Future startup investments

2020+ TECH TRENDS

It’s the beginning of a new year and decade. Startup trends change fast, some are more durable and some change like the wind. Just a few months ago, the world looked completely different. I began analysing the new trends at the beginning of the year, and now mid-summer, still in the middle of a lockdowns, Read more about 2020+ TECH TRENDS[…]

startup ecosystem

CAN THE LOCAL BUSINESS CULTURE DETERMINE WHAT THE NEXT STARTUP HUB WILL BE?

As many world economies develop and join the ranks of developed countries, and as many third-world countries develop fast and start bringing unique innovations to world markets, it’s fair to wonder if their startup hubs can ever reach the level of Silicon Valley. Maybe that would be a stretch, but there are new startup ecosystems Read more about CAN THE LOCAL BUSINESS CULTURE DETERMINE WHAT THE NEXT STARTUP HUB WILL BE?[…]

RAISING FUNDS FOR YOUR STAGE: How Startup Fundraising is Different

It’s now easier than ever been to found a business. The cost of starting a simple online venture is low. This has opened up the possibility for many to become entrepreneurs, and the availability of capital also enables many new ground-breaking ideas to raise the needed funds at the early stages. However, the cost to Read more about RAISING FUNDS FOR YOUR STAGE: How Startup Fundraising is Different[…]

WHERE DO UNICORNS COME FROM?

What was once a myth and rarity is now an everyday story. ‘Unicorns’ are private startups whose valuations have reached $ 1 billion +. Reading out the mythological background of the unicorn out of curiosity, the King of Ethiopia claimed that “it is impossible to take this ferocious beast alive; and that all its strength Read more about WHERE DO UNICORNS COME FROM?[…]

STRATEGY PLANNING FOR EARLY-STAGE STARTUPS: How to reduce risks

Your ideal financing strategy is closely connected to your milestones. This is an example of milestones for a startup, this does not represent how funding rounds take place in all situations. Funding depends on a variety of factors. It‘s also possible to have multiple smaller seed rounds, as it‘s happening now in the market, and Read more about STRATEGY PLANNING FOR EARLY-STAGE STARTUPS: How to reduce risks[…]

WHERE ARE EARLY-STAGE INVESTMENTS GOING?

Smart money from startup investors follows ever changing trends in terms of sector, region, stage, and instrument. Startup investors, including business angels, VCs, family offices and corporate VCs can invest directly into startup investment rounds, or join co-investment funds, syndicates or invest in other funds. Funds are increasingly set up as specialised sector funds. They Read more about WHERE ARE EARLY-STAGE INVESTMENTS GOING?[…]

startup story

IS STARTUP FUNDING RIGHT FOR YOU?

Funding cycles and the startup story go hand in hand. Planning out the financing strategy is something that many founders overlook. When raising funds, possibilities are limited to the type of company that you have: so it’s very important to know what is available to you before you decide on a strategy, especially if the Read more about IS STARTUP FUNDING RIGHT FOR YOU?[…]

HOW ENERGY ACCESS CAN OPEN THE DOORS TO DIGITALISATION IN AFRICA: The solution of TREND Solar

Energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa Almost one in five of the world’s population don’t have access to electricity, 600 million thereof live in Sub-Saharan Africa. This represents around 70-75% of the population in the most affected countries. The problem is difficult to tackle, and the Africa Progress Panel, a group of experts led by Kofi Read more about HOW ENERGY ACCESS CAN OPEN THE DOORS TO DIGITALISATION IN AFRICA: The solution of TREND Solar[…]

BUSINESS VALUATION CALCULATORS: to use or not to use?

There are a few companies out there offering automatic valuations for startups. While it seems like a good option for all those companies who can’t figure out how valuation works and what value to communicate to investors, using an automated model completely fails the scope of the valuation. There are three main reasons for this: Your financial Read more about BUSINESS VALUATION CALCULATORS: to use or not to use?[…]

Fundraising

HOW TO START PLANNING YOUR FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

There are many potentially great entrepreneurs with valid ideas, but often with little knowledge as to how to take the idea further with the limited resources they have available. Luckily there are now a variety of ways to fund businesses. All these options may be confusing at first. However, depending on the type of business Read more about HOW TO START PLANNING YOUR FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN[…]

THE PROCESS AND DOCUMENTS NEEDED WHEN APPROACHING INVESTORS

The length of the fundraising process varies, no necessarily based on the amount raised, but based on the founders’  and company’s experience. Founders that are very well connected will be able to raise money faster, while startups may find that as their business model becomes increasingly safer and the validation has taken place, funding rounds Read more about THE PROCESS AND DOCUMENTS NEEDED WHEN APPROACHING INVESTORS[…]