Michael LoFaso

Today, Two Chairs announces $72M of new funding to continue building a world where everyone has access to exceptional mental health care. Since late 2017, when Maveron led the Two Chairs Series A, the need for mental health services has grown considerably as our society has become lonelier and more isolated than ever. At the same time, our culture’s willingness to openly acknowledge these challenges is greater than ever. Sadly, the rapid growth of Two Chairs affirms the fact that our society is in desperate need of better mental health support. Two Chairs has built a business that believes clinical quality is the defining characteristic of success. Alex Katz has always emphasized the paramountcy of measurement-based clinical outcomes, which the team works tirelessly to achieve. In the process, Two Chairs has illustrated that embracing the ‘move fast and break things’ mentality doesn’t always work. Instead, Two Chairs opted for a different approach: they went slow to go fast. They built a proprietary algorithm that matches patients with the perfect therapist at the onset and hired a team of W2 clinicians oriented toward providing the highest quality care available. Even as the Two Chairs team has grown, their culture has remained small. This has enabled more intimate relationships within the team and between clients and clinicians. Reflecting on this milestone brings me back to the founding of Maveron and the values we hold dear. In 1998, my friend Howard Schultz and I founded Maveron to help entrepreneurs build companies that improve the lives of everyday people—their employees and their customers. There is perhaps no better example of this than Two Chairs. *** Thank you to TechCrunch's Marina Temkin, CFA for the great write-up. https://tcrn.ch/4aMt7yG

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?? ???????????? ?????????????? ?????????????? ???????? ?????? ????????????’?? ????????????????! ?? Uri Levine, co-founder of Waze and Moovit, shares invaluable lessons in his book “???????? ???? ???????? ???????? ?????? ??????????????, ?????? ?????? ????????????????.” Key takeaways include the importance of passionately embracing the problem you’re solving, the necessity of customer retention as a marker of product-market fit, and the strategic use of pitch deck slides. He also emphasises the significance of hiring and firing correctly and observing user behaviour to refine your product. These principles can transform your startup journey, ensuring resilience and growth. ?? #StartupSuccess #Entrepreneurship #ProductMarketFit #Innovation

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Some VC investors believe that brick and mortar - referring to a physical presence of some kind - should be avoided at all costs. Yet, the track record of clinic and hybrid care businesses in health care indicates otherwise. ==> One Medical (sold for $3.9 billion to Amazon), Oak Street (bought by CVS for $10.6 billion), Lifestance (IPO at $7.5 billion market cap), and PE-backed Premise Health (acquired by OMERS Private Equity for $1.1 billion) If a clinic is indicated as the optimal way to deliver care for that patient population, there are creative ways to build and operate them. Full article below with advice and strategies on how to build and operate hybrid clinics from my teammate Anarghya Vardhana from Maveron, Amir Dan Rubin from OneMedical Group, Steven Eidelman from Modern Animal and more!

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Venu Sports was supposed to launch this fall but now it’s being blocked by a federal judge ? What led to this? Netflix pioneered the subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) market with the launch of its digital streaming service in 2007. Growth was driven by the rise of broadband internet, improved video compression technologies (i.e. H.264), and the consumer trend of "cutting the cord," which attracted new competitors like Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and ESPN+. Proliferation of direct-to-consumer services by IP-rights holders (i.e. The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Discovery, and NBCUniversal) led to consumers needing multiple subscriptions to access desired content. Companies also struggled as competition became intense as subscriber growth stalled due to high churn and rising customer acquisition costs. Content became siloed across SVOD platforms (i.e. House of Dragons on HBO Max, Stranger Things on Netflix, Marvel on Disney+, and the English Premier League on Peacock). As a result, 36% of consumers feel the cost is no longer worth it, according to a Deloitte study, reflecting growing frustration with the fragmented streaming landscape. 75% of Gen Z and millennials want a bundle that lets them search for content across all streaming video services according to Deloitte. Sports streaming became increasingly valuable as consumers continued to cut the cord and seek flexible options that let them choose specific games to watch at any time. Due to growing demand for a centralized sports streaming offering, Venu Sports was formed through a joint venture between Disney, Fox Corporation, and Warner Bros to combine their live and on-demand sports offerings across multiple major leagues including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and various college sports. This “skinny” bundle was a contrast to the traditional TV bundle that required consumers to pay for channels they did not want. However, fuboTV Network filed an antitrust lawsuit based on their belief that Venu Sports would create an unfair monopoly in the sports streaming market. But do IP-rights holders (i.e. Disney and Warner Bros) have the right to go direct-to-consumer with this “skinny bundle” or do they need to allow other companies to offer similar content which sustains the consumer fatigue issue? Now fuboTV will need to prove its claims of anticompetitive behavior that would cause them to unfairly lose out on business from the launch of Venu Sports. Stay tuned… — In week 17, I ran 23.0 miles at an average pace of 7:52 minutes per mile. I’m raising money for the non-profit, Active Plus, that is promoting mental health through physical activity for the at-risk youth in NYC. ??Please Donate Below?? https://bit.ly/44JQeb9 #sports #streaming #media #entertainment #business #investing

