Podcasts about Venture debt

Is the absence of a public market affecting venture lending? In this episode, Adam Torres and Troy Zander, Partner at Manatt, explore venture lending. Troy Zander, Partner at Manatt, explore venture lending. Troy will also be participating in the Venture Debt Conference hosted by DealFlow events.  Follow Adam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/ Visit our website: https://missionmatters.com/ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When people think of how early-stage companies finance their initial growth, venture capital and private equity are often the first things that come to mind, but growth and venture debt have become increasingly prominent in the financial landscape, especially in the wake of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. Ross Ahlgren, a portfolio manager in the growth debt team at BlackRock, joins Oscar to help us understand the current themes driving growth and venture debt opportunities, how his team identifies and evaluates emerging trends, and the role of relationships and local presence shaping the future of this market.Go back and listen to episode 120 "Why Are These Events Different to 2008?" where we break down what happened at Silicon Valley Bank in 2023.00:00 Introduction to Venture and Growth Debt01:31 Understanding Venture and Growth Debt02:45 The Role of Venture Debt in Company Expansion04:28 Misconceptions and Risk-Reward in Venture Debt07:13 Impact of Silicon Valley Bank Collapse13:32 Regional Differences in Venture Debt15:01 Investment Opportunities and Risks18:53 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFollow The Bid on Spotify & Apple Music, and subscribe to us on YouTube. This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to the names of each company mentioned in this communication is merely for explaining the investment strategy and should not be construed as investment advice or investment recommendation of those companies. In the UK and Non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures go to Blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosuresventure debt, debt financing, growth capital, business growth, financial support, investment capital, the bid, blackrock investment strategies, finance landscapeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI is eating the world, or so the headlines say. But what does this really mean for debt markets? Where does AI truly excel, and what limitations persist? What implications does this technological shift hold for analysts' jobs? And how is 9fin deploying AI to address specific challenges confronting debt market professionals?Sujeet Indap, Wall Street editor at the Financial Times, sat down with Steven Hunter, CEO and co-founder of 9fin, to cut through the hype and dissect the real impact of AI on debt markets. This episode was produced from a recent 9fin webinar. If you'd like to learn more about how 9fin's AI-powered platform can give you a competitive edge in debt markets, we'd love to chat.Schedule a personalised demo→ https://9fin.com/sign-up?utm_source=hubspot&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ai_debtmarkets_webinarOr, stay up to date with all the latest for 9fin's insights, news, upcoming events, and new featuresJoin our newsletter→ https://share.hsforms.com/1KaeNlWvzRlqYjJGJjHbZmgby77cFollow us on LinkedIn→ https://www.linkedin.com/company/9finHave any feedback for us? Send us a note at podcast@9fin.com.

No one likes that feeling of being a little too thick in the middle. But finding the right balance of strength and cushion is no easy task. We're talking about the middle office here, of course.The middle office may not always be in the spotlight, but when loan data goes awry it's the team that keeps the gears turning and numbers in check. In this episode, head of podcasts Chase Collum chats with Jared Vest, global co-head of middle office solutions at FIS, to break down the middle office's essential roles, risks, and evolving responsibilities. They explore how accurate data and strong operational support are critical to navigate today's fast-paced loan market.This episode was produced in partnership with FIS as part of a three-part series diving into the challenges facing middle office practitioners and users of global loan data sets.Have any feedback for us? Send us a note at podcast@9fin.com.

In the credit markets, it's important practitioners get their fax straight. No, you didn't read that wrong — even in 2025, people still use fax machines to transmit some loans data.In our latest Cloud 9fin episode, Chase Collum, head of podcasts, and private credit analyst Devin McGinley, sit down with John Smullen, product manager at FIS. They chat about how global data trends are shaping strategies in the leveraged finance world as private credit CLOs and direct lending gain ground.This episode is part of a three-part series we'll publish in partnership with FIS on Cloud 9fin, so look out for our next episode, coming next Thursday! Have any feedback for us? Send us a note at podcast@9fin.com.

In this episode of Jane's LME Addiction, our head of LME coverage Jane Komsky brings in global chair of Gibson Dunn's restructuring group, Scott Greenberg, to discuss the evolution of cooperation agreements within liability management exercises. They discuss the different types of co-ops, why co-ops have become expected in US deals, their spread to the EU, and the validity of antitrust arguments.Find all our coverage on co-ops at 9fin.com.Have any feedback on the podcast? Send us a note at podcast@9fin.com — thanks for listening!

Three media companies, in vaguely the same vicinity, in fair debt markets where we lay our scene — where ancient business models encounter new scrutiny, and AI generates images you can't unsee…Valentine's Day has been and gone, so why on earth are we besmirching Romeo and Juliet with terrible puns? You should listen to the episode for the full picture, but basically we're discussing three recent debt transactions from X/Twitter, Snap, and Getty Images.These deals might not seem immediately connected, but there's a thread running through all three. In an age of political upheaval and rapid technological advancement, what do they tell us about the future of media? William Hoffman, David Bell and Will Caiger-Smith are here to discuss, and to crowdsource ideas for sponsored 9fin Snapchat filters.Want to share feedback on this episode? Send us a note at podcast@9fin.com.

In the private equity world, continuation vehicles have been a bit of a blockbuster, so can the structure's success transfer to private credit?We have already seen BlackRock's $1.3bn continuation vehicle last year, and some market participants are expecting to see even more in 2025. On the other side however, this might not be as straight forward as in the PE world, and there is a growing pool of skeptics.In this episode of Cloud 9fin, senior private credit reporter Synne Johnsson sits down with private credit reporter Jemima Denham, to discuss all things private credit continuation vehicles -- Why are they the current talk of the town? What are the challenges? And will they eventually take off?Have a listen to hear this discussion on continuation vehicles in the private credit market. If you have any feedback for us, send us a note at podcast@9fin.com. Thanks for listening.

We talk a lot about leverage at the 9fin office (it's kind of the story behind our company name, in case you were wondering) so it should come as no surprise that we think it's interesting. But in the world of Significant Risk Transfer, it's especially fascinating — and controversial.You may have caught the story that Celeste Tamers, part of our growing asset-based finance team, broke last week about Deutsche Bank pulling back from offering repo financing on SRT trades.In this episode of Cloud 9fin, Celeste and our asset-based finance editor Owen Sanderson pick that story apart and use it to explore the history of SRT, to help listeners understand why regulators are raising their eyebrows at the recent growth of this important market.Any feedback on this episode? Email us at podcast@9fin.com.

Long live liability management.In this episode of our new show Jane's LME Addiction, our head of LME coverage Jane Komsky brings in Latham & Watkins partner George Klidonas and C Street founder and CEO Jon Henes, to discuss the Better Health transaction and its implications for future LMEs.Also under discussion: how liability management has taken off as an industry, how law firms and advisors are adapting to this boom in business, and the creative moves market participants are making to ensure the LME space lives a lengthy and healthy life.Listeners might notice a bit of background noise because this episode is also recorded in video format! Find it on YouTube here! Have any feedback on the podcast? Send us a note at podcast@9fin.com — thanks for listening!

