Kyosuke Togami’s Post

The herd mentality being observed with VCs threatens to have a chilling effect on innovation, as more and more VC capital chases the same trendy sectors. The lack of diversity (in all is forms) is a problem. “If a reputable VC is investing in an AI startup, others think, surely it’s a smart move. Thus, the dominoes begin to fall. Everyone dreams of being an early investor in the next Meta or AmazonAMZN, and nobody wants to be left at the station as the Success Express pulls away. Herein lies the fundamental problem: this herd mentality can obscure genuine innovation and create bubbles that blind us to other great investment opportunities. If, for example, all the attention is on AI, what about the brilliant HR, mobility, food, fintech or healthtech startup that doesn’t fit neatly into the AI box? They may struggle to secure investments, despite having massive potential.” #diversity #venturecapital #business #entrepreneur

"I believe this is the most exciting time to be investing in venture capital in over a decade—since the last downturn." In an interesting piece for Fortune Magazine, Rebecca Lynn, co-founder of Canvas Ventures, shares her predictions for venture capital and technology trends in the coming year: 1. One of the key insights Lyn reveals is the potential slowdown in the AI industry. With new companies and use cases outpacing AI computing capacity, it seems a period of recalibration might be on the horizon. 2. Interestingly, Lynn also foresees a shift in the value placed on elite credentials from prestigious universities. As business continues to evolve, other forms of education - notably vocational trade schools - are growing in relevance. This could signal a significant change in how we define 'qualifications' in the tech industry. 3. Despite recent challenges, Lynn remains optimistic about San Francisco's role as a hub for technological innovation, predicting that the city will bounce back, fostering a vibrant environment for groundbreaking ideas. 4. According to Lynn, savvy startups will prioritize transparent, comparable fundamentals over high valuations. The focus will be on profitable growth by the time they're ready to raise a Series B. This could signal a return to healthier, more sustainable growth models in the startup ecosystem. 5. Looking at the venture capital industry itself, Lynn anticipates consolidation among firms. With an overwhelming number of VC firms in the market, those with fewer funds will likely face challenging fundraising cycles. Lynn predicts that successful partners will merge to form new entities while legacy firms will absorb the best-emerging managers. This could lead to greater diversity in the VC ecosystem. 6. A new generation of women leaders is emerging and leading successful companies across various sectors, including edge tech, enterprise SaaS, fintech, health tech, therapeutics, and more. Check out the full article for a deeper dive into Rebecca Lynn's insights. Would also love to hear your thoughts on these predictions in the comments below. https://lnkd.in/dT4uG3wD #VentureCapital #AI #Technology

"I believe this is the most exciting time to be investing in venture capital in over a decade—since the last downturn." In an interesting piece for Fortune Magazine, Rebecca Lynn, co-founder of Canvas Ventures, shares her predictions for venture capital and technology trends in the coming year: 1. One of the key insights Lyn reveals is the potential slowdown in the AI industry. With new companies and use cases outpacing AI computing capacity, it seems a period of recalibration might be on the horizon. 2. Interestingly, Lynn also foresees a shift in the value placed on elite credentials from prestigious universities. As business continues to evolve, other forms of education - notably vocational trade schools - are growing in relevance. This could signal a significant change in how we define 'qualifications' in the tech industry. 3. Despite recent challenges, Lynn remains optimistic about San Francisco's role as a hub for technological innovation, predicting that the city will bounce back, fostering a vibrant environment for groundbreaking ideas. 4. According to Lynn, savvy startups will prioritize transparent, comparable fundamentals over high valuations. The focus will be on profitable growth by the time they're ready to raise a Series B. This could signal a return to healthier, more sustainable growth models in the startup ecosystem. 5. Looking at the venture capital industry itself, Lynn anticipates consolidation among firms. With an overwhelming number of VC firms in the market, those with fewer funds will likely face challenging fundraising cycles. Lynn predicts that successful partners will merge to form new entities while legacy firms will absorb the best-emerging managers. This could lead to greater diversity in the VC ecosystem. 6. A new generation of women leaders is emerging and leading successful companies across various sectors, including edge tech, enterprise SaaS, fintech, health tech, therapeutics, and more. Check out the full article for a deeper dive into Rebecca Lynn's insights. Would also love to hear your thoughts on these predictions in the comments below. https://lnkd.in/gE6aWXu8 #VentureCapital #AI #Technology

