Irina Gheorghiu

🌟 🚀 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆’𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿? 🚀 🌟 🔥 Hot Topics You Can’t Miss: 💹 Global Venture Capital Outlook: The Latest Trends reshaping investments. 🇬🇧 Mega-Deals Fuel UK VC Boom in Q2 2024. 📊 50 Pitch Decks that captivated angel investors—take notes! 😓 Reid Hoffman on Founder Life: Why work-life balance is often elusive. 🤖 Generative AI & Productivity: Game-changing insights for teams. 📚 Sam Altman’s Advice: A must-know for every startup founder. 💡 AI in 2025: Why even minor features will get the AI pitch. 🚀 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀: 🌌 Elon Musk’s xAI raised $6 billion—the future unfolds. 🎯 Ad Hack for Conversions: Turn viewers into customers faster! 🎥 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝘁-𝘁𝗼-𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲: 📹 Turn Words into Stunning Videos with AI. 🔥 Explore 15 Top Text-to-Video AI Tools—creativity at your fingertips. 💼 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 & 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀: 📈 Stan’s 8x ARR Growth Story—from startup to success! 🌐 Exciting Remote Tech Roles in leading startups. 📩 Don’t Miss Out! Get the full details and actionable insights here 👉 Read the Newsletter 👉 https://lnkd.in/g43tybZt 💌 Subscribe for Free: Stay ahead in AI, startups, and tech by joining us here 👉 Subscribe our newsletter https://lnkd.in/gUVpxTCj Now. 💡 Spread the Knowledge: Share this post with your network! 💬 #Startups 🚀 #AI 💡 #Tech 📱 #VentureCapital 💹 #Innovation ✨ #GrowthHacks 📈

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Femtech has been in the headlines this week, as London-based Flo Health cracked a US$1 billion valuation following its US$200m Series C raise backed by General Atlantic – making it Europe’s first femtech company to achieve unicorn status. This has been controversial news on two fronts. First, the news that first place was taken out by a women’s health app run by an all male founding team, which stands in stark relief to the lack of capital going to women-led businesses - with only 2-4% of VC funding going to women-led companies. Second, Flo is still facing an ongoing Canadian class action claiming that it shared intimate health information – including details about users’ menstrual cycles, pregnancies and sex lives – to companies like Facebook, without their knowledge (and it’s not the first time, either - links in comments). This reflects consumers’ very real concerns about data, safety and trust when accessing essential health care that touches on highly personal aspects of our lives. In my favourite conversation yet, Rachel Yang and I recently sat down with Ida Tin, Danish entrepreneur, author and co-founder of the pioneering menstruation tracking app Clue, who coined the term ‘femtech’ back in 2016, to discuss the intersection of data, power and trust. Some highlights from our conversation? Although funding levels into femtech are not nearly as high as we’d like to see, Ida shared that the sector has evolved dramatically since she started Clue over a decade ago. We’re no longer faced with the barrier that women’s health is a niche area, and this shift has encouraged more women founders to start businesses solving the problems they themselves face. That said, there’s still a long way to go in terms of investors believing the scale of these problems and not subjecting women and gender diverse founders to a higher bar. Femtech solutions like Clue go a long way to addressing inequity in health care by empowering people with menstrual cycles with their health data in three ways – to give you the data to know when something isn’t right with your health, to help collect data to share with your doctor to help your experience carry more weight (although it shouldn’t have to be this way!), and helping healthcare providers connect broader datasets to identify key diagnostic gaps. In the post-Roe v Wade world, transparency on data privacy in the femtech space is more concerning than ever – and the risk here really comes down to the ethics of the people making decisions. Consumers are scared of data leaks and tech companies misusing their trust. Against this backdrop, data regulation in the health space is very necessary, and founders need to make sure they’re treating users’ data with the care it deserves. Check out the link to full interview in the comments below👇 Do you know an amazing founder building in the femtech space? I'd love to chat!

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Venture can be an exciting, fast-paced world, but it's also full of surprises. Here are a few things to learn from Sophie Winwood, founder & CEO of WVC:E, the winner of the Achievement of The Year category at the European VC Awards. You might think it's all about mental models and investment criteria. BUT. Venture is about many other things. 1️⃣ It's about people skills and emotional intelligence. Build relationships. Support founders in their journey. Help your companies overcome the rollercoaster of scaling a business. 2️⃣ It's about finding outliers. Stay flexible. Embrace unconventional opportunities. 3️⃣ Being an investor in a downturn is way better. You learn more. You focus on the fundamentals. You are investing in an environment where only those determined will make it. Tune in on EUVC for the full conversation! 🎧 https://buff.ly/4ckOKqF #venturecapital #angelinvesting #startupfunding #fundraising #europe

