Talia Goldberg

Rolling into another day of the Primary Summit. Hit me up if we should connect onsite. Kudos to the Primary Ventures team so far, as yesterday’s Pre-Seed Summit was on point. Mar Hershenson, Benjamin Sun, Chris Douvos, Zach Weinberg, and Graham Pingree all dropping helpful nuggets for fund managers. Some paraphrased highlights: - Chris Douvos (AHOY Capital) - Most fund decks are terrible. Start with your people (not your strategy) and know you have about 6 slides of his attention. - Zach Weinberg (Curie.Bio ) - beleives SF’s AI talent is a significant advantage over NY, wouldn’t build AI in NY. Also questions if VC exits can keep up with VC expansion (generally hilarious and smart Twitter follow) - Mar Hershenson (Pear VC) - VC is so much more competitive now. It’s not enough to be an ex-founder with a great network and domain expertise. Have a better “why you are different” or do something else! - Benjamin Sun (Primary Venture Partners)- still sees arbitrage in going long NY venture (vs. SF). Do the work to keep various influential networking nodes aware of what you’re doing and how you think.

47

5 Comments

Employee terminations: they're a topic no one wants to discuss but that every company has to navigate. Thankfully, Melanie Naranjo and wonderful Ethena advisor (& Gusto's former People Leader) Jess Yuen are tackling this tricky topic for the next Ethena webinar. Register if you want to learn more about these topics: How to pressure test whether or not termination is the right course of action Best practices for communicating termination decisions How to minimize risk and choose the best course of action when things get tricky Critical pitfalls to avoid

30

5 Comments

That planning season is upon us once more - almost like it’s an annual thing :) The more informed you are the more realistic the planning the cycle - especially in a new market transition cycle (here we go again!) Join Randy Wootton and Maxio break down all dimensions of growth and operations with data points across the SaaS market to build a plan rooted in market reality 🔥

8

Catch another episode of This Week in Startups where Upfront Managing Partner Mark Suster interviews Max Altman and Ben Braverman, two of the three co-founders of Saga Ventures. With Saga’s new $125 million fund, the trio talk about: ➡ Fundraising challenges the co-founders faced as a first-time fund and the playbook of how referrals can be the best leads for increasing the chances of success ➡ Nuances of determining a fund size to maintain competitive advantages in deal strategies ➡ Ben’s learnings from working with Ryan Peterson at Flexport as well as Max’s experience and unique advantages working with his brothers Jack and Sam Here's a short clip below about the attributes of successful founders that they look for, including those willing to take unconventional risks 👇

20

We're absolutely thrilled to announce a monumental milestone for Flo Health Inc.! After years of dedication to women's health, Flo, a long-standing member of the Target Global family, has secured over $200 million in Series C funding led by General Atlantic.This incredible investment propels Flo's valuation beyond $1 billion, officially making it a unicorn – a rare and remarkable feat in the femtech space. This accomplishment isn't just about numbers. It's a testament to the power of prioritizing women's health. Flo has seen phenomenal growth over eight years, becoming the #1 downloaded app in the Health & Fitness category. Today, Flo empowers nearly 70 million monthly active users (MAUs) and boasts close to 5 million paid subscribers. Notably, 1 in 4 US women trust Flo, solidifying its position as a leader in the global movement for women's health. But this is just the beginning! This investment fuels Flo's mission to revolutionize female healthcare experiences worldwide. By directing resources towards areas of critical yet unmet needs (which, let's be honest, encompasses a vast majority of women's health!), Flo will continue to be a driving force for positive change. Congratulations Dmitry Gurski,Yuri Gurski, and the entire Flo Health Inc. team! More in the Financial Times here ---->https://lnkd.in/dJZdajM4