Publicly traded leveraged debt issuers are facing a collective maturity wall of $219 billion in the coming years. But unlike the Chiefs' offensive line in the Super Bowl, credit market watchers aren't expecting that wall to collapse.In this episode of Cloud 9fin, US managing editor Bill Weisbrod sits down with credit analyst Ben Dickerman and leveraged finance reporter Dan Mika about their recent piece looking at how the 2026-27 maturity wall in the US is shaping up.Among the highlights: how issuers are hanging on to cheap debt costs, how a leveraged finance market starved for new-money deals is giving BB-rated companies plenty of time to refinance, the uncertainties surrounding Trump administration's economic policies, and how this story was powered by Dan's love of drum and bass music.As always, if you have any feedback for us, send us a note at podcast@9fin.com

With Super Bowl Sunday upon us, much like over a third of the US, we thought we'd focus on sports.Private credit has been circling sports for some time as an investment opportunity. Many regulatory changes in the past year and an increasing number of emerging sports leagues have brought it back into view to begin this year.In this episode of Cloud 9fin, senior reporter Peter Benson sits down with Aaron Kless, managing partner and CIO at Andalusian Credit Partners, to discuss all things private credit and sports.The discussion topics include the institutionalization of the sports market, how credit works with sports franchises and other areas of the sporting world that are ripe for credit investment.As always, if you have any feedback for us, send us a note at podcast@9fin.com

People love to talk about the battle between banks and private credit firms in leveraged debt markets. And at a high level, it's true that the dealflow has bounced back and forth between the two over recent years — but markets are a lot more complex than a game of table tennis.In this episode of Cloud 9fin, Synne Johnsson sits down with Soren Christensen, partner and head of capital markets at Cinven, and Amit Bahri, co-head of European direct lending at Goldman Sachs, to break down how private credit's role has evolved over the years.Among the highlights: how sponsors have adapted to embrace private credit, what the return of the BSL market means for direct lender strategies, the attraction of junior PIKs, and predictions for 2025.As always, if you have any feedback for us, send us a note at podcast@9fin.com.

The full extent of the damage from this season's California wildfires is yet to be determined, but one thing that is certain is that some leveraged credits are starting to feel the heat.In this week's episode of Cloud 9fin, US managing editor Bill Weisbrod and deputy leveraged finance editor Sasha Padbidri survey the extent of the damage and discuss which industries are among the most impacted.Find Sasha's latest report about the wildfires' impact on leveraged credits here. If you have any feedback or want to get in touch, send us a note at podcast@9fin.com. Thanks for listening!

After years of growth and positive sentiment, 2024 saw private credit's smallest fundraising haul since 2019. But the year-on-year drop in capital raised was far less significant than the drop in the number of funds that were closed.In this week's episode of Cloud 9fin, US private credit editor David Brooke and reporter Anna Russi discuss the latest results in private credit fundraising and how LPs are consolidating around their favorite firms. The conversation walks through how investors are feeling about the asset class and whether the incoming Trump administration can help or hinder funds on the road next year. Read Anna and David's article diving into these trends here.Have any questions or feedback for us? Want to join us on the podcast? Send a note to podcast@9fin.com to get in touch. Thanks for listening!

All entrepreneurs should understand what venture debt is so they can make an informed decision to take it or not. Heidi poses a series of questions and scenarios to help founders know whether it's a good option for their company. And if it is, how to set it up and use it.  More Information: https://www.threshold.vc/podcast/the-case-of-the-venture-debt-dilemma Further Reading: As I mentioned in the episode, General Catalyst has an interesting offering around a financing model for growth equity that is a hybrid of debt and equity: https://www.generalcatalyst.com/stories/the-unbundling-of-growth-equity Also, as mentioned, the next version of the SAFE has arrived in the form of a SAFERloan agreement, which allows for some repayment instead of conversion: https://www.liquiditygroup.com/resource-funding/what-is-the-safer-agreement Here's a solid primer on debt covenants:https://www.lightercapital.com/blog/what-are-debt-covenants-on-a-loan#:~:text=A%20debt%20covenant%20lays%20out,more%20specific%20and%20complex%20requirements Finally, one thing I didn't cover in the episode but is relevant to the decision-making about debt is that the lender may ask you to move all your banking business to their bank. And that can prove disastrous in situations like what happened to SVB. Here's a great piece on that danger: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/wake-svbs-collapse-some-tech-founders-turn-against-venture-tanya-dua

David Spreng describes the “venture debt” sector and says 2025 is “very optimistic” for his industry. He talks about why a company would be interested in venture debt, since it doesn't dilute shares and has less “governance strings.” He also discusses how interest rate decisions from the Fed have affected the loans his industry makes. ======== Schwab Network ======== Empowering every investor and trader, every market day. Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribe Download the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-... Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-... Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/19192... Watch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplu... Watch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-net... Follow us on X – / schwabnetwork Follow us on Facebook – / schwabnetwork Follow us on LinkedIn - / schwab-network About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

bio of our guest , Richard Harris : With over a decade of experience navigating the financial landscapes of Brazil and the United States, Richard Harris founded Bexley VC with a focus on identifying and supporting ventures with high growth potential. Combining deep industry knowledge, strategic insights, and a strong network, Richard has built partnerships with a wide range of entrepreneurs, the business community and government. His work is driven by a belief in the growth potential of biotech startups and their ability to address critical market opportunities.   Richard's professional background includes roles as Portfolio Manager and Financial Advisor at leading financial institutions such as J.P. Morgan, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and HSBC Bank. In these roles, he managed investor relations, capital raising, startup due diligence, and contributed to capital deployment for Venture Capital and Venture Debt funds, with an emphasis on Biotech and Climate Tech investments.

For quite a while now, the Indian startup ecosystem has really been feeling the pinch. People in the know call it the funding winter. These are periods of tremendous financial insecurity for startups, particularly now. You see, for the last five years ago, the startup funding culture here in India was like a rollercoaster that was only going up. But now the scenario has changed considerably. After a dream run, big-ticket equity funding has slowed down and once sky high valuations are very quickly coming back to Earth. These startups still need the money, obviously. But they have realised that raising a round of funding may not be as easy as it once was. But they have found their knight in shining armour. In comes ‘venture debt'. These are essentially loans that go to VC-backed startups. A lot of the startups in the Indian ecosystem are thirsty, and venture debt is increasingly proving to be the refreshing splash they needed amid this funding drought.But there's a catch. Tune in.  Daybreak is produced from the newsroom of The Ken, India's first subscriber-only business news platform. Subscribe for more exclusive, deeply-reported, and analytical business stories.

