Songe LaRon

Wing Venture Capital's Founder Docs project is a unique collection of startup wisdom, by founders, for founders. The authors of the docs are talented founders themselves, sharing their experience on the topics they are most passionate about. I'd like to highlight the contributions of Edo Liberty, founder / CEO of Pinecone. Edo writes about the special opportunities for the scientist / founder (and he is one of the best of this breed!), as well as some of the risks and challenges they face. I got a lot out of reading Edo's stuff and I suspect you will too! https://lnkd.in/g_wyRMiE

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🚀 This one’s for the founders: a masterclass in execution and innovation. This week, I sat down with Adhemar M., founder and CEO of Kovi, a Brazilian company redefining mobility through car subscriptions and connected tech in a market plagued by high costs and limited credit access. Backed by ~$145M in funding from the likes of Valor Capital Group, monashees, MAYA CAPITAL, Globo Ventures, Norte Ventures and Peter Thiel's family office, Kovi is addressing high car costs, tough credit barriers, and insurance gaps in one of the world’s most exciting markets. What we covered 👇🏻 ​🔑 Driving innovation: How Brazil’s mobility challenges are powering market transformation ​🤝 Connect the dots: Building stronger founder/VC partnerships through transparency and market education ⚙️ Complexity doesn’t scale: Lessons in building efficient, scalable operations 🌐 Break down silos: Creating synergy between tech and operations in a startup ​⚡ Clean win: How Brazil’s renewable edge and gig economy lead the EV growth Link in comments—don’t miss this one! 🎧 PS: Thank you Vander Corteze, MD for the intro to Adhemar and for some excellent question suggestions 👏🏻

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CRV's recent decision to return $275M from its later-stage Select Fund highlights the growing caution around inflated valuations. As capital becomes more selective, this move signals a recalibration, especially for late-stage startups where liquidity is tighter and exits are delayed. While this news centers on a later-stage fund, we may also see new early-stage funds raising less capital going forward. With a more conservative approach across the board, founders at all stages should expect increased scrutiny and a more measured funding environment in the near term. https://lnkd.in/grG7u_KK

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This is so disheartening! However, in addition to addressing this challenge, we need to find innovative ways to mobilize domestic capital and diaspora investments. The biggest challenge is “trust”, alot of our people work in silos with an individualistic mindset. We should learn from other races how to collaborate for greater impact! Ecosystems develop based trust! For instance, the Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists in Sillicone valley are within a tight network. And its trust that enables founders to tap into these networks/relationships to raise preseed, seed capital, and later funding rounds. Even in Nigeria the Igbo entrepreneurship and trans-generational wealth creation model is based on trust.

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It was an absolute pleasure to sit down with Joao Barbosa, co-founder at the world's leading corporate wellness platform Gympass(now rebranded to Wellhub) for the most recent episode of The J Curve. Five big ideas from our convo 👇💡 1️⃣ Startup pivot is not an event, it’s a process Base your decision on data, customer feedback and other validated learnings. Establish clear KPIs that will guide decision-making and define what should success look like. Be prepared to test and iterate and test again. Flexibility, adaptability and sensitivity to feedback is key 2️⃣ Building a MOAT, or competitive advantage is essential for a startup to compete and sustain growth In Wellhub case the moat is network effect. It’s difficult and expensive to build (CAC was huge) but at scale it represents a huge barrier to exit for corporate clients 3️⃣ Put a lot of thought into pricing model, especially if you operate in a B2B segment Early-stage founders frequently under-price their offering. Once you land 1-2-year enterprise contracts, changing the price will be problematic 4️⃣ International expansion has to be carefully planned and executed post-product market fit Ideally once you have already significantly penetrated your domestic market and gained a clear understanding of how / why every dollar you spend internationally will deliver you more money than if you were to spend it domestically 5️⃣ Standardized processes are at the core of building teams at scale When you hire 100 people a month it’s not about keeping the bar high but about creating a clear set of rules to evaluate the performance and hire and fire fast You can listen to my full conversation with Joao by searching The J Curve Podcast on Youtube, Spotify and Apple Podcast For deeper insights into this conversation + some of my favorite listens and reads of this week check out our newsletter link in comment 🔗

