Welcome to our community-sourced newsletter featuring the latest submissions to the eu.vc insights platform — the platform that collects & amplifies the best long-form pieces from the EUVC community.
This week, we feature submissions from Speedinvest, P101, Eka Ventures, Foundamental, and many more legendary European firms.
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VC Compensation - EU Benchmark survey
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What You Need to Know to Get Press Coverage at Seed Stage in 2024
by Speedinvest. | Originally published on Speedinvest blog.
Why it matters: Getting press for your seed-stage startup isn’t just about sending a press release anymore. Media outlets are swamped with funding announcements, so VCs and startups need to stand out. Coverage depends on newsworthiness, founder fame, or huge round sizes.
Good photos, compelling stories, and credible investors are key to landing features. But beware, even with perfect timing and strategy, snagging coverage—especially from top-tier publications like TechCrunch—can still be a long shot.
Investing in the energy transition, w. Pablo Pedrejon (Seaya Andromeda)
by August Soliv, Author of Impact Supporters | Originally published on Impact Supporters.
Why it matters: Seaya Andromeda, a €300M ClimateTech fund, is making moves in Europe’s energy transition, investing €7M-€40M across Series A-C. Pablo Pedrejon explains their focus on real-world EnergyTech solutions, like EV-charging software and grid services.
As geopolitics pushes Europe toward energy sovereignty, energy generation and storage opportunities are growing fast. For VCs, investing in EnergyTech means diving deep into regulatory landscapes and having a 5-year view of scalable solutions.
Fundraising in a down market: Our advice to early-stage founders
by Daniel Tomov, Partner at Eleven Ventures. | Originally published on Eleven Ventures.
Why it matters: The easy money days are over—welcome to the post-2021 grind, where high valuations are out and cautious investors are in. Founders need to prep for lower valuations and more intense scrutiny.
Investors now chase “big winners” to make up for past losses, making product-market fit and higher milestones critical for startups. And don’t be surprised by tough terms like 2x liquidation preferences—survival means playing smart in this new VC world.
House of cards: homes in a warming world
by Estia Ryan, Principal & Head of Research at Eka Ventures. | Originally published on Eka Ventures Newsletter.
Why it matters: As climate change ramps up, flood insurance is becoming a nightmare scenario for homeowners. FEMA’s new Risk Rating 2.0 is hiking premiums by 250% in some U.S. regions, and vulnerable communities are feeling the pinch.
The UK is facing similar flood risks with 50% of weather-related insurance claims tied to flooding. VCs with climate x insurtech in mind should look at solutions like flood risk retrofitting and rethinking how policies handle rising waters 🌊. Adapt or drown—both figuratively and literally.
Why it matters: Founders, brace yourselves—AI is sliding into your DMs! While automating VC outreach once felt cold and robotic, new AI models like GPT-4 are changing the game. Dr. Retterath reveals that AI-generated founder messages now seem more human than actual humans.
But the key? Balance! Automate initial outreach to scale efficiency, but get real humans involved once founders engage. This “Augmented VC” approach ensures trust-building while still leveraging AI’s power to 10x productivity. Time to mix automation with human touch!
by Matthias Lehna and Justin Wismer from Quantum Systems | Originally published on European Resilience Newsletter.
Why it matters: Quantum Systems’ commitment to drone development in Ukraine highlights the critical role of real-time battlefield feedback in tech innovation.
Their Vectors drones helped Ukraine score early victories, but as Russian electronic warfare advanced, Quantum Systems built a Ukrainian R&D facility to stay competitive. For VCs, this shows the importance of investing in both cutting-edge tech and on-the-ground infrastructure, even in high-risk markets. Trust and agility are key in emerging defense sectors.
Embracing the VC data-driven transformation
by Tommaso Condulmari, Data Analyst at P101. | Originally published on P101 blog.
Why it matters: VCs are finally hopping on the data-driven train! With 99% of firms lacking internal data initiatives as of 2023, P101 is leading the charge in Italy, leveraging data for smarter, faster decisions.
The rise of AI, Investment Tech tools, and vast startup data allows VCs to ditch gut-feelings for data-backed strategies, reducing human bias and enhancing deal flow. But balance is key—human judgment still reigns supreme when assessing leadership and market nuances. Expect the future of VC to be a mix of AI-powered efficiency and human intuition.
Building the Future: Can a Digital GC Tap Into India's Growing Data Center Demand?
by Fabio Bronzin, VC at Foundamental. | Originally published on Foundamental.
Why it matters: India’s booming digital economy is driving explosive demand for data centers, projected to hit $14B by 2029. Fabio Bronzin explores the potential for a digital general contractor (GC) startup to capitalize on this, especially with edge data centers and prefabrication.
While large-scale centers pose capital hurdles, smaller, scalable projects might be the sweet spot. VCs, though, need to assess if the market is VC-backable or just a pipe dream. Tech-enabled solutions and recurring service models sweeten the deal, but the jury’s still out.
by Michael Sidgmore, Co-founder & Partner at Broadhaven Ventures. | Originally published on Alt Goes Mainstream.
Why it matters: Alex Chaloff, CIO of Bernstein’s $125B private wealth unit, shares how his firm navigates private markets with patience and precision. He dives into portfolio construction, liquidity concerns, and why structure matters. For VCs, Chaloff’s insights highlight the importance of understanding GP-LP dynamics, balancing asset allocation, and adapting to market fluctuations.
With a focus on vintage diversification and the next generation of impact investors, this is a masterclass in navigating private market complexity.
Listen to the podcast episode here.
Choose the bank made for the innovation economy.
HSBC Innovation Banking take a relationship-first approach, bringing passion, dedication & unparalleled international connections to enhance your prospects for success.