Wei Li

I'm pleased to share that Lightrock has continued to support Thomas Doering and Distribusion Technologies in their $80 million Series C funding round. Distribusion is the leading global B2B ground transportation marketplace, addressing inefficiencies in this €700 billion market. The industry’s progress has been hindered by legacy technology, making multi-modal travel planning and booking difficult and time-consuming. This increases costs for consumers and negatively impacts sustainability as travellers opt for private cars and taxis over less polluting transportation options. Using a single API, Distribusion connects transport carriers like National Express LLC, Amtrak, and Deutsche Bahn with retailers such as Expedia Group, Google Maps, and Alipay. This allows consumers to seamlessly compare and purchase tickets on trusted platforms. There's a high likelihood that Distribusion has facilitated your travel without you knowing it. We led the company's Series B in 2022, and since then Distribusion has grown tenfold, creating the largest global B2B network of ground transport operators. This growth, combined with achieving profitability, has encouraged us to reinvest and continue with this company on this exciting journey. We look forward to continuing our work with this team. Learn more about #Distribusion via the link in the comments. #TravelTech #FutureOfTravel

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Worth reading: Situationsl Awareness by Leopold Aschenbrenner PDF : https://lnkd.in/gkxQ3yMD Web site: https://lnkd.in/gyJUCBhb Interesting perspective, time of course will tell.

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VC Market Update: Riding Out the Post-Boom Bumps. 2021's high-flying valuations and growth have given way to a more complex reality. With longer private timelines, tough exit markets, and capital tightness, startups face unique challenges—but also fresh opportunities. For those navigating today’s VC landscape, strategic planning is key. Whether it's balancing growth with capital efficiency or exploring secondaries smartly, there’s a path forward. And with boosts from AI and future rate cuts, brighter days could be ahead!

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Breaking news 🚀 $2B+ AUM! On May 21, 2024, we launched the Venture Investment Committee at Techosystem, and I am thrilled to announce that I was elected its Head! Thank you to all the members who entrusted me with this role. We collectively manage over $2B+ in assets! Interested in UA tech or want to join us? Don't hesitate to DM me! 🙌 The committee was initiated by the following members 🫶🏻: ⭐️ Investment funds: BRISE Capital, Flyer One Ventures, Geek Ventures, Horizon Capital, SID Venture Partners, Sigma Software Labs, SMOK Ventures, SMRK VC, UVentures, ZAS Ventures; ⭐️ Accelerators and incubators: CfE Accelerator UCU, Mission Possible, Startup Wise Guys, Vacuum Deep Tech Acceleration, YEP Accelerator, Innovation Hub of Zhytomyr Polytechnics; ⭐️ Physical persons: Yaroslav Krempovych, Yaroslav Yakovenko; ⭐️ Other companies: Kooperativ, Molfar. 📌 The Committee's mission is to enhance venture capital investment in Ukraine. Emerging from a dedicated working group, we have developed an investor database, conducted market research, launched an equity crowdfunding platform, and implemented a matching grants tool. We are also focused on raising awareness among venture capital stakeholders by creating programs to train angel investors. Looking forward to driving growth and innovation together!

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Really enjoyed my conversation with Johnny Wu on the AAAIM High Emerging Leaders in Investment podcast. AAAIM is doing so much important work in highlighting the disparity and challenges Asian Americans face in the finance and investing world. Being an emerging fund manager, I am seeing it firsthand myself now. Their studies have found substantial AAPI underrepresentation at the ownership level – only 2.4% of firms, 1.8% of funds, and .3% of AUM in the US are AAPI-owned. When looking at AAPI women in particular, a staggeringly low .01% of US AUM is managed by AAPI women. This is all despite the fact that AAPI-owned funds outperform non-AAPI-owned funds across most asset classes on a capital-weighted average basis. Nearly half of AAPI-owned PE funds appear in the top performance quartile; over 50% of AAPI-owned VC funds achieve top quartile performance as well. AAPI-owned hedge funds yield monthly returns of .50%, significantly outpacing the .19% monthly returns of their non-AAPI-owned counterparts. I look forward to meeting other Asian American investment managers at AAAIM Elevate next week in Los Angeles to discuss these challenges and how we can overcome them as a community.

