Arnav Kapur

Southeast VC Update: Q2 2024 PitchBook Venture Monitor Highlights The Southeast continues to hold its position in the VC regional landscape #5 in dollars raised for Q2 2024 🥉 #3 in deal count (just behind the West Coast and the Mid-Atlantic) H1 2024 Southeast Breakdown:  📊 10% more deals than Northeast  📈 30% more deals than Mountain region, 20% more than South  💰 5% more dollars raised than Mountain region  💸 23.5% more dollars raised than South YoY Funding Trends:  📈 Southeast: Up 29% 📈 Mid-Atlantic: Up 136%  📉 Midwest: Down 67%  📉 New England: Down 11%  📈 West Coast: Up 59% Key Trend: While closing in on Mid-Atlantic numbers, we are seeing more deals but smaller rounds. This could indicate strong activity occurring in the seed & early-stage funding, despite the macro challenges. (Pitchbook classifies the Southeast as AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN, Puerto Rico, & Virgin Islands) #BuildInSE

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Financial details and exact figures were not disclosed by A24 and Thrive Capital, but sources confirm to Variety the investment from Thrive Capital gives it a valuation of about $3.5 billion — a 40% increase since A24’s most recent round of funding in 2022, which was $225 million at a $2.5 billion valuation. Kushner’s New York-based investment firm has previously backed Instagram, Spotify, Stripe and other companies, and together with his wife, Karlie Kloss, leads Bedford Media (which owns i-D Magazine and is planning to relaunch LIFE magazine). He is younger brother of Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and former White House adviser. In addition to Thrive Capital’s investment, A24 has also received “increased support” from existing investors who participated in the previous round of funding, per the studio. Founded in New York in 2012 by Daniel Katz, David Fenkel and John Hodges, A24 boasts a catalog of 150 films and 50 TV series and has garnered 16 Oscars, 14 Golden Globes and 18 Emmys. A24’s business also includes 2AM, Half Magic and the Cherry Lane theater. In 2021, A24 explored a sale with a floated asking price of $2.5 billion to $3 billion. Source: Variety

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Wild to see New York Tech Week be such a thing still 2 years later. When we started it at Capital, I had to fight, scratch, claw, and (sometimes) beg people and companies to host events. Didn't look like that publicly because we drove a ton of hype and momentum to it. Eventually, the hype becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. But the 0 to 1 to keep that hype going required a ton of effort. Now the whole thing has a momentum of it's own. For example, two companies that told me no to hosting events just invited me to their tech week events for this year. The lesson - drive enough momentum and eventually something becomes the default. Inevitable. Inevitability can be engineered.

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Diversity in Venture Capital Report: New York City, known for its unparalleled diversity, is setting a precedent in the venture capital (VC) community. The latest NYCEDC report, "Diversity in Venture Capital: Challenges and Opportunities for New York City," offers an in-depth analysis of the current state and the transformative potential of embracing diversity within the VC sector. Highlights from the Report: 1) Diversity as an Economic Engine: The report highlights how VC firms in NYC are recognizing diversity not just as a moral imperative but as a strategic advantage that drives superior performance and innovation. 2) The Venture Access Alliance: This initiative illustrates NYC’s commitment to transforming its tech and venture ecosystem into the world's most inclusive. By fostering diversity, the city is not just supporting social equity but is also enhancing its competitive edge. 3) Performance Metrics: Data shows that diverse founding teams often outperform their homogeneous counterparts, offering better returns and more innovative solutions. PS. check out 🔔 for a winning pitch deck the template created by Silicon Valley legend, Peter Thiel https://lnkd.in/ejp-Bhnu

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A great The Angel Nest Podcast episode recorded yesterday with Thomas Wisniewski of newark venture partners! Really insightful conversation around trends in Seed stage investing, how metrics matter in communicating traction, and important aspects of financial modeling for early stage startups. Many thanks for your time Tom and thanks David Hemenway as always for hosting. Look out for the release of the episode soon! #angelinvesting #seedstage #startups #financialmodeling #venturecapital #startups

