Gonzalo Martínez de Azagra

✈ I'm traveling this week. Not newsworthy, I know ✈ What will be unique is the insights I share on the lifestyle and mindset of a venture firm GP. Mysteries we hope to solve, include but are not limited to: 🎱 What does a GP do other than jet around, pontificate on panels, and then package it up nicely on social media? 🎱 Why does the GP seems so nice when you meet at events but never writes back when you ask for a meeting (for the founders in the room)? 🎱 When will the capital markets de-thaw? 🎱 Where are you likely to find the next unicorn company? 🎱 How can you increase your productivity without caffeine and other stimulants? 🧢 Add in comments any other questions you think we should address. We are going to shake things up this Friday in Long Beach!

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Fundraising is the number one focus for Israeli #founders. In taking feedback from my recent survey, https://lnkd.in/efvpYYCT, fundraising seems to be what most founders are focused on this quarter. The beginning of 2024 has been much more active on the #VC side, and the market seems to have stabilized. This is good news for many CEOs who have delayed #fundraising to the point where they have more to show… and where the timing feels more “right”. Yet, navigating the world of fundraising for early-stage Israeli startups in today's economic climate is a challenging endeavor. Rounds take longer to close. #Investors look for more data points. Relationship-building between founders and investors is a real thing again. Here are some points to keep in mind as you get ready to raise your next round: Get your story right - Seriously. I see many founders creating complicated decks and diving into unnecessary details. Make it simple... investors are flooded with decks, emails, texts, and phone calls. Getting the story right, and grabbing their attention is a good place to start, no matter the stage of the company. Leverage your network - The importance of a strong network cannot be overstated, especially now. Reach out to your current investors, advisors, and strong connections for advice, warm intros, and potential funding opportunities. Many of them cannot just open doors, but follow-up with their contacts after the connection is made. Backchanneling is one of the most underestimated elements of fundraising. Do your research - Don’t just ask for an intro to fund X, Y, or Z. Which partner in the firm is most interested in your space? How many investments have they made in the past 12 months? Does the fund have fresh capital or is it towards the end of their investment period? These are all important things to know before asking for an intro or meeting with VCs. Resilience is paramount - Fundraising can be a long and difficult process, but resilience and adaptability are key. Keep refining your pitch and keep your eye on the ball. Eventually, a lot of it is about consistency, and not giving up.  Remember, fundraising is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay positive, stay focused, stay connected, and keep your energies high. As we’re deep into Q2, many funds are looking for interesting opportunities and startups to invest in. We, at 97212 Ventures, are extremely active so feel free to reach out if you’re at the pre-seed or seed stage. #venturecapital #startups #nyctech

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Absolutely thrilled to share that Greylock and Sequoia Capital, two of the world’s leading venture capital firms, are re-establishing their presence in Israel by opening local offices. This move underscores the immense confidence in Israel’s thriving tech sector, which continues to attract top-tier global investors. Despite the hysterical calls to divest from Israel, these actions have only shone a brighter spotlight on the profitability and potential of investing here. Israel's investments are primarily focused on technology, not arms, with almost all military imports coming from abroad. The robust performance of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange further highlights the strong financial returns available to savvy investors. This is a clear message that Israel remains a premier destination for tech investments, driving significant growth and technological advancements. Investing in Israel is not just financially rewarding but also supports groundbreaking innovations in cybersecurity, healthcare, and more. Proud to see such a strong vote of confidence in Israel’s future and its role as a global tech hub! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dYdWKEjH #Israel #InvestInIsrael #TechInnovation #VCInvesting #IsraeliStartups #InvestmentOpportunities

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𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐬𝐫𝐚𝐞𝐥𝐢 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥? Check out this article on the promising signs of recovery >> https://lnkd.in/dQU6bQUF #StartupNation #Resilience #Innovation

