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Weekly Firgun Newsletter – February 21 2025
- The Weekly Firgun Newsletter — February 21, 2025.
- This week's edition is dedicated to Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas z”l.
- Microsoft announced a breakthrough in Quantum computing with their new “Microsoft’s Majorana 1 chip”.
- Israeli cybersecurity company, Dream, raised $100M in a series B funding, while AI-driven solutions provider Augury raised $75M.
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Medium
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The Chaotic and Mysterious Story of the Zizians
- The story of the Zizians is a complex and mysterious one, with multiple narratives describing the group's transformation and motivations.
- Their actions caught the attention of Sonoma County authorities, who received reports of an armed demonstration at a 2019 rally.
- The Zizians were intertwined with organizations like CFAR and MIRI, initially focused on countering AI threats.
- Central to the group was Ziz LaSota, a talented software developer, whose ideology involved AI, game theory, and entrepreneurship.
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Medium
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English Grade
- Student actively participates in academic and co-curricular activities.
- Focused on achieving good grades while engaging in sports and after-school activities.
- Received awards in scouting, quiz program, declamation contest, and essay writing competition.
- Active membership in various clubs and currently part of hiking and outdoor club and environmental awareness club.
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Medium
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E-commerce is only as strong as its supply chain.
- E-commerce customers now expect faster delivery times, leading to increased demand for improved last-mile delivery and other services like 24/7 support and data analytics.
- Logistics players are expanding their service portfolios through vertical and horizontal integration to enhance competitiveness.
- Supply chain sector, traditionally resistant to digitization, is now evolving due to the changing market landscape.
- MEA is emerging as a leader in digital adoption and e-commerce growth, driven by tech-savvy demographics.
- Despite growth in e-commerce, challenges such as logistics bottlenecks and high shipping costs persist in regions like the Middle East and Africa.
- Asset-light models are gaining traction, providing efficient solutions for supply chain management and logistics with a focus on technology and risk mitigation.
- Locad, a Fourth-Party Logistics (4PL) solution, offers streamlined supply chain services for e-commerce brands in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Locad's asset-light model addresses key challenges in e-commerce, promoting flexibility and scalability while reducing operational overhead.
- The Singapore-based startup Locad, founded by entrepreneurs experienced in e-commerce and technology, aims to expand its operations in the Middle East.
- Innovations in cloud-based logistics platforms and asset-light models are transforming the sector's digital landscape and enhancing supply chain efficiencies.
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Medium
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New Impact Funds in Europe in 2024
- Several new impact funds were launched in Europe in 2024, targeting a range of sectors from climate tech to healthtech and sustainable food production.
- Key funds include Impact Shakers Ventures with a €20 million fund supporting diverse founders in Europe, Resolve Ventures' €30 million Climate Impact Fund in Ireland, and Carbon13's UK-based fund with a target size of €30 million.
- Blue Earth Capital's $378 million equity climate impact strategy and Giant Ventures' $250 million multi-stage fund for purpose-driven technology founders were also noteworthy launches.
- Other funds like Future Energy Ventures' €250 million fund focusing on energy transition and decarbonization and the €500 million Decarbonisation Infrastructure Fund II by White Summit Capital also made significant impacts.
- Specialized funds like Future Food Fund for agrifoodtech, Bramble Partners' focus on sustainable food production, and Carbon Equity's €100 million Climate Tech Portfolio Fund II for climate solutions were distinctive in their mandates.
- Furthermore, funds like Ada Ventures Fund II in the UK, Greensphere Capital's Gaia Sciences Innovation Fund, and Norrsken VC's €320 million fund for climate tech stood out for their unique focus areas and substantial fund sizes.
- Debt funds like Eiffel Investment Group's European impact debt funds and the €400 million Fondo de Impacto Social in Spain for social impact projects showcased the diversity in impact investment strategies.
- Noteworthy launches also included funds targeting forestry, consumer businesses, and underserved sectors like the Global Gender-Smart Fund and Venturesome Impact Fund as part of efforts to address social inequalities and environmental challenges.
- Overall, the article highlights the growing trend of impact investing in various sectors across Europe, reflecting a shift towards sustainable and socially responsible investments.
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Saastr
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The Real Story Behind B2B SaaS Growth Today: What Maxio’s Data from 2,400+ Private Companies Tell Us
- Cybersecurity is outperforming AI companies in growth rates, contrary to popular belief.
- Fixed-rate pricing is more successful for smaller companies, while usage-based pricing becomes optimal beyond $1M ARR.
- Survivors at sub-$1M ARR are showing accelerated growth rates, similar to post-2008 patterns.
- B2B SaaS growth rate is at 17%, outperforming the S&P 500's expected growth of 5.5%.
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Saastr
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Who Is Tooey Couremanche Founder and CEO of Procore
- Tooey Couremanche grew up with exposure to the construction industry through family connections.
- Before founding Procore, Couremanche worked in both the construction and technology sectors.
- Couremanche founded Procore in 2002 in Carpinteria, California.
- Under his leadership, Procore grew from a small startup to a major player in construction technology and went public in May 2021.
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Eu-Startups
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Nerves of steel: Pulsetto’s wearable tech gets €2 million boost for military use
- Lithuanian HealthTech startup, Pulsetto, has secured a €2 million investment from Scalewolf for its wearable tech that uses vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for stress relief, mental resilience, and sleep optimization.
- This investment marks Pulsetto's expansion into defense applications, aiming to help soldiers and frontline personnel manage stress and mental fatigue.
- Pulsetto's VNS device stimulates the vagus nerve with electrical impulses, helping individuals shift from 'fight or flight' to a state of relaxation and rest.