109

9 Comments

DeepCast shipped a number of really cool new features recently in advance of a broad outreach push to podcast listeners. One new feature is our new Daily DeepDigest tool that sends you a concise daily email including any new episodes from the trailing 24 hours from any podcasts you Subscribe to (on DeepCast). Think daily podcast cliff notes or podcast news ticker tape, with a hint of Morning Brew various brews or PitchBook News—it's increasing information throughput when you're pressed for time. And this feature is rapidly evolving to distill other key extractions from shows you're already interested in, but also exposing you to other shows you might be unfamiliar with that also have nuggets to share—and thus increasing your aperture yet still conscious of your time. Want to go deeper on any given episode? Click the episode detail and you're off to an episode on DeepCast, where you can subsequently read a longer form distillation of that episode or go straight to the source and listen to the episode. (And podcaster friends, these pages are definitely increasing indexing and thus Google entry points to your shows!) I'm loving this feature as a user, personally. Can't wait to see what others think! #BuildingInPublic #Podcasts #AllTheWorldsInformation #HowYouWantIt

24

1 Comment

Looking forward to discussing how changing demographics and culture norms are affecting investment opportunities in longevity, health and well-being at The Care Summit today Alongside Cake Ventures' Monique Woodard, Ziegler's Dan Hermann, Oak HC/FT's Billy Deitch and JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s Jennifer Edwards, we’ll dive into the trends shaping how we are investing in the space: - Last year marked one of the most significant social and economic moments in modern times: The number of older adults—those aged 50 and over- surpassed the number of children under the age of 15 for the first time. - In 2020 the 50 plus population contributed $45 trillion to global GDP, or 34% of the total. That equates to about 3x the revenue of the world’s 100 highest- earning companies in 2020. - The U.S. population grew by 24.5 million from 2010 to 2022, and Hispanics accounted for 53% of this increase – a greater share than any other racial or ethnic group. - Women around the world and across all ages drive 64% of consumer spending

42

2 Comments

What’s the VC landscape like in 2024, compared to the last two years? Join #Hub71’s enlightening fireside chat on May 7th, 3:00 to 4:00 PM, with Shirley Romig, Chief Accelerator Investment Officer, Techstars, Michael Lints, Partner, Golden Gate Ventures, and Lalitha Wemel, Program Lead, Techstars, to discover more about raising in the current economy. Equip yourself with the insights needed to thrive in today's dynamic funding environment, covering everything from emerging trends and founder perspectives to evolving investor priorities. Register through this link: https://lnkd.in/dyEt_bbV #FiresideChat #Startups #TechEcosystem

33

1 Comment

I recently had an enlightening conversation with Alex Pattis, general partner of Riverside Ventures and author of the #1 VC syndicate newsletter, "Last Money In." Alex's journey from sales director to launching a syndicate that has completed over 300 deals is truly remarkable. He's deployed over $70 million in capital and built a network of thousands of LPs along the way. During our chat, Alex clarified the intricacies of syndicates, explaining how they differ from traditional venture funds and the unique value they bring to both founders and investors. Syndicates offer a flexible, deal-by-deal approach for LPs, allowing them to cherry-pick investments. Alex highlighted that having a tier-one VC co-investor can significantly boost LP interest in a syndicate deal. Transparency and managing expectations are crucial when working with founders, according to Alex. He also shared insights on how Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) can be a strategic tool for founders to consolidate smaller investors. These structures offer a way to simplify cap tables while still accessing a broader investor base. Alex offered his perspective on the current syndicate market, noting the increasing interest in growth-stage and pre-IPO deals due to shorter paths to liquidity. This trend reflects a shift in investor priorities and the evolving landscape of venture capital. Whether you're a founder looking to understand syndicates or an aspiring investor curious about this unique approach to venture capital, Alex's insights are invaluable. Check out Episode 48 of Fundraising Demystified to learn from Alex's experience and gain a deeper understanding of the syndicate ecosystem!

