How Venture Kick turns Swiss research into global companies

What do VCs reaally look for when investing in startups? I shared a few of the things we look for here at GTMfund with Anthony Enrico on LeanScale's podcast. We went through: - The “surfer, surfboard, and wave” framework for assessing opportunity - What separates exceptional founders (earned secrets, spikiness, and more) - How to evaluate traction when revenue isn’t the full story - The biggest red flags investors see in early fundraising processes If you're interested in going deeper on the investor perspective, dropping the full epi that is live on YouTube in the comments - let me know what you think 🎧

Not every investor is a fit. If you’re still pitching to everyone who says “I invest in startups,” you're wasting time and momentum. Narrow your focus. Find the 5–10 investors who actually align with your vision. Strategic > Generic. Every time. 🎙️ Shared by Jeff Wallace on The Conveyor Podcast with Quinn Lawson 🎥 Watch the full video here: 👉https://lnkd.in/gFbrpUzF #StartupStrategy #InvestorOutreach #SVIYP #FounderFocus #VCPitchTips

Not every “yes” is the right yes. A smaller circle of aligned investors is far more valuable than a long list of generic ones. It’s about partnership, not just capital. #FounderFocus #VCPitchTips #Entrepreneurship

With Q3 behind us, the headlines continue to be pessimistic—but Steven Lord, Burkland's COO and Head of Knowledge Share, says the story is more complicated and less alarming. ⏰ Steve joins us on #StartupSuccess at the close of each quarter for an update on the startup ecosystem. This quarterly episode is another must-listen, providing a much-needed reality check, insights into the current state of the economy, and guidance on what founders need to know about the venture capital landscape as we approach the end of 2025. We cover: ⬇️ 1️⃣ The real story behind the Fed’s recent rate cut—and what’s next 2️⃣ Why the U.S. economy is stronger than headlines suggest 3️⃣ Smart bets for raising capital right now 4️⃣ How to adapt your pitch deck to today’s market realities 5️⃣ What founders should NOT do in this fundraising environment Don’t buy into the hype that venture is broken. 💔 Steve reminds us that this industry is inherently cyclical. Founders who recognize these macro trends will be best positioned for the upswing ahead. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts! Links in the comment below. #VentureCapital #Fundraising #InterestRates #Startups

Getting VC backing in East Germany is tough? Try building the VC from scratch first🎙️ Johannes Ulrich from Ostwerk sat down with host Alexander Türpe to talk about how he did exactly this. Convincing Sparda-Bank Berlin eG to launch a venture capital firm, and why East German startups need more than just capital. Their mission? Being "lobbyists for optimism in East Germany"🔥 The conversation covers a lot. From their first investment, the real challenges of starting from zero as a new investor, to what's still missing in the ecosystem (spoiler: it’s not only the money). 100-200k tickets, pre-seed focus, two-person team. Johannes doesn't sugarcoat the journey. That’s exactly the honesty we need. Listen to the full conversation everywhere you get your podcasts. Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eg6GxWCd #TNTOS #Podcast #VentureCapital #EastGermany #Startups #entrepreneurship

Every founder wants visibility. But most overlook the systems that make it sustainable. This week on the Business Growth Spotlight podcast, Max Wolf from Systematic Ventures joins Heidi to talk about how startups can position themselves for investor attention, and how venture firms are using data and technology to find the next breakout success stories. They dig into: 🎙️ Gender disparity in VC decision-making and funding allocation 🎙️ Why marketing and visibility are make-or-break for startups 🎙️ The global factors driving investment trends 🎙️ And the mission behind building a more efficient, inclusive venture ecosystem If you’re a startup founder or investor, this conversation is packed with insight. 🎧 Listen here: https://lnkd.in/evWFvPPJ

Here’s a VC with a fresh perspective on the VC–founder relationship. Ivan Montoya and his firm, NuMundo Ventures, take a hands-on approach to supporting early-stage startups. Even before investing, Ivan forms close bonds with founders, actively helping with fundraising, pitch decks, go-to-market strategy, and offering advice that improves their odds of success. 🎧 Hear more about the power of partnering with the right VC on the latest episode of #StartupSuccess. Available now wherever you get your podcasts. https://lnkd.in/gmJeCaMj #VentureCapital #SeedFunding #GoToMarket

Startups often ask where to look for their first €100–500k. In this Innovantage Podcast short, Prof. Rudy Aernoudt — economist, professor, and co-founder of the EBAN - European Business Angel Network (EBAN) — shares a timeless answer: go to the Business Angel networks. He reminds us that angels bring not only capital but also experience, networks, and the drive to see new ventures succeed. 💡 It’s small money compared to later rounds — but it’s smart money.

🃏 What do poker and startups have in common? According to Bob Crimmins - a Seattle founder, investor, and the force behind Startup Haven Ventures - more than you think. For 20 years, Bob has been building companies and communities, turning a small founder poker night into a network that now spans 14+ cities and thousands of members. Along the way, he’s learned that decision-making under uncertainty is the skill that defines both great founders and great players. In our latest episode of Sound Investments, we dig into: 🔹 Why poker is the perfect metaphor for startup life 🔹 The role of community in scaling big ideas 🔹 Lessons Bob has carried from the table to the boardroom 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Link in comments. Whether you’re a founder, an investor, or just curious about what makes the startup ecosystem tick, this one is worth your time.

What really tips the scale when investors fund a founder? In the latest episode of Andělské investování podcast, Petr Sima and his guest Martin F. Herrmann unpack what creates epic founder-investor tandems. Martin has been around the town both in the startup and corporate worlds. A CEO of @innogy and @RWE for nearly two decades, he now actively invests in and mentors  a number of startups in Czechia and Germany. So how does he decide where to spend his time? The product and its market potential is what sparks initial interest. But what he as an investor eventually values the most are:  Team seniority. 🙋♂️Founders who can explain their business so clearly that anyone can grasp it, and who show the experience to navigate challenges. Trust & energy. 🙋♂️ Because startup life is a rollercoaster, and both sides need the resilience (and optimism) to ride it together. 🎧Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eYXasb47 🎧Apple: https://lnkd.in/e4U_bzgN #AngelInvesting #StartupLife #FounderStories #CBAA #AndelskeInvestovani