In this episode, Candice and Felicity sit down live in the studio with Jason Edwards from January Capital to speak about the rise of venture debt as an asset class and why he founded the firm to take advantage of the VC market in the growing economies of south east asia like Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia to name a few. Southeast Asia is often described as an emerging digital hub. Investors are aware of their strong economic growth, growing GDP, favourable demographics and strategic location in terms of global trade and opportunities, so in this conversation Candice and Felicity unpack the reasons behind private credit has become and will continue to be an attractive investment opportunity for investors.Tune in for more investable insights. Follow Talk Money To Me on Instagram, or send Candice and Felicity an email with all your thoughts here. Felicity Thomas and Candice Bourke are Senior Advisers at Shaw and Partners, and you can find out more here. *****In the spirit of reconciliation, Equity Mates Media and the hosts of Talk Money To Me acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today. *****Talk Money To Me is a product of Equity Mates Media. This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes. Any advice is general advice only, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances, needs or objectives. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement. And if you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional. Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697.Talk Money To Me is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the EUVC podcast, Andreas discusses with Fatou Diagne, Founder and Managing Partner at Bootstrap Europe.Bootstrap Europe is a venture investment firm currently raising the fourth fund, aiming for €350-400M, after closing Fund III with €157M. With €250M in assets under management, Bootstrap Europe is headquartered across London, Luxembourg, and Zurich.Bootstrap Europe targets companies in the post-Series A+ or Series B stage—those with venture capital already on their cap table, solid KPIs, or valuable patents and assets in place. The firm's sweet spot? European HQ'd companies, or those with European founders or VCs, with an upcoming allocation to support U.S. expansions. They even have 10% of their fund reserved for other exciting regions, like Africa.Bootstrap Europe specializes in geeky, transformative sectors: Deeptech, Life Sciences, Cleantech, Fintech, and SaaS, and some of their notable investments are:Scandit (Swiss Unicorn) in Machine VisionBlueprint Genetics (exited investment, Finnish tech used by Quest Diag during COVID - 1 of 2 largest labs in US)Telensa: largest installed base of smart city lighting wordlwide, bought by SignifyRecent undisclosed exciting investments in robotics, AI healthcare, foodtech, RNA techGo to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview

Nick Keegan, the CEO & co-founder of MailMetrics is your mentor this week. He teaches us how to use venture debt and company acquisitions to supercharge your company growth.  Check out the full podcast here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPRHfAvJGC0  --- Thanks to my Partners - Visit them to support the podcast Growing Further: https://bit.ly/3Lia2tn Iconic Offices: https://bit.ly/3vPQAzF 

Our guest for this episode of Investor Focus is Chris Gillings, founder of Cut Through Venture and part of the Venture Capital investment team an Five V/ Capital.  Chris spent a decade in the US working in venture capital including on the corporate side for MasterCard. Moving back to Australia, Chris started Cut Through Venture to fill a data gap in the Australian ecosystem, not well covered by global platforms. ​​​​​​​ This episode discusses the most recent Cut Through Venture quarterly report, and also provides some great advice for founders seeking capital. Topics include: Trends in the data. Global comparisons including between the US and Australian investment communities. Investor sentiment and market dynamics. Venture Debt growing  as a viable option, especially during tough equity markets. Navigating the current market. Concerns with equity crowdfunding and 7 ideas for improvement.  The future of Cut Through Venture.  We really enjoyed the discussion with Chris, and look forward to having him back on for the Q3 Cut Through Venture report update. hello@tribeglobal.vc

HR Duo, a leading provider in workforce management solutions, today announced the successful completion of a €1.7M venture debt funding round. This funding was provided by international investment firm Salica Investments. The infusion of capital will bolster HR Duo's financial health, providing the Irish HR Tech start-up headquartered in Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath with the resources to accelerate its growth and development in the UK market. The latest injection of funding from Salica Investments underscores HR Duo's strong growth trajectory, and brings the total raised since HR Duo's inception to €6.8 million, which included a successful €4.5m Series A round in January 2023. The company is planning to complete a Series B investment round in 2025. The new funding will be pivotal in supporting HR Duo's expansion initiatives, particularly in scaling its unique workforce management capabilities and enhancing its market position in the UK. The company will focus on enhancing its product offerings, developing AI-driven features, and bolstering its sales and marketing efforts. Additionally, HR Duo plans to make strategic hires in senior management to drive its growth strategy forward Building on its successful entry into the UK market in July 2023, HR Duo has rapidly established itself as a preferred provider of High Value Workforce Management HR solutions for SMEs across various sectors. The company's innovative approach, leveraging workforce management, AI and automation to address HR inefficiencies, has resonated strongly with UK businesses seeking 21st Century Workforce Management solutions. The entry into the UK also signifies the beginning of a broader international expansion strategy for HR Duo with future plans including the establishment of operations in the US and Australia. "The move into the UK market marked a significant milestone for HR Duo," said Jerome Forde, CEO of HR Duo. "Already a leader in Ireland across industries such as retail, construction, manufacturing, medical devices, hospitality, and tech startups, our expansion into the UK reinforced our commitment to providing cutting-edge HR technology solutions internationally." With this funding, HR Duo aims to achieve ambitious growth milestones. These include doubling its Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) to €5 million within 15 months, further penetrating the UK market, and solidifying its position as a leader in Workforce Management HR technology for SMEs. The company also aims to expand its Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) and strengthen operational capabilities through continued investment in research and development. HR Duo provides Workforce Management HR solutions to SMEs by integrating industry knowledge with the latest technology to automate an estimated 80% of HR requirements. Since 2018, the company has experienced exponential revenue growth averaging 42% per annum over the last 3 years. Its diverse customer base spans industries such as construction, manufacturing, retail, medical devices, hospitality, and tech startups, catering to companies ranging from dozens to hundreds of employees. Stephen Fahy, Partner in the Venture Debt Fund at Salica Investments, said: "HR Duo has distinguished itself with its innovative approach to automating HR processes, catering specifically to the needs of SMEs across various industries. The company's track record of exponential revenue growth and its leadership position in the HR Tech space make it an attractive investment opportunity for Salica Investments, and we look forward to welcoming them to our portfolio and supporting their exciting growth plans." The company's services are available online as a cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS), with subscriptions starting from as little as €10 per employee per month, with no up-front costs. This ease of use, low cost, and up to date 'always on' availability make it ideal for its target market of SMEs with 50-3,000 employees, acting as a bolt-on support to HR personnel, or ...