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Please help us get on stage at SXSW London this summer and bring founder fuel to the masses! WE NEED YOUR VOTE 👇 👇 👇 Our session  “Founders not Superheroes: Why entrepreneurs are driven to quit and what we can do about it to boost startup success rates” will zoom in on how founders can fuel themselves as leaders and as humans for the startup roller-coaster, based on insights from nearly 400 other successful entrepreneurs. Votes count for 40% of the decision on which talks the SXSW judges choose for the final line-up. So your support can make a real difference! By working together we can reach more founders, and make our ecosystem healthier for all. Voting closes on December 19, so vote and report now Here’s how to support… (It’s not the smoothest process and you have to register to vote, but please help!) 1️⃣ Visit: https://lnkd.in/dBmajkWd (this is the page for our founder session) 2️⃣ Log in or create an account (to create an account just add your email address in the login field!) 3️⃣ Once logged in/registered… hit VOTE on our founder session page If it doesn’t redirect you back to the session page once logged in, just search “Superheroes” on the conference voting homepage here: https://lnkd.in/dsnYj_5c

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The NHS: A Unique Playground for Scaling Startups 🏥 With the UK healthtech sector valued at over £24 billion in 2021 and London leading the charge as Europe’s top healthtech hub, you’d think scaling a startup in the NHS would be straightforward. Yet, this journey has humbled even the boldest founders. Why? The NHS isn’t just a healthcare system—it’s a labyrinth. From navigating endless trusts and untangling procurement webs to earning clinical validation, the path to success often feels more like a test of endurance than innovation 🌀 So, how can founders thrive in this intricate ecosystem? The key lies in shifting focus. Forget “time to exit”—it’s all about “time to integration.” Only by embedding solutions seamlessly into the NHS can startups unlock their true potential and impact. 📖 Dive into our full analysis here: https://lnkd.in/ervyGmGz Written by: Andrew M. #HealthTech #Startups #Innovation #NHS #VentureCapital #ScalingStartups #HealthcareEcosystem #Entrepreneurship #HealthInnovation #LondonStartups

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New data from a 2024 Sifted survey sheds light on what founders and investors are battling most in today's market. 📊 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 2024 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬: - 63% struggle most with fundraising. - Customer Acquisition? A pressing issue for nearly 50% - Once startups surpass 20 employees, it's all about revenue generation. 💡 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬’ 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞: They're even more worried about compliance risks and revenue growth than founders are. Plus, AI reigns supreme as the top trend (cited by 63.6%). As CFOs and finance leaders, you’re at the crossroads of strategy and numbers. 🔹 What lessons from your experience align with these trends? 🔹 And where do you see the opportunities to mitigate these challenges for startups in your portfolio or network? Link to full article here: https://lnkd.in/ecw5EYxZ

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🎯 Balderton’s $1.3bn Payday: Europe’s Next Unicorns Incoming!🦄 💰Balderton Capital just secured $1.3bn to fuel European startups from seed to IPO. Their biggest raise yet splits into $615m for early-stage and $685m for growth – setting the stage for massive new bets. 📍With past hits like Revolut and Depop they’re doubling down on Europe’s tech ecosystem. 🌍 It’s clear: Europe’s startup scene is getting serious backing! From AI breakthroughs to fintech disruptors, they’re keeping it sector-agnostic and founder-first. 🔑 So, Balderton Capital team, what’s next on the investment horizon?💡 Greta Anderson Rachel Bremer Laura McGinnis Magda Lukaszewicz Suranga Chandratillake ❤️ Credit goes to Daphné Leprince-Ringuet for reporting this ❤️ #europe #investment

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TL;DR - Announcing our new brand: e2vc! 💙 - After Funds I & II with 500 Global, we’re now fully independent and gearing up for our next fund in 2025! 🥳 - Still hunting unicorns in Emerging Europe’s globally-focused startups. 🦄 After two amazing months with 500 Emerging Europe, I’m now officially part of e2vc! 😛 Keeping this in the shadows has been tough, but the wait is over. 🥂 From name to mission, e2vc is here to support founders across Emerging Europe. Check out the full story in the tech.eu article linked in the comments. #e2vc #EmergingEurope Enis Hulli, Arın Özkula, Esat Acar, Kaan Eren, Tunya Irkad, Tarık Dutkuner, Selin Esin, Dilan Sisu, Umut Günbak

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VC funds can receive up to 60 pitch decks a week 😲How do you stand out from the pack? Startup fundraising consultant extraordinaire Eva Dobrzanska shares her actionable insights in our free guide. 👀 https://lnkd.in/eVdGDEg3 We grill 7 active angels and VCs to find out what impresses them and what doesn’t. Download now for the inside scoop. 🍨