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Two announcements re: our upcoming first-of-its-kind-event: a) 70+ Attendees are registered! b) The upcoming SiliconXL LaunchAthon is perfect for Job Seekers, Software Engineers and Boston-based Startups For more info or to register, visit ---> https://lnkd.in/efPxJ6Fk www - launchathons - com/boston The upcoming SiliconXL LaunchAthon is designed to provide job seekers with an immersive, hands-on experience that goes beyond traditional training. Through targeted AI coding workshops, attendees will dive deep into advanced AI tools and coding platforms, equipping them with practical skills that employers actively seek. These workshops allow job seekers to build real-world projects in collaboration with industry mentors, creating tangible portfolio pieces that showcase their abilities and problem-solving prowess. For those looking to enter the tech field, our LaunchAthon is an invaluable opportunity to gain relevant, hands-on experience that will make them stand out in a competitive job market. Furthermore, the collaborative environment encourages networking with potential employers and peers, giving job seekers a head start on forming connections that may lead to employment opportunities. For software engineers already in the workforce, our LaunchAthon’s workshops provide a vital opportunity to upskill and explore emerging technologies that might not be part of their current roles. The hands-on experience in AI-powered coding workshops offers a practical way to stay updated with industry trends, experiment with new tools, and learn innovative problem-solving techniques. These workshops encourage engineers to think outside their regular scope of work, sparking creativity and enhancing their adaptability to new challenges. Attending the SiliconXL LaunchAthon can add value not only to their current skill set but also to their role within their organization, as they bring back fresh insights and advanced knowledge that can be applied immediately to drive innovation in their day-to-day work. or startup entrepreneurs, the upcoming LaunchAthon offers an unparalleled opportunity to bring their ideas to life through hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI tools and collaborative workshops. Entrepreneurs will benefit from an environment where they can test, validate, and iterate on their concepts with the guidance of industry mentors and experienced tech professionals. These sessions are designed to accelerate the development process, providing valuable insights into product design, rapid prototyping, and market alignment. Beyond just building, entrepreneurs will also network with potential co-founders, partners, and investors, creating connections that can support their startup’s growth. LaunchAthon is more than an event; it’s a launchpad for entrepreneurial visionaries looking to create impactful, scalable tech solutions in a high-energy, supportive setting.

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Our latest Substack is out - how to integrate autonomy into United States Department of Defense? Read all about it!

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Great Article https://lnkd.in/gkSbT4Th Value Creation is Key: Validated value creation plans, combined with a meticulous and programmatic delivery approach, helps address the pressing concerns of cash-hungry LPs by demonstrating a commitment to generating cash returns and meeting current LP demands, while strengthening trust between GPs and LPs. Key Points - Net IRR was once the gold standard for measuring PE success. - LPs say DPI (Distributed to paid-in Capital) is now paramount - Distributed to paid-in capital, is the ratio of cash generated to what’s invested. - GPs are generating cash however they can. - Exits are likely to hit a five-year low this year and the average hold  time for a portfolio company has grown to almost six years (Preqin) - PE distributions at major firms have plummeted 49 percent over the last two years. - Private equity firms are motivated to distribute cash to enable LPs to commit to future funds. - GPs are responding to the demand with alternatives to exits: continuation funds, NAV loans,  subscription lines, cutting management fees.

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📣 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐭 Elron Ventures - 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝! Elron has signed a secondary sale of its shares in @IronScales—its first-ever cyber investment—at a company valuation of $340M, yielding a 23x return on investment for both Elron and RDC Rafael Development Corporation Ltd. 🔗 Read the announcement below: > https://lnkd.in/dAFDphsR > https://lnkd.in/d3_KK8XP #Cybersecurity #Investments #Liquidity Arieli Group PSG

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RE: The importance of partnering with a private equity firm that shares the same values as the company founder. When partnering with a private equity firm, aligning values between the firm and the company founder is crucial for long-term success. At its core, a values-driven partnership fosters trust, transparency, and collaboration—key elements for driving sustainable growth. This business development video addresses the importance of selecting a private equity partner that shares the same vision as the founder, as well as the obstacles faced if you're not aligned. If this short business development video resonates with you and you would like to discuss it further, reach out to me at [email protected] or message me through LinkedIn or directly from my website at www.castelliconsulting.net. I’ll be happy to schedule some time to review your business issues and discuss ways that Castelli Consulting can help you achieve your business goals. Have a great day and as always, thank you for your support! -MC #tracygravestinlin #kimberlymazza #brettbeveridge #entrepreneurs #ceo #wireless #startup #careerdevelopment #kallieparchman #winstonshih #verizon #ATT #tmobile #marklclare #kenreevessr #rebeccajames #weisun #johnroush #mikeseivert

