Claus Stenbaek

"ETH takes an equity stake in spin-offs, usually two percent." 👍 ETH Zürich now offers some of the best terms for spinoffs in Europe thanks to their new Equity and Licensing Policy. Very happy to have played a small part in this thanks to Vanessa Wood and Frank Floessel. 🇨🇭 Other European universities should take note. European deeptech would be much better off with universities creating less friction for spinoff founders, and a big way for them to create less friction is via offering healthier terms. https://lnkd.in/emdx87jp

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The VC secondary market is on fire. But many LPs are rushing in without fully appreciating the risks. VenCap International plc has been active in VC secondaries (LP positions only) since 1987 — and this is one of the hottest markets we’ve seen. In the first half of 2025 we reviewed $6.5bn of secondary VC deals — a 41% jump from the $4.6bn we saw in the same period last year. This includes both GP-led and LP-led deals. Here are 4 lessons we've learned from nearly 40 years of buying secondaries: 1️⃣ Power law still rules – a few companies will drive most returns. 2️⃣ Quality over discount – our best deal was bought at a premium to NAV. 3️⃣ Know the valuation policy – different VCs can value the same company very differently. 4️⃣ Factor in manager behavior – holding winners vs. selling early can make or break returns. VC secondaries ≠ PE secondaries. The risks are different — but for LPs who can access the right deal, at the right price, the rewards can be exceptional.

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Huge milestone for the US power industry and for the team at ElectronX⚡ They’re now the first US-regulated, direct-access electricity derivatives market, with DCM and DCO approvals from the CFTC. This unlocks a new set of tools for energy asset operators and larger users to better manage short-term price volatility and risk. We believe this market infrastructure will help unlock a cleaner, more resilient grid. It’s been a privilege to partner with Sam Tegel, CFA and the team as they’ve built toward this moment. Their vision and persistence have been incredible to watch, and this is just the beginning. Congrats to everyone involved. Looking forward to what's ahead! https://lnkd.in/g85acSHq

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The Lightrock team are proud to have co-led Makersite’s €60M Series B, alongside Partech, with SE Ventures joining and continued backing from all the company’s Series A investors. Manufacturing accounts for more than a fifth of global emissions, and companies are under increasing pressure to reduce climate impact while remaining competitive. Makersite is meeting that challenge by making product design and manufacturing smarter – and, in turn, delivering resource, energy, and cost efficiencies in addition to positive climate impact. The company’s AI-powered platform helps manufacturers like Microsoft and Schneider Electric understand their supply chains by fixing fragmented and inconsistent product data, enriching it with one of the most comprehensive supply chain databases available, and enabling real-time analysis of cost, carbon, compliance, and risk – all throughout the product design process. With its scalable, technology-driven business model and proven impact, Makersite aligns perfectly with Lightrock's investment thesis: The company embraces sustainability not just as a trend or tick box, but as a strategic business advantage. Congrats to Neil D'Souza and the ‘Makernauts’ on this milestone success, which you can learn more about from Sifted’s coverage and the company’s announcement - both linked in the comments. The Lightrock team is excited to support Makersite’s next stage of growth. #Lightrock #AI #ClimateTech #Manufacturing #ProductDesign #SupplyChain

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🚗 EXCITING NEWS - I'm happy to share that our portfolio company Deftpower has raised €12.5 million from Endeit Capital, including continued support from us, 4impact capital, and other existing investors including Proeza Ventures, Rethink Ventures and Twickelborg to expand its AI-powered EV charging platform across Europe. We’re very excited to continue this journey with the Deftpower team. They have shown tremendous growth since our investment at the end of 2023 and we are inspired by the vision, innovation, dedication and execution skills of Jacob van Zonneveld, Marc Diks, Remco Tjeerdsma and Nicholas Laane and their team.  Deftpower is making EV charging cheaper, cleaner, and smarter. Their technology helps • Lower charging costs for EV drivers • Reduced CO2 emissions by shifting demand away from peak hours • Relieve pressure on the grid Their solution is at the core of what we invest in at 4impact capital; digital technology that contributes positively to planet and people and we look forward to what’s next. Welcome Endeit Capital, Sara Resvik, Jan Fredriks. Look forward to working with you. Rodolfo Elias Dieck, CFA, Sophie Millenaar, Ali Najafbagy, Victor Straatman, Daniel Uusitalo 🔗 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g8Xk5xpq

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