🚀 It's difficult not to consider the #YCombinator accelerator as the mother of everything #startup for these last (nearly) twenty years. If anything, their track record is impressive, and their own marketing doesn't even bother trying to be smart or subtle. Facts are enough: "39%of YC companies have raised a Series A", "54%of YC's billion dollar companies had no revenue when they applied", or "YC has funded 90+ billion dollar companies." Difficult to beat these punch lines. Y Combinator's strategy has been quite stable over the years, and if it was never formally explained, anyone with a bit of startup experience can see it: ❶ Fund companies that are mostly innovating a market with software and in B2B to have the shortest market cycle possible and know within a few months if there will be a profitable business. ❷ Prioritize digital projects with network effects for future scale and defensibility once critical mass is reached. ❸ Don't especially try to find best-in-class projects, but focus on aggressive (not a pejorative in my book) founders and help them overwhelm future competition with extravagant networking skills and immense reach. Every odd year, I have my eye on what type of startups Y Combinator is focusing on, as this will be the tech zeitgeist for everyone else lagging behind. Read on ⤵ https://lnkd.in/ehvi4tfM

Messina joins Ride Home Fund’s new $15M AI vehicle, backed by Andreessen, Dixon, Crowley - https://lnkd.in/gDi3zjBE - ( New Post Shared by www.shipwr3ck.com ) - Tech veteran Chris Messina and writer/podcaster Brian McCullough are launching a new $15 million fund aimed at AI startups. The backers include tech luminary investors and founders such as Marc Andreessen, Chris Dixon, and Dennis Crowley, who are all investing personally. McCullough has been running his Ride Home Fund for two years now, a fund which grew out of his hosting the Techmeme Ride Home podcast. Messina, formerly of Google, Uber, and a previous AI startup founder, is also famed as being the the inventor of the hashtag. Handily, he is also the number 1 product hunter on Product Hunt, which renders his ability to boost products fairly unique. Over email, McCullough told me: “Not only has our inbound and deal flow switched to 90% AI, Chris was like: “The people coming off the bench right now are people that didn’t bite at crypto, didn’t bite at web3, but they’re going now and they’re people you would invest in whatever they’re doing next, by definition.” He adds that given the layoffs at all the tech platforms, university graduates aren’t getting job offers from Big Tech companies any more, so they are punting for quick $100k to $500k checks to “just go with this AI idea” he says. “It’s the best talent of the previous generation and the best talent of this generation pulling the trigger at the same time. It’s almost a perfect storm situation,” he added. The fund plans to be the first check in at pre-seed or seed and deploy all its capital in the next 12-18 months. The 506c fund and fundraising will close on October 31. As a 506c fund, any accredited investors can become LPs, so long as they can stump up the minimum $100,000 required. Messina is finally jumping to the VC side of the table after being a prolific angel investor. Over an email interview, I asked Messina how investors are going to avoid the pitfall of the current AI hype cycle, which may well pull them into over-valued companies? “We believe this is a generational reset in how people use technology. Considering my experience building the social web, I see a similar shift now as I did back in 2005,” he said. “Generative AI changes how software will be built and used — beyond what the iPhone started 16 years ago. It lead to generational software companies like Airbnb and Uber (where I worked), which applied new technological capabilities (GPS, payments, notifications) to alter how people understood and coordinated transportation and housing.” “We’re similarly bullish that companies that we invest in now will have a similar lead in redefining calcified industries. We’re investing in the productization of generative AI by founders who come equipped with tactical knowledge of

