Shwetank Verma

Wow, great stuff on this first episode. I got the run down from Ataes Aggarwal and Arya Satish, and I see that critically important business and life topics will be covered in this podcast series. Follow, tune in, and spread the word. PSA: Some super thoughtful and practical content to be had here with this podcast. 🙌

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#Singapore drives #HealthTech funding across emerging markets! Emerging markets saw an average deployment of $36M per investor across the top 10 HealthTech backers, compared to an average of $148M in FinTech and $6.3M in Real Estate. #SoutheastAsian investors showed a clear dominance over the space, accounting for 30% of overall HealthTech funding with SeaTown Holdings International leading the charge. #Saudi-based BSF stood out as the lone MENA-based player on the list, while #Singapore claimed three out of ten spots. Learn all about this dynamic space in our full #HealthTech report: https://lnkd.in/dSWtcrDN #venturecapital #startups #funding #healthcare

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Genesis Alternative Ventures’ latest move to close its second debt fund at $125M, despite being at the lower end of its target, highlights the changing dynamics in Southeast Asia's startup ecosystem. As venture valuations remain depressed and the global economic outlook remains uncertain, the pressure on founders to prove sustainable growth without relying on equity is higher than ever. This fund underscores a growing trend: venture debt is increasingly becoming a lifeline for start-ups. With traditional equity funding harder to come by, especially for high-risk, unprofitable ventures, debt financing is emerging as a critical tool for startups to sustain operations. But while venture debt provides temporary relief, it's important to recognize the potential risks it poses for companies lacking assets or profitability. 💡 Key Risks: Taking on high-interest loans when a business is unprofitable and lacks collateral can be a slippery slope. Without a clear path to profitability, startups relying on venture debt may find themselves in a deeper financial hole: 1. Mounting Debt: High-interest loans accumulate quickly, and if a company fails to reach profitability, repaying this debt can become an overwhelming burden. 2. Limited Options: Startups that fail to improve their financial health while carrying debt will have fewer funding options moving forward, as investors and lenders alike may shy away from a struggling company. 3. Increased Risk of Insolvency: Without profits or assets to fall back on, startups may be forced to rely on more debt to cover their expenses, which increases the risk of insolvency if growth targets are not met. 📉 While venture debt can provide crucial runway for growth, it’s not a substitute for a solid, sustainable business model. For many startups, taking on debt without a clear and achievable path to profitability could be a short-term solution with long-term consequences. I also cannot help but wonder if lenders are not too optimistic here, they are chasing higher return on their money, but risking they will later be worried about the return of their money.

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We believe that 2025/26 will see a resurgence of new generation of fintech and financial innovation opportunities across the economies of #SEAsia and #India. As open data architecture, digital public Infra, cross border solutions, financial innovation across verticals, and digital evolution of SMEs reshape the real economies, we believe that new business models will be born and prevail. Taka Yamada Varun Malhotra Satvik B. Disha Soni Rachel Teow

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June 5 2024 - 10 Notable Articles To Read Article: ByteDance Seeks to Raise up to $800 million for Car Marketplace Unit Takeaway: This move is part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and divest from businesses that are no longer considered central to its core focus. Source: The Information Link: https://lnkd.in/d3drquza Article: Moldova to get USD 85m of US funds to add battery storage Takeaway: The US government has committed to investing in Moldova's energy sector to support the deployment of large-scale battery energy storage capacity. Source: Renewables Now Ltd Link: https://lnkd.in/dCtTue5M Article: How Billionaires Bought 70% of Detroit’s Offices and Transformed the City Takeaway: Dan Gilbert, the Fords and Ilitches have taken over much of the city, filling buildings with workers and luring young residents back. Source: Bloomberg Link: https://lnkd.in/daJpfxcr Article: Hong Kong Says 11 Crypto Exchanges Are Closer to Getting Permits Takeaway: Securities regulator lists applicants ‘deemed to be licensed’ and city hopes a digital-asset hub will help to burnish its allure. Source: Bloomberg News Link: https://lnkd.in/dqsGUAde Article: Databricks to Buy Data-Management Startup Tabular in Bid for AI Clients Takeaway: The deal is aimed at helping the data company gather more of enterprises’ private data as it seeks to outpace rivals in capturing AI business. Source: The Wall Street Journal Link: https://lnkd.in/ds5Yuy6C Article: Intel Corporation announced new AI chips to challenge Nvidia's dominance Takeaway: The company says the chips will deliver better performance for less money than its rivals. Source: Quartz Link: https://lnkd.in/dc7Pee2z Article: US farmers opt for soy to limit losses as all crop prices slump Takeaway: Planting more soybeans amid weak demand from importers and domestic processors will only drive prices lower, further inflate already historically large global supplies, and diminish U.S. farm incomes. Source: Reuters Link: https://lnkd.in/d9ddNwgv Article: Storyblok secures $80M for its CMS software Takeaway: The new funding will further boost Storyblok’s growth in the US and Europe, allowing the company to realize its vision of creating the first comprehensive end-to-end content platform. Source: Tech.eu Link: https://lnkd.in/d-gM_NCk Article: London hospitals declare critical incident after cyber attack Takeaway: A critical incident occurred following a cyber attack on a laboratory services provider, resulting in the cancellation of operations and other procedures. Source: Financial Times Link: https://lnkd.in/db9apvwV Article: Elliott Investment Management L.P. rebuilds stake in SoftBank and pushes for buybacks Takeaway: A US activist investor wants the share price to reflect the $180 billion value of the Japanese tech conglomerate's investments. Source: Financial Times Link: https://lnkd.in/d8Mt9-PV #news #business #research

