Gerrit Schumann

After closing a Series A funding round, companies enter a pivotal phase where the right approaches significantly influence their journey toward Series B. In brutkasten, Jan Lozek and I recently shed light on the critical strategies companies should adopt after securing Series A funding. 👉🏻 Here are the more top priorities companies should focus on post-fundraise: 📈 Optimize cash flow:  Investors are particularly interested in startups that efficiently manage their cash flow, maximizing growth and revenue while keeping expenses in check. 💰 Show them the money: Show investors how exactly you are making money: real customers, real sales, economies of scale. In other words, show you have a plan and that the plan is working. To outline flexible sales models, and exchange various key parameters, will also be a win. 🚀 Partner up, big time: Leverage your existing networks instead of spending more capital. Corporates can be great partners at this stage and could vouch for your startup. Be it for accessing a market or for increasing your sales, it always pays off to have the right partners. What additional tips would you add for companies navigating this crucial transition? 💡 #SeriesA #Funding #StartupGrowth

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Three biggest learnings from a fundraising journey. Shared by Rainer Märkle, General Partner at HV Capital at EUVC 1/ Have a time box with a deadline attached. Have a defined horizon & create a clear plan. Have some urgency to get things done at some point. Execute very transparently and reliably. 2/ Stick to your narrative. But don't do it blindly. Tweak it when necessary. Adapt it. Don't let yourself be surprised by major changes. Keep focusing on delivering according to your strategy & plan. 3/ Fundraising is a marathon with many sprints. There are moments when you'll ask yourself - Why do I do this? Is it gonna work out? But don't get too negative during the down phases. Adapting and pivoting is part of our job. As it is for the founder of a company. How about you? What fundraising lessons have you learned? Join the conversation. 🔽 #venturecapital #angelinvesting #startupfunding #europe

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How to Close an Angel Round: Securing angel investment requires strategic planning and building momentum. Here are essential steps to help you close the round: 1. Mass Syndication: Approach multiple investors simultaneously to create urgency and increase social proof. 2. Set Terms Below Market: Start with investor-friendly terms and valuation to gain initial traction with interested angels. 3. Build Social Proof: Mention reputable backers who have shown interest, as this can create momentum among other investors. 4. Rolling Close Strategy: Accept funds as they come, rather than waiting for the full round to close, allowing you to stay agile with cash flow. 5. Use Angel Networks: Platforms like AngelList can connect you with potential investors and streamline introductions. 6. Clear Deadline: Set a timeline to push for commitment, using milestones like holidays or oversubscription to create urgency. #AngelInvesting #StartupFunding #InvestorRelations #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital PS. check out 🔔 for a winning pitch deck the template created by Silicon Valley legend, Peter Thiel https://lnkd.in/ejp-Bhnu

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Tips & tricks for European VCs fundraising right now. From Rainer Märkle, General Partner at HV Capital. Have courage. Step up. Don't let yourself down on some negative. Pursue your goals. Don't just try to do the same things that others have already done. Do something different. Do your own thing. Find your niche. Find your theme. Find your segment. BUT. Don't be overly ambitious at first. It's a long-term game. Don't set the bar too high. Start with a very small fund. Invest the fund for a year or a year and a half. What do you think? Join the conversation below. 🔽 #venturecapital #angelinvesting #startupfunding #europe

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Excited to share what I learned from Sandro Stark, founding partner at Vanagon Ventures backing FrontierTech from Munich/DACH 🚀 to the World at the YUVC video podcast (links in comments) 💡 Above all, Sandro is a super nice person to get along with and has a great NPS from founders 👋 Here 3 Core Takeaways ✨ 1. Vanagon’s approach to startup evaluation 👀 - Distribution capability is now the key differentiator, not just technical innovation - Customer "stickiness" and deep industry understanding - The solution must demonstrate both climate impact and profit potential 2. Why is Munich's ecosystem strategic? 🇩🇪 - Part of DACH region - third-largest market globally after China and US - Rich concentration of technical talent and corporate headquarters - Untapped potential in Mittelstand venture engagement 3. What's the philosophy behind sustainable success? 😉 - Don't postpone happiness for future achievements - True leadership creates more leaders, not followers - Consistent effort matters more than breakthrough moments Now listen in for more insights! ❤ Kudos to his great co-founders/GPs @Vanagon: Susanne Fromm Axel Roitzsch Shoutout to their amazing portfolios: Senken Particula Renoster youba The Landbanking Group LoopID heartstocks Learn.xyz ExoMatter and more

