Why You Venture Capital (YUVC)

Why You Venture Capital (YUVC)

By Eugene Foo | Entrepreneur | InvestorBusiness
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Why You Venture Capital (YUVC) episodes

  • Marianne Abib-Pech: t1st.vc's Managing Partner on Leadership, Industrial Transition | YUVC Podcast #29

    Marianne Abib-Pech is the Managing Partner at Transitions First, an early-stage deep tech venture fund accelerating industrial transitions, backing industrial start-ups from advanced deep-tech ecosystems such as Silicon Valley, France, and Israel.


    Takeaways ✨

    Venture Capital to Marianne

    • Finance with a twist (everything is finance)
    • Creativity incorporated
    • A strong focus on people and relationships


    Why industrial startups?

    • a market representing a $3 trillion opportunity
    • only 1% of venture capital dollars in
    • potential for acquisition by multinationals made it a venture case


    Now listen in for more insights! ❤


    00:07 Introducing Marianne and Her Background

    00:37 Early Influences and Career Path

    02:41 The Journey from CFO to Venture Capitalist

    03:58 The Role of Finance in Venture Capital

    08:51 Leadership and Its Evolution

    14:21 The Importance of Diversity in Leadership

    20:15 Transitioning to Venture Capital

    20:29 Focus on Industrial Venture Capital

    23:31 Investing Across Europe and the US

    26:51 Challenges in French Venture Capital

    28:09 Navigating Market Barriers

    28:56 Strategic Market Entry

    31:17 Criteria for Investment

    32:54 Innovative Startups and Technologies

    39:58 Philosophy and Future of the Fund

    44:48 Personal Insights and Leadership

    50:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


    PODCAST LINKS:

    • Podcast Website: https://www.whyyouvc.com
    • Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3V4FyQN
    • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4hYSvpg
    • RSS: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcrss
    • Podcast Playlist: https://bit.ly/whyyouvc

    SOCIAL LINKS:

    • X: https://x.com/whyyouvc
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whyyouvc
    • RED: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcred
    • Bilibili: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcbili
    • Email: [email protected]

    GUEST LINKS:

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianneabibpech/
    • Transitions First: https://t1st.vc
    52 min
  • Sandro Stark: GP at Vanagon.vc Backing FrontierTech from Munich/DACH to the World | YUVC Podcast #27

    Sandro Stark is Co-Founder and General Partner at Vanagon Ventures, backing digital solutions that confront the climate and biodiversity crisis head-on. Previously, he was the Global Innovation Lead at Allianz and Industry Executive at Microsoft.

    Takeaways ✨

    1. Vanagon’s approach to startup evaluation

    • Distribution capability is now the key differentiator, not just technical innovation
    • Customer "stickiness" and deep industry understanding
    • The solution must demonstrate both climate impact and profit potential

      • 2. Why is Munich's ecosystem strategic?

      • Part of DACH region - third-largest market globally after China and US
      • Rich concentration of technical talent and corporate headquarters
      • Untapped potential in Mittelstand venture engagement

        • 3. What's the philosophy behind sustainable success?

        • Don't postpone happiness for future achievements
        • True leadership creates more leaders, not followers
        • Consistent effort matters more than breakthrough moments

          • Now listen in for more insights! ❤

          Outline 😎

          🎬 00:00 Introduction and Tough Timing

          💡 00:55 Early Signs of Entrepreneurship

          💻 02:05 Career at Microsoft and Transition to Venture Capital

          🚀 03:45 Defining Frontier Tech and Investment Focus

          🏢 05:03 Founding Vanagon VC

          💪 08:58 Challenges and Resilience in Fundraising

          📈 11:19 Investment Strategies and Success Stories

          ⚖️ 19:06 Balancing Work and Personal Life

          🧠 30:03 Reflections and Philosophical Insights

          🎤 34:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

          Links 🔗

          PODCAST LINKS:

          • Podcast Website: https://www.whyyouvc.com
          • Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3V4FyQN
          • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4hYSvpg
          • RSS: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcrss
          • Podcast Playlist: https://bit.ly/whyyouvc

            • SOCIAL LINKS:

            • X: https://x.com/whyyouvc
            • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whyyouvc
            • RED: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcred
            • Bilibili: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcbili

              • GUEST LINKS:

              • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrostark/
              • Vanagon: https://www.vanagon.vc/
              • Vanagon on X: https://x.com/vanagon_vc
              • Vanagon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vanagon/
                • 36 min
              • Christian Guba: Most Opinionated Climate Tech VC@Extantia's €204M Fund | YUVC Podcast #26

                Christian Guba is Principal at Extantia’s flagship €204M Fund and previously Principal at Foodlabs, leading their €100M foodtech investments.