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🌟💰 Cendana & Kline Hill Launch $105M Fund for Secondary Stakes in Seed VC Funds💰🌟 📢Cendana Capital, a fund of funds that invests in dozens of seed-stage venture firms, and Kline Hill Partners, a firm focused on buying small previously owned private assets, are announcing a new $105 million Kline Hill Cendana Partners fund, which is well above the $75 million target, reported TechCrunch. 🔊“Over the past 2 years, we’ve been hearing from our portfolio funds, ‘We have a family office that wants to sell their $2 million commitment. Would you be interested in buying it?'” said Michael Kim, founder and managing director of Cendana Capital. "As we navigate the evolving VC landscape, this fund offers a unique opportunity to buy stakes in seed-stage VC funds and startups at relative bargains," shares Michael Kim. 💡💸 Led by Kim and Chris Bull, CFA of Kline Hill Partners, this joint venture combines expertise and relationships to navigate the secondary market with precision. "Our goal is to capitalize on the current buyer's market in venture capital," says Bull. 🌐🤝 "With traditional secondary investors eyeing the venture space, the competition is fierce. However, our focus on seed-stage firms sets us apart," explains Kim. 📈💼 Cendana’s relationships with its portfolio funds, including Lerer Hippeau, Forerunner Ventures and Bowery Capital, are helping it take the lead on sourcing secondary deals. Cash-hungry venture investors, whether VCs themselves or their LPs, are increasingly looking to sell their illiquid positions to secondary buyers.  As they embark on this venture, the firms are poised to make a significant impact on the VC ecosystem, providing much-needed liquidity and unlocking new opportunities for growth. "The future looks bright for Cendana and Kline Hill's joint endeavor," concludes Bull. 🌟💰 With the demand for liquidity in the VC space at an all-time high, Cendana and Kline Hill's initiative couldn't come at a better time. By facilitating secondary transactions in seed-stage funds, they're not only providing relief to cash-hungry investors but also fueling innovation and growth in the startup ecosystem. 🌱💡 As the venture capital landscape continues to evolve, partnerships like these will play a crucial role in ensuring the health and sustainability of the industry. With their proven track record and strategic approach, Cendana and Kline Hill are well-positioned to lead the way forward. 🚀🌐 ✅ 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 #VentureCapital #SecondaryMarket #SeedFunding #Innovation #StartupInvesting #Entrepreneurship #CendanaCapital #KlineHillPartners #VCInvestment #SeedStage #LiquidityOpportunity #FutureofVC #InnovativePartnerships

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A new era of deep tech has emerged. First time funds will raise “unheard of” amounts of capital to fuel next gen deep tech startups - producing outsized, superior returns for LP’s compared to the rest. Prudent investors will act on this data and shift investment strategy as LP’s or risk being left behind savvy wealth managers and CIO’s / FO’s who saw this trend begin 4 years ago.

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There has never been a more ideal time for an entrepreneur to initiate and develop a startup. Costs of creating and operating a startup continue to decrease. Access to resources and the ability to be a founder is increasingly more democratized. Currently, a founder raising money has many more options than ten years ago. The Founders VC blog is focused on educating the reader how does the founder evaluate the myriad opportunities and maximize the result. The knowledge that will be conveyed in the Founders VC blog will save those interested in entrepreneurship and VC much time and money in the journey of navigating being a founder or VC.

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This part of my conversation with Joao Barbosa, co-founder at the world’s leading wellness platform Gympass (now Wellhub) valued at $2.4 is a testament to the fact that nothing big actually started big 👇 It took Gympass 5 pivots and 2 near death experiences to find the business model that works and is scalable across the globe What I found really interesting is the framework that the team had around pivots - the tripod approach towards creating value. This approach could benefit many founders especially in marketplace kinda businesses Head over to our channels on Spotify, Apple and YouTube to watch / listen to the full conversation link in comment 🔗 The J Curve #thejcurvepodcast #podcastrecommendation #gympass #pivot #entrepreneurship #founder #venturecapital

