Super Angel #233 Ambre Soubiran, CEO of Kaiko & revered angel

From banking to entrepreneurship to angel investing. Join us as we dive into insects as protein, the value of data in the crypto market, individuality, founder grit and opportunistic collaboration 😇

Oct 19, 2023

On the right hand side, a DALL·E 3 Monet-style impressionistic painting depicting a serene garden setting reminiscent of Monet's Giverny. In the center, a bridge over a lily pond represents the journey of the podcast. On the bridge stands Amber, depicted in soft, flowing brushstrokes, holding a microphone.

Today we are happy to welcome Ambre Soubiran, CEO of Kaiko. A mathematician by training, she has spent the first decade of her career working in the equity derivatives and capital markets industry. Amber has a passion for world-changing technologies and is personally interested and invested in the digital assets space since 2012. Amber is currently the CEO of Kaiko, the reference market data provider in the blockchain industry. Kaiko is a global organisation with offices in NYC, London, Paris, and Singapore, servicing top-tier financial institutions and enterprises with reliable and actionable financial data.

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Jump to the parts that matter most to you 👀

00:00:00 - Introducing our Guest, Amber in the Super Angel Podcast
00:01:52 - Discovering Crypto through Blogs and Newsletters
00:03:30 - From Banker to Startup Founder
00:04:51 - First Angel Investment
00:06:26 - The Story behind Kaiko
00:09:42 - Insects as Protein for Animal Feed
00:11:15 - The Value of Data in the Crypto Market
12:42:00 - The Genesis of a Business Partnership
00:13:54 - The Importance of Individuality in Founding a Company
00:15:19 - Tokenization of Real World Assets and the Future of DeFi
00:17:03 - Building a Financial Market Data Provider on Blockchain
00:18:39 - The Personal Benefits of Angel Investing
00:20:19 - Investment Strategy and Portfolio Allocation
00:21:54 - Diversifying Investments and Angel Investing Qualities
00:23:14 - Values and traits of successful founders
00:24:53 - Collaborating Opportunistically in Angel Investing
00:26:18 - The Joy of Being an Angel Investor
00:27:48 - Trusting Founders and Gut Feelings
00:33:46 - Tips for International Investments
00:35:22 - An Amazing Story and Tips from a Fanboy

1. Be curious.

Ambre believes that curiosity is essential for angel investors. She encourages investors to explore new opportunities and be open to new ideas. She also stresses the importance of listening to founders and understanding their vision.

2. Focus on the people.

For Ambre, angel investing is all about the people. She believes that the most important factors to consider when investing in a startup are the founder's team, their values, and their trustworthiness. She also emphasizes the importance of supporting founders through thick and thin.

3. Be agile and smart.

Angel investing is a risky business, so it's important to be agile and smart. Ambre believes that investors should be prepared to pivot and change their strategies as needed. She also stresses the importance of being a good human being and treating founders with respect.

Generated by DALL·E — DALL·E 3: Oil painting in a swirling, expressive, and vibrant style reminiscent of Van Gogh: A depiction of Ambre standing in a vast landscape under a starry night sky. She holds a magnifying glass, representing curiosity, and peers through it towards the horizon filled with innovative ideas and opportunities. Surrounding her are silhouettes of founders, emphasizing the focus on people, with some founders having a radiant glow, indicating trustworthiness. The ground is a blend of rough and smooth paths, symbolizing the risky journey of angel investing. Whimsical winds, representing agility, flow around her, while a compassionate, soft light illuminates her face, highlighting her belief in respect and kindness.

Q: What’s the most counterintuitive thing you've learned since you started angel investing?

The best product doesn't always win. Marketing is often more important than the product itself. Ambre has seen many companies with great products fail because they couldn't get the word out. Conversely, she's seen companies with mediocre products succeed because they had brilliant marketing campaigns.

Q: What would be your top tips to angels wanting to do more international investments?

International investments can be tricky. Ambre advises angel investors to be careful when investing in foreign companies. She recommends speaking with a local tax expert to make sure the investment is structured in a way that minimizes taxes. She also recommends anticipating the case of a successful investment and making sure the legal structure is in place to handle it.

Q: What advice would you give to your 10-Year-Younger Self

You need to spend money to make money. Ambre believes that angel investors need to be willing to take risks. She encourages them to invest in companies they believe in, even if it means losing money on some investments. She also points out that angel investing is a long-term game. It can take years to see a return on investment.