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PE - AI & Scarcity of Software Engineers Robert F. Smith of Vista Equity compared the scarcity of software engineers to resources rarer than gold, underscoring their high demand. However, today AI's growing ability to write code will transform Tech PE by accelerating software development and creation. Key impacts include: • More scalable software • Improved code quality • Shift in developer roles • Faster development cycles • Reduced development costs • Faster innovation and prototyping • Custom solutions for larger customers • Risk mitigation with AI-assisted debugging • Competitive advantage for early AI adopters • Lower barriers for scaling software development AI will amplify developer productivity, not replace them, and PE firms integrating AI into portfolio workflows can unlock the next wave of growth. ------------------ #pe #privateequity #investing #ai

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♾️ 🔴⚫ A new firm & a new fund! Apeiron Venture Capital. For the past 15 years, we have been deeply rooted in the foundations of the 🇬🇷 startup ecosystem. We were fortunate enough to partner with remarkable people along the way and build teams, ventures, and initiatives from start to exit. Today, we are pleased to embark on a new quest for the coming years and can't wait to start working with new and aspiring founders. Excited to be joined by Nik Antoniou & Constantinos Nikolaidis in this new chapter. Deeply grateful for our (returning & new) investors' trust and support. TL;DR on Apeiron's thesis ====== Ideal entry point: ±Seed (or your first institutional round) First checks between 300k-1 million EUR Geo focus: Primarily Greece 🇬🇷+ Europe 🇪🇺 (opportunistic globally) Fund focus: GenZ Economy + B2B Enterprise Tech Things we like to see: Founder-Market-Timing Alignment (Throughline) + Product Uniqueness & Defensibility + Founder’s Character Bring it! ;)

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Are you developing a medical device or digital health? Come learn about regulatory and legal impacts and how design for manufacturing is critical to your startup's success.

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🚨 FINAL CALL!!!🚨 🤔Interested but unable to attend the webinar? No problem! Register anyway, and we'll ensure you receive a link to the recording.📩 😊We are delighted to extend our invitation to an informative and engaging webinar entitled "Strategies for Maximizing Revenue Using the PE Model Featuring Themos Pentakalos, Managing Partner of DriveMeta! Date: Tuesday, May 7th, 2024 🗓️ Time: 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM CT🕗 Register here: https://buff.ly/49QVRoZ In prior webinars, Themos discussed generating new opportunities and optimizing your funnel metrics. In this webinar, he’ll discuss maximizing customer revenue once you’ve made the sale. Topics covered: -Maximizing ACV -Upsells, cross-sells, down-sells -Bundling strategies -Maximizing LTV -Minimizing churn About the presenter: During his 30-year career in technology, Themos has been on the buyers' side 15 times and has had two exits. For 10 years, he worked in the C-suite, leading PE-backed B2B software companies. He'll share his knowledge with the Blackmore community, so come with questions! Check out more Blackmore Partners Information here: https://buff.ly/42iNmB3 #PrivateEquity #ValueCreation #Webinar #BlackmorePartners #BlackmoreConnects

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October 11 2024 – 5 Notable Articles To Read Article: MAI Capital Acquires $1.2B D.C.-Area Advisory Firm Takeaway: Halpern Financial, Inc. will operate under the MAI brand, receiving support in areas like human resources and marketing. Source: Barron's Link: https://lnkd.in/dA73YyWA Article: Apollo Global Management, Inc. to Pay $3.6B for Aerospace Manufacturer Barnes Takeaway: According to the companies, Barnes shareholders will receive $47.50 per share in cash. This price reflects a 22% premium over Barnes' closing share price on June 25, the day before reports surfaced that the company was considering various options, including a sale. The transaction is anticipated to close by the end of the Q1 2025. Source: Bloomberg Link: https://lnkd.in/dcn98ZnB Article: Tokyo Metro Unveils Range for Japan’s Biggest IPO Since 2018 Takeaway: The IPO of the company, one of two subway operators in Japan’s capital, aims to raise at least ¥319.6B, amid signs of recovery in the country's equity market. Source: Bloomberg News Link: https://lnkd.in/dEVaW86y Article: Blue Owl Capital adds $10.5B to its data center portfolio Takeaway: The acquisition of IPI Partners positions Blue Owl as a competitor to leading data center investors such as Blackstone and Macquarie Asset Management. This deal adds a portfolio of 82 data centers, $10.5B in assets under management, and IPI’s existing LP base to Blue Owl's platform. Source: PitchBook Link: https://lnkd.in/duiVx5hd Article: Bezos-backed AI mining startup KoBold Metals nears $527M raise Takeaway: Kobold Metals leverages machine learning and computer vision technology to search for new deposits of rare earth minerals such as copper and lithium, which are essential for the energy transition. The Berkeley, CA-based startup is backed by billionaire investors like Bill Gates, Jack Ma, and Jeff Bezos, as well as major growth venture firms. Its most recent funding round was co-led by Andreessen Horowitz and T. Rowe Price. Source: PitchBook Link: https://lnkd.in/dfSFSNbA #news #business #research #ai #investments

