High Pitch 2020
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DATABASE (284)
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ARTICLES (593)
Founded in Chicago in 2011, Hyde Park invests in Midwestern US and occasionally Canadian startups from early-stage usually through two investment rounds across tech sectors. It currently has 62 startups in its portfolio and has managed 12 exits to date. Its most recent investments in January 2021 include Canadian e-commerce site BlackCart’s $8.8m Series A round and US podcast database Podchaser’s $5.7m Series A round. In November 2020, it invested in real estate productivity software NestEgg’s $7m Series A round.
Founded in Chicago in 2011, Hyde Park invests in Midwestern US and occasionally Canadian startups from early-stage usually through two investment rounds across tech sectors. It currently has 62 startups in its portfolio and has managed 12 exits to date. Its most recent investments in January 2021 include Canadian e-commerce site BlackCart’s $8.8m Series A round and US podcast database Podchaser’s $5.7m Series A round. In November 2020, it invested in real estate productivity software NestEgg’s $7m Series A round.
Founded by Hillhouse Capital in February 2020, GL Ventures mainly invests in early-stage startups from diverse sectors like pharmaceutical, SaaS, internet-based consumption/technology and emerging consumer goods/services.The RMB/USD dual currency VC-arm of Hillhouse currently manages total funds worth RMB 10bn from limited partners including university endowments, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, FOF and family offices. The VC has made nearly 200 investments in its first year of operations.
Founded by Hillhouse Capital in February 2020, GL Ventures mainly invests in early-stage startups from diverse sectors like pharmaceutical, SaaS, internet-based consumption/technology and emerging consumer goods/services.The RMB/USD dual currency VC-arm of Hillhouse currently manages total funds worth RMB 10bn from limited partners including university endowments, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, FOF and family offices. The VC has made nearly 200 investments in its first year of operations.
Mercy Corps’ Social Venture Fund
Mercy Corps’ Social Venture Fund is a seed and early-stage social impact fund operated by not-for-profit humanitarian organization Mercy Corps. The US-based organization is increasingly moving into tech investments, with key interests in agtech and fintech solutions creating social impact. FinX, a platform designed to accelerate financial inclusion worldwide, was also launched recently. Distributed ledgers, digital assets, cryptocurrencies and other digital financial solutions will be deployed to alleviate poverty in local communities. The fund has invested in 16 companies at the seed stage. Investments in the February 2021 included a pre-seed round for Kenyan healthcare fintech platform ImaliPay. In December 2020, it joined a $5.3m seed round for Colombian remittance tech Valiu.
Mercy Corps’ Social Venture Fund is a seed and early-stage social impact fund operated by not-for-profit humanitarian organization Mercy Corps. The US-based organization is increasingly moving into tech investments, with key interests in agtech and fintech solutions creating social impact. FinX, a platform designed to accelerate financial inclusion worldwide, was also launched recently. Distributed ledgers, digital assets, cryptocurrencies and other digital financial solutions will be deployed to alleviate poverty in local communities. The fund has invested in 16 companies at the seed stage. Investments in the February 2021 included a pre-seed round for Kenyan healthcare fintech platform ImaliPay. In December 2020, it joined a $5.3m seed round for Colombian remittance tech Valiu.
Since 2005, Demeter Partners has been one of the major VC and private equity funds supporting technology companies in developing solutions for ecological and energy transitions. The firm typically invests €1m–€30m in early and growth stages of startups. With assets worth over €1bn under management, its portfolio in 2019 was estimated to have cut 4.3m tons of CO2 with 575 GWh of clean energy produced. In 2021, Demeter was named the “Best Sustainable Equity investor” by a panel of former Fortune 500 individuals, global experts and industry leaders to recognize Demeter’s commitment to the UN’s SDG and ESG strategy.
