Dmitri Kozhevnikov

🌟Innovative VC Firm Overcomes Exits Drought with Secondary Sales🌟 ⛵Navigating a challenging landscape where exits are scarce, Santa Barbara Venture Partners (SBVP) has pioneered a novel approach to sustain its growth and attract investors for its second fund: secondary sales. Instead of waiting for traditional exits like IPOs or acquisitions, SBVP opted to sell shares of its portfolio companies, demonstrating its ability to generate returns for investors and stand out in a competitive market. 🎤According to Dan Engel, founder and managing partner of SBVP, these secondary transactions have been a game-changer, sparking investor interest and bolstering the firm's credibility. By leveraging its recent successes, including a lucrative stake in sports-betting company DraftKings Inc.' acquisition of digital lottery app Jackpocket, SBVP seized the opportunity to return profits to its limited partners (LPs) and pave the way for its second fund. 💡Engel highlighted the challenges faced by young VC firms in raising subsequent funds, particularly amid a downturn in exit activity and heightened investor scrutiny. With traditional exit routes becoming increasingly elusive, the pressure is on for firms to demonstrate tangible returns and establish a track record of success. ✨"For us, secondary sales have been a game-changer. They've helped us return profits to our LPs and attract investors for our second fund," said Dan Engel. 💰For SBVP, the decision to pursue secondary sales was driven by the need to provide liquidity to LPs and validate its investment thesis in the eyes of prospective investors. By strategically offloading portions of its holdings in high-performing portfolio companies like Bark Technologies and Rad AI, SBVP not only generated substantial returns but also bolstered investor confidence in its ability to deliver results. ⚠Despite the complexities and potential stigma associated with early share sales, Engel emphasized the importance of prioritizing investor returns and seizing opportunities to unlock value for stakeholders. With a focus on profitability and transparency, SBVP remains committed to its mission of delivering sustainable growth and maximizing returns for its LPs. 🔍 "Returning profits to our investors is our top priority. By strategically selling shares, we're proving our commitment to delivering results and driving value for our stakeholders," added Engel. As SBVP continues to explore secondary transactions and expand its investor base, the firm stands as a testament to innovation and resilience in the face of market challenges. 🚀 ✅ 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 #VCInnovation #SecondarySalesSuccess #InvestorReturns #ValueCreation 

2

Alternative Resources for founders, geared for startups with generous free tiers: 1) Papermark - Docsend alternative. 2) Tally - Typeform alternative. 3) Cal.com, Inc. - Calendly alternative. 4) Supabase - Firebase Alternative. 5) Sender.net - Mailchimp Alternative. What else are people using and loving in the founders stack?

17

4 Comments

Two weeks ago I spent 3 days with brilliant human beings discussing the state of AI investment with other angel syndicate leads, angel investors and VCs at Hustle Fund's #camphustle in Los Gatos. It was brilliant. Truly awesome to learn so much from insanely accomplished investors. But was so clear to me again is that the US and the UK are two countries divided by separate languages of ambition. Aspiration and ambition underlined by the cluster effect of successful exits, incredible talent and venture capital driven by operators and founders rather than accountants. But one reason why the US often trumps (pun not intended) the UK is they learn from failure. Run a startup that didn't reach the dizzying heights of venture-scale returns? Learn, reset and go again. What they certainly do not do is look at failure with glee and an "I told you so" attitude. Which is what I sense when I read most of the narrative around the failure of Cazoo. Alex Chesterman swung and missed. The business was flawed, unit economics didn't add up and in reality - there was very little innovation outside the vertical alignment of a well-understood business. But when we look down upon what he tried to do and 💩 💩 it all we're doing is making it harder for someone else to be equally as ambitious. Focus on what went wrong. Focus on the fundamental underlying business models that drive efficient use of capital and the push for profitability. But let's celebrate people shooting their shot and not celebrate the failures.