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It's now such a brute force capital game that you're seeing a shift in the composition of LP bases," one longtime LP tells me. "Many large VC funds have started turning to the sorts of investors they wouldn't have even met with 10 years ago." The bottom line: This sea change might be fine for venture in the short-term, particularly as fee-hungry firms raise larger funds. But it's also a major risk to dump your longtime partner for someone who might view you as a fling. #venturecapital #fundraising #Limitedpartner #generalpartner #Investments #LPs #GPs #VCs

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Summary: The article discusses the current venture firm fundraising market and the success of emerging VC firm A* in raising $315 million for its oversubscribed Fund II. It highlights the firm's focus on early-stage investments and its experienced founding partners. Key takeaways: Venture firms raised $9.3 billion in Q1 and it is unlikely that 2023's record-breaking total of $81.8 billion will be surpassed. A* has been successful in fundraising due to its focus on seed rounds and backing breakout companies in its portfolio. The firm's founding partners have a strong track record and diverse experience in different industries. Counter arguments: The article mentions that emerging managers are feeling the frost in the fundraising market, suggesting that not all emerging VCs may be as successful as A*. While A* has found success in raising institutional investors for Fund II, this may not be the case for all emerging VCs. #venturecapital #vc #fundraising #startups #innovation

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Tech founders, execs and operators – I am thrilled to be hosting a #NYTechWeek event in partnership with TECH WEEK by a16z on June 4th! Looking to learn from some of tech's top execs, building a network or casually looking for your next job venture? My co-host Tushar Rawal and I are putting together something extra special for you – sponsored by our very own passion projects: The Beyond Network 🚀 and Savvy Operator 👷🏽. Here's what we're planning: 1) A fireside chat featuring execs from some of the biggest names in tech – covering topics from operating and leading companies under a resource-constrained macro environment, to standing out as a job candidate in today's competitive hiring landscape. AND 2) A ~fun~ mixer – meet and mingle with other like-minded tech leaders and operators, all while enjoying great food, drinks, and music. Please RSVP in comments and follow us for more updates closer to the event. P.S. If you're a C-level exec in big tech / startup founder / people leader AND interested to speak at this event, DM me directly for more info!

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Summary: Harlem Capital, a venture capital firm focused on backing diverse founders, is raising its largest fund to date of $150 million. This would be its third fund and is a testament to the industry's continued support for diverse communities. Key takeaways: Harlem Capital was founded in 2015 with the goal of supporting diverse founders. The firm has $174 million in assets under management and has made investments in over 80 companies. The successful raising of the $150 million fund would be a show of success for both Harlem Capital and the industry's continued focus on diversity and inclusion. #venturecapital #vc #venture #diversity #dei

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If you're building a fintech startup, you likely know of this investor, but just in case... This week's findfunding.vc spotlight is on Neil Kapur from TTV Capital. He: 🛫 Is based in SF & Atlanta 💲 Has spent time at Google in consumer-facing payments & at two fintech startups  🏔️ Loves alpine mountaineering and has climbed Kilimanjaro, Denali, Rainier, and more!! Amongst founders, Neil and the team at TTV Capital , including Gardiner Garrard, Mark Johnson, Sean Banks, Lizzie Guynn, and Laney Lewis are known for saying “lift, not lean.” They believe that their job as investors is not to create work for founders, but instead ask the right questions and help navigate to the best outcomes. Knowing Neil well personally, he's not only my go-to person for anything related to fintech but I can also highly recommend having him on your cap table - he's the kind of human you want to have in your corner during both good times and bad. Make sure to: ✉️ Pitch him at nkapur@ttvcapital.com ➡️ Follow TTV Capital on LinkedIn For more, check out our funder spotlight card below along with TTV Capital's profile on findfunding.vc (link in comments).

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Summary: Early-stage VC firm Kearny Jackson has secured $65 million in capital commitments for its third fund. The bi-coastal firm primarily invests in B2B SaaS and fintech infrastructure. Key takeaways: Kearny Jackson emphasizes time to value for its portfolio companies and has a mix of LPs from various backgrounds including Sequoia and Marc Andreessen. The larger fund size gives the duo more leverage to execute their strategy of gaining more ownership in their portfolio companies. The firm has made notable investments in companies like Motherduck, Cortex, and Comulate with its first two funds. Counter arguments: Some may argue that the smaller ownership stake targeted by Kearny Jackson may not be as favorable to founders. The firm's reliance on LPs for funding may limit their ability to make riskier investments.