Jeremy Hill, Founder and Managing Partner of JB Capital, shares his journey in the alternative investment space, focusing on private credit and corporate credit. This conversation with Ben Fraser covers the broader landscape of private credit, the shift from banks to private funding, and the growing opportunities in real estate and corporate lending. Connect with Ben Fraser on LinkedIn ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/benwfraser/⁠⁠ Connect with Jeremy Hill on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-b-hill-a0350a3/ This podcast is sponsored by Aspen Funds which focuses on Private Credit, Industrial Real Estate, and Oil and Gas offerings for accredited investors: www.aspenfunds.us Explore our newest offering in Private Credit: https://www.privatecreditmasterclass.com/fund Follow Aspen Funds Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/aspenfunds/⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/aspen-funds/

This week, co-hosts Mary-Ann Azavedo and Haje Kamps were joined by the ever-insightful Kirsten Korosec to dive into the latest and greatest happenings in the startup world. Kicking things off, our trio of hosts break down three major deals of the week. First, there's Waabi, an autonomous trucking startup that just closed a whopping $200 million Series B round. Kirsten Korosec provides an inside look into how Waabi's AI-first approach is setting it apart in the crowded autonomous vehicle space and why investors are still willing to back big bets in this field despite the market's ups and downs.Next, they explore the intriguing case of Gynger, a fintech company that has raised $20 million led by PayPal Ventures. Mary-Ann explains how Gynger is shaking up the way startups handle tech purchases with its buy-now-pay-later model, working both with buyers and sellers to offer flexible payment terms. Kirsten and your trusty correspondent weigh in on the potential risks and rewards of this unique business model, especially in today's volatile economic environment.The third deal takes us into the realm of artificial intelligence with Safe Superintelligence. I'm delving into the story of OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever's new venture, which aims to develop general AI with a focus on safety. We discuss the ambitious goals of this startup and the challenges of balancing rapid advancement with the ethical considerations of creating superintelligent AI.After dissecting these deals, the conversation shifts to a sobering topic: the wave of bankruptcies that have hit the startup world in 2024. Kirsten provides a detailed analysis of the factors leading to these failures, with a spotlight on high-profile cases like EV startup Fisker and fintech service Synapse. The team discusses the common pitfalls that led to these companies' downfalls and what other startups can learn from their mistakes.But it's not all doom and gloom—our hosts wrap up with an exciting discussion about the future. They dive into Voodoo's acquisition of social media startup BeReal for $537 million. Mary-Ann explores the reasons behind this bold move, how Voodoo plans to integrate ads into BeReal's platform, and what this could mean for the landscape of social media. Kirsten and myself debate the potential success of this strategy and the broader implications for user engagement and authenticity in the age of digital advertising.Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts.You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes over at Simplecast. Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. Bryce Durbin is our Illustrator. We'd also like to thank the audience development team and Henry Pickavet, who manages TechCrunch audio products.

SummaryWelcome to the podcast! In this episode, Denis a venture debt investor at Flashpoint, shares insights on venture debt and the qualities he looks for in founders. Venture debt exists as a form of capital that is lower risk than equity and becomes available to companies at a certain level of maturity.Denis discusses various aspects of venture growth debt in this conversation and shares insights into the venture capital industry. He explains the dividend yield and DPI of funds, the management of deal flow, and the importance of taking board seats.Takeaways1. Venture debt is a form of capital that becomes available to companies at a certain level of maturity and is lower risk than equity.2. Denis looks for companies with clear product-market fit, revenues of at least $5 million, and evidence of growth.3. Unit economics is the fundamental profitability and efficiency of a business or product.4. Flashpoint's deals include a debt instrument with an equity kicker, but they do not co-invest with their equity fund.5. Denis values founders who are resilient, tenacious, and able to pivot in difficult situations. Venture growth debt allows companies to optimize their capital structure and reduce dilution for early investors.6. Deal flow in venture capital can come from various sources, including companies approaching the firm, relationships with other VCs, data-driven analysis, and partnerships with advisors and scouts.7. Taking board seats is important for venture growth debt providers, especially during challenging times, as it allows for better communication and decision-making.8. Raising a fund in the current market is challenging, and stability in the global economy is crucial for making fundraising easier.Chapters00:00 Trailer01:18 Introduction Of Denis04:20 What is venture debt13:55 The Importance of Unit Economics in Assessing a Business16:10 What he looks in founder before investment20:50 Structuring Deals: Debt Instruments with Equity Kickers27:06 Fund Size, Check Size, and DPI30:25 Taking Board Seats in Venture Growth Debt and Deal Flow34:33 Challenges and Trends in Raising a Fund37:15 Our Subscribers Questions47:30 Ritual49:15 ConclusionConnect with Mudassir

06 Jun 2024.  We look at the booming market for venture debt funding with Philip Bahoshy of research firm Magnitt. We also focus on the fitness industry - speaking to Gymnation Founder Loren Holland and the man behind their latest private credit investment, Omar Al Yawer - Partner, Ruya Partners, as they pave the way for expansion into Saudi Arabia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Expert Voices podcast, Randy Wootton, CEO of Maxio, speaks with Nathan Latka, CEO of Founderpath. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit, data-driven approach, and thought-provoking insights, Nathan shares his three-phase entrepreneurial journey, starting with his initial foray into the booming social media world and progressing into the creation of the Latka Agency, and then Founderpath. Randy and Nathan discuss the changing landscape of the startup market, the importance of media-led growth, and the role of debt financing in funding software companies. Nathan shares insights from his extensive experience interviewing SaaS CEOs and highlights the need for founders to have a clear vision, build their tribe, and understand the value of inorganic growth. Quotes“You cannot buy attention anymore. Doesn't matter how much money you have. If you are a bootstrapped founder competing against a VC-backed competitor, and they're trying to buy attention, but you're more creative and you have figured out to get the attention of your customers in a creative way, you will win long term.” -Nathan Latka [11:35]“I think there are two kinds of founders. There are founders that sort of read and are consumers of intellect all day long and they're terrible at taking action. I would much rather go for the founder that takes action quickly and learns from a person versus the one that just reads all day.” -Nathan Latka [28:50]Expert Takeaways Successful entrepreneurs often have a deep grasp of industry pain points and innovate based on their experiences, leading to founder-market fit.Debt financing can be a strategic alternative to VC funding for SaaS startups, offering non-dilutive capital that aligns with an entrepreneur's vision for growth.In the current digital landscape, companies must earn attention through creativity and engaging content, rather than solely relying on paid advertising.Savvy founders are turning to inorganic growth and financial engineering, including M&A activities, to scale their businesses and achieve arbitrage opportunities.The role of the CFO in a SaaS company has evolved from purely managing finances to being strategically involved in driving growth and operational efficiency.Timestamps(02:20) Aspiring for Financial Freedom Through Entrepreneurship(06:41) Podcasting as a Long-Term Investment in SaaS Marketing(10:06) Venture Debt and Revenue-Based Financing in Software Deals(15:44) Evolving Strategies for Startup Success and Market Attention(24:09) Distinguishing Founder and CEO Roles in Company Growth(30:42) VC Involvement and Board Dynamics in Startups(38:42) Transitioning CFO Roles and Optimal Hiring Timelines(43:13) Insights on Influencers and Intelligent Investment AnalysisLinksMaxioUpcoming EventsMaxio Institute ReportRandy Wootton LinkedIn

Today, we're listening back to not one but two interviews from the other side of the globe, thanks to our new co-host Rebecca Bellan, who spent three years in Auckland, New Zealand. Late last year, Rebecca hopped across the Tasman to Australia to report on the startup scene in Australia, and came back to us with a temperature check on VC in the Antipodes.Rebecca spoke to two Aussie VCs: Dan Krasnostein from Square Peg and Gabrielle Munzer from Main Sequence. Rebecca and our guests dug into why early stage funding is popping off in the region, the government's role in growing a startup ecosystem, fintech, climate tech, and what it's like to compete and collaborate with Silicon Valley.In addition to these conversations, Rebecca wrote a few deep dive stories from her time in Australia, including a look at its burgeoning climate tech scene and some of the people who are fighting to lift women up in the ecosystem. Rebecca also chatted with Canva — the SaaS darling of Australia — to learn how the company is embracing generative AI at its core and pursuing more B2B clients.Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast and posts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts.You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod.For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes over at Simplecast. Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. Bryce Durbin is our Illustrator. We'd also like to thank the audience development team and Henry Pickavet, who manages TechCrunch audio products.