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In order to survive challenging times, companies need to look beyond their current products and embrace a culture of innovation. A powerful tool for achieving this is through the creation of a Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) arm. A shining example of this, which I am incredibly proud of is ICL PLANET Startup Hub Startup Hub, the corporate investments arm and accelerator of ICL Group. Here's how ICL Planet Startup Hub exemplifies the benefits of a CVC arm for our stakeholders: 💪 Early Access to Cutting-Edge Solutions: By partnering with innovative AgTech, FoodTech, and Climate Tech startups, we gain access to groundbreaking technologies before they hit the mainstream market. This allows us to stay ahead of the curve and identify solutions that align with our long-term sustainability goals. 💪 Risk Diversification and Growth Catalyst: To drive future growth, we invest in promising ventures aligned with ICL's strategic directions. This diversification mitigates risk and positions us to capitalize on emerging markets. 💪 Attracting Top Talent: We are fostering a company-wide culture of innovation. It encourages employees to think outside the box and embrace new ideas, ultimately making us a magnet for the brightest minds in the industry. (🌟We are currently looking for our next Corporate Investments Manager: https://lnkd.in/eDuTTYFJ ) 💪 Adaptability and Long-Term Vision: Startups are nimble and can change course quickly as the market shifts. ICL Planet Startup Hub allows us to leverage this agility to adapt and pivot our strategies for long-term success. The success of ICL Planet Startup Hub serves as a blueprint for how established companies can embrace a culture of innovation. It's not just about funding; it's about creating an environment where new ideas flourish. #CVC #innovation #diversification #enterprise #riskmanagement #growth

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The conventional wisdom of avoiding #fundraising during the summer months is something that many Israeli founders grapple with. No doubt, summer is a slower time for many of us. But #VC is changing, and so are the norms around fundraising. While it's true that many #investors may be less active during the summer… it doesn't mean that all activity comes to a halt. I’d say that we’re as active as we’ve ever been, and I know that many other seed investors have the same mindset. We’re in the business of backing amazing founders year-round, and that includes the summer. That being said, for Series A or later rounds, it might be a good time to have your ducks in a row, so when you go for a full swing come September, you’re in a great position to close a round of funding. In the end, the “right” time to raise capital can vary greatly depending on the specific circumstances of each startup. Founders should focus on their company's needs, growth plans, and the readiness of their business to take on additional capital. Bottom line, the hustle never stops 😉 My friend Hadley Harris sums it up perfectly in his recent tweet here: https://lnkd.in/eJZGzbNX 97212 Ventures #venturecapital #mondaymotivation #foundersjourney

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Israeli Tech's Rollercoaster Ride: Defying Odds in H1 2024 A new report by Startup Nation Central on the Israeli tech ecosystem in the first half of 2024 shows that: - Private funding surged by 31% compared to H2 2023, reaching $5.1 billion across 322 rounds. This growth outpaced other major tech hubs, including the US, Europe, and Asia.  - The increase was primarily driven by mega-rounds (over $100 million), which accounted for 56% of total funding - Cybersecurity emerged as the standout sector, representing a staggering 52% of private funding in H1 2024 (this includes Wiz record round of $1 billion, which could soon become Israel's largest exit and Google's biggest acquistion of all time, at $23 billion) - Despite fewer deals, M&A exits reached $4.1 billion, marking a 70% increase from H2 2023. Total M&A activity, including non-exit deals, hit $7.1 billion. - International investors played a crucial role, participating in rounds that accounted for 93% of all funding - a seven-year peak. This underscores the continued global appeal of Israeli innovation. Link to the report in the first comment 👇

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About venture hype, investing in Israel and right-sized funds. Two of my favorite people in venture - Elizabeth "Beezer" Clarkson & Michael Eisenberg - discuss the inner workings of the venture capital industry and the relationship between GPs and LPs. The full episode on Aleph's Invested (link in the first comment).

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We launched the Israel Tech Mission as a response to the horrific events of October 7th to forge deeper ties between the global tech and investment community and Israel's indominable, resilient, and still remarkably innovative tech ecosystem The two trips we have run to date have brought 120 tech executives from the U.S., Canada, and Europe to Israel, and have led to over $2 million in investments in Israeli startups. Of perhaps even greater significance, these trips have fostered deep and meaningful relationships - both professional and personal - between VCs, professionals, and tech CEOs and entrepreneurs that continue to grow each day, and whose geometrically expanding impact will be felt well into the future. In the second half of 2024, ITM will be running an additional 4 trips, with the first exciting one just 10 weeks out. The trip will be led by an exciting group of industry experts, highlighted by Jim Cantrell (Former partner at SpaceX), Charlie Duke (Apollo 16 astronaut), and Michael Gorton (Founding CEO of TeleDoc and Space Advisor). If you have any interest in Space, Satellites, Rockets, Aerospace tech as an investor, industry professional, or simply a personal curiosity, I encourage you to apply for one of the limited slots on this trip. I encourage you to apply for one of the limited slots on this trip. Both previous trips sold out rather quickly, so if you are interested, I urge you to apply at this link sooner than later. https://lnkd.in/eC7_3q-U Please feel free to email with any questions, and first-come-first serve acceptances within a week after you complete the form. And stay tuned for further information on future ITM trips! #tech4israel #israeltechmission #standwithisrael #israelitech #startupnation #vc #spacetech David Siegel David Nakar Avigail Goldglancz David Malton Michael Eisenberg Idan Tendler Fay Goldstein Idan Keynan Adi Y. Segal Ilan Regenbaum itrek Lauren Berson Sugarman Ron Miasnik Alexandra Lebovits Benedon Gil Galanos

