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Venture Capital News
Medium
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TAM Is Basic Astrology for Capitalists
- The Total Addressable Market (TAM) slide in startup pitches has become a ritual, often more for showmanship than actual data accuracy.
- Instead of focusing on real metrics like traction, trial velocity, and friction to adoption, many pitch days devolve into feature creep brainstorming sessions.
- The startup ecosystem prioritizes being impressive over being focused, with TAM slides and shiny ideas getting more applause than grit and discipline.
- However, in 2025, there's a shift towards valuing tangible progress over venture astrology, with a focus on proving small successes before promising big ones.
- Legacy startup tropes like accelerator badges as divine rights and fantasy hockey stick growth graphs are being scrutinized for their lack of real substance.
- Investors now seek proof of viability through commercial traction and practical strategies, moving away from relying solely on big market projections.
- Key metrics like go-to-market fit, wedge strategies, and revenue density hold more weight than exaggerated TAM numbers in demonstrating startup potential.
- Emphasizing solving real problems, capturing customer value, and minimizing friction to adoption are now crucial for startup success in the modern landscape.
- Startups are encouraged to focus on trial velocity, iterative loops, and market network effects to demonstrate real growth potential and monetization strategies.
- Ultimately, the future of a startup is determined by concrete actions and decisions, not by fanciful projections or outdated startup traditions.
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Medium
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Ethena Airdrop Claim Free $ENA Now (Season 3) Step-by-Step Full Guide
- Ethena Labs has launched Season 3 airdrop claims for its native token ENA, rewarding community participants for their engagement and loyalty.
- The rewards in Season 3 are distributed to stakers, liquidity providers, and on-chain participants based on their contributions.
- To claim the Season 3 ENA tokens, users need to check their eligibility on the Ethena airdrop claim page and connect their wallet to confirm the transaction.
- Claimed ENA tokens will be sent directly to the user's wallet, and active participation may lead to future airdrop opportunities as Ethena grows.
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Medium
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TRL-5 and Other Dangerous Places
- Innovation investing often favors soft products that can quickly enter the market over hard science projects that need to be more mature to gain trust.
- There is a paradox where technologies with softer products can attract investments earlier than those with harder science backing.
- Technology Readiness Level (TRL) measures the maturity of an idea or product on a scale from 1 to 9, with higher levels indicating more advanced and proven technologies.
- Different industries have different TRL requirements, with biotech demanding higher readiness levels compared to fields like AI where projects can get initial funding at lower TRLs.
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Medium
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Protein Panic and the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Opportunity
- Insect protein, especially from Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae, is a promising and efficient alternative amidst the mounting food crisis.
- Insects require significantly less land and food compared to traditional livestock for protein production.
- Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae can convert waste into high-quality biomass efficiently due to their protein and fat content.
- BSF farming offers a sustainable solution, using less land and water compared to cattle while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Production of dried larvae meal in India shows strong returns on investment, especially in regions like India with favorable conditions.
- The international insect protein market is projected to grow significantly, with companies like BioMar and Nestlé Purina investing in insect-based products.
- India is emerging as a key player in the insect protein market, with startups like Green Grahi paving the way for sustainable protein production.
- Investing in insect protein now presents strategic opportunities for firms and investors to shape and benefit from this growing market.
- Green Grahi, an Indian startup, is using BSF larvae to convert organic waste into valuable protein and biologicals, addressing waste management and protein production simultaneously.
- The decentralized but scalable model of Green Grahi not only boosts farm incomes but also generates employment opportunities, tackling organic waste management issues effectively.
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Medium
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2 hour company assessment
- Start by identifying industries you are knowledgeable about to assess companies thoroughly.
- Research and compile a list of companies in the selected industries, checking public and private databases for information.
- Shortlist companies based on available data and your familiarity with them, while seeking feedback from experts in the startup space.
- Document your findings neatly and have someone unfamiliar with the subject review it for clarity and comprehension.
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Medium
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Beyond the AI Monolith: YC’s Summer 2025 Request for Startups (and Why We’re Publishing Our Own…
- YC has released its Summer 2025 Request for Startups (RFS), focusing on AI as a key theme and indicator of Silicon Valley's priorities.
- The RFS highlights YC's positioning within the AI landscape and points out potential blind spots in the field.
- The author suggests that investors should not just passively receive startup pitches but actively shape narratives and identify unexplored opportunities.
- In response to YC's RFS, the author is creating their own Proto-RFS for 2025 to emphasize underrepresented domains and challenge traditional startup approaches.
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Guardian
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Foreign states limited to 15% stake in UK newspapers amid Telegraph uncertainty
- The UK government will allow foreign states to own stakes of up to 15% in British newspapers, potentially ending uncertainty over the ownership of the Telegraph titles.
- The limit announcement is expected through the introduction of a new statutory instrument in parliament, following consultations and lobbying by newspaper owners.
- A 15% ownership cap could pave the way for RedBird Capital's deal to acquire the Daily and Sunday Telegraph, resolving concerns raised over ownership by foreign entities.
- The decision on the 15% threshold comes after considerations of a 5% to 10% cap, with lobbying by major newspaper groups like News UK and Daily Mail & General Trust influencing the final ruling.
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Medium
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Dan Morehead’s Bold and Optimistic Vision for Crypto — Presented at Token2049 Dubai
- Dan Morehead, founder of Pantera Capital, shared an optimistic vision for the future of crypto at TOKEN2049 Dubai.