33

2 Comments

It’s not always about landing the largest customers at the start – it’s about finding the *right* customers for your startup’s growth stage. Amanda Li, Co-Founder & COO of Banyan Infrastructure, talks about the importance of "customer fit” in order to shorten sales cycles in your early-stage years. This sometimes means saying “no” to big name corporates – and that might just be the best thing you can do for the success of your business. Follow SE Ventures for more insights from SE Ventures Innovation Day! #climatetech #industrialtech #startups #scaleup #venturecapital Will Greene

37

Our Founding Partner Shuly Galili just joined the Executive Summary - תקציר מנהלים podcast as a guest speaker. 🎙️ Drawing from the past 13 years at UpWest, Shuly revealed what it’s like writing the first check for early-stage startup founders while spilling some of the secrets on: 👉 What we look for in startups and founding teams 👉 How we evaluate and select companies to invest in 👉 How founders should prepare for VC meetings 👉 Understanding risk, uncertainty, and potential in early investments Interested in giving it a listen? 📌 Find the link to the full episode in the comments below.

26

1 Comment

Navigating the VC landscape in San Diego? Discover firms that not only invest but also mentor and guide startups to success. Here's a snapshot: - Salesforce Ventures - Specializing in enterprise software. Founded by Halsey Minor, Marc Benioff, & Parker Harris. 🌐 - Versant Ventures - A beacon for biotech, founded by Barbara Lubash & co. 🧬 Healthcare & Biotech focus. 📈 - QED Investors - Fintech frontrunners, by Caribou Honig, Frank Rotman, & Nigel Morris. 💳 - HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH Capital - Supports startups to growth-stage companies across sectors. Founded by Manuel A. Henriquez & team. 📈 - Correlation Ventures - Co-investing champions in the US, initiated by Trevor Kienzle & David Coats. 🔍 - JMI Equity - Growth-stage software investment specialists. Established by Charles Noell & Harry Gruner. 💻 - Anzu Partners - Life science, manufacturing, and materials innovators, started by Michael David & co. 🔬 - Saltagen Ventures - Early-stage biotech focus, founded by Joseph F.. 🌏 NA and Asia. 📈 🌟 Whether you're seeking capital, mentorship, or operational expertise, these VC firms offer diverse opportunities for startups in various stages and industries. Full article here: https://lnkd.in/gpgkRHU3 👉 Looking to raise funding? Explore more about these firms and find your perfect match. #VCs #Startups #SanDiego #Innovation #Tech #SoCal

3

2 Comments

Navigating the VC landscape in San Diego? Discover firms that not only invest but also mentor and guide startups to success. Here's a snapshot: - Salesforce Ventures - Specializing in enterprise software. Founded by Halsey Minor, Marc Benioff, & Parker Harris. 🌐 - Versant Ventures - A beacon for biotech, founded by Barbara Lubash & co. 🧬 Healthcare & Biotech focus. 📈 - QED Investors - Fintech frontrunners, by Caribou Honig, Frank Rotman, & Nigel Morris. 💳 - HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH Capital - Supports startups to growth-stage companies across sectors. Founded by Manuel A. Henriquez & team. 📈 - Correlation Ventures - Co-investing champions in the US, initiated by Trevor Kienzle & David Coats. 🔍 - JMI Equity - Growth-stage software investment specialists. Established by Charles Noell & Harry Gruner. 💻 - Anzu Partners - Life science, manufacturing, and materials innovators, started by Michael David & co. 🔬 - Saltagen Ventures - Early-stage biotech focus, founded by Joseph F.. 🌏 NA and Asia. 📈 🌟 Whether you're seeking capital, mentorship, or operational expertise, these VC firms offer diverse opportunities for startups in various stages and industries. Full article here: https://lnkd.in/gpgkRHU3 👉 Looking to raise funding? Explore more about these firms and find your perfect match. #VCs #Startups #SanDiego #Innovation #Tech #SoCal

3

1 Comment

Ever since we launched SHAKTI, every quarter we write a letter to our LPs = Each letter includes an update on the portfolios, the GP's (our) view on the zeitgeist, an interview with a portfolio CEO and an interview with a TITAN = So far, we have 16 such letters = it's been on our "to do" list to share these publicly (i am lazy) = then Google comes along to save lazy people like me (thank you NotebookLLM) = here's a 10 min podcast summarizing our journey since Dec/2020 with the 16 LP letters as source = if you wanted to know what we are about, this is a pretty good place to start = https://lnkd.in/db7K2TrT cc SHAKTI