23

3 Comments

📈 Top Public AI Stocks for April 2024 - ClearOne Inc. (CLRO): A company specializing in audio, video, and web conferencing applications. Their AI configuration and control software, Console, is gaining attention. 🎙️💻 - B.O.S. Better Online Solutions (BOSC): Focused on supply chain and inventory solutions, BOSC’s Intelligent Robotics division incorporates AI technology. 🤖📦 - Opera Ltd. (OPRA): Known for designing web browsers, Opera has integrated ChatGPT and free VPN functionality into its browsers. 🌐🔒 Remember to consider your investment strategy based on value, growth, and momentum! 💡📊 #AI #Investing https://lnkd.in/gPWFe4PF

8

118 VCs (one hundred eighteen!) are gathering in San Diego next week - to meet with 30 SD startups. But it's so MUCH bigger than just those 30 co's. It brings VCs back - when they see quality companies. It helps those who are next-in-line and adjacent. It enables us to send deal flow all year 'round. It attracts talent and other companies. It inspires entrepreneurship. Connect is working for SD. Together, we're building the best damn innovation ecosystem on the planet. Year over year. Five.Ten.Thirty.

264

25 Comments

Biteris BTSX: Your All-in-One Crypto Business Powerhouse Break Free from Traditional Finance with Biteris BTSX Integration In today's dynamic business landscape, staying ahead of the curve is paramount. Biteris BTSX offers a revolutionary suite of features designed to empower your business and unlock a world of financial possibilities. Here's why Biteris BTSX should be your go-to crypto integration partner: Unleash Crypto Potential: Credit-Free Crypto Loans: Unlike traditional lenders, Biteris BTSX provides crypto loans based on your total business volume, not your credit score. This opens doors for businesses of all sizes to access the liquidity they need to grow. Borderless Business: Biteris BTSX operates globally, eliminating geographical restrictions. This means you can expand your reach and tap into new markets with ease. High-Risk Friendly: Biteris BTSX welcomes even high-risk businesses, fostering financial inclusion and empowering a wider range of entrepreneurs. The Tiuas Marketplace Advantage: Free Sales Platform: Biteris BTSX provides access to the Tiuas Marketplace, a free platform where you can sell anything to anyone, globally. This eliminates the need for expensive online storefronts and opens up new sales channels. Effortless Crypto Management: Major Crypto Compatibility: Biteris BTSX seamlessly integrates with major cryptocurrencies, allowing for easy conversions and transactions within your business operations. Future-Proof Technology: Biteris BTSX is poised to work with BRICS nations, positioning your business for success in the evolving global financial landscape. Biteris BTSX: More Than Just Crypto Biteris BTSX offers a comprehensive solution that goes beyond traditional crypto exchanges. It's a gateway to a new era of financial freedom and global business opportunities. Integrate Biteris BTSX today and unlock the full potential of your business! #biteris #loans #payments #paymentprocessing #crypto #btsx

1

Movac KiwiNet Deep Tech is difficult because you do not comprehend 95% of the universe using the Standard Model of Particle physics. Either learn that measurement is flawed due to human bias or experience and unbiased state through transcendence experiences corresponding to Christ consciousness. The physics of life is based on LENR and not the Standard Model of Particle physics. Unfortunately, scientific research has been captured by the materialism perspective. This is mutually exclusive to the light observed in consciousness. Physics of life. Deep Tech https://lnkd.in/gKqC3PAR Gateway into the aromatic ring Faraday cage system. Time to see the light 😁.

4

🚀 "Corporate Venture Capital: Navigating the New Normal" 📈 🌟"More than 70 new CVC units started in 2023, and the number of corporate venture capital organizations grew 10x over the last decade," shares Sneha Sanghrajka Shah, EVP at SEI, highlighting the rapid expansion of corporate venture capital (CVC). 📈From unexpected players like Anheuser-Busch, General Motors, to tech giants, CVCs are reshaping the startup ecosystem, with as many as 2,000 active units worldwide—a tenfold increase over the last decade. 🌪Yet, as Patrick Eggen, founding partner at Counterpart Ventures, points out, the CVC terrain isn't without its challenges. While AI investments surge, CVCs face a mixed environment, with some scaling back while others forge ahead. "As interest rates remain high and economic volatility persists, a corporate parent supporting a CVC right now might be hesitant to experiment or take risks," says Eggen.🔮 🎯However, seasoned investors like Matt Sueoka of Amex Ventures remain optimistic, foreseeing continued growth and evolution in the sector. In a landscape marked by change and opportunity, CVCs are poised to play a pivotal role in driving innovation and shaping the future of entrepreneurship. 💼🚀 ✅ 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 #CorporateVentureCapital #Innovation #StartupEcosystem #AIInvestments #BusinessStrategy 🌍💡

