientific background can leverage their experience in managing uncertainty to enhance their entrepreneurial approach. 🏋️ Comprehensive training in entrepreneurship is essential for scientific founders. Understanding venture capital, legal structures, and leadership equips them to effectively navigate the startup ecosystem and lead successful ventures. 🚀 Founders must present their ventures as scalable opportunities with substantial long-term potential. A clear vision and growth trajectory are crucial for attracting investment, even in the absence of immediate financial metrics or market comparisons. 🥇 At the pre-seed stage, investors focus on the founder’s potential rather than traditional financial metrics. Demonstrating passion, learning agility, and the ability to address gaps in knowledge and resources is essential for the venture's success. MORE ABOUT THE SCENARIONIST: - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discover all the episodes, trends analysis, and more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stay in the loop with our latest news.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Let’s connect.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #venturecapital #vcs #business #startups #deeptech #hardtech #industry #tech #strategy #founders #technology #entrepreneurship #phd #science

Host: Nicola Marchese Guest: Sunil Verghese #DeepTechCatalyst Don't miss the ⁠⁠⁠full video podcast⁠ on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠educational platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠ KEY THEMES COVERED: ⚛️ Advanced Materials & Sustainability: Discover how cutting-edge materials are pushing the boundaries of sustainability and performance, transforming industries with environmentally friendly solutions. 🏢 Framing the Corporate Perspective: Delve into the critical aspects of aligning deep tech innovations with corporate expectations, tackling both challenges and strategic integrations. 🎯 Market Validation Basics in Advanced Materials: Explore the crucial steps in proving market demand for new materials, ensuring that technological innovations find their practical applications and audience. 🤝 Key Questions to Ask Your Potential Customers: An Example in the Textile Industry. Learn about specific, targeted questions that founders should consider to uncover the real market potential and customer needs in the sustainable textile industry. MORE ABOUT THE SCENARIONIST: - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discover all the episodes, trends analysis, and more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stay in the loop with our latest news.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Let’s connect.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #venturecapital #vcs #business #startups #deeptech #hardtech #industry #tech #strategy #founders #technology