Robb Doub

Boards of Directors – How Relevant To The Business Is The Board? In 2014, activist investor Starboard Value successfully replaced all 12 directors on the board of Darden Restaurants. The following shows the Darden incumbent board at the time of Starboard's proxy fight, Starboard’s value creation plan initiatives, the Starboard director nominees and the before and after performance (revenue, EBITDA, EBITDA margin and stock price). Note especially the direct relevance of each Starboard nominee to the industry or some aspect of the value creation plan. How often do you see this level of relevance on public company boards?

11

13 Comments

As the Shasta Ventures approval deadline approaches, we're presented with a unique opportunity to observe the complexities and inherent conflicts in GP-led secondary transactions. This scenario sheds light on the considerable leverage GPs hold within the private equity infrastructure. According to the article, proposed continuation fund requires LPs to approve the transaction if they wish to roll their interests into the new structure—a stipulation that could be seen as putting undue pressure on LPs. This raises critical questions about the balance of power in private equity deals and the alignment of interests between GPs and LPs. What are your thoughts? Is it appropriate for GPs to demand such conditions for LPs to participate in a continuation fund? How do you see this impacting the broader private equity landscape and the perception of GP-led secondary transactions? Looking forward to hearing your insights and perspectives on this pivotal issue. #PrivateEquity #VentureCapital #InvestmentTrends #ShastaVentures #GPledSecondaries

3

2 Comments

Venture capital has long been synonymous with high-risk, high-reward investments, but as the industry evolves, so do its dynamics. From increased competition to shifting investor expectations, there's much to uncover about the current state of venture capital. What factors do you think are driving the changes in venture capital profitability? How do you see these trends impacting the future of startup funding and innovation? #Finance #VC #VCTrends

1

In the rapidly evolving landscape of private equity and consulting, one thing remains constant: the imperative for value creation. As a Managing Director at Catalyft LLC, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of effective value creation strategies. It's not just about improving operations or making strategic acquisitions; it's about reimagining what's possible for underperforming assets and unlocking their true potential. In my experience, the key to successful value creation lies in a combination of creativity and rigorous execution. It's about seeing beyond the numbers and understanding the human element that drives business success. Whether it's through leveraging AI to gain deeper insights or tapping into emerging markets, the opportunities for growth are endless. But it's not just about the bottom line. As someone who's created over $1 billion in value, I can attest that the real reward comes from the positive impact on the companies we work with, their employees, and the broader community. That's why I'm passionate about sharing my expertise in value creation, not just within the private equity space, but also in advising boards of directors and family offices. I'm always looking to connect with fellow professionals who share my commitment to driving growth and creating lasting value. If you're interested in discussing the future of value creation or exploring potential collaborations, I'd love to hear from you. Let's continue to push the boundaries of what's possible and create a brighter future for businesses and investors alike. Share your thoughts on value creation in the comments below, and if you found this post insightful, please feel free to repost. #ValueCreation #PrivateEquity #Consulting

9

1 Comment

♾️ 🔴⚫ 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! ;)

793

116 Comments

Last month, Uncork Capital celebrated its 20th anniversary with a jubilant gathering attended by 420 guests, marking two decades of success in the venture capital realm. Over the years, the firm, alongside industry peers like First Round Capital and Felicis, has witnessed remarkable growth, now managing billions of dollars in assets. This expansion reflects the flourishing landscape of venture capital, with the industry experiencing exponential growth in investment. Moreover, positive shifts in VC norms, such as the evolving attitudes towards board seats, underscore a commitment to providing tailored support to startups, enhancing their growth prospects. Amidst discussions surrounding sectors like AI, optimism prevails, emphasizing a steadfast dedication to investing in innovative ventures with lasting impact. Read More Here: https://lnkd.in/efN6-Spd Branded Hospitality Ventures Jeff Clavier Susan Liu Ashley Cravens Tripp Jones Sarah Du Andy McLoughlin Amy Saper #innovation #technology #management #venturecapital #startup

6

Our view on the current venture capital markets. Curious to hear other investors' thoughts but I feel like seed stage valuation, at least in the gaming and entertainment sectors, has finally come down to the pre-covid level. Since February or March this year, we started seeing that the founders are willing to raise a $1-2m seed round at a $10m-ish valuation, not like $4-5m at $20-25m in 2022 and 2023. What are you guys seeing?