Since 2005, Demeter Partners has been one of the major VC and private equity funds supporting technology companies in developing solutions for ecological and energy transitions. The firm typically invests €1m–€30m in early and growth stages of startups. With assets worth over €1bn under management, its portfolio in 2019 was estimated to have cut 4.3m tons of CO2 with 575 GWh of clean energy produced. In 2021, Demeter was named the “Best Sustainable Equity investor” by a panel of former Fortune 500 individuals, global experts and industry leaders to recognize Demeter’s commitment to the UN’s SDG and ESG strategy.
Albert Wenger is a managing partner at New York-based Union Square Ventures. He is also an angel investor with disclosed investments in 25 startups, many in the area of sustainability. His most recent investments have been in the April 2021 $6.2m seed round of Finnish carbon sequestration startup Carbon Culture and in the $9.5m Series A round of French web browser innovation company Beam.
Albert Wenger is a managing partner at New York-based Union Square Ventures. He is also an angel investor with disclosed investments in 25 startups, many in the area of sustainability. His most recent investments have been in the April 2021 $6.2m seed round of Finnish carbon sequestration startup Carbon Culture and in the $9.5m Series A round of French web browser innovation company Beam.
American investment capital firm Farallon Capital Management was established in 1986. The company manages equity capital for institutions, including college endowments, charitable foundations and pension plans, and funds for high net worth individuals. While most of its investments are in risk arbitrage and debt restructuring, it has also invested in startups across different verticals, such as Indonesian ride-hailing firm Gojek and a host of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical technology companies.Farallon’s history with Indonesia began long before Gojek came into existence. In 2002, Farallon bought a controlling stake in Bank Central Asia (BCA), an Indonesian bank, during a time when investors avoided Indonesian banks that had been saddled with bad debt. With the controlling stake, Farallon installed a new bank chairman and reformed BCA. Over the next four years Farallon slowly divested in BCA and finally sold the remaining 4% stake in 2006 to earn a profit.
American investment capital firm Farallon Capital Management was established in 1986. The company manages equity capital for institutions, including college endowments, charitable foundations and pension plans, and funds for high net worth individuals. While most of its investments are in risk arbitrage and debt restructuring, it has also invested in startups across different verticals, such as Indonesian ride-hailing firm Gojek and a host of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical technology companies.Farallon’s history with Indonesia began long before Gojek came into existence. In 2002, Farallon bought a controlling stake in Bank Central Asia (BCA), an Indonesian bank, during a time when investors avoided Indonesian banks that had been saddled with bad debt. With the controlling stake, Farallon installed a new bank chairman and reformed BCA. Over the next four years Farallon slowly divested in BCA and finally sold the remaining 4% stake in 2006 to earn a profit.
Co-CEO, co-founder of Psquared
Argentinian native Nicolas Araujo Müller is co-CEO and co-founder at Psquared, Spain’s first flexible workplace management and design company for hybrid workspaces. He has worked there since its foundation in April 2018, originally as part of startup hub CoBuilder, and is now its CFO. He is also a part-time advisor and investor at startup development agency We Are Grit, since its launch in 2020.Earlier, Araujo was CFO and co-founder at digital talent agency Bandit, for two years, until 2017. Before that, he held the same roles at his previous Barcelona-based startup, Nubelo, another tech recruitment agency for freelancers, between 2012 and 2016, when it was acquired by Freelancer.com. In 2016, Araujo was a visiting professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona on digital economy.His first startup was Work At Home in Argentina, where he was a co-founder for two years from 2011–13, for which he won local innovation prizes. Prior to this, Araujo held various management consultancy roles, working in business analysis and research at Ernst & Young, Standard & Poor’s and Accenture, from 2008–2012, and completed a stint at the US embassy in Buenos Aires. He is also a founding member of Argentina’s entrepreneur organization, ASEA, established in 2013. Araujo holds a degree in economics from CEMA University, Buenos Aires and a qualification from Harvard University in negotiation. In 2017 and 2013, Araujo was named in Forbes Argentina’s 30 Promesas list of young entrepreneurs.