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Attention all ambitious founders seeking investment opportunities! Get ready for Pitch&Drink with P2S.vc — a night in London where founders and investors meet under one roof 🚀 This event will feature a speed dating format of pitch-session. Startups will have 2–3 minutes to present their elevator pitch directly to investors, followed by a 6-7 minute Q&A session. Why You Should Join: 👉 Benefit from live pitch reviews and align your startup with investor expectations. 👉 Don't miss this opportunity to make valuable connections and explore funding possibilities! 👉 Connect with a community of like-minded individuals and VCs and gain insights into your next fundraising venture in a relaxed and fun environment. The speed dating part of Pitch&Drink with P2S.vc exclusively for investors and approved startups will start at 6:00 PM. After 8:00 PM, the event will continue with music, drinks, lots of networking, and discussions of the hottest vc news 🍸 Join us on June 3rd!Secure your spot now: https://bit.ly/4alEgpC Pre-seed to Succeed (P2S) is an investment program launched by I2BF Global Ventures, AltaIR Capital, Yellow Rocks!, and Smart Partnership Capital. The P2S is designed for early-stage startups with MVP and first traction and focuses on the following industries: B2B / SaaS, FinTech, AI, Future of Work, Productivity Tools, Digital Health, and HR Tech. The program offers initial funding from participating venture companies, ongoing support from seasoned experts and mentors, and 50% of the next round for proven startups.

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It's tough almost everywhere these days. On the topic of Europe though from both a grant-applicant and entrepreneur perspectives it feels like a vicious circle, where culture plays a huge part. On one hand everyone - and I mean *everyone* - in Europe is lamenting: "why are there so few Tech unicorns in the EU?" (there are literally a handful) and all this talk about boosting entrepreneurship etc. - on the other hand the funding environment is driven entirely by fear as opposed to greed and VCs are much more happy to miss out on an opportunity than think out of the box. I strongly suspect this translates very closely to academia too, particularly when it comes to the total amounts of available funding. I have many criticisms towards the US (political, social etc.) but they *do* think big and they understand that you have to take risks and invest a lot to reap commensurate future dividends. Europe consistently refuses to learn that lesson. I mean... UK is tough, but try fundraising in the EU - good luck to you! Also, I see no breaking of this deadlock; ever.

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👀 PitchBook's newest article: "Why some European startups are picking debt over equity" by Leah Hodgson looks straight out of a Fuse Capital blog: 💡 Here are some interesting excerpts: “There is more supply now of venture debt than there potentially was 24 months ago in the UK and Europe and we’re starting to see that being deployed.” "With less equity capital available, some start-ups have turned to debt to fund day-to-day operations and extend their runways. Although higher interest rates have made debt more expensive, venture debt can still be a cheaper option for those founders unwilling to see their share diluted. “Market conditions are making companies, especially mature ones, hesitant to raise equity capital due to potentially low valuations,” said Shmuel Chafets, founder and partner at Berlin-based VC firm Target Global. “Venture debt acts as a bridge, extending their runway until the market improves.” "Venture debt has historically been used less in Europe than the US, in part due to a lack of education, Chafets added, but start-up mindsets are changing. As the European ecosystem matures, the region’s start-ups are becoming more comfortable with venture debt as a financing tool." 🌍 The UK and EU markets are slowly catching up to the more mature, more established UK market, as more new players start to realise the opportunity there's in this. And as it's expanding, the ecosystem which comprises around 300 funds, can be difficult to navigate and make the most of. 🤓 Hire a specialist advisor who's pioneered venture debt from its European inception until today, with 550+ deals under their belt. That will allow you to cash in on this opportunity, and turn in the best possible term sheet you could get on the market. Contact Fuse Capital for more information 🚀 #financialadvisor #venturedebt #vc #alternativefunding #fundraising #techfunding #entrepreneur

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💡💲Investor Analysis: Investing in Impact-Driven Startups💲💡 According to the City of London Corporation report from earlier this month, impact investing is a tool for catalysing positive solutions to societal challenges. Since 2020, the UK impact investment market has grown 25%--up to £76.8 billion! 📈 Want to know more about some of the best innovative startups and entrepreneurs to invest in? At KAP, our clients have some incredible innovations worth learning about: GT Wings is developing wind propulsion technology that will transform the maritime industry; H2Au.co is a pioneer in natural hydrogen extraction; Biofuel Evolution has created a waste-to-energy converting solution; Floras - Reward the Earth is revolutionising the B2B supply chain; Improved Energy has found a solution for faster and cheaper renewable energy technology; and Aviura has developed a methane pyrolysis which produces Hydrogen and Carbon Black. Check out our last newsletter, or message our team to learn more about each of these exciting companies! 🚀 #kantaradvisorypartners #innovation #cityoflondon #impactinvestment #investmentreport #climatesolutions

