EUVC

In this episode of the EUVC podcast, Andreas discusses with - Mikhail Taver, Founder and Managing Partner of Taver Capital II, with a target fund size of $20M.Taver Capital is a fund based on Delaware, US, focused on early-stage global AI startups from the industrial sector. They have already invested in companies like Earth AI, MSQRD (acquired by Facebook), ID R&D (acquired by Mitek), and Sayana (acquired by Headspace).In this conversation, Andreas discusses with Mikhail his experience in robotics and AI investing, the potential of AI in various industries, the challenges of communication between startups and corporations, the impact of regulation on technological progress, and the importance of education and networking in fundraising. They also touch on the topic of mentors and the need for founders to find their own path.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:12 Tavar Capital II: Focus and Investments03:34 Passion for Robotics and AI03:53 Mikhail's Journey into Robotics and AI06:36 AI in Industry: Early Examples08:11 Earth AI: A Success Story08:47 Predictive Maintenance and More09:28 VC Metrics of Success11:07 Challenges in Industry Disruption12:09 Communication Gaps Between Startups and Corporations15:07 GP-LP Dynamics in Venture Capital18:24 Communication Gaps Between Startups and VCs21:19 Working with Generalist VCs23:04 Regulation and Technological Progress31:45 Advice for Emerging VCs and Founders

Experts discuss empowering women in European venture capital by addressing challenges, inclusive policies, retaining women in VC, and balancing parenthood with careers. Insights on female representation, investment in women-led startups, and strategies for long-term solutions to encourage women in science, technology, and engineering.

Experienced professional Sarah Harvey shares insights on transitioning to angel investing, her work in health tech during COVID-19, the importance of diversity on cap tables, and her approach to evaluating founders. She highlights her journey from strategy roles to startups and emphasizes personal growth in the industry.

Carlos Espinal, Managing Partner at Seedcamp, discusses the latest startup founder's fundraising guide. He highlights the pitfalls to avoid as an early-stage founder, the evolution of VC market cycles, and the challenges in navigating investor expectations. The podcast also dives into the impact of competitive capital on valuations, strategic approaches to fundraising, and changing perspectives in tech entrepreneurship and VC culture.

Sion Evans, Senior Investment Manager at VenCap, discusses the debate on big versus small funds in venture capital, highlighting the importance of manager selection and fund sizing. They emphasize the significance of performance data analysis, global investment approaches, and building strong relationships with core managers. The conversation explores portfolio construction, risk management, and the consistency of fund performance across different strategies.

Experienced investor Giulia Van Waeyenberge from Sofina Group discusses the importance of talent, money, and network in building a successful ecosystem. They explore sustainable supply chains, European venture capital, and the relationship between high valuations and success in venture investing.

In today’s episode, Andreas discusses the importance of ESG in the venture capital industry with our four guests:Henry Philipson, Director of Marketing and Communications at BeringeaAshley Brown, Sustainability Manager at AtomicoAntonia Whitecourt, Director at SeedcampGrace Savage, ESG Lead at Molten VenturesWe are talking about ESG in VC because ESG_VC recently published an analysis of ESG data collected from 587 startups backed by leading VC firms, including Atomico, Molten Ventures, Bringea, and Seedcamp. ESG_VC is a global network of more than 300 VC firms enabling start-ups to tackle ESG.Join us while diving into the value of ESG for startups, how VCs are working with founders to drive forward the sustainability agenda, and what the future of European ESG looks like. We also address the buzz surrounding ESG, emphasizing the need to focus on building well-governed and responsible businesses.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:00:34 Deep Dive into the ESG Report07:11 Importance of ESG in Startups07:36 Historical Context of ESG09:15 Operational vs. Strategic ESG10:19 Challenges and Opportunities in ESG11:14 Backlash and Misunderstandings of ESG12:32 Divergence in ESG Practices16:32 Future of ESG in European VC19:38 Materiality and Practical Implementation25:25 Carbon Footprint and Environmental Impact35:17 Diversity and Talent in Startups

Join us as Tom Wilson from Seedcamp and Anthony Danon from Cocoa talk to Cyril Chemla, co-founder at ProcessOut (acquired by checkout.com)In this episode of the Super Angel podcast, Cyril shares his inspiring journey from a school project in computer science to building a successful payment business that was acquired by Checkout.com.Cyril discusses the importance of resilience, the dynamics of starting a business while still a student, and the impact of support from VCs and angel investors. He emphasizes the value of networking, iterating on business ideas, and the role of imposter syndrome in continuous learning.Cyril also shares memorable experiences from his angel investing career and offers insights into his investment strategy, including the importance of evaluating founders and market potential beyond just revenue figures. The discussion also touches on the significance of collaboration and network-building in angel investing, particularly for international investments.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview 👀Chapters:01:04 Cyril's Early Days in Computer Science01:43 The Birth of ProcessArt02:15 Acquisition by Checkout.com02:37 Support from Mentors and Angel Investors03:19 Giving Back to the Ecosystem03:46 Encouraging Young Entrepreneurs04:15 The Best Times to Start a Business06:39 Memorable Angel Investments07:50 Investing in Family Connections09:20 Traveling and Bonding with Founders11:55 Lessons from Angel Investing16:19 The Importance of Grit and Determination16:48 Cyril's Investment Strategy17:56 Focus on FinTech26:03 Challenges in the FinTech Market27:36 Collaboration with Angels and VCs31:24 Key Learnings and Advice

Evan Finkel, Head of Venture Capital Investments at Integra Global Advisors, dives into the nuances of early-stage investments. He discusses how a data-informed approach can guide investment strategies amid current market challenges. Evan shares insights on the benefits of investing in smaller funds for higher returns and highlights Europe's evolution into a robust venture ecosystem. He also addresses the emotional dynamics in venture investing, the importance of due diligence, and the fine balance between personal relationships and investment decisions.

Richard Muirhead from Fabric Ventures discusses Web3, AI, and decentralization. They explore the impact on big tech, the evolution of Web3, challenges in investing, and key learnings in the venture capital industry. The conversation highlights the transformative potential of Web3 and the role of decentralized communities in reshaping the internet.