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?? With this deck, Hinge Health Raises $300 Million in Series D at a $3 Billion Valuation ?? - Hinge Health, a pioneering startup in the digital health space, has just raised an impressive $300 million in its Series D round, securing a valuation of $3 billion! ???? - This funding round, driven by top investors, is a testament to the growing demand for innovative, tech-driven healthcare solutions. ???? Key Highlights: ?? Funding Amount: $300 Million ?? Valuation: $3 Billion ?? Lead Investors: A mix of leading venture capital firms and strategic investors. ?? Purpose of Funding: Expand product offerings, enhance R&D, and scale operations globally. ????Why This Matters: ?? Digital Health Revolution: Hinge Health is at the forefront of the shift toward digital-first healthcare, offering cutting-edge solutions for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. ?? Scalability: This capital will enable Hinge Health to broaden its reach, making its services accessible to millions more patients globally. ?? Technological Advancements: Continued investment in AI, machine learning, and wearable tech will enhance personalized care and treatment outcomes. ???? Facts & Figures: ???Total Funding: With this round, Hinge Health has raised over $426M, positioning itself as a dominant player in digital healthcare. ?? Growth Trajectory: The company’s valuation surged from $1B in 2020 to $3B in 2024, reflecting rapid market adoption and expansion. ?? Customer Base: Hinge Health’s platform serves over 400 employers and health plans, including 25% of the Fortune 500. ?? Innovation: The funds will fuel R&D, expand the product offering, and scale operations, particularly in integrating AI and remote care. ???? Strategic Focus: ?? Product Innovation: Introducing new features like real-time virtual physical therapy and AI-driven personalized care plans. ?? Global Expansion: Targeting new markets in Europe and Asia to address the global MSK pain crisis. ?? Partnerships: Strengthening collaborations with healthcare providers, insurers, and employers to enhance service delivery. ???? What’s Next? - Hinge Health’s innovative approach to MSK care is revolutionizing how chronic pain and injury recovery are managed. - With this significant financial boost, the company is set to further disrupt the healthcare industry by providing accessible, effective, and scalable digital health solutions. ???? Takeaway for Founders: - Strategic funding isn’t just about capital—it’s about positioning your startup for sustained growth and innovation. - For those keeping an eye on the health tech space, Hinge Health’s trajectory is a clear indicator of where the future of personalized healthcare is heading. ?? P.S.: Let me know in the comment section, which startup's deck you want to see next. #startups #founders #funding #healthtech #startupgrowth #india #venturecapital #digitalhealth #innovation

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Is private equity owned healthcare a positive or a negative in regard to real health outcomes for patients? I asked Ambar Bhattacharyya of Maverick Ventures this question and more on Episode 438 of The Full Ratchet. Tune into the show to catch our discussion.