Argentinian native Nicolas Araujo Müller is co-CEO and co-founder at Psquared, Spain’s first flexible workplace management and design company for hybrid workspaces. He has worked there since its foundation in April 2018, originally as part of startup hub CoBuilder, and is now its CFO. He is also a part-time advisor and investor at startup development agency We Are Grit, since its launch in 2020.Earlier, Araujo was CFO and co-founder at digital talent agency Bandit, for two years, until 2017. Before that, he held the same roles at his previous Barcelona-based startup, Nubelo, another tech recruitment agency for freelancers, between 2012 and 2016, when it was acquired by Freelancer.com. In 2016, Araujo was a visiting professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona on digital economy.His first startup was Work At Home in Argentina, where he was a co-founder for two years from 2011–13, for which he won local innovation prizes. Prior to this, Araujo held various management consultancy roles, working in business analysis and research at Ernst & Young, Standard & Poor’s and Accenture, from 2008–2012, and completed a stint at the US embassy in Buenos Aires. He is also a founding member of Argentina’s entrepreneur organization, ASEA, established in 2013. Araujo holds a degree in economics from CEMA University, Buenos Aires and a qualification from Harvard University in negotiation. In 2017 and 2013, Araujo was named in Forbes Argentina’s 30 Promesas list of young entrepreneurs.
Co-founder of Psquared
Argentinian native Jorge Araujo Müller is co-founder and investor at Psquared, Spain’s first flexible workplace management and design company, Psquared, for hybrid workspaces, where he has worked since its foundation in April 2019. Psquared is a spin-off of startup innovation hub CoBuilder, founded one year earlier and which Araujo co-founded. He has several other roles. Since 2020, he is a co-founder at startup development agency We Are Grit and advisor of a talent agency for Latin Americans in Spain, Base España. He is also an investor and advisor at e-commerce recruitment agency RSV Outsourcing. Araujo also holds part-time educational roles, speaking on innovation at Barcelona’s ESADE institution to MBA students and as a mentor at Mexico’s chapter of the MassChallenge accelerator. Earlier, Araujo worked as a business advisor to the digital agency JustDigital, and was co-founder and sales director at the digital talent agency Bandit, for a year. Before that, from 2012–2016, he was CSO and co-founder of Barcelona-based startup Nubelo – a tech recruitment agency for freelancers – until it was acquired by Freelancer.com. Prior to this, Araujo worked for two years as a business researcher at JP Morgan Chase and for almost two years at West Side Consultants, both in Argentina. Araujo holds a business administration qualification from CEMA University, Buenos Aires.In 2013, Araujo and his brother were named in Forbes Argentina’s 30 Promesas list of young entrepreneurs.
Argentinian native Jorge Araujo Müller is co-founder and investor at Psquared, Spain’s first flexible workplace management and design company, Psquared, for hybrid workspaces, where he has worked since its foundation in April 2019. Psquared is a spin-off of startup innovation hub CoBuilder, founded one year earlier and which Araujo co-founded. He has several other roles. Since 2020, he is a co-founder at startup development agency We Are Grit and advisor of a talent agency for Latin Americans in Spain, Base España. He is also an investor and advisor at e-commerce recruitment agency RSV Outsourcing. Araujo also holds part-time educational roles, speaking on innovation at Barcelona’s ESADE institution to MBA students and as a mentor at Mexico’s chapter of the MassChallenge accelerator. Earlier, Araujo worked as a business advisor to the digital agency JustDigital, and was co-founder and sales director at the digital talent agency Bandit, for a year. Before that, from 2012–2016, he was CSO and co-founder of Barcelona-based startup Nubelo – a tech recruitment agency for freelancers – until it was acquired by Freelancer.com. Prior to this, Araujo worked for two years as a business researcher at JP Morgan Chase and for almost two years at West Side Consultants, both in Argentina. Araujo holds a business administration qualification from CEMA University, Buenos Aires.In 2013, Araujo and his brother were named in Forbes Argentina’s 30 Promesas list of young entrepreneurs.