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As we approach the end of 2024, I’d like to reflect on the incredible milestones we’ve achieved at Blockwall this year, complementing the great summary my team has already shared: https://lnkd.in/eQEsvN4c Being part of an exceptional #VC fund that continuously pushes the boundaries of what’s possible is just amazing. We’re not just fostering innovation in Germany, but also working to elevate Europe’s position in the global innovation landscape by supporting founders who are making our region competitive once more. This year, we’ve refreshed our brand at Blockwall VC as a testament to our commitment to growth and evolution. I invite you to explore our renewed vision and insights: https://lnkd.in/e-ZVi59m We’re committed to giving investors the opportunity to be part of this journey, proudly supporting founders who are building our tomorrow’s world—because there is no innovation without investment. Thanks to all the great discussions, ideas, and connections I’ve made this year and I look forward to topping this even more in the next year. To continue this journey, we are excited to welcome outstanding talent to our team. We’re currently looking for an Visiting Investment Analyst to join us in early 2025. Here's to the year 2025! #ConfidenceShapesTheFuture #Blockwall2025 #Web3 #Crypto #Blockchain #VentureCapital #Bitcoin

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We’ve seen green shoots when it comes to VC spending in the UK, and our most recent Venture Pulse report highlights a significant rebound in UK VC investment during Q2 🌱 Join us online on Thurs 19 September, from 12:00 to 13:00 as we analyse the trends from H1 2024! 🚀 Secure your place here: https://lnkd.in/ea8xAx_v Alongside a panel of major UK VCs, we will discuss: 🌎 Global and regional insights when it comes to VC investments 📊 Emerging trends: explore the latest investment themes, where the money is coming from and why 🤑 Top sectors: We will explore which sectors and technologies are receiving the most investment, and why. If you are an investor, entrepreneur, business owner or founder, then this event is perfect for you. For further insights, check out our Q2 2024 #VenturePulse report in the comments! #VC #venturecapital #SeriesA #Seed

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I couldn’t be prouder to be a Venture Partner at Isomer Capital (aka the best European FoF - at least for me) as we just announced the launch of our pioneering £100m secondaries fund. This fund is dedicated to acquiring stakes from LPs in various VC funds, tapping into a massive and largely unexplored market. 🌟 Key Highlights: - Focused Investment: Primarily targeting stakes in VC funds, with selective investments in private companies. - Robust Funding: Already over 20% funded, thanks to strong support from Nordic family offices and a German foundation. - Market Potential: With a growing number of private tech companies and a VC liquidity crunch, Europe's VC secondaries market is poised for rapid growth. - Track Record: This isn’t Isomer’s first foray into the secondaries market. As a firm we’ve done several secondaries deals with portfolio companies and VC firms, including early-stage VC Seedcamp (in 2021) and mobility giant Bolt (in 2023). - Expert Team: Welcoming the amazing Omolade (Rachel) A., formerly of Coller Capital, as a principal to lead this initiative. 💡 Investment Strategy: - 65-75% of the fund will buy "LP interest" stakes in VC funds. - 15-25% will be directed towards stakes in companies. - Up to 15% reserved for flexible investment opportunities. 📈 Looking Ahead: We're targeting returns of 2-3x, with significant distributions expected in the next 4-7 years. As one of the few players in this space, we're not just participating in the market—we're driving it forward. Read all about it here: https://lnkd.in/dc7sbC3G #VentureCapital #SecondariesFund #EuropeanVC

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Why use Seven Legal? What makes us stand out, what makes us unique? If you're a #vc backed #startup or #scaleup in the UK or US, here are 7 reasons why. 🤔 Still not convinced? 🔏 Our guarantee to you: we deliver – or your money back 💰 Let's chat! 📞 see comments for a free discovery call link and find out how Seven Legal can support you. #startup #highgrowth #legal #founders

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The UK start-up ecosystem is thriving, with new ventures emerging across sectors such as technology, health, and finance. However, while the opportunities are immense, the journey for first-time founders can be challenging. From securing funding and scaling operations to building the right team and navigating regulatory complexities early-stage founders often face a steep learning curve. This is where advisory boards and Non-Executive Directors play a pivotal role. Advisors and NEDs bring a wealth of experience, industry knowledge, and an objective viewpoint, helping founders make more informed decisions. Their ability to foresee challenges and identify opportunities is crucial to long-term success. Beyond strategic input, first-time founders often need guidance on leadership, company culture, and building resilience. A seasoned NED can provide mentorship, supporting founders as they grow both personally and professionally. Advisors and NEDs are typically well-connected, offering founders access to valuable networks for partnerships, investment, and market opportunities that may be otherwise difficult to reach. It's easy for founders to get caught up in the day-to-day running of a business. NEDs help maintain focus on the bigger picture, ensuring the company remains aligned with its strategic goals and long-term vision. For first-time founders, surrounding themselves with the right advisory team can be the difference between surviving and truly thriving in a competitive market. #Startups #UKBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Founders #AdvisoryBoards #NED #Leadership #Growth #Innovation #BusinessStrategy

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