1

2 Comments

800+ Handpicked Elite Investors from California! Gain access to our highly curated list of 800+ top-tier investors in California. Drop a "YES" below, send a connection request, and I'll send this invaluable resource straight to your DM #startup #founders #entrepreneurs #california #USA

9

6 Comments

Exciting news! Knot has teamed up with Plaid, a Knot investor, as a preferred referral partner for card-on-file switching. With Knot's CardSwitcher™, users can set their credit or debit cards as the default payment across 100+ online merchants with just a few taps. Plaid customers can now import transaction history into Knot's SDK for even more seamless card switching ✨. This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission to create a user-centric financial ecosystem. Plaid's Transaction History, combined with Knot's CardSwitcher™, offers solutions for card issuers, merchants, and consumers. 🏦 Card Issuers: Achieve quick and efficient top-of-wallet placement 🏪 Merchants: Reduce transaction declines and improve customer retention by preventing involuntary churn 🏡 Consumers: Gain control over where cards are stored and how payment information is shared Thanks to Plaid for believing in our vision. Link in the comments for the full press release. If you want to utilize Plaid's Transaction Data with Knot, feel free to reach out!

274

36 Comments

Hardware drives the return for VC in AI.

1

Learn from Quibi: A $1.8 billion venture that crashed and burned! Jeffery Katzenberg - DreamWorks Co-founder. Meg Whitman - Ex-CEO, HP. Despite this star-studded leadership and a whopping $1.8 billion in funding, Quibi still floundered. They pushed $1 billion into MVP development and ate through 2 years of runway without proper idea validation. 500k subscribers. A far cry from their 7 million target. In 6 months - lights out! The lesson here? Never skimp on idea validation. Don't just pour your initial runway into MVP. Dive deeper. Unravel potential risks in your product strategy. Could Quibi have spotted the crucial flaws in their value proposition much sooner? Absolutely. Julie Ng from Vase.ai taught us about the importance of identifying your target audience early on. Here are 6 critical dimensions to scrutinize during idea validation: 1. The Problem you're Solving 2. Your Target Audience 3. Value Proposition 4. Competitive Advantage 5. Growth Strategy 6. Business Model Don't repeat Quibi's costly mistake. Validate first, build later. What idea validation practices have saved you from potential business pitfalls? Share your insights below!

10

2 Comments

It is a great privledge to be backing Stella Garber for a second time, as well as her sensational co-founders Brian Schmidt and Justin Gallagher. It’s also great to working with Index Ventures again, too. One thing I have learned in my venture career is that humans are lazy, and software that does simple things can feel like magic. Hoop uses AI to automatically harvest to do items from all of your communication channels. Today it’s single player, and in the future it will be your whole team. Read more about why we invested: https://lnkd.in/geTy-kyZ

20

13 Comments

🚀 Exciting News Alert 🚀 Just launched yesterday – a groundbreaking project aiming to revolutionize the world of crypto! Introducing #BitchCoin, a fresh ERC20 Token that's here to shake things up. Check out their webpage at www.BitchCoin.cash for more details. 🌐 🔮 Looking beyond the realm of meme coins, #BitchCoin presents a unique perspective with a focus on a powerful female figure - a modern-day symbol akin to the Statue of Liberty. It's not just a coin; it's a movement! 💪 🔥 With an ambitious roadmap and vision, this project stands out in a saturated market. Set to challenge the status quo, #BitchCoin aspires to be the next big thing, positioned as the #bitcoin killer. 🌟 📈 As a crypto enthusiast, I'm intrigued by this innovative approach and can't wait to see how this journey unfolds. Stay tuned for more updates! 🚀🔗 #crypto #cryptocurrency #blockchain #ethereum #btc #forex #trading #money #CNBC #CBSNews #FoxNews #BitchCoinOnBase

2

Day6: #Blockchain is poised to revolutionize #PerformanceMarketing by providing a: + #secure, + #transparent, + and #efficient platform for #AdTransactions. #Now it's the time for the marketing world to embrace and utilize this technology. #Blockchain #Marketing #AdTech #ConsumersAreNoLongerTheProduct

9

1 Comment