Based in Madrid, K Fund is a VC firm founded in July 2016 by Ian Noel and Iñaki Arrola, focusing on seed and early-stage investments in digital technology startups. It has to date raised one fund of €50m. As of 1Q 2020, K Fund had invested in 25 companies, with its most recent investments including HR platform Factorial's €15m Series A round and in open source platform Frontity's €1m seed round.Noel represents Bonsai VC while Arrola is a serial entrepreneur (Coches.com and Vitamina K). A third co-founder is Carina Szpilka from ING Direct. Other team members include Ignacio Larrú (IE Business School), Pablo Ventura (JME Ventures) and technology journalist Jaime Novoa (Novobrief, Tech.eu). K Fund’s other investors include public institutions such as EIF and private investors.
Based in Madrid, K Fund is a VC firm founded in July 2016 by Ian Noel and Iñaki Arrola, focusing on seed and early-stage investments in digital technology startups. It has to date raised one fund of €50m. As of 1Q 2020, K Fund had invested in 25 companies, with its most recent investments including HR platform Factorial's €15m Series A round and in open source platform Frontity's €1m seed round.Noel represents Bonsai VC while Arrola is a serial entrepreneur (Coches.com and Vitamina K). A third co-founder is Carina Szpilka from ING Direct. Other team members include Ignacio Larrú (IE Business School), Pablo Ventura (JME Ventures) and technology journalist Jaime Novoa (Novobrief, Tech.eu). K Fund’s other investors include public institutions such as EIF and private investors.
TRATON is a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group and one of the world’s largest producer of commercial vehicles. It manufactures light-duty commercial vehicles, trucks and buses at 29 production and assembly sites in 17 countries.The company is now focusing on developing electric trucks and announced in March 2021 that it will invest a total of €1.6bn in e-mobility R&D by 2025. In September 2020, it partnered with self-driving trucking startup TuSimple to mass produce driverless trucks.In March 2021, Navistar stockholders approved the acquisition of Navistar by TRATON. Subject to regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to be completed by mid-May.
TRATON is a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group and one of the world’s largest producer of commercial vehicles. It manufactures light-duty commercial vehicles, trucks and buses at 29 production and assembly sites in 17 countries.The company is now focusing on developing electric trucks and announced in March 2021 that it will invest a total of €1.6bn in e-mobility R&D by 2025. In September 2020, it partnered with self-driving trucking startup TuSimple to mass produce driverless trucks.In March 2021, Navistar stockholders approved the acquisition of Navistar by TRATON. Subject to regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to be completed by mid-May.
Green Angel Syndicate (GSA) is an angel investment syndicate fund headquartered in the UK and joined by over 250 members. GSA’s investments are mostly focused on technologies that can tackle climate change and global warming issues. As of December 2020, the firm has, directly and indirectly, contributed to saving more than 20,000 tones of CO2 and increased its emissions savings by 88% throughout the year.The fund has invested over £10m in startups in their early-stage and operating across 10 different sectors. GSA is also behind the EIS Climate Change Fund, a co-investment fund in deals managed by GSA. In 2019, GSA was recognized as the UK Business Angels Association Angel Syndicate of the Year.
Green Angel Syndicate (GSA) is an angel investment syndicate fund headquartered in the UK and joined by over 250 members. GSA’s investments are mostly focused on technologies that can tackle climate change and global warming issues. As of December 2020, the firm has, directly and indirectly, contributed to saving more than 20,000 tones of CO2 and increased its emissions savings by 88% throughout the year.The fund has invested over £10m in startups in their early-stage and operating across 10 different sectors. GSA is also behind the EIS Climate Change Fund, a co-investment fund in deals managed by GSA. In 2019, GSA was recognized as the UK Business Angels Association Angel Syndicate of the Year.