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Book Review #25 | 2024: The StorySelling Method: Master The Art Of Storytelling To Build Trust, Stand Out, And Boost Sales by Philipp Humm “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you” Big picture: Story-telling is an important tool to connect with people and leave a lasting impact on memory The book provides a guide to build skills to tell captivating and lasting stories Review Simplistic book providing useful anecdotes on art of story telling Key learning was that story-telling isn’t a monologue but an exchanging dialogue and listening is actually more important #bookreviews #thepowerofreading #storytelling https://lnkd.in/di-34ktR

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I love this parody. It's accurate, but I need to remind our American colleagues that Europe is not a single country with a unified legal system; notaries aren't involved everywhere. One thing is clear: funding is limited here, and most VCs are very cautious before signing a term sheet. #vc #venturecaptal #notaries #kpis #metrics #unicorn #Europe #investments #termsheet

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𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞-𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐩𝐩 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐥? Shatter that wall with No-code x AI! The NoCode UK Conference speaker lineup is LIT 🔥 and you don't need a CS degree to join (or launch your next unicorn!). This is your chance to learn from the MVPs (pun intended) who are shipping million-dollar products with no-code! 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐃 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: 👇 Key topics and themes of the talks include: - The landscape of no-code tools and solutions from internal business operations to web and mobile apps - Combining AI and no-code tools to build exceptional software products - Building, fundraising, scaling, valuing, and selling no-code software products - Insights from replacing a custom code stack with a no-code software stack - Best practices for designing apps with Bubble - Using ChatGPT to code an entire app - Lessons learned on building minimum viable products from 30+ hackathons - Insights from running a remote, no-code product agency - The future of no-code and AI 𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮? 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 & 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬: Go from idea to product in WEEKS, not months. Hear how 👾 Chad Sakonchick built a multi-million dollar empire on no-code, and Milly Barker who built and sold a SaaS app...all from an airport lounge, seriously wow! ✈️ 𝐕𝐂𝐬 & 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 Your portfolio companies need a superpower? ‍♀️ No-code compresses your path to building, launching, and achieving massive outcomes. Since speed / time to market are your determinants of success, The efficiency is unmatched: Ship > Validate PMF > Pivot or Go Big > Exit. Take notes from Hazel Lim, the ex-investor, no-code whisperer who finds killer business ideas and exits them like a boss. (ps: generously shares such juicy biz ideas, breakdowns in her newsletter) 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 & 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬:  Go from no-code newbie to six-figure earner with insights and learnings from the industry trailblazers like Youssef Elkhayami & Mike Wiendels and the top 1% freelancers like Dominic Norton. 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 & 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡: Lawyer by day, no-code superhero by night? See how Vensy Krishna built an award-winning COVID relief app in HOURS (no coding skills required!) and scaled a volunteer network to help thousands. Built a career in tech, founded multiple companies, and helped thousands to break into tech using no-code! Plus, you'll join a global no-code fam! This conference is by no-coders, for no-coders. Level the playing field, unlock endless possibilities, and ship anything you dream of - all without a single line of code. See you there! P.S. Spots are filling up faster than a one-click no-code deployment! Don't miss your chance to be part of the no-code gang. Link in the comments! #NoCode #AI #Entrepreneurship #Conference

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Great to see what Jan Thomas and his team at Startup Insider did with the new Investors Report 2024 for the DACH region! Anyone who wants to learn more about the German #venturecapital ecosystem and its investors, go get the report: https://lnkd.in/ehiVqmX6