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The Council's first SPV of 2024 is down in the books and oversubscribed. Running SPVs where we have pro rata or extra allocation in fund deals is a muscle we are building pretty late in the game as a firm. As a solo GP with a tiny team, it's crippling to think of the extra work required and risk of not meeting platform minimums to run an SPV. But 7 of our port co's have recently raised follow on funding where we had pro rata. These are awesome deals for our LPs, angel members, and syndicate community. We simply can't afford to let them slip through the cracks. These allocations are only becoming more valuable as our firm grows, so we must start NOW! Proud to say this one went off without a hitch and our syndicate community is small but THRIVING. Wish us luck as we keep building. Note our SPVs are now on Sydecar. The best way to get access is to know someone on The Council Fund team and be on our SPV email list. **What's an SPV?** An SPV is a Special Purpose Vehicle. It allows multiple angel investors to pool together into one larger investment into a company. This helps the founder keep paperwork and investor relations to a minimum (less names on the cap table = simplicity!). When people say they're investing with a "syndicate" or they are "syndicating a deal," SPV is the entity and process by which they do that. A "syndicate" is like a community of people that invest via SPVs together.

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Had a great time chatting with Kee Lock Chua , CEO of Vertex Holdings . I learned that Vertex Ventures has six major funds in it’s global network of venture capital funds, each focusing on investments in their respective region and specific sector/industry, the latest being their Japanese Fund. Each independently managed that also raises the majority of its funds from global investors with Vertex Holdings as the anchor investor. Most folks may not know that Vertex Holdings is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings. Spent time sharing stories about how I remember the NatSteel Holdings Pte Ltd case, when Jackson Tai was at the helm of DBS Bank ; the current #venturecapital environment and #fundraising challenges in the industry for those not distributing; one of the top most important things when investing in ventures- the founder(s) ethics , principles, what drives them, ability to execute ; about Kok Song NG and my recent trip to Japan for Horizons Ventures ‘ techcracker and the developments in the space in Japan; we talked about worms and the sharing by Andrea Choe of Holoclara Inc , an octopus video and neurons on chips by Hon Weng Chong of Cortical Labs and the oh so many possibilities , we talked about the video of a paralysed rat and the work of Andrew Pelling Charles M. Cuerrier of Spiderwort Inc. , ivf ai that led to radiology and pathology diagnostic ai by Dimitry Tran Dr Aengus Tran of Harrison.ai Annalise.ai and their progress globally; we spoke about gene editing and CRISPR; two books I should read by Li Fei -Fei , and Matt Richtel; the importance of continuous curiosity; growing Singapore companies and how to scale ; importance of timing; and about connecting people. Look forward to next time Kee Lock Chua ! #directinvestments #venture #vc #venturecapital #earlystage #entrepreneurship #healthcare #technology #deeptech #founders #principles #investing #learning

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Doing a mini-series on some fintech predictions I believe might come true in the space over the next 1-3 years. Starting off with lending tech; What's gonna do great: 1. Seed stage would see a rise in product specialised lending in segments like online retail, education. EV, energy, clean tech, etc. - where underwriting expertise remains limited and where data needs to be studied 2. Expansion into tier 2/3 cities, the next billion will come under lending especially as AA framework and OCEN allows them to be lent easily & high capita income and rising middle class raises ability to pay 3. Medical based lending will rise, so will lending based on different collaterals like leaves, insurance policies 4. Financing geared towards women and other PSL related lending What's gonna see consolidation / reduced interest: Consolidation across personal loans, MSME, micro finance, direct lending - plays that will focus on lending to a “gap” in credit / based on need will move towards growth stage, not seed stage Enablers / what has changed: 1. Offline data being digitised and alternative data being used in underwriting 2. DPI frameworks developing fully - AA + OCEN + ONDC 3. Rising per-capita income and tech-savvy folks entering workforce and earning who have a spending mindset Key Risks of unemployment and sudden shocks to economy leading to higher NPAs & defaults esp in unsecured products and change in regulations still remain the major risks overall, seems like would continue being the leader in deals and funding within fintech, large market. Writing this primarily on twitter (X): https://lnkd.in/dpUDVpHV Disc: personal views #fintech

