Struggling with the competitive landscape of fundraising? In this Junicorn Talk episode, we chat with Julius Köhler, co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer of Sennder, for insights on navigating the funding journey from Series A to D.

Topics covered:

Tune in for a masterclass on funding and growth in a competitive industry!

In this Junicorn Talk episode, ⁠Deutsche Bank⁠’s ⁠Joerg Landsch⁠ and ⁠Milos Spiridonovic⁠ explore corporate venture capital (CVC) and financial services for tech companies. They discuss the strategic benefits of CVC, insights on managing funds, and the influence of market trends like profitability focus and counterparty risk. This conversation offers essential guidance for navigating CVC, covering:

Tune in for expert insights to thrive in the fast-paced world of tech finance.

In this episode, we sit down with Gautier Rousseau, CIO of Amundsen Investment Management, who takes us on a journey into the future of investing.

A future where ESG — Environmental, Social, and Governance — isn't just a buzzword, but a seismic shift in how we approach investing.Gautier paints a vivid picture of a world where ESG isn't just a consideration, but THE consideration.

He shares insights on how ESG is becoming the new normal for investments, the role of sustainability in IPO success, the green future of investing, the importance of governance in investment decisions, and the potential for ESG practices to lower the cost of capital.

Here’s what we covered in our conversation:

● ESG is becoming the new normal for investments, with a fundamental shift in the way we think about investing.

● Sustainability is key for IPO success, with companies needing to demonstrate sustainable practices for long-term success.

● The future of investing is green, with a growing emphasis on ESG-focused investing.

● Governance is a critical factor in investment decisions, especially for IPO candidates.

● Strong ESG practices could potentially lead to a lower cost of capital.

So, buckle up and get ready to ride the green wave with us as we explore how ESG is reshaping the investment landscape.

In this episode of Junicorn Talk, seasoned shareholder relations expert Angelika Horstmeier unpacks the future of shareholder meetings and explores emerging trends reshaping boardrooms and Zoom calls globally.

Imagine gearing up for a routine shareholder meeting, presentation set, talking points polished—only to face curveballs like unexpected ESG questions, surprising proxy advisor votes, or disgruntled shareholders. Sound familiar?

With rapid changes in investor relations, especially around ESG, boardroom diversity, and tech in shareholder identification, staying ahead is crucial. Angelika, with 20+ years of experience, believes adapting to these rising demands isn't as daunting as it seems.

Tune in as she delves into key topics like:

Gain insights on how to navigate these shifts for smoother, successful shareholder meetings.

When the IPO market gives you a drought, it's time to dig for the hidden oasis.

In the face of a challenging IPO market, Investor Relations (IR) professionals are finding themselves in uncharted territory. But as the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. This downturn, as daunting as it may seem, is ripe with opportunities for strategic growth and long-term success.

Let's take a page from Clif Marriott's playbook, who’s a managing director at Goldman Sachs, and see how we can turn this challenge into an opportunity.

● The State of the IPO Market: The IPO market has taken a hit, but it's not all doom and gloom. The market is cyclical, and a bounce back is on the horizon. As Marriot puts it, the party isn't over, it's just on a break.

● The Waiting Game: This downtime is a golden opportunity to build relationships with investors. Use this time to network, engage with potential investors, and build a strong investor base for when the market picks up.

● Running the Business: Stay true to your business model and focus on long-term success. As Marriot advises, don't change your business to fit the market. Change the market to fit your business.

● Alternatives to IPOs: Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and private placements are viable alternatives to IPOs. These options can be just as effective, if not more so, for growth and expansion.

● The Future of Tech IPOs: The first companies to go public post-drought will likely be lower-risk, profitable, growing companies that are household names. Particularly, AI and software companies, if profitable, could potentially access the public markets right now.

The IPO drought is not permanent. In fact, it's a golden opportunity to build and nurture relationships with investors, prepare for the future, and explore alternative routes to growth.

So, let's adjust our lenses and find the opportunities hidden in this challenge. After all, when life gives you lemons, you don't just make lemonade. You make the best damn lemonade there is.

In this episode of the  Junicorn Talk  Podcast, we speak with Handelsblatt tech correspondent Nadine Schimroszik about Europe's waning investment in startups and what founders must do to capture investor interest for better funding outcomes.

Key challenges for today’s founders: economic downturns, cautious investors, and limited funding access. As Schimroszik explains, anyone building a business today must stay vigilant on industry trends and the funding landscape to navigate these obstacles.

Our conversation covers:

⦿ The decline in Europe’s startup funding

⦿ Shifting investor attitudes founders need to adapt to

⦿ Impacts of Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse

⦿ Focus areas for attracting investor attention

⦿ Promising sectors for startup funding

Tune in for essential insights to help founders secure funding and scale amidst economic uncertainty.

In this episode of Junicorn Talk, Lukas Zörner, VP Germany at Qonto, shares insights from the Qonto-Penta merger, emphasizing the power of a customer-centric strategy, a strong company culture, and continual innovation in navigating complex mergers. Lukas provides a firsthand look at the strategic choices and the critical role of transparency in ensuring a smooth transition.

Despite fluctuations in fintech valuations, he remains optimistic, highlighting the potential for innovation driven by dedicated teams and resilient market demand. Entrepreneurs facing pivotal decisions will find his advice invaluable: focus on the customer and keep the long-term vision in sight.

Topics covered include:

Tune in for an episode packed with valuable insights for investors, entrepreneurs, and fintech professionals alike—Lukas’ experience offers a guiding light through the complexities of mergers and the future of fintech.

Unlock essential insights into venture capital and private equity markets with Christian Leybold, co-founder of Headline Europe.

Fundraising in the startup world can feel like navigating a minefield, especially in bear markets where risk and reward collide. For seasoned experts like Leybold, however, this landscape is an art form. Leybold shares his expertise on topics such as:

Leybold’s insights serve as a compass for founders, highlighting the importance of authentic investor relationships and emerging tech opportunities. His optimism reminds us that innovation thrives even in tough times. Whether you're an experienced entrepreneur or just starting out, gain fresh perspectives on navigating the complex world of venture capital.

In this episode, we sit down with Martin Ziegenbalg, EVP of Investor Relations at DHL Group, to explore the dynamic changes in the investor relations landscape. With over two decades of experience, Martin shares valuable insights on digitalization, ESG, and the evolving expectations of investor communications.

What to Expect:

In unserer neuesten Folge freuen wir uns, Tim Schäfer als Gast begrüßen zu dürfen. Tim ist ein erfahrener Wall-Street-Korrespondent und Journalist für renommierte Medien in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz. Sein Fokus: Kapitalmärkte und Trendthemen wie KI und Software-Investments. Diese Episode bietet exklusive Einblicke in die Unterschiede zwischen dem US-amerikanischen und deutschen Kapitalmarkt, kulturelle Unterschiede und Chancen für Unternehmen und Investoren.

👉 Was dich erwartet:

Tim teilt zudem persönliche Geschichten: Vom Start als Journalist in Frankfurt bis zum Aufbau einer Karriere in New York und den Herausforderungen als freiberuflicher Journalist in den USA. 🎧

🎥 Jetzt reinhören und neue Perspektiven zu Kapitalmarktthemen entdecken – egal ob du Investor, Unternehmer oder einfach nur am amerikanischen Markt interessiert bist!