Deep Tech Investor Day - Q&A
What to expect from Investor Day
Andreas Munk Holm lets you in in what’s in stor for you.
Two universities. An industrial heritage. Many of the innovative companies are emerging in connection to the region's key sectors, including automotive, life science and ICT. We teamed up with Andreas Munk Holm, this is what he says.
Tell us little about EU.VC? Why did you fund EU VC?
EU.VC emerged as a VC-insider content and investment platform dedicated to connect weave together the rich, yet often disparate, tapestry of the European Venture industry. Our mission is rooted in the belief that to thrive, this industry requires a more interconnected community.
This need for connection is threefold: Firstly, Europe’s venture landscape is notably fragmented, with insufficient cross-border knowledge and collaboration. This fragmentation hinders our ability to form a cohesive, competitive front against more unified ecosystems like Silicon Valley. Secondly, the venture industry is fundamentally network-driven. The success of Silicon Valley hinges on its tightly-knit network—a model we aspire to replicate in Europe. Thirdly, Europe lacks widely recognized venture champions. While European VCs engage in platforms like LinkedIn and other forms of self-promotion, they don’t do so with the same fervor as their U.S. counterparts. Thus, establishing a platform that elevates and celebrates these individuals is not just meaningful, but essential.
Moreover, there's a noticeable trend of European LPs under-allocating to venture capital. Through EU.VC, we aim to amplify the significance of the venture industry, highlighting its stellar performance and distinguishing the top achievers. The fact that numerous LPs engage with our content, delving into comprehensive and unfiltered insights about our sector, is a testament to our success and impact.
Less than two years ago, we expanded our horizons by investing in funds alongside European angels and family offices. This initiative involved forming syndicates for chosen funds, which is revolutionary in two ways. First, it reduces the minimum investment threshold, typically steep in quality VC funds. Second, it offers these investors a curated selection of pre-vetted deals—a luxury compared to the limited choices they might otherwise encounter. This approach democratizes access to high-quality venture investments, providing a valuable service to the European investment community.
What are the major movements in the venture ecosystem today?
The venture ecosystem is currently undergoing several key transformations. First, there's a recovery phase from the recent tech reset, where investors and companies are re-evaluating their strategies and positions. Secondly, there's a noticeable shift from purely digital ("bits") to a combination of digital and physical ("bits & atoms"), with a significant focus on deep tech. This shift is especially relevant to the theme of the GoWest conference.
Additionally, there's an increased international recognition of European VC's potential, attracting more global capital. However, this also highlights a paradox: while European venture capital attracts global attention and investment, the returns often benefit non-European entities, like U.S. pensioners, more than the European market itself.
You’ve teamed up with GoWest and designed their very first Investor Day. What’s in store for the audience?
The GoWest Conference in Gothenburg is set to be a standout event, especially with its focus on DeepTech. We've arranged an exciting lineup for Investor Day, including a fireside chat with Creandum's founder Staffan Helgesson, a climate panel featuring partners from Norrsken, Pact VC, and Planet A, and a DeepTech panel with partners from Speedinvest, Ventech, EQT, and NATO Innovation Fund. We'll also have insightful presentations on defense tech and LP panels with top regional pension funds and corporations.
Gothenburg is a burgeoning hub for research and development, home to numerous global brands and industrial heritage. It's an ideal setting for GoWest, offering a unique convergence point for investors, startups, scaleups, and talent. The conference will feature diverse topics across deep tech, defense, climate, and health tech. Plus, with the addition of the Deep Tech Investor Day next year, we're bringing an extra layer of value by connecting the local and international investor community.
Who will get the most out of Deep Tech Investor Day?
The DeepTech Investor Day is tailored for LPs, VCs, and Angels keen on deep tech investing. It's an invaluable opportunity for those looking to gain insights into market trends, connect with leading investors in venture, and explore the frontiers of deeptech investment. Whether you're seeking knowledge, connections, or investment opportunities, DPID is the place to be for anyone invested in the future of deep tech.
You also dropped the podcast episode “Investing in Deep Tech & The need for a new playbook”, what are the key take aways?
Deep Tech Investment Landscape: Featuring Klementina from GU Ventures and Ted from EQT Ventures we discussed how Deep tech startups, often emerging from universities and academia, present unique challenges and opportunities which requires a different investment approach compared to traditional tech startups. As an example, these startups often have strong research foundations which often creates a greater need for assistance in commercialization and building diverse founding teams.
Founder-Investor Relations: The skills required for a founder in deep tech differ significantly from those in other sectors, especially in how they relate to investors. Understanding the symbiotic relationship between investors and founders is crucial in deep tech.
Deep Tech Playbook: There's a highlighted need for a specialized playbook for deep tech investments. This includes considerations like investment strategies, understanding cap tables, and the specific capital requirements for deep tech companies, which are often higher due to the nature of their work.
Hardware Investments and Biotech Potential: Investing in hardware and the burgeoning field of biotech were discussed as areas with significant potential but also with unique challenges, particularly in terms of capital intensity and technology risk management.
Sustainable Industrial Sector: The episode touched on managing opportunities in the sustainable industrial sector, emphasizing the importance of balancing expertise with fresh perspectives to build a strong, diverse portfolio.
Collaboration Among Investors: A key point was the importance of collaboration among investors in the deep tech space. This includes calling for co-investors and understanding the dynamics of European tech sovereignty.