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As the crypto industry moves into its next phase, M&A is becoming more prevalent in the space. But, in this case, we’re seeing new and innovative mergers happening that aren’t your traditional M&A deal. Alpha Transform Holdings Alpha Sigma Capital Research group has published an analysis of the first major merger that aligns three AI groups to create one of the largest AI tokens in the eco system. Interesting fact: 🔥Alpha Sigma Capital Fund purchased tokens in all three companies in 2020 and 2021. https://lnkd.in/d4v-CCJp #AlphaTransformHoldings #ArtificialSuperintelligenceAlliance #ASI #AI #artificialintelligence #SingularityNet #FetchAI #OceanProtocol #blockchaineconomy #Web3 #Defi

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UNLOCKING THE SECREATS OF THE GLOBAL VC ECOSYSTEM : A SUMMIT FOR LIMITED PARTNERS AND VENTURE CAPITALISTS TO THE GLOBAL VC's ECOSYSTEM SUMMIT -------------- 💰💵 Check 1st post in features section in my profile 💵💰 -------------- #VCEcosystemSummit #VentureCapital #LimitedPartners #Investment #PortfolioManagement #GrowthStrategy #IndustryLeaders #Networking #Collaboration #Innovation #Startup #Entrepreneurship #Funding #Investor #LP #GP #VC #PrivateEquity #HedgeFund #AssetManagement #WealthManagement #FinancialServices #InvestmentBanking #CapitalMarkets #BusinessGrowth #Scaling #Expansion #Disruption #Volatility #RiskManagement #Resilience #Sustainability #ESG #ImpactInvesting #Diversity #Inclusion #Equity #Equality #WomenInVC #WomenInFinance #MenInVC #MenInFinance #VentureCapitalist #InvestmentBanker #FinancialAnalyst #PortfolioManager #InvestmentManager #AssetManager #WealthManager #FinancialPlanner #InvestmentAdvisor #VCFirm #StartupAccelerator #Incubator #CoworkingSpace #EntrepreneurialEcosystem #InnovationHub #BusinessNetworking #ProfessionalDevelopment #Leadership #Mentorship #CareerGrowth #IndustryTrends #MarketInsights #FinancialRegulations #InvestmentStrategy #RiskAssessment #DueDiligence #DealMaking #MandA #IPO #PrivatePlacement #HedgeFundManager #AssetAllocator #FamilyOffice #SovereignWealthFund #PensionFund #EndowmentFund #VentureCapitalInvesting #StartupFunding #GrowthCapital #ExpansionCapital #Buyout #Recapitalization #Restructuring #Turnaround #DistressedInvesting #SpecialSituations #EventDriven #CreditInvesting #DebtFinancing #EquityInvesting #MezzanineFinancing #GrowthEquity #VentureDebt #SeedFunding #SeriesA #SeriesB #SeriesC #IPOPrep #PreIPO #PostIPO #PrivateCompany #PublicCompany #MicroVC #NanoVC #SeedStage #EarlyStage #GrowthStage #LateStage #PrivateEquityFund #HedgeFundManager #InvestmentPortfolio #RiskManagementStrategy #InvestmentResearch #FinancialPlanning #WealthCreation #CapitalGrowth #InvestmentOpportunities #BusinessExpansion #MarketTrends #IndustryInsights #FinancialInnovation #InvestmentInnovation #VCDeals #StartupSuccess #InvestmentStrategy #PortfolioDiversification #InvestmentRisk #InvestmentReturn #InvestmentGrowth #InvestmentIncome #InvestmentManagement #InvestmentConsulting #PrivateEquityInvesting #HedgeFundInvesting #VentureCapitalInvesting #AngelInvesting #ImpactInvesting #SustainableInvesting #ESGInvesting #ResponsibleInvesting #InvestmentFirms #InvestmentCompanies #InvestmentPartners #InvestmentNetwork #InvestmentCommunity #InvestmentEvents #InvestmentConferences #InvestmentSummit #InvestmentForum #InvestmentRoundtable #StartupInvesting #EarlyStageInvesting #GrowthStageInvesting #LateStageInvesting #PrivateEquityFirms #HedgeFundManagers #VentureCapitalFirms #AngelGroups #ImpactInvestors

