EUVC Newsletter | 09.12.2024
Welcome to our community-sourced newsletter featuring the latest submissions to the eu.vc insights platform — the platform that collects & amplifies the best long-form pieces from the EUVC community.
This week, we feature submissions from Lunar Ventures, Cape May Wealth, The Startup Leap and many more European firms.
Click here to submit your own articles, events or projects 📥
Emerging fund managers face countless challenges when setting up and structuring their first VC fund. The process is complex, daunting, and full of pitfalls, from navigating legal frameworks to engaging with the right service providers, the foundations you lay now will shape your growth trajectory.
That’s why we’re planning an exclusive 3-hour masterclass designed to equip emerging managers with the insights, strategies, and tools needed to tackle these challenges head-on.
📝 Article | SELF-IDENTITY & COMPENSATION: EU & US Divergence. Part 6.
by Owen Reynolds from Teklas Ventures, the VC arm of a family office associated with Teklas. | Originally published on EUVC.
Why it matters: Owen Reynolds breaks down the structural and cultural factors fueling the compensation gap between the EU and US. Key takeaways: American work identity is deeply tied to hustle culture and compensation, driving higher salaries, bonuses, and equity payouts.
Meanwhile, Europe's informal economies and social safety nets dampen corporate incentives to reward top performers. This divergence influences talent flow and global corporate strategies, tilting exits and high-impact outcomes toward the US.
⏭️ Program | Newton Fundamentals Program applications are open
Are you early in your investment career and eager to level up? Applications are now open for Newton Fundamentals Program. Over eight weeks, you’ll dive into the essentials of venture capital through a mix of theory and practical insights, delivered by top-tier practitioners and faculty.
Participants will immediately expand their network, connecting with a cohort of peers, Newton Alumni, and our broader community. Plus, as a lifelong member of the Newton Network, you’ll gain access to resources that boost your career prospects, industry insights, and even deals. Apply now to build the foundation for your success in venture capital!
More details and applications here
📝 Article | What Investors Get Wrong About Semi-Liquid Private Equity - Tools work best when used as intended
by Jan Voss, Managing Director at Cape May Wealth | Originally published on Cape May Wealth Weekly.
Why it matters: Semi-liquid private equity funds are trending because they offer a quicker route to compounding returns. Yet, they’re misunderstood – investors expect liquidity during crises despite the illiquid, long-term nature of private equity.
Key insights: semi-liquid funds aren’t for emergency liquidity but for strategic, long-term plays. Gating provisions, often criticized, actually protect investors from hasty sell-offs and fire-sale asset prices during downturns. The catch? NAV pricing in these funds raises transparency concerns, creating conflicts of interest around GP carry.
💬 EUVC Community | LP AMA with Vinthera’s Rodrigo Ferreira
Join us for an exclusive AMA session with Rodrigo Ferreira Investment Director at Vinthera.
Prior to joining Vinthera, Rodrigo Ferreira gained 5 years of experience backing VC fund managers across the globe as Principal and Investment Team lead at boutique fund of funds firm BFP. There he played a key role in over 20 fund investments and managed a portfolio of more than 50 funds with top decile aggregate returns.
This AMA is part of our ongoing series of small-group sessions designed to foster deep, meaningful discussions within the VC community. Participation is free for members of our community, but spots are limited.
📝 Article | The State of Venture Capital in CEE 2024
by Roberta Tihomirova, Head of Marketing at Eleven Ventures. | Originally published on Eleven Ventures.
Why it matters: CEE’s VC scene is leveling up faster than your favorite startup’s valuation. With over 200 funds across 12 countries, Poland leads (39 funds), followed by the Czech Republic (22) and Turkey (16). Early-stage focus dominates (70% of funds are pre-Seed/Seed), but the growth-stage funding gap is glaring—forcing startups to seek larger checks (€10M+) outside the region.
Meanwhile, foreign capital inflow doubled since 2018, and valuations remain 30-40% lower than Western Europe, creating juicy opportunities for global investors.
📝 Article | Atomic Energy! Can nuclear power our 100GW AI factories?
by Lawrence Lundy, Partner, Research at Lunar Ventures. | Originally published on State of the Future.
Why it matters: Lawrence Lundy dives into the future of energy for AI’s insatiable power needs, spotlighting Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). While nuclear offers unmatched reliability and energy security for data centers requiring 99.9999% uptime, cost and regulatory challenges make it a slow play.
Key stat: SMR costs ($89-135/MWh) still outpace solar ($30-60/MWh), but their steady power output could anchor hybrid solutions for AI hubs.
🏔️ EUVC Getaway on June 5 - 8, 2025
🎙Podcast | Power Play Principles | Master The Art Of Fundraising In Construction Tech
by Patric Hellermann, General Partner at Foundamental. | Originally published on Foundamental.
Why it matters: Patric Hellermann delivers a no-fluff guide to mastering fundraising in 2024. For VCs, it’s a cheat sheet on what you want to see: 100x potential aligning with fund economics, founders leveraging information asymmetry, and hyper-focused execution in uniform markets.
For founders, it’s about controlling the narrative, building killer teams, and timing your raise to maximize leverage. The TL;DR: Investors crave validation, founders need to deliver repeatability, and deadlines close deals.
Listen the podcast episode here
📝 Article | UK’s COP Chronicles
by Estia Ryan, Principal & Head of Research at Eka Ventures. | Originally published on Eka Ventures Newsletter.