Based in Brussels, Astanor Ventures is an impact investor specializing in foodtech, agritech and blue ocean economy with focus on the environment and sustainability. Founded in 2017 by Eric Archambeau and George Coelho, Astanor has invested in more than 20 startups in Europe and the US. Archambeau and Coelho launched Balderton Capital in Europe and were early investors in Spotify, Betfair and LoveFilm.Astanor invests according to the principles for responsible investment (PRI), prioritizing technology-led solutions that connect the value chain, innovate on nutrition and accelerate regenerative agriculture. In November 2020, the firm closed fundraising for its $325m Global Impact Fund focused on food and agriculture technology that comply with the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Based in Brussels, Astanor Ventures is an impact investor specializing in foodtech, agritech and blue ocean economy with focus on the environment and sustainability. Founded in 2017 by Eric Archambeau and George Coelho, Astanor has invested in more than 20 startups in Europe and the US. Archambeau and Coelho launched Balderton Capital in Europe and were early investors in Spotify, Betfair and LoveFilm.Astanor invests according to the principles for responsible investment (PRI), prioritizing technology-led solutions that connect the value chain, innovate on nutrition and accelerate regenerative agriculture. In November 2020, the firm closed fundraising for its $325m Global Impact Fund focused on food and agriculture technology that comply with the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Ahmir Khalib Thompson, better known as Questlove, is an American DJ, songwriter and filmmaker. He is the drummer and joint frontman of the hip-hop band the Roots and has also made several appearances in movies and television. He has been also a musical director at the 2020 and 2021 Academy Awards ceremony. The plant-based food investor was reportedly behind President Barack Obama’s upcoming birthday celebration in 2021. Questlove has backed plant-based food companies Impossible Foods and NotCo.Also in 2021, Questlove directed a film about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, the Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), which won the US Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award for documentary at the Sundance Film Festival.
Ahmir Khalib Thompson, better known as Questlove, is an American DJ, songwriter and filmmaker. He is the drummer and joint frontman of the hip-hop band the Roots and has also made several appearances in movies and television. He has been also a musical director at the 2020 and 2021 Academy Awards ceremony. The plant-based food investor was reportedly behind President Barack Obama’s upcoming birthday celebration in 2021. Questlove has backed plant-based food companies Impossible Foods and NotCo.Also in 2021, Questlove directed a film about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, the Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), which won the US Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award for documentary at the Sundance Film Festival.
Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) started as a division of the Toyoda Automatic Loom Works in 1933, and established as an independent in 1937. As of December 2019, it ranked tenth largest company in the world by revenue. An established multinational automotive manufacturer, Toyota has invested in startups working on everything from online marketing to cybersecurity, placing an focus on new-generation mobility services. In 2019, it invested $600m in Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing, and founded a joint venture to offer car maintenance, insurance and finance services to ride-hailing drivers. Also that year, Toyota invested $500m in Uber for self-driving cars. In early 2020, the auto giant invested $400 in the self-driving startup Pony.ai. Before the investment, the two had already partnered to test self-driving cars on public roads in China.
Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) started as a division of the Toyoda Automatic Loom Works in 1933, and established as an independent in 1937. As of December 2019, it ranked tenth largest company in the world by revenue. An established multinational automotive manufacturer, Toyota has invested in startups working on everything from online marketing to cybersecurity, placing an focus on new-generation mobility services. In 2019, it invested $600m in Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing, and founded a joint venture to offer car maintenance, insurance and finance services to ride-hailing drivers. Also that year, Toyota invested $500m in Uber for self-driving cars. In early 2020, the auto giant invested $400 in the self-driving startup Pony.ai. Before the investment, the two had already partnered to test self-driving cars on public roads in China.
Lakestar is an international VC firm headquartered in Zurich. Founded in 2012 by Klaus Hommels, the VC has been an active early-stage investor since 2000. Its first fund was established in 2013 to invest in fast-growing tech startups across Europe and the US like Skype, Spotify, Facebook and Airbnb. The firm has offices in Zurich, Berlin, London, New York and Hong Kong with total investments of more than €1bn. Amid the Covid-19 pandemic in February 2020, Lakestar managed to raise a total of $735m for early and growth stage funds to be invested mainly in Europe. One-third of the funds will be designated to early-stage investments and two-thirds to growth-stage companies to drive international expansion. Part of the capital will also be used to strengthen the leadership team.