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Thank you, ZyCrypto and Krypto News Deutschland, for including us in your recent list of "10 Fast-Rising Crypto VCs Shaping the World of Web3" together with our esteemed VC colleagues from all around the world. And yes, "it does take a village to raise a startup" but nothing beats working with obsessed founders on a mission! Recall, Trever, River Platform Company, OpenQ, KINO https://lnkd.in/en3SvQ5t #blockchainfounderscapital #zycrypto #venturecapital #blockchain #crypto #startups

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It was a great honor to record this week's Startup Insider podcast together with Dirk Sahlmer. 🚀 🚀 🚀 Dirk is a former intern at our TS Ventures and is now Head of Deal Origination at saas.group. Moreover, he has become one of the most recognized voices on LinkedIn when it comes to SaaS M&A and VC (bashing?), which often leads to - shall I say - inspiring conversations. We talked about bootstrapping vs. hypergrowth in the podcast, about the discrepancy between M&A valuations and the valuations of VC rounds and about the chances of success of startups in the parking sector... 😉 It's impressive what someone who has had nothing to do with the startup scene up to that point can build up in 5 years. Have fun with this podcast episode. Link to the episode as always in the comments. I have also linked Dirk's LinkedIn post, as it contains exciting figures on the SaaS and M&A market. Dirk, keep rocking! Here's to many more podcasts! #saas #ai #startup #vc #venturecapital #businessangel #funding #bootstrapping #exit #podcast #parking

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This week in European startup land and investing - what is happening? Monik, Mads and I talk about Germany's €12bn WIN Initiative, startups moving to the States, Naval and the libertarians, what interest rate cuts really mean, the new EU commissioner for startups and much much more. The Seed Episode 10 is now up on all pods with links in comments - Startups moving from Europe to the US - who, when, why - The Real Impact of US Interest Rate Cuts on Global Investments - UK's Economic Challenges and Labour's Uphill Role - Germany's €12bn Initiative to Boost Startup Investments - We Have an EU Commissioner for Startups - Any Teeth? - Proxies for Economic Health in Startup Ecosystems - Regulation or Regulation? Let's Regulate... Love your thoughts.

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Germany-based venture capital fund Robin Capital closed its Robin Fund One at 13 million euros (about $13.6 million). #venturecapital #veteranventures

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Raising a VC Fund in Europe? We've gathered insights from over 300 VCs and LPs. Here’s what you need to know: 1. Build trust-based connections. 👉28.6% of our guests emphasize the power of strategic and authentic networking Deep, sector-specific insights + broad, meaningful networks = the winning combo! 2. Stand out in a crowded space! 👉19.7% highlighted the need for a compelling narrative that aligns with investors’ goals. Showcase your investment thesis and team expertise to carve out your niche. 3. Be consistent & committed. 👉18.9% stressed the importance of resilience, grit, and continuous improvement. Success requires enduring the trials of fundraising and staying dedicated to your long-term goals. 4. Show knowledge & expertise. 👉14.3% mentioned the value of deep knowledge and effective communication. Blend your expertise with a forward-thinking vision to articulate your thesis in a compelling way. 5. Keep it real. 👉 10.9% advised authentic engagement and integrity. Build genuine relationships and be transparent about your strengths and weaknesses to foster trust. 6. Stay flexible! 👉 7.6% underscored the need for a flexible mindset to navigate uncertainties and seize new opportunities. Pivot strategies and embrace continuous learning. Learn how to navigate the effects of the #TechReset. Get insights from The State of European Fundraising Report. https://buff.ly/4boUlfm #EUVC #fundraising #venturecapital #industryreport

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Fork software licensing is not only for open-source - it can be a commercial and asset allocation strategy that adds much creativity to the toolset for technology deployment and commercialization. #ip #privateequity #techtransfer