                Eugene Foo: What are the major obstacles hindering Germany's and Europe's progress in the tech race?

                Christian Guba:
                1) a need for a mindset shift towards greater ambition and salesmanship
                2) the lack of a unified European domestic market leading to country-by-country regulatory hurdles
                3) excessive regulation hindering innovation (exemplified by the anecdote about plastic bottle cap regulations)
                Now listen in for more insights! ❤

                00:00 - Introduction to ClimateTech Challenges

                00:20 - Introduced by Han Shen at iFly.vc
                01:49 - Career Journey and Early Influences
                04:38 - Venture Capital Insights
                05:37 - International Experience in Taipei
                07:52 - Lessons from Different VC Firms
                10:46 - Specializing in ClimateTech and FoodTech
                14:36 - Alternative Protein Technologies
                20:09 - Investor Perspectives on FoodTech
                28:10 - Tackling Market Inefficiencies in Renewable Energy
                28:39 - Exciting Startups and Technological Innovations
                30:40 - Challenges in Germany’s Energy Sector
                31:53 - Technology’s Role in Solving Daily Pain Points
                32:41 - Investment Strategies and Nuclear Fusion
                34:16 - Berlin as a Tech Hub
                38:50 - Mindset and Market Challenges in Europe
                43:48 - ClimateTech and Green Solutions
                48:59 - Personal Reflections and Lessons Learned
                51:31 - The Meaning of Life and Future Ventures

                PODCAST LINKS:
                • Podcast Website: https://www.whyyouvc.com
                • Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3V4FyQN
                • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4hYSvpg
                • RSS: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcrss
                • Podcast Playlist: https://bit.ly/whyyouvc

                SOCIAL LINKS:

                • X: https://x.com/whyyouvc
                • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whyyouvc
                • RED: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcred
                • Bilibili: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcbili

                GUEST LINKS:

                • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianguba/
                • Extantia: https://www.extantia.com/

                57 min
              • Jing Wang: WeRide’s Venture Investor, 15 Years VC Investing in China | YUVC Podcast #25

                Jing Wang is the venture investor of recently Nasdaq-listed WeRide, the World's First IPO of Universal Autonomous Driving Technology Company.

                A partner at Sky9 Capital with 15 years of experience, Jing joined YUVC for an in-depth podcast.

                Eugene Foo: You classify founders based on traits, similar to how Olympic events are categorized into three types: systematic image, extreme breakthrough, and environmental. What is the basis for this classification?

                Jing Wang: The classification reflects event characteristics: systematic image events (e.g., football) rely on strong systems, extreme breakthrough events (e.g., track and field) focus on individual performance, and environmental events (e.g., snow sports) emphasize adaptability. This showcases the diverse demands on founder profile.

                00:20 - Venture Capital: US vs. China

                00:43 - Jing’s Background and 15-Year Journey

                04:34 - Founding the Venture Campus

                04:55 - Evolution and Growth of the Venture Campus

                08:23 - Investment Philosophy and Strategies

                12:38 - Challenges in Venture Capital

                18:58 - Evaluating Entrepreneurial Projects

                23:59 - The Obsession Factor in Investments

                24:35 - Experience and Its Role in Decision Making

                25:09 - Managing Conflicts and Discussions

                25:58 - Assessing Project Risks and Opportunities

                26:46 - The Power of Thorough Discussions

                28:13 - Unpacking the Concept of Risk Investment

                31:06 - Evolving Investment Strategies Over Time

                34:58 - Role of the Combat Intelligence Center

                41:20 - Future Trends in Risk Investment

                47:16 - Human Nature and Technological Innovation

                49:04 - Reflections on Life and Experience

                PODCAST LINKS:

