I2BF Global Ventures

I2BF Portfolio News Inbox Health, a leading technology platform for improving the patient billing experience, has launched a new patient billing support service that resolves 90% of all patient inquiries about medical bills. The company currently serves over 3,000 healthcare practices and more than 2 million patients annually. https://lnkd.in/dnDtxsFH BeyondTrucks, a provider of a configurable cloud-based truck management system, has announced new embedded smart scheduling features that empower dispatchers with intelligent tools to enhance efficiency and free up time for complex decision-making. The new features include predictive ETA calculations using traffic patterns, road speeds, and dwell times to generate accurate delivery estimates. Additionally, the system automatically alerts dispatchers when delays threaten delivery windows and provides a smart duration display showing precise load durations based on custom-defined lanes or fleet settings. https://lnkd.in/duH9kV9u Foresight, a developer of the leading AI-enabled platform for helping owners and contractors complete major construction projects on time and on budget, has launched a new solution for the data center industry. By leveraging AI, machine learning, and large construction models, Foresight provides predictive insights into delay risks and schedule compression opportunities, enabling project management teams to focus on critical tasks and accelerate project completion. https://lnkd.in/dT-5izDp Showrunner, developed by Fable Simulation, is an AI-driven platform that enables users to create customized animated television episodes by selecting genres and providing specific prompts. Dubbed the "Netflix of AI," it has amassed a waitlist of 50,000 users eager to explore its capabilities. The platform allows for the creation of episodes ranging from 2 to 16 minutes, complete with AI-generated dialogue and voice acting. https://lnkd.in/d_Vh8MHz If you are a startup founder building a Vertical SaaS or New Media startup and are planning to raise funding, reach out to us at [email protected]. We’d be happy to discuss investment opportunities.

Our portfolio company, Odeko, has raised a $126M Series E. Odeko provides an all-in-one operations and technology solution for more than 14,000 independent F&B businesses, including coffee shops, cafés, and other food establishments. Through its platform, customers significantly reduce costs and streamline vendor management. They can order exactly what they need from hundreds of national and local brands, with direct-to-fridge and in-shop delivery available up to seven days a week. As part of this announcement, Odeko has also acquired Butter Insurance, a specialized insurance platform for local businesses. This acquisition enables Odeko’s customers to access comprehensive, cost-effective insurance solutions tailored to their needs. It also marks the latest step in Odeko’s ongoing expansion of services and technology offerings. For more information, please visit: https://lnkd.in/d3GaunD4

We’re extremely proud to share that our portfolio company Noxus that we backed from our Pre-seed to Succeed investment program has closed a €1.4 million funding round! ?? ?? Gon?alo Ferreira, Jo?o Pedro Almeida, Jorge Pessoa, and Miguel Ribeiro, we’re excited to support your journey in building the world’s first AI Operating System, that seamlessly integrates AI into complex enterprise workflows, alongside SFC Capital, Caixa Capital, and Bynd Venture Capital. ?? ???? By bringing a team of AI-powered colleagues to work alongside human specialists, Noxus is breaking down barriers to AI adoption, helping businesses optimize processes and scale their teams. ??At Pre-seed to Succeed, we strive to support innovative projects like Noxus that are revolutionizing the future of work today! More about Noxus and the deal: https://lnkd.in/dZvqg6E4

We are thrilled to announce our recent investment in Humanitru, a provider of a data-driven strategy and engagement platform for mid to enterprise-level nonprofits, as part of their successful $3 million funding round. Humanitru's innovative platform empowers mission-driven organizations to centralize data, automate processes, and strengthen supporter relationships using AI-driven insights. This investment will enable Humanitru to enhance their AI-driven engagement tools, expand platform capabilities with new features and integrations, grow their team across technology, customer success, and partnerships, and scale their outreach to serve more nonprofits across various sectors. We are excited to support Humanitru's mission to transform nonprofit data management and engagement, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact they will continue to make in the nonprofit sector. https://lnkd.in/diu6quzW

A great event comes down to three things: the right atmosphere, the right people, and real value. On February 19, Pre-seed to Succeed brought all three to Bilbao Slush’D, hosting an exclusive live pitching session in the Nordics corner of Spain. Live pitching is no easy feat, especially for first-time founders. We made sure the setting was relaxed and supportive, giving startups the best chance to showcase their vision. The jury, featuring Nikolay Kirpichnikov, Alexander Korchevsky and Denis Kalyshkin came ready to listen, challenge and guide founders on what it takes to build and scale. A huge shoutout to Emissium, Heuristik, Jetconf, NearDynamics, PreggApp, Pynn AI, Roiward, and SENSTILE as they take their first steps in fundraising. We hope you walked away with insights, connections and momentum for what’s next. Here’s a glimpse into the P2S pitching session in Bilbao. Stay tuned for more events where you might meet your next investor.