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Dirk Hoerig shares how he’s overcome near-death business moments to lead commercetools to Centaur status, all while balancing family life. “This is it, we’re not going to make it next month,” – Dirk Hörig and his team had this same thought over and over again between 2010 and 2014. So, how did they go from this to becoming one of Germany’s only Centaurs? Today, Dirk gives us a peek behind the scenes of his journey building the game-changing e-commerce platform. When asked about his top achievements, Dirk says “Number one, would be not messing up the big opportunity we had—seizing it and not screwing it up. Number two is raising three great kids while building a company. And number three is disrupting a whole category that didn’t even exist before.” From sharing stories from the early days, when they had to fight so hard to survive, to today where the company has undergone impressive growth and success – Dirk has learned to embrace the ups and downs with a cool head. Dirk also talks about what’s kept him grounded - from squeezing in surf workations with friends to traveling with his family and playing sports with his kids. Read on to find out how Dirk finds that sweet spot between work and life; finding a way to lead a fast-growing business without losing sight of what really matters.

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𝐀𝐚𝐭𝐮 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐬: "𝐀𝐭 𝟐𝟑, 𝐈 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐬. 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐈 𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦." My guest for the next episode of the Venture Growth With Leon Eisen Podcast is Aatu Erik Horus, Aatu is a famous producer of AI-powered media solutions in Europe, US, and Asia and a managing director of the Industry Rockstar Films. His extensive global experience over the past decade includes collaborations with renowned personal brands such as Les Brown and Tony Robbins. Aatu has a proven track record in producing impactful brand films and crafting AI platforms that transform B2B sales and marketing strategies. With fluency in English, Mandarin Chinese, Thai, Finnish, and Nepali, Aatu bridges cultural divides, ensuring his team's work resonates globally. Operating across Nepal, Thailand, Venezuela, and Finland, with Bangkok as its hub, Aatu excels in creating immersive, educational, and audiovisual experiences that merge cultures and break down international barriers in media. Aatu helps businesses to create awe-inspiring experiences that immerse people into your company's brands and culture. 👉 Key takeaways: "I don't think you really understand any culture truly before you understand at least somewhat their language. Through languages, I got cultural understanding and through cultural understanding, you see how the world works." "It proves that any dream if you think about it and want it, you can realize it. You can create your future by yourself by dreaming about it." "AI drastically influenced my business; every step of the process of commercial production now includes AI. It makes things faster and allows you to focus more on the creative aspect instead of manual technical work." "We build platforms and apps for public speakers and educators, making them AI-powered to serve their audience better." "Instead of just watching videos in a course, our interactive online courses involve the user's input, making the learning process more engaging and delivering tangible results." "I don't believe in convincing clients. Not everybody needs what I offer. If somebody comes to me with a problem, I assess if it's a problem I can help them with." "The perception that the public has about you before they get in front of you matters greatly for selling high-ticket products. Branding is often underestimated but crucial." "Market your personal brand, not a corporate brand. Be yourself, talk about your weaknesses sometimes, and be honest. People can detect fakeness from miles away." ♻ Repost it to help others. You can watch the full episode by clicking on the link in the comments 👇 #filming #marketing #producing #courses #video #brand #leonesien

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Honoured to be featured in the latest Tech Funding News article discussing Germany’s role as a leading tech hub. 🚀 I’m also proud to see standout companies from the Earlybird Venture Capital portfolio—N26, Marvel Fusion, Isar Aerospace, and others—highlighted alongside my alma mater, Technical University of Munich, which is another key driver of innovation in the country. While Germany is often dubbed the ‘Silicon Valley of Europe,’ there’s still much to do, such as overcoming regulatory challenges and channeling more growth funding into promising startups. My advice for those navigating the Central European startup landscape: Leverage government-backed funding, connect with business angels, and build relationships with established companies. Do not wait to build a global network early on. Together we can strengthen this ecosystem so that one day it can truly live up to its nickname. Read more by Sofia Chesnokova here: https://bit.ly/404yyXr Cc: Dr. Hendrik Brandis, Paula Wehmeyer, Mario Kohle, Filip Lukac, Benjamin Berényi, Elisheva Marcus #Innovation #DeepTech #VentureCapital #GermanyTech

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