                • Podcast Website: https://www.whyyouvc.com
                • Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3V4FyQN
                • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4hYSvpg
                • RSS: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcrss
                • Podcast Playlist: https://bit.ly/whyyouvc

                SOCIAL LINKS:

                • X: https://x.com/whyyouvc
                • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whyyouvc
                • RED: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcred
                • Bilibili: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcbili

                GUEST LINKS:

                • Sky9 Capital: https://www.sky9capital.com/

                50 min
              • Danijel Višević: Building Europe’s Largest 1st-Time ClimateTech VC, 5 Yrs Working with Angela Merkel | YUVC Podcast #24

                Danijel Višević is Co-Founder and General Partner at World Fund, Europe’s Largest 1st-Time Climate Tech Fund.

                Danijel Višević shares his journey working with Angela Merkel, transitioning from journalism to founding one of the largest first-time climate tech funds, and the importance of bold investments in decarbonization technologies.

                Eugene Foo: What edge does being an immigrant investor give you?

                Danijel Višević: Coming from a less privileged background instilled a resilience and lack of fear regarding hardship. A sense of gratitude for opportunities and empathy and the ability to shift perspectives, leading to better understanding and decision-making.
                Now listen in for more insights! ❤

                00:00 - European Climate Fund Challenges

                00:38 - Personal Journey
                01:34 - Climate Tech
                06:06 - Immigrant Investor
                08:59 - Failures and Lessons
                14:47 - Angela Merkel’s Influence
                16:44 - Transitioning into Venture Capital
                19:04 - A Day in the Life of a General Partner
                22:15 - The Genesis of World Fund
                28:21 - Scalability Challenges for European Companies
                28:53 - Spotlight on Portfolio Companies
                30:41 - The Significance of Battery Recycling
                31:54 - Dietary Choices and Environmental Impact
                33:54 - Contrarian Perspectives on Impact and Profit
                37:59 - The Future of World Fund and Berlin’s Startup Scene
                42:23 - Germany and Europe: Challenges and Opportunities
                52:12 - Personal Reflections and Philosophy

                PODCAST LINKS:

                • Podcast Website: https://www.whyyouvc.com
                • Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3V4FyQN
                • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4hYSvpg
                • RSS: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcrss
                • Podcast Playlist: https://bit.ly/whyyouvc

                SOCIAL LINKS:

                • X: https://x.com/whyyouvc
                • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whyyouvc
                • RED: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcred
                • Bilibili: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcbili

                GUEST LINKS:

                • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/visevic/
                • Medium: https://visevic.medium.com/
                • Personal Website: https://www.visevic.de/
                • World Fund: https://www.worldfund.vc/

                57 min
              • Tilo Bonow: Investor of 60+ VCs, Founder of Piabo Helping DJI, Stripe Conquer EU | YUVC Podcast #23

                Tilo Bonow is Founder at Piabo Communications with global clients like Stripe, Google, DJI. Meanwhile, he is an active LP in 60+ global VCs, like Headline, HV Capital, 3VC, and more.

                Tilo Bonow joined YUVC to discuss the pivotal role of effective communication in the startup and venture capital ecosystem. As the founder and CEO of Piabo Communications, Europe’s leading tech PR agency, Bonow explains why 50% of startup valuation is narrative.

                Eugene Foo: What are the key criteria you use to evaluate and select solo GPs for investment?

                Tilo Bonow: Solo GPs who demonstrate a clear positioning and focused expertise within a specific industry, ideally showcasing a career path aligning with their chosen sector. A history of entrepreneurship is highly valued, as is the ability to effectively communicate and leverage their LP community for mutual benefit.
                Now listen in for more insights! ❤

                00:00 - Intro

                00:57 - Exploring a Historic Office Location
                02:15 - Tilo Bonow’s Background and Piabo’s Mission
                03:19 - The Role of Communication in Business
                06:30 - Building Trust and Transparency
                08:15 - Storytelling’s Impact on Startups
                14:49 - Challenges and Strategies in PR
                23:49 - Piabo’s First Client and Philosophy
                31:27 - Criteria for Investment Decisions
                31:45 - Founder Relationships and Their Importance
                32:17 - Active LP Community and Relationship Leverage
                33:17 - Honesty and Transparency in Venture Capital
                36:55 - Perspectives on Global Investments
                37:54 - Identifying Red Flags in GPs
                45:18 - Berlin’s Rise as a Startup Hub
                49:06 - Challenges and Opportunities in Europe
                53:14 - PR Strategies for Startup Success
                56:59 - Personal Reflections and Insights