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Now is the right time to invest in Israeli innovation! Israel will and forever be a nation of innovation, prosperity, and grit. Throughout Israel’s history it has been faced with adversity, but our resilience and perseverance has never wavered. We will continue to be the Start Up Nation and our recipe for success will deliver time and time again. Check out an article I wrote for the Jerusalem Post. Amir Alroy Steven Berelowitz Tehila Greenberg

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𝐌𝐎𝐃𝐄, 𝐈𝐧𝐜. 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐈 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐨𝐓: 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 $8.75 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘉 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭-𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 🚀🚀🚀 | Via Newswire | April 9, 2024 | @VINCI_Digital 🔹In June 2023, MODE, Inc. announced the development of "𝑩𝒊𝒛𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑨𝑰 𝑨𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕," integrating generative AI with IoT technology, evolving toward solutions that make data usage more efficient, and envisioning a future where AI works alongside people in industrial facilities, construction sites, and logistics. 🔹With this round of funding, including contributions from existing customers such as JR East Start UP Co., Ltd. and Daiichi Jitsugyo (America), Inc.®, MODE, Inc. aims to accelerate the development of "𝑩𝒊𝒛𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑨𝑰 𝑨𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕," a product that integrates generative AI with on-site data. 🔹MODE, Inc. intends to address the issue of labor shortages on sites by creating an environment where humans and AI work together as a team. This funding round will also fuel expansion to the North American market, with regards to both customer acquisition and potential global partnerships. Source: https://bit.ly/3Q1B6zU Book an appointment with🔹Fabio Bottacci, founder and CEO @VINCI Digital | IIoT + GenAI Strategic Advisory 🚀>>> https://lnkd.in/drDAMwaX ---------------------------------------------- #iot #ai #genai #constructionsites #onsitedata #manufacturing

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Super interesting data on #startup #ecosystems globally. #Toronto #Waterloo is No 18. How can the #Edmonton #Calgary #Vancouver #Montreal get onto the top 20. We need more 🇨🇦 on the global map. 🌍

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So, why did we start 97212 Ventures? Towards the end of 2021, it was clear to me that the market had reached its peak, and that Israeli startups would need to go back to basics… running a capital efficient company with a focus on building a real business which brings value to customers and #investors. In parallel, I strongly believed that a new “product” was needed in the venture market for #Israeli #founders looking to go global. A platform-based fund that teams up with founders and larger VCs and provides strategic value in areas which are meaningful to founders and shareholders alike. We also saw our geographic location in NYC, as strategic, given the incredible growth of the Israeli tech community here. But there's so much more to it... Which is why I’m sharing a Medium post on what led to the formation of our founder-driven fund, our focus, and where we're headed. We're like a startup... learning what works on the go. If you have some ideas or thoughts on what you're looking for from your early-stage investor, please feel free to share. We're all about being your ideal long-term partner. #venturecapital #nyctech #israelinnovation

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Here 5 quick tips for startup success by Arie Elbelman R. Taken from our conversation at the Meet.Capital Startup Podcast. * Visit www.meet.capital and join over 5,000 startup founders and investors subscribed to our weekly startup tips and awesome newsletter. https://lnkd.in/dSUYiuaj