📣🚀 "Unlocking the Future: The Hottest Investment Trend Revealed!" 🚀📣 🔥💼 Hold on tight, because we've got a game-changing insight from none other than Foley & Lardner LLP! 🌟 This morning, we caught wind of an eye-opening article they shared that has investors and venture capitalists buzzing with excitement! 📰💡 And guess what? Q1 Velocity Venture Capital is already leading the charge in this electrifying movement! 💼🏆 🌌🌐 The artificial intelligence industry is evolving at a breathtaking pace, and in this fast-paced landscape, early stage companies are the real deal! 💥🏃♂️🚀 Foley & Lardner LLP points out what we already knew: investors are turning their focus to these visionary startups, and here's why you should too! 🌟💰 🎯💡 Seize the opportunity of a lifetime! With technology racing forward and regulations shifting, early stage companies are perfectly aligned with the pulse of today's market. 📊💥 Their potential for growth and success is beyond imagination! 📈💼 🌟🌱 Witness the unstoppable rise of these trailblazers as they grow hand in hand with the booming market! 📈🌠 Their adaptability is their superpower, allowing them to move and adjust with the current pace of the market. 🔄💨 🔥💼 Are you ready to embrace the future of investing? Contact us and/or follow us on LinkedIn at Q1 Velocity Venture Capital, where we're pioneering this sensational investment trend! 🌐💼 It's time to be part of history in the making! 💸🌟 📣📈 Share this electrifying post and let's create a viral movement of visionary investors! Together, we'll unlock the full potential of tomorrow's innovations! 🌌🚀 Check out the groundbreaking article here: https://lnkd.in/gS_syC3s #InvestInnovation #Q1VelocityVentureCapital #FutureOfInvesting #RideTheInnovationWave #artificialintelliegence #ai #aiadoption

🚀🌟 Join the AI Venture Capital Revolution: A Visionary Perspective! 🌟🚀 Hello #LinkedIn fam! 🤝 It's time to share a revelation that has shaped my entire journey in venture capital since 2019. As an AI venture capitalist, I've learned that being ahead of the curve is the secret sauce to success! Let me take you on an inspiring ride into the future of AI investments. 🚀 In this dynamic world of AI, I've always trusted my instincts and expertise. The early stage is where innovation takes flight, and my gut tells me that it's the place to be! 💡 I'm a firm believer that our actions today shape the landscape of tomorrow. If the market hesitates to back my vision, no worries! I blaze my own trail, driven by unwavering belief in my hypothesis. Guess what? My hypothesis is bearing fruit! 🌱 Our firm is laser-focused on the sweet spot of AI—the pre-seed and seed stages. This is where the real magic happens, where ideas blossom into groundbreaking ventures. Together, we are laying the foundation for a revolutionary future. Now, let's talk about the AGI era boom—the incredible epoch of Artificial General Intelligence. 🌐 It's an electrifying time, brimming with possibilities! But as a visionary, I see beyond the horizon. The AGI boom will last approximately five more years, before it propels us within two decades into the emergence of ASI—Artificial Superintelligence. This is where the real game-changer lies! Between the end of these next 5 years and the emergence of ASI in about 20 years, the market boom of opportunities will plateau for many years, but it will not stagnate. In other words there will be opportunities, but nothing like the gold rush we are experiencing today. So the clock is ticking, my friends! ⏰ AGI will soon select its leaders and successors. Those who join the ride now will seize the opportunity of a lifetime! The latecomers might find the doors closed, and the boat of transformation already sailing away. Some may wonder, "What about the future beyond AGI?" You bet, there's more to come! As we transition into the ASI era, we'll witness exciting micro booms—quantum computing, computer vision, and more. But let's be honest, nothing can compare to the colossal Goliath we've witnessed recently. Picture this: our moment is akin to Noah's ark! 🚢 The time has come to make a choice. Will you seize the opportunity and sail towards the future, or will you remain anchored to the past and risk getting left behind? I urge all my amazing connections to jump aboard this AI venture capital journey with me! Let's make this post go viral, inspiring countless minds to embrace innovation and visionary thinking. Together, we'll reshape the course of history and create a brighter future for everyone. #AIRevolution #VentureCapital #AGIBoom #ASIEmergence #InnovationMatters #FutureForward #NoahsArkMoment #LeadershipInAI #JoinTheJourney #artificialintelliegence #aiadoption #ai #artificialgeneralintelligence 🚀🌟

