Ironspring Ventures’ Post

There’s a way Pittsburgh venture capitalists could make more on their returns, writes Charles Mansfield III of InnovatePGH — by paying attention to what’s going on at home. Fewer than half the region’s companies valued at $100M or more were backed by local investors. That’s leaving money on the table. https://lnkd.in/gSAvbRRp #Pittsburgh #VentureCapital #InvestLocal #TechVC

History of VC Part: 4 Sand Hill Road The decades between the 1960s and 1970s witnessed a remarkable transformation of venture capital (VC) in the US, as it transitioned from a niche activity to a recognized and thriving asset class. Here's a breakdown: Early Roots (1960s): Small and informal: VC functioned like a network of wealthy individuals and institutions supporting promising startups in tech, healthcare, and other emerging sectors. Key players: Pioneering firms like Arthur Rock's Draper Forbes & Co. and American Research and Development Corporation (ARDC) in Boston, and Mayfield Fund in California, laid the groundwork. Focus: Investments primarily backed semiconductor companies and other tech advancements. Growth and Evolution (1970s): Rise of Sand Hill Road: Silicon Valley's Sand Hill Road emerged as a hub, attracting investors and entrepreneurs with its concentration of VC firms. Institutionalization: Limited partnerships became the preferred fund structure, attracting larger pools of capital and professionalizing the industry. Notable exits: Successful IPOs of companies like Apple and Genentech fueled confidence and attracted more investors. It should be noted that since 1974, 42% of all companies to go public have been venture-backed. Interestingly, Sequoia was founded by Don Valentine who was a salesman at Fairchild Semiconductor. And Eugene Kleiner of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers was one of the eight co-founders of Fairchild Semiconductor (thank you for the help uncle Rock). While the limitations of Sand Hill Road as the sole center of VC activity later became apparent, its role in the 1970s in fostering collaboration, deal flow, and knowledge sharing was undeniable. Overall, the 1960s-1970s marked a crucial era for VC in the US, laying the foundation for its future growth and solidifying its position as a key driver of innovation and economic development. #sandhill #venturecapital #fundmanagement #investmentstrategy

FirstMile Ventures is an investment firm based in Colorado and Texas. It specializes in being the first institutional investor for startups, usually at the Series A stage. They prioritize achieving product-market fit and focus on high-performing founders, prioritizing substance over hype. Operating in tech-savvy states like Texas and Colorado, their experienced team ensures quick and transparent decision-making to support founders in building impactful companies. Committed to their limited partners, FirstMile Ventures ensures that investments contribute directly to company growth. Investment Range: $500K - $2M Stage: Seed, Growth, Series A Sector: Various Investment Geography: Colorado, Texas Notable Investments: Altia, iWanamaker, Open Road Snacks, Sedulous Foods

Capital efficient #startups stand to survive 2023 and thrive stronger in 2024. Smaller #venturecapital funds are best aligned in the investment strategies driving capital efficiency - appropriately sized financing rounds, effective financial guardrails for talent and capital expenditures, and fund return dynamics that make smaller rounds work for LPs. What we are monitoring in #venturecapital for 2024: how product launches coincide with investor optimism to drive innovation. Investor optimism has improved and stand to benefit capital efficient founders and fundets. It’s always a pleasure connecting with Chicago Inno. Alex Zorn covers our technology ecosystem with the personal, authentic and inclusive perspective often missed by other outlets. He connects with the balanced optimism that is also necessary for startup and VC success. Thank you for covering our work.

645 Ventures is a venture capital firm that seeks to invest in companies operating in the consumer technology, software as a service, infrastructure, engineering, consumer, and security sectors. While they invest across different markets and remain open to a variety of new businesses, they are excited about the following themes. New software applications will empower knowledge workers and allow them to replicate skills that traditionally required advanced professional training, turning them into “Citizen Professionals". Founders know the future isn’t something you discover, it’s something you design. 645 partners with early-stage entrepreneurs to create and grow the next generation of iconic businesses. #venturecapital #firm #enterprenuers

Not that surprising. Ridiculously high valuations, half-baked ideas, immature and inexperienced founders, a small market and inexperienced management are not recipes for start up success. Too much easy money squandered for no returns. Investors would be well advised to keep their money safe in blue chips, until we see more realistic start up valuations that properly factor in the extreme risk involved in investing in such ventures.