66

5 Comments

Very impressed with the Wevo Energy story and I share those feelings. It is never easy facing all challenges and complexities. #Podcast #StartupJourney #SolarEnergy #Entrepreneurship #WEVO #SolarEdge #Acquisition

7

Jenny Fielding, Scott Hartley, & the rest of the Everywhere Ventures team - I can't tell you enough how great it's been having you in our corner. Thanks for believing in us early. To the rest of our startup friends, Everywhere Ventures are the kind of partners I've always dreamed about: principled, experienced, and pragmatic. They show (not only talk about) how entrepreneurs are the asset they're backing, not just the businesses around them. #startup #entrepreneurship #venturecapital

51

7 Comments

WE DID IT! After 2 years of pushing through the biggest downturn in VC in decades, Matthew Stotts 🌐 and I made it to the finish line with Fund I! We couldn't have done this without One Small Planet (Will Peterffy and Jack Wielebinski 🙏), Regen Network and Regen Foundation (Austin Wade Smith Gregory Landua and Will Szal), and a dozen other family offices and angels who believed that we can build a nature-positive economy utilizing our eye for software and our history as founders from day 1 A shout out goes to all of our founders (only four announced today, but watch this space - there are multitudes!) who trusted us enough to give us a spot on their cap table for this 10-15 year journey. This is the best job in the world, and it's because we get to work with people like you who have weird ideas in the best possible way. Using Bitcoin as anchor base load to decarbonize residential housing in America's most expensive energy market? Make every complex supply chain legible to machines so we can find and eliminate deforestation in commodity supply chains? Build deeply liquid environmental asset markets to price ecosystem services, on a blockchain, that no one needs to know is a blockchain? I'm so excited to get to work on this stuff for the next 10-15 years minimum, and to see what we can accelerate with our tiny fund in the next 5-6 years as we approach 2030 Onward! https://lnkd.in/gy3B-DFe

569

118 Comments

How companies purchase software is rapidly evolving, with cloud marketplaces expected to reach $100B in 2026, up from $15B in 2023. Simply put, if you are building and selling cloud software today, it's imperative that you can sell through a cloud marketplace. The journey, however, can be a little confusing, and management can be even harder. With 3x growth last year and 3/4th of our business now flowing through a cloud marketplace, CloudZero switched to Clazar earlier this year to handle our rapid growth, and I couldn't be more thrilled. Trunal B. and Aayush Bahuguna have a big vision for how cloud marketplaces will evolve and how software will be bought and sold in the future. No matter where you are on your journey, learning from them what's coming next is worth your time.

38

3 Comments

Thanks Peter Walker and the Carta team for hosting me last week at The Progress and for the cool latte art. I always appreciate being fed and my daughter loved her portrait. I find so much value in Peter and team’s analysis and insights — and recommend Carta to any fellow emerging manager. Their reports have been incredibly helpful for communicating with LPs, preparing for talks and providing much needed VC fund benchmarking data. A couple of key takeaways from Carta’s VC Fund Performance Q1 2024 report: Vintage is #1: The conventional wisdom that vintage is the most important determinant of fund performance is supported by Carta's data on DPI/TVPI/IRR across recent vintages from 2017 - 2022. Take DPI for example, while 25% of 2017 vintage funds had returned capital (DPI over zero) after three years, only 9% of 2021 vintage funds had. Earlier vintages took advantage of liquidity opportunities during the ZIRP boom while later vintages got stuck with higher valuations and fewer exit opportunities. Focus on sustaining exclusive deal flow: Venture is a long game. LPs should expect to be in a fund for 10-15 years, sometimes longer. Success for emerging managers from fund I to fund II and beyond is determined by sustained access to exclusive deal flow.

71

6 Comments