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The H-1B visa season is almost here, offering a golden opportunity for talented professionals, ambitious startups, and forward-thinking corporations to contribute to America's innovation landscape. For Startups: Even early-stage companies can sponsor H-1B visas. We'll help you navigate the additional scrutiny, demonstrating your ability to pay, company sophistication, and the crucial employer-employee relationship. Your vision deserves the best talent to bring it to life. For Corporations: Leverage your established status to attract global expertise. We'll help streamline your H-1B process, maximizing your chances in the annual lottery and exploring options like H-1B transfers for candidates already in the U.S. For Individuals: Your skills are invaluable, and your dreams matter. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, we'll craft a compelling case that showcases your extraordinary potential. Navigating the intricate H-1B landscape can be overwhelming, but you have a trusted partner in this journey. Our seasoned immigration experts are poised to shepherd you through each critical phase, from the initial registration to the potential final triumphant approval. We don't believe in one-size-fits-all solutions; instead, we craft bespoke strategies that align perfectly with your unique circumstances and aspirations. Whether you're a cutting-edge startup, an established corporation, or a brilliant individual, we have the expertise to help turn your ambitions into reality. As the H-1B window opens, seize this moment. Your future in America awaits, and we're honored to be part of your journey. Reach out today to learn more about our preferential rates for Early Birds, and let's transform your H-1B aspirations into reality.

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At the recent Founders N' Funders event, I got to see our founder Eduardo Henriques give a quick 30-second pitch for Ponder.ly - a really exciting glimpse into what we're building. For those interested in seeing the full pitch and learning more about our AI-powered consumer intelligence platform, Eduardo Henriques will be presenting at the upcoming Pitch Deck Review Session on May 20th. This is a great opportunity to observe his pitch to a panel of startup experts who will provide valuable feedback. As a co-founder, I'm really passionate about the problem we're solving - enabling brands to ethically collect customer data and generate deep insights, while empowering consumers to control and benefit from sharing their information. Our approach using interactive branded data communities, gamification, and AI is truly innovative. I'd encourage anyone interested in disruptive marketing/research technologies to sign up and check out Eduardo's pitch. It will give you a window into how Ponder.ly is pioneering the future of transparent data exchange between brands and customers. Looking forward to getting more exposure and feedback as we continue growing Ponder.ly into a game-changing platform! Thanks to Jeff Erickson with Founders N' Funders because without his support and unconditional belief in startups like ours, we wouldn't have opportunities like this. Supportive ecosystems play a vital role in nurturing entrepreneurship and innovation. Registration link: https://lnkd.in/guFgMib4 Tanner S. Zyanya Bejarano David Reyes Jose Octavio Carrillo

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Data and observations on recent trends in VC deal terms. Along with more "structure" (participating preferred, multiples on liquidation preference, and cumulative dividends), pre-money valuations have dropped significantly more and not recovered in later stage deals but early stage deals are much closer to 2022 pre-money values & raise sizes. https://lnkd.in/g2kcxznr

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This piece from Sonnet Frisbie underscores the interconnectedness of tech regulation, geopolitics, and the challenges of operating in politically divided markets. I expect the Trump administration to favor light-touch regulation and oppose foreign rules on U.S. tech firms. However, domestic and international antitrust debates will influence U.S. and foreign approaches to regulating big tech. Policy paralysis has left the U.S. behind as the EU's Digital Markets Act shapes global standards, affecting countries like Brazil. Social media companies face growing scrutiny, with political factions worldwide using these platforms to advance agendas. Tech firms must navigate these challenges while addressing accusations of censorship and partisanship. #geopolitics #bigtech #socialmedia #politicaleconomy

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Third and last part of my post with some insights from the #fundraising of our latest fund. Some of the tools we used and how we managed to get the finish line successfully!

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LET THE INVESTOR SPEAK, part 1: "Find yourself a person who asks questions that hurt, and who pushes you to care about the dead boring stuff." That's Raoul Dobal's advice on how to spot the perfect investor and board member. As an angel investor, active board member and CTO of PMG Investment Solutions AG, Raoul is ready to get his hands dirty and to serve as an active and committed board member in the startups he invests in. It's also the best way for him to make sure his investees will succeed: giving them an experienced and hands-on support, and making sure the nitty-gritty aspects of growing a company are not neglected. We're talking compliance, data security, HR strategy, and the legal setup. Because while building an awesome product might be the most activating thing to do, setting the reliable groundwork is what's going to help limit future risk. As a startup that got ISO-27001-certified in its first year of existence, we at Neur.on couldn't agree more. In our case, legal and banking clients are only working with us because we can prove how secure our data flows are. That's super boring stuff. Until it isn't. ---------- In the ongoing series "Let the investor speak", I'll showcase personal insights from investors all across the board to help you diversify your search for an angel investor or VC company.