#OK-based Thentia secures $38million in series B round #funding. The fundraise, led by existing investors including First Ascent Ventures, Spring Mountain Capital, BDC Capital, and Espresso Capital, reflects a continued commitment to Thentia’s vision. The funds will be strategically utilized to scale operations, propel accelerated growth, invest in #artificial intelligence, and enhance Thentia’s ability to meet the evolving needs of its rapidly expanding #global client base. Thoughtfully built for regulators, by regulators, Thentia is driving regulatory transformation for hundreds of regulators and #regulatory agencies worldwide with a platform that handles all key department functions including licensing, investigations, #enforcement, #fitness to practise, quality assurance, scope of practise, continuing education, board management, data analysis, and more. Thentia First Ascent Ventures Spring Mountain Capital Espresso Capital Will Hutchins Jamie Weston To share your startup story write us on - [email protected] #thentia #funding #startup

REFASHIOND Ventures: The Industrial Transformation Fund will be attending the New England Venture Summit in Boston, MA on December 12 & December 13. I'll be in Boston from December 11 to December 15; I'd love to meet any family offices and individual investors seeking emerging venture fund managers. Who should I meet? Let me know if you're in town and if perhaps we can meet for coffee while I am in town. Our Thesis: REFASHIOND Ventures: The Industrial Transformation Fund invests in early stage startups refashioning legacy industries through Data & AI, Advanced Materials, Advanced Manufacturing, & Next Generation Supply Chains; Defensible through economic moats. We have made 46 investments in 42 discrete startups since we launched our rolling fund on AngelList in July 2021. If you're a family office just starting to invest in venture funds, leave a comment with #FOinVC and I'll send you the 76 page research report my partner, Lisa Morales-Hellebo and I published just for folks like you about how to best get started working with emerging managers like REFASHIOND Ventures. I'm also eager to meet other emerging venture fund managers in Boston. Andrew Bogle Daniel Stanton Krenar Komoni Marc Held Laura McCreary Tuttle Michael Anthony Paul Gompers Dave Anderson Graham Pingree Mike Falb Michael Langer Michael Droesch David Aronoff Dan Primack Dr. Joy Buolamwini Michael McGirr, CFA Liz Powers Trish DiGirolomo Christopher Mirabile Sinéad O'Sullivan Eric W. Theresa Chiozzi Alissa Peterson Dr. AJ Perez Carly Martinetti Taryn Miller-Stevens Bill Davis John DeWees #NewEnglandVentureSummit #VentureCapital #EmergingManagers #FamilyOffices #Industrials #IndustrialTransformation

Navigating the challenging landscape of startups requires resilience and determination. Constantly bootstrapping, diligently saving, and reinvesting every dollar are the essential steps to propel the dream forward, aiming for that breakthrough moment with a key contract or the establishment of MMR. For founders, a reliable network of like-minded individuals and mentors who both challenge and guide is paramount. The 77 Venture Challenge is an invaluable opportunity for founders to connect with other exceptional individuals on their entrepreneurial journey. Who knows, this might just be the catalyst for securing a crucial injection of capital. Magnificent work Yotam Rosenbaum and Brent Watts. #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship #NetworkingOpportunity

🌟 Breaking News: Floating Point Ventures Secures $70M for Innovative VC Fund 🚀 🎤According to co-founder Edward Segel, Floating Point Ventures challenges the conventional VC approach by focusing on capital-intensive startups, aiming to build defensible businesses rather than merely identifying market winners through heavy ad spending. 💡"Software-like growth can be achieved in sectors requiring substantial capital, but with more efficient spending," Segel asserts. 📝Founded by Segel and John Loser, both former quant traders at Bridgewater Associates, Floating Point Ventures boasts a diverse portfolio. Investments span tech-enabled rollups in car wash and orthopedics practice sectors, along with cutting-edge solutions like flood tracking for climate insurance and timber supply chain management platforms. 💰With this fresh injection of capital, Floating Point Ventures is poised to disrupt traditional venture capital models and drive innovation across complex sectors. 💼💡 ✅ Looking to raise capital for your #fund and increase the international pool of your LP #investors?   🤝 Need warm #LP introductions?   📝 Selling #secondaries to increase liquidity?   🧐 Looking for co-investments?   ▶ G+QUANT's link for inquiries and fund decks: https://lnkd.in/gjC_EuTE #VentureCapital #Innovation #StartupInvesting #TechStartups 🌐🚀