What if there was a funding source that could supercharge your startup's growth without diluting your equity? It's not a pipe dream. It's venture debt – a powerful tool that many founders and investors haven't fully explored.In this episode, we channel the spirit of learning from industry leaders, just as in the famous Harvard Business Cases. We dissect innovative financing strategies, focusing on venture debt – a secret weapon for companies looking to scale without sacrificing ownership.We're joined by Gergely Krajcsi, a Senior Investment Officer at the European Investment Bank (EIB), Europe's leading provider of venture debt.  This conversation happened at Bio Europe in Barcelona as a Fireside Chat on stage.He'll reveal:The hidden benefits of venture debt that 90% of startups are missingHow EIB's tailored solutions can supercharge your company's trajectoryReal-world success stories of European innovators fueled by venture debtIf you're a CEO or investor seeking a competitive edge, this episode is your blueprint. Uncover the funding strategy that could be the key to your next breakthrough.Problems This Solves:Funding Gap: Learn how to bridge the gap between venture capital rounds and unlock the capital you need to scale.Equity Dilution: Discover how to fuel growth without sacrificing ownership in your company.Limited Knowledge: Gain insider knowledge from the EIB's expert on the untapped potential of venture debt.Why Watch:Expert Insights: Get actionable advice directly from a leading venture debt provider.Success Stories: See how other startups have used venture debt to achieve remarkable results.Strategic Advantage: Gain a competitive edge by understanding this underutilized financing tool.Key Quotes:"Venture debt is a game-changer for startups looking to accelerate growth." - Gergely Krajcsi"The EIB is committed to supporting European innovation through tailored financing solutions." - Gergely KrajcsiTimestamps:00:00 - Intro01:30 - What is Venture Debt?05:45 - Benefits for Founders09:20 - Benefits for VCs13:15 - Tailored Solutions17:00 - The EIB's Unique Role22:30 - Case Study: Successful European Company28:00 - Q&A35:00 - Closing RemarksHow to Start a Podcast Guide: The Complete GuideLearn how to plan, record, and launch your podcast with this illustrated guide.Support the Show.Join the Podcast Newsletter: Link

In this episode, Ruslan Sergeyev, Managing Director of Hercules Capital gives CJ a masterclass in venture debt. He explains what venture debt is, its various types, and the potential benefits it can bring to your business. Ruslan sheds light on the current landscape and big players in venture dept. He provides insight on covenants, rates, warrants, and success fees in debt structure, and the difference between banks and funds. The discussion covers how much debt is appropriate for a capital stack and when you should refrain from raising venture debt altogether. Discover strategies for leveraging each banking activity as a chip to get the best deals with banks and learn what red flags to look out for in the process. If you're looking for an ERP, head to NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/metrics and get a customized KPI checklist.—SPONSORS:Mercury is the fintech ambitious companies use for banking and all their financial workflows. With a powerful bank account at the center of their operations, companies can make better financial decisions and ensure that every dollar spent aligns with company priorities. That's why over 100K startups choose Mercury to confidently run all their financial operations with the precision, control, and focus they need to operate at their best. Learn more at mercury.com.Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust®; Members FDIC.NetSuite provides financial software for all your business needs. More than 37,000 thousand companies have already upgraded to NetSuite, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you're looking for an ERP platform ✅ NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/metrics and get a customized KPI checklist. Maxio is the only billing and financial operations platform that was purpose built for B2B SaaS. They're helping SaaS finance teams automate billing and revenue recognition, manage collections and payments, and put together investor grade reporting packages.

Today, we have with us David Bateman, Managing Partner at Claret Capital Partners a growth capital fund based in the United Kingdom.The venture capital fund has a total size of €297M with +€700M in AUM and focuses primarily on growth-stage and VC-backed deals with European companies that are typically post-Series B. As an investment thesis, they focus on technology and life science companies, and some of their most notable investments are in Abivax, Butternut Box, Holidu, and Veed.David has more than 20 years of experience in technology lending and financing. Prior to the buyout of Claret Capital from Harbert Management Corporation, he and Johan Kampe had co-founded Harbert European Growth Capital.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview

Navigating the intricate world of venture debt requires a deep understanding of both the legal landscape and financial imperatives. David Ephraim from Morrison & Foerster brings over two decades of experience to the table, making him a leading authority on structuring deals that align legal precision with business innovation.This episode, hosted by Janice Bourque from Hercules Capital, engages David Ephraim in a discussion about the nuances of venture debt, including how negotiations are framed, the roles of various stakeholders, and the essential strategies for overcoming common challenges. David also provides forward-looking insights into how the field might evolve in the coming years.Topics include:Overview of venture debt and its importanceDetailed look at negotiation processes in venture debtHow legal and business issues intertwine in these negotiationsThe importance of strategic foresight in financial planningDavid's perspectives on the future of venture debtDavid Ephraim is the co-chair of Morrison Foerster's Transactions Department and managing partner of their Boston office. He specializes in various aspects of secured lending, including venture debt, fund finance, and cross-border financing transactions. David's expertise ensures sophisticated solutions for banks, institutional lenders, and private funds, making him a pivotal figure in the financial industry.Join us on today's episode, where David Ephraim's expertise offers invaluable perspectives on the nuanced processes that underpin successful venture debt strategies, providing our listeners with guidance for navigating these essential financial instruments.

Jason Edwards, CEO & Founder of Alternatives.pe, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Lawyer to Founder & VC: Jason recounted his legal career at Baker & McKenzie in Australia and Hong Kong. Due to the Asian Financial Crisis, he focused on financial restructuring for distressed firms (many of whom had borrowed heavily in US dollars) across Bangkok, Singapore and Asia. He later moved into private equity with Clearwater Capital Partners ($1.2B AUM) and venture capital by co-founding Qualgro VC. He later founded alternatives.pe - an accurate data and insights platform for private capital market professionals looking for best-in-class coverage across Southeast Asia and Australia. The platform is now used by the majority of Asian funds including Square Peg, 500, Temasek, Sequoia, Tiger Global, Warburg Pincus, KKR, Vertex, GIC and Softbank. 2. Alternatives.pe Regional Capital Insights: Jason discussed the current shift of VC attention from consumer-focused (B2C) to business-focused (B2B) models, due to a faster route to profitability across diverse linguistic and cultural markets. He observed strengthening investment discipline focused on capital efficiency and strategic scalability.  Jason also elaborated on the complex dynamics of negotiation and asset recovery in the region. He pointed out that Asian businesses usually hold most of their value intrinsically, which complicates asset recovery efforts when entrepreneurs have been at the helm for extensive periods, sometimes spanning decades or generations. He emphasized that a successful recovery strategy involves not just enforcing rights as per the norm in Western jurisdictions, but also cooperating with the original business operators to maximize value extraction. This nuanced approach highlights the importance of balancing 'stick' enforcement strategies with engagement and collaboration, underscoring that aggressive takeover tactics are seldom the best route to preserving or enhancing a business's value in Asia. 3. January Capital Venture Debt Strategy: Jason explained the rationale and timing for launching January Capital's venture debt services to fill the regional market gap. He detailed the methodical structure of their venture debt deals, typically around $15 million, targeted at growth-stage companies that find traditional venture capital or equity financing too dilutive or misaligned with their financial strategies. He elaborated on how this approach is particularly opportune given the current high-interest rate environment and lower valuations, which would allow venture debt to provide capital without excessive equity sacrifices. Jeremy and Jason also talked about his personal experience of the Asian Financial Crisis and ensuing layoffs, the importance of accurate and timely data for VC dealmaking, and personal reflections on entrepreneurial risk-taking. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jason-edwards Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jason-edwards-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jason-edwards-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

