What drives startup success?
A great product, a solid go-to-market strategy, and a strong culture plant the seeds for a successful startup. But once those three things are evident, many times, what got them to point A isn’t what will get them to point B.
The next phase in a startup’s lifecycle is where the ‘people factor’ comes in: a competent team to take the startup to the next level. While the early team created the foundation, a new, diverse team must have various technical, marketing, and business expertise skills to achieve success and a rewarding exit.
Some notable trends this week…
- Smaller funding rounds in the double-digits
- More foreign than domestic deals (7:1)
- Planting seeds, sprinkling series As and Bs hoping for growth
Up next are this week’s top 5 VC deals…
1Polymarket
$45M, Series B, Capital| Equity | NYC | Blockchain | Founders Fund, 1confirmation, ParaFi, Vitalik Buterin, Kevin Hartz | https://polymarket.com/
LinkedIn Overview:
“Polymarket is an information markets platform, where speculators bet on the world’s most highly-debated topics (COVID, Politics, etc) — producing actionable insight on the matters most important to society, and helping you better plan for your future.“
2Linnovate Partners
$40M, Capital| Equity | Singapore | Wealthtech | SeaTown Private Capital Master Fund | https://www.linnovatepartners.com/
LinkedIn Description:
“Linnovate Partners is a leading asset services provider focused on driving innovation in the alternative investments industry…“
3Humanity Protocol
$30M, Capital | Equity | Hong Kong| Blockchain| Kingsway Capital, Animoca Brands, Blockchain.com, Shima Capital | https://www.human.institute/
Press release courtesy of Animoca Brands:
“This revolutionary protocol uses cutting-edge palm recognition technology, as a less invasive identity verification alternative to methods like iris scans, and is easily accessible through smartphones, to establish Proof of Humanity in Web3 applications.“
4Data Zoo
$22.7 M, Series A | Australia | Fintech | Ellerston JAADE | https://www.datazoo.com/
LinkedIn Description:
“Data Zoo is a global identity solution powering modern verification experiences for digital businesses around the world. With one global integration, Data Zoo replaces the complexities of legacy solutions… “
5FinLocker
$17M, Series B, Capital |Equity | Missouri | Wealthtech | Radian Group | https://finlocker.com/
LinkedIn Description:
“Financial Fitness platform empowering your consumers with tools to achieve & sustain homeownership & financial health.”