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🚀 Maximize Your Networking at NY Tech Week with Essential Conversation Tips! 🚀 Hello NY Tech Week attendees! As founders, we're often just one great conversation away from our next big breakthrough. To help you make every discussion count, I've got a fantastic resource to share—an image filled with "50 Ways to Fuel a Conversation" from the book "The Fine Art of Small Talk" by Debra Fine. Here’s how you can use these tips to supercharge your networking: 📍 Be the First to Engage: Don't hesitate, be the first to say hello. It sets a proactive, positive tone. 📍 Remember Names: Make it a point to remember and use people's names during conversations. It's a sign of respect and helps build rapport. 📍 Share and Seek Insights: Talk about what you're working on but also ask others about their projects. It’s a two-way street! 📍 Keep It Open: Don’t just stick to business—explore a variety of topics to find common ground and deepen connections. 📍 End on a High Note: Always conclude with a clear next step, whether it's exchanging contact info or a follow-up meeting. Let’s use these tips to turn every interaction into a potential gateway for collaboration and growth. See you out there, and let's make it a week to remember! #NYTechWeek #NetworkingTips #StartupLife #FounderAdvice #TechInnovation

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Summary: Industry Ventures has raised a $900 million early-stage hybrid fund for investing in emerging managers and directly backing growth-stage companies. This is their seventh hybrid fund and is larger than their previous one. The fund will be split between backing VC funds, direct investments, and acquiring stakes from emerging managers. Key takeaways: Smaller, newer funds are finding it more difficult to raise capital, but this fund from Industry Ventures offers hope for emerging managers. The fund will be split between various investments, including backing VC funds and buying secondary interests. Industry Ventures may have an advantage due to their ability to invest in both emerging and more established managers. Counter arguments: Some may argue that it is still difficult for emerging managers to raise funds. The success of Industry Ventures may not be indicative of the overall climate for emerging managers. #venturecapital #venture #startups #fundraising

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Are you a New York startup looking to lift off? Check out this "NYC Early-Stage VC Firms" database, a must-have for every local innovator! This exclusive resource features: 🎯 Fund Names and their Focus Areas — Know where their interests lie! 📍 Location Details — Find VCs in your neighborhood. 📝 Descriptions — Dive deep into what each fund stands for. 📞 Best Contacts — Direct lines to key decision-makers. 🌟 What They're Excited About — Align your pitch to their interests. 🎯 Sweet Spot — Understand their criteria for investment readiness. Whether you’re seeking guidance, partnerships, or investment, this database opens the door to possibilities in the heart of NYC. 💼 To get access to this resource, simply comment "NYC Launchpad" below and start connecting with top-tier investors tailored to your growth stage and industry! #NYCStartups #VentureCapital #StartupFunding #InnovationHub #NYCLaunchpad #sviyp #siliconvalleyinyourpocket

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Happy Monday! Very excited to launch this fresh new episode of Unlocking Venture Capital Podcast today featuring Beth Devin from HearstLab, a corporate venture capital firm in the heart of #NY. In this episode, I chat with Beth Devin at Hearst Lab, about the ins and outs that Hearst has to offer. Be prepared to learn... 👉 What Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) can bring to the VC space 👉 Different programs and resources that CVC's can bring their entrepreneurs 👉 Heart's mission and vision for entrepreneurs See comments for #Spotify and #Youtube links! #venturecapital #startups #founders #fundraising #VC #CVC #investment #investing

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A new era of deep tech has emerged. First time funds will raise “unheard of” amounts of capital to fuel next gen deep tech startups - producing outsized, superior returns for LP’s compared to the rest. Prudent investors will act on this data and shift investment strategy as LP’s or risk being left behind savvy wealth managers and CIO’s / FO’s who saw this trend begin 4 years ago.

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