Why it matters: At COP29, UK PM Keir Starmer upped the climate ante with a sharper emissions reduction target (81% by 2035) and bold moves like lifting the onshore wind ban, phasing out coal, and rejecting new North Sea oil licenses. This positions the UK as a green finance leader, aiming to mobilize $75B in climate capital for emerging markets.
For VCs, the UK’s policy pivot signals huge opportunities in renewable energy, nature-based solutions, and green infrastructure. The message is clear: private capital has to step up as governments lean on public-private partnerships to meet aggressive climate targets.
✍🏻 EUVC Masterclass | Marketing & VC Fund Narrative
Your brand is everything. It’s what sets you apart, helps you win the best deals, attract LPs, and ultimately drive your growth. For emerging fund managers, building a credible brand and establishing the right marketing foundations early on are game-changers. Yet, many don’t know where to begin.
Your fund’s narrative is what makes the difference between an LP glancing at your deck or deciding they’re ready to write a check. It’s your brand that makes LPs feel confident they’re partnering with someone who knows how to make magic happen.
We’re planning a masterclass on building strong marketing foundations with a top industry leader. If enough people show interest, we’ll make it happen.
📝 Article | Empowering deskless workers with Bounti’s CEO Deniz Bayraktaroglu
by Robin Haak, Founder and Managing Partner at Robin Capital | Originally published on Robin Capital.
Why it matters: Bounti, led by Deniz Bayraktaroglu, is reshaping frontline workforces with a platform that streamlines onboarding, training, and daily operations. Focused on industries like hospitality, Bounti cuts onboarding time by 50% and drives measurable revenue boosts through initiatives like upselling. With €1.3M raised from top investors, including Robin Capital and Paul Forster (Indeed), Bounti is scaling fast.
For VCs, Bounti stands out by addressing the often-ignored deskless workforce, leveraging a simple yet robust solution in a market ripe for innovation. It’s a direct hit for industries managing high turnover and fragmented operations, and its early traction hints at a significant growth runway.
🎙Podcast | The Startup Leap 13: Built Fintech Startup Serving 120m People With Zero VC Funding
by Maria Rotilu - Founding Partner at Openseed.VC and Yvonne Bajela - Partner at LocalGlobe. | Originally published on The Startup Leap.
Why it matters: Sabrina Del Prete, founder of KORE Labs, turned her banking expertise into a fintech powerhouse serving 120M users—all without VC backing. KORE simplifies compliant digital product launches for financial institutions, tackling one of the industry's biggest pain points.
For VCs, Sabrina’s journey is a lesson in founder resilience and vision, proving high-growth fintech doesn’t always need external capital. With increasing demand for agile and compliant solutions, KORE highlights the vast potential in under-innovated, regulation-heavy markets.
Watch the podcast episode here
EUVC Masterclass: Benchmarking for GPs & LPs
In venture, knowledge is power—and benchmarking is the key to unlocking it. Understanding where you stand against your peers is what makes you set realistic expectations, and drive portfolio performance.
For GPs, benchmarking can reveal the strengths and weaknesses of your portfolio, while for LPs, it provides a clearer picture of where your commitments stand in the broader market. Yet, many don't know how to effectively utilize benchmarking tools or interpret the data.
We’re planning a masterclass on mastering the art of benchmarking, led by a top expert in the industry. If enough people express interest, we’ll make it happen!
📝 Article | How Retail Investors Can Research Early-Stage Companies in 15 Minutes
by Invest Deeptech. | Originally published on Invest Deeptech.
Why it matters: Early-stage investing offers retail investors a shot at high-growth opportunities, but it’s often a daunting task. This practical guide breaks down a 15-minute framework: assess the company’s mission, team expertise, market potential, funding validation, and public sentiment. Tools like Crunchbase and LinkedIn streamline the process, reducing guesswork.
For retail investors, it’s a shortcut to identifying promising startups while minimizing risk. By focusing on key metrics and avoiding red flags, you can make informed decisions and access the upside of early-stage innovation with confidence.
💌 Newsletter | Blockchain Meets The Energy Grid: Exploring Energy DePIN's Potential
by Hélène van Berchem, General Partner at Reference Capital. | Originally published on 🔥 Reference Newsflash.
Why it matters: DePINs (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks) are poised to disrupt energy systems by leveraging blockchain to decentralize power grids. They transform consumers into "prosumers" through tokenized incentives, enabling contributions like rooftop solar energy to bolster the grid.
With tools like microgrids and virtual power plants (VPPs), DePINs tackle rising energy demand, grid congestion, and renewable variability. For VCs, the early traction in DePIN energy (e.g., Glow Labs’ $17M revenue in 30 days) signals a maturing market. As electrification accelerates globally, DePINs offer scalable, decentralized solutions to modernize grids and unlock new investment opportunities in the energy transition.
🎙Podcast | Inovia's Michael McGraw European LPs and why a higher risk appetite could pay for itself
In this EUVC podcast episode Andreas talks with Michael McGraw, Principal at Inovia Capital, a Venture Capital firm headquartered in Canada but making waves in Europe.
We’ll also discuss Inovia’s strategy for scaling Series B to pre-IPO companies across North America and Europe, shedding light on key challenges and opportunities in the software space. Whether you’re an LP curious about market dynamics or a founder navigating growth-stage fundraising, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.
Listen the podcast episode here
👣 Founding Partners Trek on March 6-9, 2025
Designed and executed with an ex commander in British SAS specializing in jungle warfare. Having more recently co-founded a successful SaaS company he enjoys organising endurance adventures for those he knows.