27

2 Comments

#ProjectForABillion Today, in our regular column, I want to talk about the Cariloop project, which raised $20 million in a Series C round this spring. The lead investor was ABS Capital, which is also known for its investments in PowerReviews (recently exited) and LabConnect. But let's get back to the project in the Mental Health category. By the way, if psychologists ever asked me how to get rich and build a capitalized business, I would recommend working in their specialty and creating projects for corporations in the psychological and mental health category. In 2023, $435.2 billion was directed to this industry (this includes all project investments, not just venture capital). While there are still some managers in Russia (and elsewhere) who don't believe that a depressed employee who sleeps poorly, is torn between caring for children, and walks on the parapet at night is unlikely to create high results and a sustainable team, managers of almost all large corporations around the world are paying just as much attention to mental health as to physical health. Maybe these naive people are indeed investing half a trillion dollars so that employees can more efficiently scold their parents and school teachers? I've heard that silly version too. Cariloop is a platform where each employee is assigned a Care Coach with whom they can share or, in light cases, delegate the search for solutions to problems (although the platform indicates various types of problems, medical issues are most often mentioned in examples) not only for the user but also for their family members: children or even parents. A Care Coach can help navigate the healthcare system, provide educational support (about diseases, care methods), emotional support, and, if needed, legal or financial assistance. Special emphasis is placed on the fact that health coaches interact with each other and exchange information (how they do this without violating confidentiality, I will clarify later). I will not dwell in detail on the business efficiency claimed by the startup. It is clear that there are very beautiful infographics and analytics on the website about how much employee efficiency and, consequently, business efficiency improve when interacting with such a service solution. Check it if you want. I am skeptical about trying to measure the impact of employees' psychological health on business in numbers. However, evaluating the results of a business managed by psychologically unhealthy employees in numbers is much easier. We can start from there. *This is not an investment recommendation. **This is not a project the author has invested in (yep, it's required now). ***This is not a project I've been studying in detail for 10 years; it's just my subjective assessment of one of the most interesting projects that raised a round in the reporting period.

8

1 Comment

The VC with more unicorns than Accel, Insight & Sofbank only invests in developing economies. Impressive!  Endeavor‘s rules based VC, Endeavor Catalyst, is probably the best example of how tech and VC have gone global. Vamos, vamos, vamos Allen Taylor! 

30

Darden Restaurants recently reported its quarterly results, showcasing resilience amidst a challenging environment. While Olive Garden faced a decline in same-store sales for the second consecutive quarter, Darden's overall performance remained steady, with earnings per share surpassing expectations at $2.65 and revenue reaching $2.96 billion. Looking forward to fiscal 2025, Darden projects a promising outlook with expected earnings per share between $9.40 and $9.60 and anticipated net sales of $11.8 billion to $11.9 billion. The company's LongHorn Steakhouse segment notably reported a 4% increase in same-store sales, underscoring Darden's effective management and operational strength. With plans to invest $550 million to $600 million in capital expenditures, Darden is poised to enhance its offerings and maintain its competitive edge in the market. Read More Here: https://lnkd.in/eFgDC97p #hospitality #restaurants #technology #innovation Branded Hospitality Ventures Angelo Fama Jr. John Espy Dave George Daryl L. Cunningham Lisa McDowell Robert Anderson Ali Charri

18

1 Comment

Preparing a VC-Backed Company for an Exit Event Excited to share insights on navigating exits for private companies! 💼 Achieving liquidity through M&A exits requires preparation and strategic oversight. Founders and managers must ensure internal alignment among stakeholders before embarking on the sale process. Timing is key—keeping a close eye on market conditions and managing burn rates can maximize value. Starting early with the proper mix of financial and legal advisers, being on top of legal housekeeping, and diligently negotiating the term sheet can simplify the process and lead to a very rewarding outcome for all parties involved. Read More Here: https://bit.ly/4dcbZnT #MandA #StartupSuccess #BusinessStrategy Branded Hospitality Ventures

8

1 Comment

Ordinarily I like to write my own posts about our Tangent 💚 Proptech podcast. But Edward Cohen's (below) really says it all. I'll just add that I enjoyed this conversation with Alon Gorbonos....though I did miss having my brother from another mother, Zach Aarons, by my virtual side. Link in comments. #proptech #podcast #angelinvesting #ventureinvesting #venturecapital

16

2 Comments

Good blog post from my partner Andrew Heyman on the importance of alignment between founders and their VC partners. GoPoint is actively seeking new investments. Happy to speak more with anyone running new ventures looking for perspective here.