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Some things that could be done in Singapore: 1. Curated dinners with startups and VC Folks 2 Singapore Tech and Startups Week - Host various side events 3. Walk and Talks 4. Conferences, 1 Day events 5. A space for builders to co work out of or a hacker house here on the weekends Who’s building or trying in any of these areas? Feel free to DM me if you are building in any of the above areas Or comment on this post

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Setting up right and strong foundations when creating a company, is a must; more important than ever before. A company needs to have a PURPOSE and VISION. These have to be set as clear as possible by the founder(s) since its inception. Then VALUES. These will trickle down and used as the guidelines for everyone in the company to think and act. These are the backbones that will set the culture of the company. Founder/CEO cant just rely on those written and framed on the office wall. Purpose, Vision, and Values should not be something the team have to memorize. Rather, something they need to do. So, as the Founder/CEO, what you need to do is to LEAD BY EXAMPLE by always WALK THE TALK. As a VC, i would love to back this kind of company and founder. Maven Asia Capital (www.maven.asia) #mavenasiacapital

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Big shoutout to Jun Qu, Investment Manager at Main Sequence, for delivering an eye-opening session on the world of Venture Capital (VC)! Jun shared invaluable insights into the VC landscape, its players, and how to kickstart your VC journey. This workshop aimed to equip early-stage tech companies and researchers in the Mining Engineering and Technology Services (METS) sector with a deep dive into VC—how it works, its benefits, and actionable tips to engage effectively. Ready to turn your research and IP into a thriving business? VC could be your launchpad! Learn more about our METS program: https://lnkd.in/gKfFtryz

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Focal powered by HSBC Innovation Banking, is back! Applications for Focal’s S24 demo day are open to startups raising in the next 6 months. It takes 7 minutes to apply at gofocal.vc, and even those who don’t make it to demo day can get introductions to over 250 leading VC fund partners, including VentureFriends. Last demo day alone, applicants received over 1600 introductions from investors; it's one of the highest leverage activities you can do for your fundraise. #focal #startup #fundraising #vc #demoday

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It can be said louder but not clearer: this is why SEA is a more attractive market in theory than in practice 🎯 Refining the strategies for specific personas and segments is the key Thanks, Arun Poojari for sharing

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Last Call! Financing the Venture Series – over Zoom, with class-room option for last module - Starting this Thursday, October 3rd at 1pm PST Getting founders and their startups ready to attract capital and deal with all the complications of various finance forms, due diligence and ensuring enough capital is available for their venture.   All modules will be online (Zoom), option to attend Module 6 in-person class format in Victoria and Vancouver, all classes are from 1-3pm.   ✔ Oct. 3 - Intro to Financing ✔ Oct. 17 - Engaging Investors from Intro to DD  ✔ Nov. 7 - Term Sheets and Deal Structure  ✔ Dec. 12 - Valuation ✔Jan. 17 - Journey to Success ✔ Feb. 6 Victoria, Feb. 7 Vancouver - Deep Dive Cap Table, executive summary and pitch deck Info and registration here: https://lnkd.in/gvhFFCg5 New ventures and startups require capital to grow and scale up. Founders not only struggle to find the capital they require; they might lack the background to successfully engage and negotiate with investors.   The program helps you to be ready for pitching and engaging with the right investors, engaging in due diligence and using data rooms, discussing sources and funding and term sheets, understanding and negotiating valuation and managing post-investment relationships. Pieter Dorsman VIATEC New Ventures BC

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What do you do when you find founders who have deep experience in a traditional domain like construction tech and have spent years honing their insights in the domain. Combine that with Co-founders experience being founding engineers of giants like Rippling and spent time on building banking and fintech infrastructure at companies like Niyo. We at Neon love working with such domain experts who come together to startup. Construction tech is a domain that deserves founders like Merlin to disrupt it. As I say it can’t get better that this founding team. Read more about Neon’s portfolio Merlin and our founders Sneha, Siddhartha and Ayantika here: https://lnkd.in/g4m9su-e

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DePIN & RWAs dominance isn't as far off as most people think. Across every innovative cycle, three fundamental pillars emerge: foundational technology development, proliferation of infrastructure, and a surge in application development. As we venture into the third cycle, DePIN and RWA protocols are poised to become market leaders paralleling the dominance witnessed by infrastructure projects from 2015 to 2024.

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