🚀 Venture Capital Trends in 2023: A Deep Dive into Startup Fundraising! The startup landscape is ever-evolving, & 2023 has brought its own set of unique challenges and trends. Here's a snapshot of what's been happening: 🔝 Key Takeaways from VC Activity in 2023: 1️⃣ The "Why Now?" Factor: Investors are increasingly keen on understanding the timing. Why should they invest in a particular startup at this specific moment? The emphasis on the "why now" factor has grown significantly. 2️⃣ Concise Pitch Decks: Brevity is the soul of wit, and it seems, of successful pitch decks too. The average successful deck has shrunk from 19 slides last year to just 16 this year. The message? Be succinct & straight to the point. 3️⃣ Financial Focus: Investors now spend 60% more time on pitch deck financials than last year. Ensure yours are accurate. ⚠️ Changing Perspectives on AI: While AI remains a buzzword, investors are becoming more discerning. If you're going to highlight AI/ML in your deck, it should offer a tangible advantage to your startup, not just because it's the latest trend. 🤔 My Opinion Having been on both sides of the table, as a co-founder and an investor, the trends of 2023 resonate deeply with me. The emphasis on the "Why Now?" factor underscores the importance of market timing. It's not just about having a great product; it's about launching it when the market is ripe and ready. Now, let’s also look at our Pangea.ai weekly news update from the #emergingtech industry, including #AI, #tech, & #Web3 space. 🚚 Zepto, India's instant delivery behemoth, has clinched a staggering $200M, marking its majestic entry as 2023's first Indian unicorn. 🤖 Riding the ChatGPT wave, OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Enterprise, a business-centric rendition of the AI-driven chat sensation. 💆 Moxie has secured a solid $15.7M, revolutionizing the ease of launching med spas. 💰 Dyor Exchange is crafting a decentralized social investing app, enabling fresh investors to delve into Web3 & DeFi projects with a playful Swipe interface. 🏡 Luxury Presence has received a hefty $19.2M boost, propelling its state-of-the-art marketing tools focused on realtors. 🚗 XPENG, Tesla's Chinese counterpart, has acquired ride-hailing titan DiDi's smart EV treasures for a whopping $744M. 🌍 Advanced Ionics has unveiled a $12.5M Series A, pioneering the integration of green hydrogen in heavy industries. 🎓 Brock University and Niagara College have co-created an immersive VR tool, enlightening students on the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in tertiary institutions. 🔍 In a Brazilian espionage shocker, WebDetetive, a Portuguese-centric spyware, was breached, erasing compromised devices from its server after targeting over 76,000 phones. That was a brief of this week's #EmergingTech news report featuring #CleanTech, #Web3, #V.R. #A.I., & #VC funding.

AI startups are leading the way in the Q2 2024 venture capital scene amidst global changes. Check out the latest insights in The Fintech Times. #AI #VentureCapital

🌟 Los Angeles' venture capital scene is buzzing with activity, spearheaded by visionary leaders dedicated to nurturing innovation across various industries. Here's a closer look at the top VCs and the dynamic founders behind them: - Global Founders Capital - Founded by Oliver Samwer, focusing on Consumer, SaaS, Enterprise, and more. 🌍 - Greycroft Partners - Alan Patricof, Dana Settle, and Ian Sigalow helm this firm, investing in Consumer, Enterprise, Fintech, and Healthcare. 💼 - QED Investors - Caribou Honig, Frank Rotman, and Nigel Morris focus on fintech across a global landscape. 💸 - Backstage Capital - Arlan Hamilton's firm emphasizes diversity, investing in AI & ML, AR & VR, and various sectors. 🌈 - VTF Capital - Zach Ware's focus is on E-Commerce and DTC, driving commerce technology forward. 🛒 - Shima Capital - Yida Gao leads investments in Crypto & Blockchain, among other sectors. 🔗 - TenOneTen Ventures - David Waxman and Gil Elbaz's firm backs technical founders in Big Data & Analytics and SaaS. 📊 - Crosscut Ventures - Rick Smith, Brian Garrett, and Brett Brewer steer this firm towards early-stage tech companies. 🚀 - Moonshots Capital - Kelly Perdew and Craig Cummings focus on Internet & Mobile, Fintech, Cybersecurity, and more. 🌐 - Core Innovation Capital - Arjan Schütte invests exclusively in fintech, aiming to impact the Consumer, API, and Healthcare sectors. 🏥 These leaders are not just investors but innovators, shaping the future of technology and entrepreneurship in Los Angeles and beyond. 🌟 🔗 Full list here: https://lnkd.in/gimG6GVT #VentureCapital #LosAngeles #TechStartups #Innovation #Startup #ventures