                PODCAST LINKS:

                • Podcast Website: https://www.whyyouvc.com
                • Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3V4FyQN
                • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4hYSvpg
                • RSS: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcrss
                • Podcast Playlist: https://bit.ly/whyyouvc

                SOCIAL LINKS:

                • X: https://x.com/whyyouvc
                • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whyyouvc
                • RED: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcred
                • Bilibili: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcbili

                GUEST LINKS:

                • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tilobonow/
                • Piabo: https://piabo.net/

                1 hr 5 min
              • Chun Xia: GP of TSVC, Fund Returner Zoom’s Eric Yuan Said 10X Minimum | YUVC Podcast #22

                Chun Xia is Founding Partner at TSVC alongside Eugene Zhang (YUVC#19) based in Silicon Valley. Seed investor in Zoom, Carta, Ginkgo Bioworks and more.

                Dr. Xia Chun joined Eugene Foo and Yuyan Wang at YUVC discussing the intricate dynamics of Chinese entrepreneurs seeking financing in the U.S. amidst geopolitical tensions to focusing on the qualities needed to become a category leader.

                Eugene Foo: TSVC’s approach to evaluating founders?

                Dr. Chun Xia: We prioritize founder traits like integrity, resilience, and alignment of values, ensuring the best chance of success.
                Now listen in for more insights! ❤

                00:00 - Intro

                00:14 - Insights on Entrepreneurship and Investment
                02:11 - Personal Interests and Hobbies
                07:44 - Journey and Experiences in the U.S.
                18:55 - Challenges and Advice for Chinese Entrepreneurs
                25:51 - Understanding People in Teams
                26:27 - Challenges for Technical Founders
                26:45 - Client Interviews and Engineer Mindset
                27:25 - Investment Insights and Benchmarks
                30:45 - The Trust Economy and Sharing Economy
                35:56 - AI's Impact on Jobs and Industries
                39:37 - The Future of Technology and Education
                44:47 - Philosophical Reflections on Life and Media

                PODCAST LINKS:

                • Podcast Website: https://www.whyyouvc.com
                • Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3V4FyQN
                • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4hYSvpg
                • RSS: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcrss
                • Podcast Playlist: https://bit.ly/whyyouvc

                SOCIAL LINKS:

                • X: https://x.com/whyyouvc
                • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whyyouvc
                • RED: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcred
                • Bilibili: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcbili

                GUEST LINKS:

                • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chunrayxia/
                • TSVC: https://www.tsvcap.com/

                50 min
              • Ertan Can: Investor of 48 MicroVCs, 2000+ Funds Screened, Secret Sauce of VC Success | YUVC Podcast #21

                Ertan Can is Founder at Multiple Capital based in Luxembourg and Frankfurt backing Micro VCs with a focus on Europe.

                2100 funds screened, 1000 GP relationships, 50+ sectors, 48 funds invested, 103 GPs/Partners, 1359 portfolio companies, 156 outliers, 23 unicorns, 1 decacorn.

                Eugene Foo: Your take on Masayoshi Son and SoftBank?

                Ertan Can: The longer SoftBank remains active as such, the higher the chances of success.
                Eugene Foo: What factors set a seed fund apart from others?
                Ertan Can: They become known as the go-to investors within their respective regions or verticals.
                Now listen in for more insights! ❤

                00:00 - Roadtrip Across China and Beyond

                08:12 - The Rise of MicroVCs
                16:15 - Randomness in Venture Capital
                24:44 - Unfair Advantage in Venture Capital
                32:42 - Fund Size and Investment Strategy
                42:05 - Beyond Track Record
                53:36 - Skin in the Game
                59:00 - Large Funds Struggle at Seed Stage
                1:06:05 - On MicroVCs
                1:12:00 - Disruption, Transparency
                1:19:07 - Meaning of Life
                1:24:00 - Advice for YUVC
                1:27:24 - Global Venture Rac
                1:31:51 - Future of Venture Capital