Join Us for an Exclusive Startup Pitching Session at Bilbao Slush’D! ?? Are you ready to pitch your startup to top-tier investors? P2S.vc is excited to host a dynamic pitching session during Bilbao Slush’D, bringing together visionary founders and seasoned investors for an evening of innovation, connections, and opportunities. ?? What to Expect ?? 15-20 vetted startups will pitch their ideas to a panel of 5-6 investors, including representatives from P2S.vc and our partner funds. ?? Receive real-time feedback and build relationships with active early-stage investors. ?? Enjoy an intimate yet energetic setting in a cozy local bar or a hotel conference room (venue TBC). ?? Who Will You Pitch To? ?? Nikolay Kirpichnikov – Managing Partner at Smart Partnership Capital ?? Alexander Korchevsky – Partner at I2BF Global Ventures ?? Denis Kalyshkin – Investment Director at I2BF Global Ventures ?? How to Join We expect 100+ applications, but only the most promising startups will be selected to pitch. ?? When & Where ?? Date: February 19th, 18:00 – 21:00 ?? Location: TBD (our team is scouting the best venue!) ?? Save your spot now: https://lu.ma/qo7md73z About Pre-Seed to Succeed Pre-seed to Succeed is helping young and ambitious companies raise their first funding round. It's an investment program launched by AltaIR Capital, Yellow Rocks, Smart Partnership Capital and I2BF Global Ventures. The P2S is designed for startups in the early stages with MVP and first traction and focuses on the following industries: B2B / SaaS, FinTech, AI, Future of Work, Productivity Tools, Digital Health, HR Tech. The program offers initial funding from participating venture companies, ongoing support from seasoned experts and mentors, and 50% of the next round for proven startups. If you have any questions please contact us by email: [email protected]

Join Us for an Exclusive Startup Pitching Session at Bilbao Slush’D! ?? Are you ready to pitch your startup to top-tier investors? P2S.vc is excited to host a dynamic pitching session during Bilbao Slush’D, bringing together visionary founders and seasoned investors for an evening of innovation, connections, and opportunities. ?? What to Expect ?? 15-20 vetted startups will pitch their ideas to a panel of 5-6 investors, including representatives from P2S.vc and our partner funds. ?? Receive real-time feedback and build relationships with active early-stage investors. ?? Enjoy an intimate yet energetic setting in a cozy local bar or a hotel conference room (venue TBC). ?? Who Will You Pitch To? ?? Nikolay Kirpichnikov – Managing Partner at Smart Partnership Capital ?? Alexander Korchevsky – Partner at I2BF Global Ventures ?? Denis Kalyshkin – Investment Director at I2BF Global Ventures ?? How to Join We expect 100+ applications, but only the most promising startups will be selected to pitch. ?? When & Where ?? Date: February 19th, 18:00 – 21:00 ?? Location: TBD (our team is scouting the best venue!) ?? Save your spot now: https://lu.ma/qo7md73z About Pre-Seed to Succeed Pre-seed to Succeed is helping young and ambitious companies raise their first funding round. It's an investment program launched by AltaIR Capital, Yellow Rocks, Smart Partnership Capital and I2BF Global Ventures. The P2S is designed for startups in the early stages with MVP and first traction and focuses on the following industries: B2B / SaaS, FinTech, AI, Future of Work, Productivity Tools, Digital Health, HR Tech. The program offers initial funding from participating venture companies, ongoing support from seasoned experts and mentors, and 50% of the next round for proven startups. If you have any questions please contact us by email: [email protected]