The Inception and Evolution of Bootstrap EuropeFourteen years ago, Fatou Diagne, along with her co-founder, Stephanie, embarked on a journey that would significantly impact the tech and life science sectors in Europe. Bootstrap Europe, born out of their vision, diverged from the traditional equity-based investment model, opting for venture debt – an alternative Fatou passionately advocates for. "We invest in venture... not with equity, but with venture debt," Fatou explains, highlighting the unique approach of their firm in supporting burgeoning technologies and startups.Venture Debt Europe: A Game Changer in Startup FundingFatou reflects on the early days of Bootstrap Europe, recalling a pivotal moment when they realized the potential of venture debt. It began with a Swedish AI startup's struggle to find suitable loan terms in Europe, leading them to an American venture lender. This encounter opened Fatou's eyes to the benefits of venture debt, both in terms of saving equity dilution and as a lucrative investment avenue. "It saved us a lot of dilution... but we also thought that it was a great investment," she notes, underscoring the dual advantages for investors and founders alike.When to Seek Venture Debt: Timing and GrowthNavigating the complex world of startup financing can be daunting. Fatou simplifies this by outlining the ideal stage for a startup to consider venture debt. It's not for the early days but for those who have achieved product-market fit and have a clear growth trajectory. "You don't take it before you get a product market fit... you need to know your unit economics," Fatou advises, emphasizing the importance of a startup's maturity in considering debt financing.The Impact of Silicon Valley Bank's Exit on Venture Debt in EuropeThe recent shakeup in the venture debt landscape, particularly with the exit of Silicon Valley Bank from Europe, presents both challenges and opportunities. Fatou sees this as a pivotal moment for venture debt in Europe, noting the significant gap left behind. "Silicon Valley Bank... was providing something like 700 million just in the UK per year," she points out, illustrating the vast demand for venture debt solutions in the European market.Bootstrap Europe's Approach to Deep Tech InvestmentsFatou shares her enthusiasm for deep tech investments, an area where Bootstrap Europe has carved its niche. These investments, often complex and requiring substantial capital, align well with their venture debt model. Fatou explains, "We like the nerdy stuff because they tend to create a massive step change in the way we live," highlighting their focus on transformative technologies that promise significant returns and advancements.

David Spreng of Runway Growth Capital joins Nate to discuss 2024: The Year of Reckoning in the Venture Markets, The Future of Venture Debt, and Why the Venture Cycle is Unique. In this episode we cover: Venture Capital, Technology Investments, and Late-Stage Funding Differentiating Venture Debt Providers and Red Flags to Watch Out For Venture Capital Quality, Liquidity Options, and Restructuring Investing During Market Cycle Peak Venture Debt Market Evolution and Underwriting Model Guest Links: LinkedIn Twitter Runway Growth Capital The hosts of The Full Ratchet are Nick Moran and Nate Pierotti of New Stack Ventures, a venture capital firm committed to investing in founders outside of the Bay Area. Want to keep up to date with The Full Ratchet? Follow us on social. You can learn more about New Stack Ventures by visiting our LinkedIn and Twitter. Are you a founder looking for your next investor? Visit our free tool VC-Rank and we'll send a list of potential investors right to your inbox!

 Watch Carol and Tim LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. David Spreng, Founder and CEO of Runway Growth Capital, discusses the venture debt market one year after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. Hosts: Tim Stenovec and Sonali Basak. Producer: Paul Brennan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bailey Morrow from HSBC Innovation Banking discusses the structure and mandate of the climate tech team, as well as the services they provide to startups. She explains the different types of debt financing they offer, including venture debt, equipment financing, and hardware as a service. She highlights the role of HSBC in connecting startups with corporates and the diligence process for debt financing, emphasizing the importance of business metrics and key performance indicators to qualify for funding.TakeawaysHSBC Innovation Banking provides global banking services and lending solutions to climate tech companies.They offer venture debt, equipment financing, and hardware as a service.Project finance is challenging for early-stage companies, and bridging the gap between venture debt and project finance is a key focus.HSBC acts as an ecosystem builder, connecting startups with corporates and facilitating collaboration.Engaging with lenders early in the fundraising process and having a fully funded plan are important for debt financing. Understanding business metrics is crucial for securing funding in climate tech. Connect with us:Email us: info@climatetech360.comWebsite: https://www.climatetech360.comHost: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samiaqaderGuest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bailey-morrow-b763565/

Don Muir of Arc (https://www.arc.tech) explains Arc Capital Markets, a marketplace for bespoke venture debt and startup-focused credit products. Arc Capital Markets joins Arc's other products, including treasury management and financial solutions for startups. Find out why Kruze Consulting is one of the leading accounting firms in San Francisco (https://kruzeconsulting.com/san-francisco-accounting) and the US, serving funded, early-stage companies. Kruze clients have raised over $10 billion in venture capital and seed financing, and our research and development tax credit work has saved clients millions of dollars in burn rate and payroll taxes. Contact Kruze to learn more.