8

Excited to join the panel discussion next week on the future of smart cities! We'll be exploring how technology, entrepreneurship, and investment are shaping the cities of tomorrow. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the latest trends and innovations driving the smart city revolution. Sign up now to reserve your spot! #smartcities #venturecapital #Frontiertechnology #entrepreneurship #urbaninnovation

16

1 Comment

To all #founders and #entrepreneurs out there, our intro meetings are conversational and easy going. Feel free to message me to setup a call. Learn what Pioneera Ventures can do for you!

22

The healthcare landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by advancements in technology and a deeper understanding of patient care. I had the pleasure of speaking with Ambar Bhattacharyya, Co-Managing Partner at Maverick Ventures, on the latest episode of The Full Ratchet. Ambar has partnered with numerous billion-dollar companies like hims & hers, Cityblock Health, Devoted Health, and ConcertAI. His unique journey from rural America to becoming a prominent figure in venture capital offers invaluable insights into the future of healthcare and technology. We discuss his investment strategy at Maverick Ventures, the megatrends shaping healthcare, the impact of AI on the industry, and the importance of integrated care. Ambar also shares his thoughts on the challenges and opportunities in healthcare investment, offering a comprehensive view of what lies ahead. Check out TFR Episode 438 to catch our conversation. You'll be glad you listened.

117

8 Comments

Board of Directors - insights from "The Essays of Warren Buffett" Buffett’s principles for Boards of Directors emphasize the importance of independence, accountability, and a focus on long-term shareholder value: - Long-Term Focus: Boards should act in the long-term interest of shareholders - Board Composition: Boards with mostly outside directors and select members for business savvy, not prominence or diversity (PE insight: CROs on the Board) - Regular Evaluation: Outside directors should meet without the CEO to assess performance True Independence: Directors must have equity in the company to align with shareholders' interests P.S. This is a very insightful book structuring Warren Buffett's shareholder letters by specific categories - here are the top summary takeaways from the rest of the book: Investment Discipline – Maintain patience and discipline, avoiding speculative investments and market timing Business Quality – Seek businesses with a durable competitive advantage Management – High-quality, trustworthy management & look for managers who think like owners Corporate Governance – Transparent communication and fair treatment of all stakeholders Risk Management – Avoid excessive leverage and maintain a margin of safety to minimize risk and preserve capital Fundamentals – Focus on fundamentals rather than market trends Economic Earnings – Focus on economic earnings and free cash flow rather than accounting profits for a true picture of financial health Long-Term Focus – Long-term investments and value creation vs. short-term gains Capital Allocation – Efficient capital allocation is key - reinvest earnings wisely Market Irrationality – Recognize and capitalize on irrationality as "Mr.Market" can be inefficient in the short term #investing #markets #business #stocks #finance #pe #ceo

7

1 Comment

Per PitchBook, PE managers' returns to LPs are still in decline. The data speaks for itself. Clearly the past few years have seen a significant decline in realizations. However, one of the biggest mistakes continually made in investing is to take recent data and simply extrapolate it into the future. The article makes the statement: "The decline is a sign that PE realizations have yet to bottom out, as GPs navigate unfavorable market conditions for exiting their often long-held investments." I wouldn't be so sure. The data might actually be pointing out that the decline has bottomed out - and we simply have not yet recognized it. The investing markets are a pendulum, constantly swinging back and forth between wide open capital markets and markets closed tight. We have been in a closed market for some time now. Don't be too surprised if what we are experiencing now is the early innings to a thaw. Only time will tell... Endeavor Colorado #privateequity #venturecapital #innovation #entrepreneurship #founders #startups #investing https://lnkd.in/gCCWN9_D

2

Check us out on Substack! If you like what you see, please subscribe. More to follow!

16

2 Comments