Understanding the state of the VC market is crucial for startup founders when raising funding, as it helps set the right expectations. Today, we’d like to share key statistics about the VC market in 2024. Despite earlier expectations, the global VC market reached $314B in 2024, reflecting a 3% annual growth compared to 2023. While this is higher than in 2019, it remains below the peak of annual VC investments seen in 2018. It’s still too early to determine if the market has bottomed out. Global seed and angel investments in H2 2024 were lower than in H1 2024, both in terms of volume and the number of deals. The number of deals dropped from 5,784 in Q1 2024 to 3,207 in Q4 2024, while investment volumes decreased from $8.2B ($142K per deal) in Q2 2024 to $7.1B ($221K per deal) in Q4 2024. This trend indicates that early-stage VCs have become more selective, investing larger amounts in fewer companies. AI startups accounted for $101B, or one-third of global investments—an all-time high. This is 2x more than the combined investments in AI during 2022–2023. Regional VC Market Trends 1. The North American VC market experienced 21% annual growth in 2024 compared to 2023. The U.S. accounted for $178B in investments, representing 57% of global VC funding (up from 48% in 2023) and 97% of the North American market. Notably, $90B was invested in the San Francisco Bay Area alone. U.S. AI investments surged, reaching a peak share of 62% in Q4 2024. Seed and angel deals in North America declined, with the number of deals dropping from 2,165 in Q1 2024 to 1,112 in Q4 2024. Investment volumes decreased from $3.8B ($176K per deal) to $3.1B ($279K per deal). This reflects the global trend of focusing on fewer, high-quality teams. 2. European VCs and business angels invested $51B in 2024, marking a 5% decline compared to 2023, though still above pre-pandemic levels. Europe accounted for 16% of global VC investments, down slightly from 18% in 2023. The UK, Germany, and France remain the leading countries in the European VC ecosystem. Seed and angel investments in Europe mirrored the U.S. trend of concentrating on fewer, higher-quality opportunities. 3. The Asian VC market reached $65.8B in annual investments, matching the low point last seen in 2014. While Q4 2024 showed slight improvement over Q2–Q3 2024, investment volumes remain below 2023 levels. It’s still too early to determine if the market has bottomed out. 4. The Latin American VC market saw modest growth in Q2–Q4 2024, driven primarily by late-stage investments, while early-stage investments continued to shrink. Sources: https://lnkd.in/gBQemWdz https://lnkd.in/guSkpXx9 https://lnkd.in/gXQgFbPQ https://lnkd.in/gAcx8GjB https://lnkd.in/dETt-5Q9

Sales are critically important for startup success. Today, we’d like to share an article with insights on effectively structuring and managing Sales Development Representative (SDR) teams by Sammy Abdullah, Founder and Managing Partner of Blossom Street Ventures. Here are 10 key takeaways: 1. Two Primary SDR Models: Companies typically employ one of two models: setting introductory meetings or generating qualified opportunities. Introductory meetings involve presenting the company's value proposition to prospects without assessing their readiness to proceed, while qualified opportunities require SDRs to move prospects from curiosity to interest and ensure they meet specific criteria. 2. Align Metrics with the Chosen Model: It's crucial to align internal expectations with the selected SDR model. Mixing metrics from both models can lead to confusion and inefficiency. 3. Choosing the Right Model Based on Market Maturity: In mature markets, where potential clients are already familiar with solutions, focusing on generating qualified opportunities is more effective. In contrast, in emerging markets, where the concept is new, setting introductory meetings to educate prospects is beneficial. 4. Addressing Account Executives' (AEs) Availability: If AEs have light schedules, implementing an introductory meeting model can provide them with more opportunities, even if these leads are not fully qualified. 5. SDRs as a Talent Pool: Building an in-house SDR team not only allows AEs to focus on advancing prospects through the sales process but also serves as a training ground for future AEs. 6. Distinguishing Between Closers and Relationship Builders: It's essential to assess whether AEs are adept at closing deals or primarily excel at building relationships. For a pipeline-focused SDR team, having AEs who can effectively initiate and drive the sales process is vital. 7. Impact on Sales Cycle Duration: Opting for an introductory meeting model can result in longer sales cycles, as deals may not close for months or even quarters. Viewing sales development as a long-term investment is crucial. 8. Avoid Overloading AEs with Prospecting: Relying solely on AEs for prospecting can lead to inefficiencies. Establishing a dedicated SDR team allows AEs to concentrate on closing deals. 9. Inbound Lead Characteristics: Inbound opportunities are often more sales-ready than outbound ones. However, the majority of inbound leads tend to come from smaller companies, necessitating a balanced approach between inbound and outbound strategies. 10. Lead Distribution Strategies: For inbound teams, distributing leads on a first-come, first-served basis ensures prompt engagement. Alternatively, a round-robin approach can eliminate biases and ensure consistent quotas among SDRs. For more information, please check the full article here: https://lnkd.in/drv3ReCd

Y Combinator, the leading accelerator, is now accepting applications for its Spring batch starting in April 2025. The application deadline is February 11. For more details and to apply, visit: https://lnkd.in/dHEJ9Fc They are seeking startups in the following categories: 1. New Space Companies 2. Government software 3. Public safety technologies 4. Manufacture in the US 5. Stablecoins 2.0 6. LLMs for chip design 7. Fintech 2.0 8. AI-aided engineering tools 9. One million jobs 2.0 You can find a detailed description of each category here: https://lnkd.in/gu4rpsNM