Follow me @samirkaji for my thoughts on the venture market, with a focus on the continued evolution of the VC landscape.On this special meet the expert episode, we are discussing the venture debt market with Matt Trotter, a Managing director within Stifel Bank's Venture division.Stifel Bank was established in St. Louis, MO in 1890 and is an independent investment bank with the mission to help individuals pursue financial goals, businesses and organizations raise and protect capital, and communities offer a higher quality of life.Given the dislocation of the regional banking market in early 2023, we discussed how venture investors and companies should think about the supply of venture debt, the proper uses, and what we should expect moving forward.About Matt Trotter:Matt Trotter is a Managing Director and Member of the leadership team at Stifel Bank. He focuses on providing commercial banking and flexible lending solutions to high-growth technology companies in the U.S.Prior to joining Stifel, Matt was a Senior Market Manager and Head of Frontier Technologies and Climate Technology and Sustainability at SVB. In this position, he focused on building products to support the evolving business models and capital-expenditure needs for companies creating disruptive technologies in the transportation, industrials, aerospace, energy, agriculture, food, and hardware infrastructure sectors.In this episode, we discuss:(01:15) Matt shares his background and discusses changes in venture banking and lending markets(01:57) Explanation of venture debt and its history within venture capital(03:11) Discussion on today's applications of venture debt, like runway extension and equipment purchases(03:59) Strategic uses of venture debt for various business needs(04:14) Overview of venture debt terms including non-formula loans, typical costs, and eligibility(05:10) Shift from equipment leasing to a more general-purpose financing model in venture debt(05:32) Challenges in underwriting venture debt for early-stage companies without revenue or product(06:26) Insights into the venture debt underwriting process and considerations(07:18) Role of warrants in balancing the risks and rewards of venture debt(08:15) Discussion on balancing loss rates and successful investments in venture debt(09:19) Ideal circumstances for a company to consider venture debt(10:24) Potential risks and considerations when opting for venture debt(11:43) Impact of market dynamics on companies with significant debt(12:05) How market shifts affect the demand and supply of venture debt(13:00) Importance of collaboration between equity investors and lenders during financial challenges(14:35) High demand for venture debt amid market uncertainties and banking disruptions(15:14) Underwriting challenges with companies having high valuation overhangs(16:53) Adjustments in underwriting approaches by banks and venture debt funds in current market(17:59) Use of debt tranching tied to company performance milestones(19:01) Differences between bank-provided venture debt and venture debt funds(20:21) Strategies, incentives, and focus of venture banks versus venture debt funds(22:57) Factors for companies to consider when choosing between bank loans and venture debt fund loans(24:22) Managing the balance between raising capital and working with banks in financial tight spots(26:07) Emphasis on trust and open communication between lenders and borrowers(27:27) When venture debt from banks or funds might be more suitable for a company(29:24) Assessing various debt products and understanding their true costs and conditions(30:14) Matching the debt product to a company's specific needs and circumstances(32:20) Need for reliable debt facilities for cashflow negative businesses(33:14) Reflections on the impact of changes at Silicon Valley Bank on the venture debt landscape(34:58) Outlook on the venture debt market's evolution post-SVB(36:58) Importance of lenders' long-term commitment in venture debtI'd love to know what you took away from this conversation with Matt. Follow me @SamirKaji and give me your insights and questions with the hashtag #ventureunlocked. If you'd like to be considered as a guest or have someone you'd like to hear from (GP or LP), drop me a direct message on Twitter.About Meet the Experts:Meet the Experts is a sub-brand of Venture Unlocked and talks with vendors and other non-GP or LP members of the Venture Community. There may be business relationships in place and appearance fees paid to participate.Podcast Production support provided by Agent Bee  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ventureunlocked.substack.com

The gaming and platform industries are dynamic sectors at the intersection of technology and entertainment, constantly evolving to meet the demands of a global audience. In 2022, the revenue from the worldwide gaming market was approximately $347 billion. Ed Lu, a seasoned executive with 23 years of financial and operational experience, has played a pivotal role in this landscape, dedicating thirteen years as the CFO at online gaming and platform companies. Ed is the current Chief Financial Officer at Fandom, the world's largest gaming and entertainment community platform. In this episode, Hercules Capital's Lesya Kulchenko  and Ed Lu discuss Ed's CFO experience within gaming and platform companies, top advice for new founders and aspiring CFOs in today's business landscape, choosing between building, buying, and partnering, the key factors for successful acquisitions, when to pursue bargain opportunities, and much more.Topics Include:Ed's top priorities as a CFO in today's business landscapeEssential advice for emerging founders and aspiring CFOsCore values that led Ed to leadershipThe advice Ed gratefully avoidedChoosing between building, buying, and partneringKey factors for successful acquisitionsWhen companies should pursue bargain opportunitiesFactors outside of work that shape Ed as the “non-CFO CFO”And other topics…----------Ed Lu is a seasoned executive with 23 years of financial and operational experience and thirteen years as CFO at online gaming and platform companies. He is the current Chief Financial Officer at Fandom, the world's largest gaming and entertainment community platform. During his tenure, Fandom has grown revenue by more than 3x, acquired three companies, and doubled its employee base to 500. Before joining Fandom, Ed served as the CFO for Outpost Games and Machine Zone. His tenure at Machine Zone involved raising over $800 million in combined financings, overseeing revenue growth from $8 million to $1.7 billion, and scaling the company from 30 to 1000+ employees. In his free time, he also enjoys serving as a strategic advisor for other digital gaming companies.Resources Mentioned:“Top 10 Start-Up Tips for Founders,” by Ed Lu: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6998677341623267328/ 

Today, we're spinning the globe with not one but two interviews, thanks to our friend and colleague Rebecca Bellan, who's been in Auckland, New Zealand for the past three years. She recently hopped across the Tasman to Australia to report on the startup scene in Australia, and is coming back to us with a temperature check on VC in the Antipodes.Rebecca spoke to two Aussie VCs: Dan Krasnostein from Square Peg and Gabrielle Munzer from Main Sequence. Rebecca and our guests dug into why early stage funding is popping off in the region, the government's role in growing a startup ecosystem, fintech, climate tech, and what it's like to compete and collaborate with Silicon Valley.In addition to these conversations, Rebecca wrote a few deep dive stories from her time in Australia, including a look at its burgeoning climate tech scene and some of the people who are fighting to lift women up in the ecosystem. Rebecca also chatted with Canva — the SaaS darling of Australia — to learn how the company is embracing generative AI at its core and pursuing more B2B clients.We have one more episode to share before saying goodbye to 2023. It's a fun one and a tradition: Equity's 2024 predictions. Stay tuned!Connect with Equity on X and Threads @EquityPod, and keep up with all of TechCrunch's podcasts @TechCrunchPods on TikTok.For episode transcripts and more, head to Equity's Simplecast website.Equity drops at 7 a.m. PT every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, so subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. TechCrunch also has a great show on crypto, a show that interviews founders and more! Credits: Equity is hosted by Editor in Chief of TechCrunch+ Alex Wilhelm and TechCrunch Senior Reporter Mary Ann Azevedo. We are produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. Bryce Durbin is our Illustrator. We'd also like to thank the audience development team and Henry Pickavet, who manages TechCrunch audio products.