- The partnership with Scalewolf, a dual-use technology accelerator and VC fund, highlights the increasing demand for dual-use innovations that enhance both civilian well-being and national security.
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Medium
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5 Fatal Pitch Mistakes That Make VCs Check Out
- The narrative of your startup plays a crucial role in defining your success.
- Many VC pitches fail within the first five minutes due to red flags.
- Unrealistic financial projections without a solid foundation harm your credibility.
- Lack of market understanding and failure to address competition can lead to investors losing interest.
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Medium
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Introduction to Equity Bridge Facilities (EBFs)
- Equity Bridge Facilities (EBFs) are a valuable tool in Private Equity and Venture Capital for quick access to short-term funds to seize investment opportunities before receiving capital from Limited Partners.
- EBFs enable fund managers to deploy capital rapidly and negotiate high-value deals by bridging the gap between identifying an opportunity and calling in capital from LPs.
- While EBFs offer speed and efficiency, they also raise concerns about transparency, risk, and impact on fund performance and investor relations, necessitating regulation and due diligence.
- Key stakeholders in EBFs include General Partners (GPs), Limited Partners (LPs), and lenders, with ILPA recommending short-term EBFs not exceeding 180 days.
- EBFs enhance operational efficiency, investor relations, competitiveness, and flexibility in fund management by providing predictability and quick access to liquidity.
- However, EBFs may artificially boost fund performance metrics like Internal Rate of Return (IRR), leading to concerns about transparency and potential misuse.
- Lenders must conduct detailed due diligence on fund structures, GP-LP relationships, and LP commitments to mitigate risks associated with EBFs.
- EBFs introduce risks such as liquidity pressure, unintended leverage, and systemic risk during market downturns, demanding careful risk management and transparency from all parties involved.
- Costs associated with EBFs, including arrangement fees and interest payments, can reduce investable capital for investors and erode investor returns if not managed efficiently.
- While EBFs offer benefits in quick decision-making and liquidity, responsible use, transparency, and risk management are crucial to maintaining stability and success in private equity investments.
- Proper due diligence, regulatory compliance, and clear communication are essential to ensure that EBFs are used effectively and responsibly within the private equity and venture capital landscape.
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Nytimes
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A.I. Is Changing How Silicon Valley Builds Start-Ups
- Silicon Valley entrepreneur Grant Lee, co-founder of AI startup Gamma, is rejecting investor funds despite constant offers. Unlike traditional startups that scale by hiring aggressively, Gamma leverages AI to boost productivity, allowing it to remain lean with just 28 employees while generating “tens of millions” in annual recurring revenue and nearly 50 million users.
- Profitable and efficient, Gamma challenges the old model of rapid expansion fueled by venture capital.
- Lee believes AI lets startups rethink growth strategies, rewriting the playbook. In contrast to past generations, where headcount symbolized success, Gamma proves that profitability and efficiency can now take priority.
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Medium
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Why Networking with Decision-Makers is Easier and More Effective Than Engaging Lower-Level…
- Networking with top decision-makers, such as CEOs and executives, is often easier than engaging with lower-level associates.
- Decision-makers are more open to new connections and receptive to fresh ideas, as their focus is on big-picture growth.
- CEOs, founders, and top executives are more willing to help and mentor, as they don't operate from insecurity and see potential collaborators.
- Networking upward should be a priority, focusing on providing value and building long-term engagement with decision-makers.
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Insider
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This 23-year-old AI startup founder raised $7 million from investors like Google's Gradient and General Catalyst
- CTGT, an AI startup, raised over $7 million in a seed funding round led by Gradient Ventures.
- The startup focuses on helping enterprise clients train and deploy customized machine learning models.
- Other investors in the funding round include General Catalyst, Y Combinator, Liquid 2 Ventures, and angel investors.
- CTGT's solution allows businesses to take off-the-shelf foundation models and customize them to fit their needs.
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Medium
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How to Build a Venture Fund If You’re Not a Billionaire
- Find investors willing to back your idea, even if you can't contribute a massive amount.
- Consider lowering management fee to attract more investors and reduce risk as the manager.
- Use startups you've already invested in as a springboard for your new fund.
- Leverage personal connections and consider taking out a loan if necessary.
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Medium
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Irregular Warfare, Village Stability Operations and the Venture Capital Green Beret
- After years of war, Village Stability Operations are bringing us back to our Irregular Warfare roots shaped by Globalization, highlighting the power of investors over nation states and the importance of stability through employment.
- Special Forces post 9/11 have broadened their focus beyond just military operations, yet struggle to fully integrate all operations due to the absence of the investor mindset.
- The Venture Capitalist (VC) serves as a model for the Green Beret with its emphasis on ROI and empowerment of small businesses to create wealth and jobs.
- Venture Capitalists focus on efficient asset creation and enhancement to contribute to globalization, job creation, and stability.
- The VC process involves meticulous filtering of business plans and management teams to identify investments with high ROI potential.
- Venture Capitalists enable wealth creation through constructive destruction, identifying assets' value, and rapidly executing strategies to enhance asset value.
- The global investor community, ranging from Angel & Seed VCs to Stock Markets, plays a crucial role in driving the global economy by refining assets through various layers of investment.
- Village Stability Operations aim to improve governance, security, and development in areas where globalization has not fully benefited the population.
- Overcoming divisions, developing industries, and creating wealth are essential for sustainable stability, requiring a bottom-up economic approach akin to the VC model.
- Alignment between VSO and VC processes can enhance the success of missions by focusing on governance, security, and economic development, leading to stable asset creation.
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