                PODCAST LINKS:

                • Podcast Website: https://www.whyyouvc.com
                • Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3V4FyQN
                • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4hYSvpg
                • RSS: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcrss
                • Podcast Playlist: https://bit.ly/whyyouvc

                SOCIAL LINKS:

                • X: https://x.com/whyyouvc
                • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whyyouvc
                • RED: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcred
                • Bilibili: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcbili

                GUEST LINKS:

                • X: https://x.com/rtancan
                • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ertancan/
                • Multiple Capital: https://www.multiple.capital/

                1 hr 40 min
              • Cyrus Yari: Britannic-Achaemenian Podcaster-turned-VC with 0 Management Fee | YUVC Podcast #20

                Cyrus Yari is Co-Founder at Rational VC, formerly a podcast going deepdives with VCs, now investing $250,000 to $1 million in pre-seed to series-A rounds.

                Cyrus Yari joined Eugene Foo at YUVC sharing his journey from one of the UK’s lowest-performing schools to co-investing with silicon valley big-name VCs.

                Eugene Foo: Your take on VC as of today?
                Cyrus Yari: Many VCs operate like a Ponzi scheme, raising funding without significant personal investment and depending on management fees. Skin in the game is the name of the game.
                Now listen in for more insights! ❤

                00:00 - Cyrus's Journey to Rational VC

                06:19 - Positive Black Swans and Asymmetric Bets
                11:35 - Rational VC: A Different Approach to Venture Capital
                17:58 - Media Company Around Timeless Ideas
                25:15 - A Focus on Impact
                33:26 - Freedom, Growth, and Impact

                PODCAST LINKS:

                • Podcast Website: https://www.whyyouvc.com
                • Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3V4FyQN
                • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4hYSvpg
                • RSS: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcrss
                • Podcast Playlist: https://bit.ly/whyyouvc

                SOCIAL LINKS:

                • X: https://x.com/whyyouvc
                • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whyyouvc
                • RED: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcred
                • Bilibili: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcbili

                GUEST LINKS:

                • X: https://x.com/CyrusYari
                • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyrusyari/
                • Rational VC Pod: https://www.rationalvc.com/
                • Rational VC Fund: https://rational.fund/

                58 min
              • Eugene Zhang: 1st VC Ticket in Zoom, 9 Unicorns, Top Angel Fund in US per Pitchbook | YUVC Podcast #19

                Eugene Zhang is Founding Partner at TSVC (formerly TEEC Angel), 1st angel fund in Silicon Valley founded by Chinese American investing the ticket ticket into global Chinese and beyond.

                With 9 unicorns in the portfolio, TSVC is named a top unicorn investor in the US by PitchBook.

                Yuyan Wang: How long does it take to invest in a case?
                Eugene Zhang: Sometimes within a day. We have a talk in the morning and we invest in the afternoon. Otherwise, it takes longer. But we try to satisfy the founder’s needs.
                Now listen in for more insights! ❤

                00:00 - Always about Startup

                06:01 - Challenges startup up
                08:30 - Angel to VC
                11:01 - First Deal
                14:35 - Investing in Zoom
                21:19 - Decision-Making
                24:48 - Success Factors
                29:56 - Valuation
                31:04 - Lessons Learned
                32:42 - The AI Era
                35:22 - Silicon Valley’s Future
                39:01 - Meaning of Life

                PODCAST LINKS:

                • Podcast Website: https://www.whyyouvc.com
                • Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3V4FyQN
                • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4hYSvpg
                • RSS: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcrss
                • Podcast Playlist: https://bit.ly/whyyouvc

                SOCIAL LINKS:

                • X: https://x.com/whyyouvc
                • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whyyouvc
                • RED: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcred
                • Bilibili: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcbili

                GUEST LINKS:

                • X: https://x.com/eugene_zhang
                • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugenezhang/
                • TSVC: https://www.tsvcap.com/

                42 min

              About Why You Venture Capital (YUVC)

              From the publisher's feed

              Here's why global VCs, LPs, founders venture capital.