Healthcare and biotech venture capital plays a critical role in funding innovative medical technologies, drug development, and life-saving therapies. These investments drive advancements in healthcare, transforming science into products that improve global patient outcomes.Terry McGuire is a founding partner of Polaris Partners, with over 35 years of early-stage investing experience in medical and information technology companies. As a venture capitalist, Terry has invested in more than 80 companies that have raised over $7 billion in equity and corporate capital. In this episode, Hercules Capital's Janice Bourque and Terry McGuire discuss Terry's trajectory from generalist to distinguished expert in healthcare and biotech venture capital, strategies to find the right scientists and product, Terry's biggest lessons in raises, limited partnerships and investor relationships, and much more.Topics Include:Terry's path from generalist to venture capitalistStrategies to find the right scientists3 traits that can turn a scientist into an effective CEOHow to turn science into a productThe emerging technologies to look out forStrengths and weaknesses of the industryTerry's biggest lessons from the evolution of raises, limited partnerships, and investor relationshipsAnd other topics…Terry McGuire is a founding partner of Polaris Partners, with over 35 years of early-stage investing experience in medical and information technology companies. As a venture capitalist, Terry has invested in more than 80 companies that have raised over $7 billion in equity and corporate capital. He also co-founded three companies: Inspire, AIR, and MicroCHIPS. Companies Terry has supported have touched more than 60 million patients and directly saved over 400,000 lives.Terry has been listed as one of Scientific American's Worldview 100, Forbes' Top Life Sciences Investors, and Forbes' Midas 100 List of Top Tech Investors, among others. He is the chairman of the Global Venture Capital Congress, serves on several public and private boards of directors, and is the recipient of various awards, including the Albert Einstein Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Life Sciences awarded by Harvard and the City of Jerusalem.  

John Markell has over 20 years technology industry experience having worked as an engineer, project manager and investment banker. His career in finance began at JP Morgan in New York and he has worked in New York, Toronto, London, and San Francisco as an investment banker prior to co-founding Armentum over 11 years ago. John has an MBA, a degree in Engineering Mathematics, and he is also a Licensed Professional Engineer.

In the dynamic field of life sciences, skillful operators ensure the efficient development of medical innovations, while insightful investors provide crucial capital and strategic guidance. Rich Aldrich's 30+ year career uniquely bridges both sides, having played key roles in founding and managing successful ventures in the industry.Rich Aldrich is a co-founder and partner at Longwood Fund. Before Longwood, he founded RA Capital Management and has been instrumental in co-founding and contributing to the growth of notable biotech companies, including Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, Concert Pharmaceuticals, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, among others.In this episode, Hercules Capital's Janice Bourque and Rich Aldrich discuss key lessons in operations and investment, the advantages of public investing, the attributes of a strong management team, Rich's reflections on the industry and much more.Topics include:Transitioning from operations to investingRich's key lessons from public investmentsThe advantages of public investingAttributes of a strong management teamCurrent areas of scientific interest for RichEmerging challenges in life sciencesDeciding whether or not to commercializeRich's reflections on the industry's evolutionAnd other topics…Rich Aldrich is a co-founder and partner of Longwood Fund, an early-stage life science venture firm. With over 30 years of experience in the life sciences space, he has co-founded and helped build several biotech companies including Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, Concert Pharmaceuticals, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, among others. Before the Longwood Fund, Rich founded RA Capital Management, a life sciences investment fund with an AUM of over $9 billion.Rich received his undergraduate degree from Boston College and an MBA from the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth. He currently serves as a Director of Longwood portfolio companies Axial, Sitryx Therapeutics, and Colorescience.

E92: Today's show is the 3rd and final interview with the 3 big winners at VentureAtlanta 2023. Rainforest won the Early Stage pitch competition by filling a big gap in the Embedded Payments space. Founder and CEO Joshua Silver explains the practical problems around embedded payments for venders and retailers, and how Rainforest is solving those problems with their white labed embedded payments solution. Joshua is a serial entrepreneur with a previous successful exit in the payments space and deep experience in embedded payments. He explains why he started Rainforest in a recent Blog Post. While Rainforest is only 2 years old, they have accumulated a substantial SMB customer list with a simple business model of great service and fixed transaction based fees without a subscription or long term contracts. Having completed an $8.5 M oversubscribed Seed round and $3.25M in Venture Debt in Q3 of 2023, they are focused on growth. (recorded 11/6/23)Learn more about RollingSouth at rollingsouth.vc or email david@rollingsouth.vc. Follow David on Twitter/X @DGRollingSouth to stay updated on the newest episodes including hilarious cartoons lampooning Venture Investing. Follow Paul on LinkedIn. Download our White Papers and Cheat Sheets HERE. We invite your feedback and suggestions at ventureinthesouth.com or email david@ventureinthesouth.com. Thanks for listening and remember: Our mission is to MAKE MONEY, HAVE FUN AND DO GOOD.

The healthcare space has long been a transactional one, seeing patients as numbers instead of human relationships. In 2004, Dr. Rushika Fernandopulle began to challenge the status quo and create an entirely new model of care delivery that finally put patients at the center of healthcare. Rushika Fernandopulle is the co-founder and former CEO of Iora Health, a value-based primary care group based in Boston that was acquired by One Medical in 2021, where he served as Chief Innovation Officer. One Medical was acquired by Amazon earlier this year for close to $4 billion. Rushika currently serves on the staff at the Massachusetts General Hospital, on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, and on the boards of Families USA and the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Care.In this episode, Hercules Capital's Katie Segien is joined by Rushika Fernandopulle to discuss how he created a new delivery model for medicine, Iora Health's business model evolution, going from bootstrapping to six rounds of funding, and other topics.Topics Include:Rushika's mission and experience in transforming healthcareHow he created a new delivery model for medicineIora Health's business model evolutionGoing from bootstrapping to six rounds of fundingRushika's process for building an optimal teamAdvice for entrepreneurs who are struggling to raise capitalAnd other topics…Dr. Rushika Fernandopulle is a practicing physician who has spent decades improving the quality of healthcare delivered to patients. He was co-founder and CEO of Iora Health, a value-based primary care group based in Boston that delivers better quality, lower costs, and improved satisfaction for both patients and providers. Iora was acquired by One Medical in 2021 for over $2 billion, which went on to be acquired by Amazon earlier this year for close to $4 billion.Rushika was the first Executive Director of the Harvard Interfaculty Program for Health Systems Improvement and Managing Director of the Clinical Initiatives Center at the Advisory Board Company. He serves on the staff at the Massachusetts General Hospital, on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, and on the boards of Families USA and the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Care.

We're talking about the week's biggest startup and tech news with Mary Ann, Becca, and Alex. Here's what we got into:What happened to WeWork? As the shared office space company struggles to stay alive, we had a lot to say.Deals of the Week: Mary Ann wanted to chat about Charlie, which is building a neobank for seniors; Alex wanted to talk about an interesting non-profit-ish model to get startups and others access to H100s; Becca brought Almouneer to the table, an interesting healthtech play in the Middle East.From there we dug into massive fintech rounds, which are seemingly back. For more, you can read up on QI Tech, Tabby, and Next Insurance.And, finally, what to do when founding teams break up? Becca has notes.As always, Equity is back for you on Monday, but you can catch up with us in the meantime on X and Threads @EquityPod. Talk soon!For episode transcripts and more, head to Equity's Simplecast website.Equity drops at 7 a.m. PT every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, so subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. TechCrunch also has a great show on crypto, a show that interviews foundersand more!

CNBC's Deirdre Bosa previews earnings next week from Netflix and Tesla. Cathie Wood, Ark Invest CEO, to discusses the A.I. space, ARK's ETF hitting an 11-month high and what stocks she is watching in the tech space. Emil Michael, former Uber chief business officer, discusses the recent stock pop, competition in the space and more. Plus, Hollywood on strike and venture capital loans disappear.