Lakestar is an international VC firm headquartered in Zurich. Founded in 2012 by Klaus Hommels, the VC has been an active early-stage investor since 2000. Its first fund was established in 2013 to invest in fast-growing tech startups across Europe and the US like Skype, Spotify, Facebook and Airbnb. The firm has offices in Zurich, Berlin, London, New York and Hong Kong with total investments of more than €1bn. Amid the Covid-19 pandemic in February 2020, Lakestar managed to raise a total of $735m for early and growth stage funds to be invested mainly in Europe. One-third of the funds will be designated to early-stage investments and two-thirds to growth-stage companies to drive international expansion. Part of the capital will also be used to strengthen the leadership team.
Indonesia launches national pitch competition HighPitch 2020 to re-energize its startup ecosystem
With 43 VC investors so far joining as judges and mentors, HighPitch 2020 aims to reconnect investors with young startups across the country amid Covid-19
HighPitch: E-grocery marketplace Pasar20 and healthcare edtech Appskep top the Medan chapter
Representing Sumatra’s startup ecosystem in the national finals later in November, Pasar20 and Appskep have ambitious expansion plans in store
HighPitch 2020: Event ticketing and legal tech startups come up tops in Jakarta chapter
VC judges favored Goers’s strong pivot amid Covid and HAKITA’s outstanding pitch
HighPitch 2020: Hydroponics, EV startups PanenBali and Manouv represent Denpasar chapter
Renewable energy and sustainability focuses impress investors, who also caution startups about competitors from outside their region
Coronavirus: Portuguese startups pitch in as nation battles pandemic
More than 120 startups join the #tech4COVID19 initiative, offering the public free medical help, meals for the vulnerable, online education and more
HighPitch 2020: Goers wins Indonesia's national startup competition
Event ticketing startup Goers gains new revenue streams with pivot to helping leisure spots go online; hotel SaaS Izy and on-demand medical testing service CekLab also in top three
In Portugal tourism tech gets disrupted, in time for post-Covid-19 era
As Portugal reopens to tourists early next month, the sector is banking on a new generation of tourism tech startups to enable safety and reassure visitors
HighPitch 2020: In conversation with top winners and UMG Idealab head Kiwi Aliwarga
Goers, Izy and CekLab demonstrated quick thinking when adapting their businesses to the pandemic, a capability they will need to stay competitive post-Covid
Indonesia's HighPitch 2020: VC investors on Medan startups, deal-sourcing during Covid
Healthcare-focused edtech Appskep and e-grocer Pasar20 win regional pitch competition for Sumatra; judging VCs share their new perspectives gained on local problems and startups from outside Greater Jakarta, and more
HighPitch 2020: Yogyakarta chapter won by on-demand lab testing and solar cell startups
Judges lauded the variety of ideas, but said startups could improve their presentations and clearly state the problems they are solving
HighPitch 2020: Waste management play Octopus, digital concierge service Izy win Makassar battle
Both startups have scored strong traction despite the weight of Covid-19; they are also expanding and keen to explore new opportunities
Future Food Asia 2021: Impact assessments – getting the metrics right
Common impact measures are useful but each situation requires specific, sometimes subjective considerations. The priority is to gauge if the impact has led to positive changes
Buy Yourself GO: Relieving the pressure in high-demand retail
Buy Yourself's patented self-checkout technology specifically targets peak sales periods for bricks-and-mortars and requires no prior download of software
Xu Jinghong: Champion of young entrepreneurs and high-tech startups
Under Xu Jinghong’s leadership, Tsinghua Holdings grew its assets sevenfold and incubated over 10,000 businesses. In his new role as VC investor, Xu wants to nurture startups into future global leaders
Citibeats, a social trends monitoring tool for governments and businesses, wins €1.4m funding
Citibeats tracks and analyzes what the public is saying online in any language; wants to boost its presence in LatAm and Asia
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