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I recently attended 3 fantastic tech events in Tel Aviv, which, expectedly, hinged in many ways on Generative AI and it's (many) applications in our daily professional and private lives. Now, while I'm still enjoying the hype & buzz, I feel compelled to say: AI is not coming for Your job. I'll go out on a limb and say we will see a one-woman/man unicorn startup "relying 100% on AI", before AI makes a complete modern profession obsolete. But I'm always happy to be proven wrong. That's how I learn faster. My reasoning is straightforward and simple. AI can NEVER understand the delicate ingredients that go into the "secret sauce" of a great idea or product, namely: A pinch of humor, a quart of timing, a hint of humanity, and just a dash of charm. and of course, the famous marketing motto: "If an idea or a product you put out in the world doesn't slightly embarrass You, You've waited too long with it." AI doesn't feel embarrassed even if it sometimes generates foolish and inaccurate things with way too much confidence. For now at least, it just doesn't learn like we do. I like to look at it as sweet and eager unpaid summer intern with nearly zero applicable real-world know-how. But Google Gemini , Co-pilot (Microsoft), ChatGPT, and others are making incredible progress every quarter it seems. So I'm already looking forward to the next great events and panels by lool ventures, Google for Startups Israel, Google Cloud, Cardumen Capital and Google and continuing to share ideas about AI's potential with an eager audience of colleagues. Warm thank you to Lena Young, Ofer Prossner, and Nadav Charnilas for the invites.

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Thrilled to be interviewed by the amazing Yoel Israel on IsraelTech! His insightful questions about investments, the Israeli tech ecosystem, and industry trends made for a truly enriching conversation - and so much fun! Excited to share our discussion and contribute to the vibrant tech community in Israel. Israel Tech plays such an important role in driving innovation and shaping the future of technology globally. Arieli Capital Yazamiyot - Women Entrepreneurs 4o

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♾️ 🔴⚫ A new firm & a new fund! Apeiron Venture Capital. For the past 15 years, we have been deeply rooted in the foundations of the 🇬🇷 startup ecosystem. We were fortunate enough to partner with remarkable people along the way and build teams, ventures, and initiatives from start to exit. Today, we are pleased to embark on a new quest for the coming years and can't wait to start working with new and aspiring founders. Excited to be joined by Nik Antoniou & Constantinos Nikolaidis in this new chapter. Deeply grateful for our (returning & new) investors' trust and support. TL;DR on Apeiron's thesis ====== Ideal entry point: ±Seed (or your first institutional round) First checks between 300k-1 million EUR Geo focus: Primarily Greece 🇬🇷+ Europe 🇪🇺 (opportunistic globally) Fund focus: GenZ Economy + B2B Enterprise Tech Things we like to see: Founder-Market-Timing Alignment (Throughline) + Product Uniqueness & Defensibility + Founder’s Character Bring it! ;)

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Never has it been harder to be optimistic—but maybe Israel's Independence Day is a good time for this. Here is my best shot: When Israel needed water in the desert, it pioneered irrigation technologies. Facing non-conventional threats, it evolved into a cyber empire. Now, following the October 7 tragedy and the devastating challenges and experiences it imposed on one of the most innovative countries in the world, we can expect a surge of innovations in areas such as economic development, mental health, assistive tech, and other disaster/recovery/build-back areas. With the right investments, collaborations, and diverse capital injections, Israel can become the epicenter of humanitarian resilience and economic recovery. This is the core belief driving PollyLabs’ new initiative, the Future Resilience Fund (more about it soon). Check out the op-ed Alina Shkolnikov and I wrote for The Jerusalem Post on this topic (and let us know what you think).Appreciate the opportunity to feature high impact friends and partners such as C.I - Citizen Impact, ReGrow Israel @Lev Hasharon Hospital in the article. Make sure to also follow Hackaveret - Israel's Center for Social Innovation (הכוורת), Impact Nation, Kayama - Centre for Social Innovation and Impact Entrepreneurship‏ - feel free to add other in the comments. ‏

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Why do DefTech StartUps struggle? This article in The Times of Israel isn’t just an interesting look into the #DefTech world in Israel, it also asks the exact right question! Why do startups struggle to make a difference in defence? 💡 Systemic resistance against startups, painfully slow procurement systems and an often diametrically opposed mindset are a problem - not just in Israel 🌍 But the conflict in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine are in the process of changing this! So what is the problem? I think the article is exactly right. Defence and dual-use innovation is a marathon and not a sprint 🏃‍➡️ Startups need to be able to lean on partners who will support them for the long haul and who believe that their product will make a real difference on the ground. The VC world is changing. Not just in Israel and the US. Also in Germany and Europe. If you think you’re up for the challenge to change the defence and dual-use world, reach out to us at Project A 🤝 📲 https://lnkd.in/e5wV4ZXT

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