- Morehead highlighted institutional adoption and the mainstreaming of digital finance as key factors for industry growth.
- His remarks suggested a positive outlook on the evolution of money, digital assets, and the future of finance.
- The industry is expected to mature with increased liquidity, clearer regulations, and reduced volatility for a healthier ecosystem.
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Medium
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Data-Driven Decisions: Why Instinct Isn’t Enough Anymore
- Access to vast amounts of data is crucial for modern business owners, but proper interpretation is key for success in today's market.
- Integrated platforms with business intelligence capabilities, such as AAK Tele-Science, enable founders to visualize trends, compare benchmarks, and make informed decisions.
- Combining founder instinct with AI-driven analytics helps in decision-making, especially as businesses scale and face increased risks.
- Unified platforms like AAK Tele-Science help address siloed data issues, providing real-time insights that lead to faster, more informed everyday decisions and long-term business growth.
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Medium
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Why Private Equity and VC-Backed Companies are Turning to Fractional CMOs
- Marketing has become a crucial factor in enhancing portfolio value for private equity and VC-backed companies, influencing customer acquisition, brand positioning, and revenue growth.
- Reports indicate a significant increase in private equity distributions surpassing capital calls, emphasizing the need to optimize portfolio performance and focus on digital marketing strategies.
- Fractional CMOs are gaining preference among PE firms for their strategic vision, industry expertise, and cost-efficiency, especially in driving revenue growth and profitability through digital transformation and brand equity enhancement.
- The integration of Fractional CMOs with AI-powered marketing strategies is aiding PE-backed companies in achieving faster growth, precise decision-making, and scalable execution aligned with investment goals.
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Saastr
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5 Interesting Learnings from Atlassian at $5.4 Billion in ARR
- Atlassian has reached $5.4 billion in ARR and is predicting a 19% growth for Q4’25.
- Atlassian's AI is now a core feature included in all core apps, not just an upsell or add-on.
- The company is seeing accelerated enterprise expansion, with $10k+ customers driving growth.
- Atlassian has 500 customers with over $1 million in spending, while still serving 250,000 customers below $10k.
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Global Fintech Series
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BlockFills and Definitive Finance Partner, Enhancing BlockFills Automated Trade Execution Capabilities for DeFi, On-Chain Transactions
- BlockFills and Definitive Finance have partnered to enhance BlockFills' automated trade execution capabilities for DeFi and on-chain transactions.
- The partnership allows BlockFills to leverage Definitive's advanced on-chain execution platform to offer smoother and more efficient trading experiences for institutional clients.
- Definitive's platform aggregates liquidity across multiple chains and optimizes trades to minimize price impact and achieve superior execution for on-chain transactions.
- The collaboration benefits clients of both firms by expanding the variety of tokens BlockFills can trade and providing access to deep OTC liquidity across different markets.
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VC Cafe
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Are AI Wrappers Investable? The Case For and Against
- Investing in AI wrappers poses both opportunities and challenges due to the fast-evolving nature of the AI landscape.
- AI wrappers leverage existing AI models to offer specialized functionality, making AI capabilities accessible for specific purposes.
- Arguments for investing in AI wrappers include demonstrated revenue, rapid development, solving real problems, and lowering costs with open-source AI models.
- Investors are attracted to AI wrappers with strong teams, niche focus, strategic execution, and potential for market acquisition.
- Concerns against investing in AI wrappers involve market saturation, reliance on third-party models, lack of proprietary moats, and questionable long-term sustainability.
- Factors that make AI wrappers more investable include proprietary data sources, deep vertical integration, exceptional user experience, and strong monetization.
- Successful AI wrappers go beyond basic interfaces, solve specific niche problems, and offer end-to-end solutions, making them attractive for investors.
- The key to investing in AI wrappers lies in identifying teams that build defensibility and deliver unique value beyond simple API functionalities.
- While some AI wrappers may face challenges, those that innovate, differentiate, and demonstrate strong market fit are considered highly investable.
- Ultimately, the success of AI wrappers is determined by factors like strategic vision, execution, user need, and differentiation rather than just the underlying AI technology.
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24 Likes
TechCrunch
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Databricks to buy open-source database startup Neon for $1B
- Databricks has agreed to acquire Neon, an open-source database startup, for approximately $1 billion.
- Neon offers a managed cloud-based database platform with features like cloning databases, previewing changes, automatic scaling, branching, and point-in-time recovery.
- The acquisition will allow Databricks to combine Neon's technology with its own data intelligence services to enhance the deployment of AI agents for customers.
- Neon, founded in 2021, has raised $129.6 million in funding, and its investors include Microsoft's venture arm M12, General Catalyst, Menlo Ventures, and Notable Capital.
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Guardian
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UK watchdog launches investigation into Aviva’s £3.7bn takeover of Direct Line
- UK watchdog, Competition and Markets Authority, launches investigation into Aviva's £3.7bn takeover of Direct Line.
- The merger aims to create one of the largest car insurers in the UK as Aviva expands its business in the sector.
- The investigation will determine the impact on competition, with a deadline set for July 10 for a decision on proceeding to phase 2.
- Aviva, the largest UK insurer, and Direct Line, known for brands like Churchill, plan job cuts post-merger, following efforts to streamline operations.
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