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14 SiliconXL / DevAccelerator Powered Startups Launch in Stealth Providence, RI - Tuesday, September 24th The SiliconXL Startup Demo Day brought together a remarkable collection of AI-powered tech startups, demonstrating that the event was about far more than just polished pitch decks—it was a showcase of full-stack software engineering, AI, true innovation and customer-validated market demand. DemoDay Startups - Providence took place during RI Startup Week, with tremendous support from RIHub. Each startup, built from the ground up by technical founders, presented AI-driven solutions designed to solve real-world problems. This event emphasized the importance of market fit, with every startup validating their concept through direct interaction with potential users, showcasing not only their technical prowess but their ability to engage with and fulfill market needs. For many of the entrepreneurs showcased at the SiliconXL Startup Demo Day, this was their first experience building a full-stack application. In fact, virtually none of them had ever launched or scaled a tech startup before. Their journey from novice to technical founder was nothing short of transformative, a direct result of their time learning software engineering and AI under the mentorship of Claude Arnell Milhouse and Clifton Choiniere at DevAccelerator. Through DevAccelerator's intensive training and guidance, these founders have not only acquired the technical skills to develop cutting-edge AI solutions but have also gained the entrepreneurial mindset to launch and grow successful startups. This Demo Day is a testament to the profound impact that mentorship, education, and determination can have on an individual's ability to create something that will disrupt industries and transform their own lives in the process. What set this Demo Day apart was the potential for explosive growth, as SiliconXL is laser-focused on launching a tidal wave of startups across multiple markets in the upcoming months and years. From the buzzing streets of Boston and New York to the previously unknown startup market of Providence, the goal is clear: to create a tsunami of high-growth startup activity.  SiliconXL is also dedicated to ensuring that diverse communities not only have a seat at the table but are also leading the charge, amplifying voices that have been historically marginalized. With this Demo Day, it’s evident that SiliconXL is igniting a movement that will leave a lasting mark on the future of AI-powered innovation. Look for more events powered by DemoDay Startups in the months to come in a city near you (Hint: Boston, NYC and up to 16 more startups out of Providence this year). Let's GEEEEEKING Goooooo!!!! #Startups #TechnicalFounders #SoftwareEngineers #Providence #Boston #NewYork #Roxbury #Dorchester #Brooklyn #Queens #TheBronx #Harlem

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We in Jet Ventures strongly believe that the future of manufacturing is poised to be revolutionized by Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI technologies are set to enhance efficiency, optimize production processes, and enable smart factories. With AI, manufacturers can leverage predictive maintenance, reducing downtime and extending equipment lifespan. Advanced data analytics will facilitate real-time decision-making, improving quality control, flexibility of production, and supply chain management. Automation and robotics powered by AI will streamline operations, leading to higher productivity and cost savings. Embracing AI will be crucial for companies aiming to stay competitive in the evolving industrial landscape. If you run one of the companies in these innovative sectors and are super tired of the generalist VCs where you need to explain all the basics and are looking for dedicated industry specific VC fund to help you, feel free to reach to us to check how our "smart money" can help you in your journey to transform European industry. #AIManufacturing #SmartFactories #AIFuture #InnovateWithAI #AIRevolution #SmartProduction #ManufacturingInnovation #AIinIndustry #Automation #PredictiveMaintenance #AIOptimization #Industry40 #FutureOfManufacturing #DataDrivenManufacturing #TechInManufacturing

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