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Unposted Venture Capital Fund Formation Gig in Silicon Valley: -Premier VC fund formation group adding 2022 and 2023 grads -Need to sit in Silicon Valley given that's the nerve center of the Cali team (not downtown SF) -This crew reps more VC and growth funds than any other law firm globally (> 500 total) -They're responsible for nearly 1/3 of all venture $$ raised worldwide -Ideally want experience in fund formation/private funds at top law firm, but will entertain a pivot in discrete compelling instances -Top market comp -3 days/week in-office -Need is now; will hustle and make the economics make sense for a pre-EOY start As always when I throw something on here, my team and I will get you an edge over competition given our relationship with this group. Ping myself ([email protected]) or Gabriella H. ([email protected]) to discuss confidentially.

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Tucano completes the sale of all of its shares in Sundwiger Messingwerk to KME Acquired in November 2020 as a corporate carve-out, Sundwiger Messingwerk’s EBITDA increased more than sevenfold under Tucano’s ownership. Founded in Hemer, Sundwiger Messingwerk, with over 350 employees, generates annual revenues exceeding EUR 200 million. Its products, widely used across industries including automotive, electrical, and telecommunications, have established the company as a leader in copper alloy manufacturing. Acquired by Tucano and fellow investors in November 2020 via a carve-out from the Diehl Group, Sundwiger Messingwerk was transformed into a highly profitable enterprise under Tucano’s ownership. Effective January 6th 2025, Tucano announces the successful sale of all of its shares in Sundwiger Messingwerk, a leading German manufacturer of high-quality copper alloys, to KME Group, one of the world’s largest producers of copper and copper alloy products. Special thanks go to the management that has relentlessly and passionately driven the transformation of Sundwiger Messingwerk over the past years!

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At Costanoa Ventures, we pride ourselves on identifying and supporting exceptional founders poised to create impactful, lasting change. Hona is a shining example, driven by a trio of extremely talented founders: Manny Griffiths, Joshua Christensen, and Matt McClellan. They each bring unique, differentiated expertise to the table, and Amy Cheetham and I are extremely excited to partner with them. There are approximately 450,000 law firms in the United States, with half of those firms being B2C - think personal injury, mass tort, or immigration law as opposed to BigLaw. One of the reasons we love how Hona is tackling this market is their focus on B2C law firms and product excellence - B2B firms are historically difficult to sell brand new software products into, but B2C firms are completely different buyers. Oftentimes there's just a handful of lawyers and paralegals in a partnership, and any piece of technology they can use to give them an edge would be valuable. 44% of negative Google reviews on law firms directly reference poor communication as the reason for a negative experience, and the number 1 reason for Attorney Bar complaints in the U.S. is "lack of communication". On the lawyer's side, attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants spend an average of 7.4 hours per week on unnecessary updates, redundant communication, and activities that aren't directly contributing towards getting a client's case solved. Manny and the team at Hona are working to change all of that. Hona delivers a tightly-integrated communications platform to help facilitate better communication between law firms and their clients. During legal proceedings, client communications tend to be a large resource-stressor for law firms. Clients will frequently call firms for case updates, legal explanations, or general administrative questions that tend to eat away at firm resources without providing any additional progress toward case resolution. Hona exists to ease that burden - it’s a platform that allows law firms to efficiently communicate with their clients over text, easily build customizable web pages and embed videos, and share information on case status and basic legal process education. This crucial communication processes allow attorneys to focus on their job – moving cases forward, while keeping their clients informed and educated. If you're a lawyer dealing with these problems - don't hesitate to reach out to us or the Hona team! It's a privilege to work with Hona on this journey. The company has been growing at a rapid pace, and they're delivering meaningful technology to help people get through legal proceedings in a much more fluid, transparent, and easy process. Manny, Joshua, and Matt are exceptional founders whose combined skills and dedication to continuous learning position them perfectly to lead Hona to success. They're just getting started, and we can't wait to see what they'll achieve.

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Companies come to FinAccelerate seeking solutions to the challenges they face as they continue to grow. In this video, my colleagues talk about nurturing innovation, finding solutions, and building a fintech ecosystem. #FinAccelerate

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