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A little late, even though this process started in July.... Excited to share our latest investment in Heads Together Health!! We met Steve DeVrieze in October last year, and we think they are poised for impressive growth! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ecYcqqkn #earlystagestartup #earlystageinvesting #VCinvestment #ncstartups #nctechstartups

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CRV is returning $275m from its $500m Select fund to its LPs. Get fit and nimble, not just for startups, but also for VCs. "Some limited partners have been frustrated with the expansion of venture capital funds in recent years. In 2021, 28 firms raised funds of $1 billion or more, up from just eight such funds five years earlier. There is an incentive for venture capital firms to raise bigger and bigger funds, since they typically charge a 2 percent management fee. Larger funds means larger fees, regardless of how well the investments do. But bigger funds also tend to have middling investment performance. Smaller venture capital funds have historically minted the highest returns, according to data from Cambridge Associates, an investor in venture capital funds since the late 1970s. Many of CRV’s limited partners have backed the firm for decades. Lawrence Rusoff, a managing director at Performance Equity Management, said other venture capital firms had been talking about the issue of venture capital funds that get too big. But so far, only CRV has opted to return any money." https://lnkd.in/eSUigr7Z

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A new era of deep tech has emerged. First time funds will raise “unheard of” amounts of capital to fuel next gen deep tech startups - producing outsized, superior returns for LP’s compared to the rest. Prudent investors will act on this data and shift investment strategy as LP’s or risk being left behind savvy wealth managers and CIO’s / FO’s who saw this trend begin 4 years ago.

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In 2023, only 13.2% of all startup founders were women. Startups with all-women founders raised less than 2% of all venture capital funding. Only 15% of unicorns that went public in 2021 had at least one female founder. April Koh is one of the rare founders who has made it through the gauntlet to get to this point. While companies are struggling to raise more capital in this environment because the hurdles are higher, imagine how much harder it is for a woman founder. It is a triumph and credit to how she has built Spring Health into a $3.3 billion valuation. We are all pulling for you April, because the more Spring Health's there are in the world, the more likely we are to see women unicorn founders in the future.

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This week Mikal Ventures brings you a 4-week breakdown of the US capital market with an emphasis on the Mikal verticals. Over the 4-week period ending July 8, 728 new companies were added, resulting in just under 96,400 companies included in the US Health Tech, Med Tech, Fin Tech, AI Tech, and Ed Tech verticals. AI Tech maintained its most active status, seeing the greatest percentage of growth in new companies, transactions and news articles.?The US Fin Tech vertical led the way in SEC Filings. Mikal Ventures publishes these stats to provide a perspective on how the verticals and new startups move through time.?We hope you find them informative?and thought-provoking. VC Investors are always adjusting their "Play Book" with a variety of options for investing. Mikal Ventures is one of those alternatives, offering curated solutions to real world problems. Reach out if you have questions on how we can be of assistance and bookmark?https://mikalventures.com/?for additional insights and information.

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Building on the success of Rocket Studio with Simon Kirby and Pivotal with Dominic Joseph we decided to merge with Impact Counsel, led by the awesomely talented John D., Erim Jones and Robert Fok earlier this year. We’ve combined our significant and complimentary skills, experience and passion for growing amazing businesses to create a new breed of VC - Creative Capital Ventures Group (CCV). Fund 1 is focused on Sports, Media & Entertainment. Joining us on this exciting journey is media titan Tom Rogers (ex CEO Tivo & CNBC). We have also assembled a mighty team of Venture Partners bringing their expertise into our team, with the legendary Harvey Goldsmith leading our Immersive Entertainment category, and Cam Blackwood (Platinum award winning record producer) and his team at Rezonate heading up Music Rights acquisition. Creative Capital Ventures is designed to disrupt traditional VC models and accelerate the growth of innovative start-ups. We’ve already secured €18 million in commitments and are raising €35 million in total to fuel the next generation of game-changing businesses. What makes CCV different? ????Founder-Led Expertise: Our team comprises serial entrepreneurs and operators who have built, scaled, and exited successful companies. We know what it takes to drive rapid growth. ????Speed Scaler: Through our unique venture studio model, we’re not just funding companies—we’re actively accelerating their growth, shrinking the timeline from seed to exit. ????Industry Focus: CCV focuses on high-growth sectors like Sports, Media, Entertainment, and Lifestyle, with a unique emphasis on IP acquisition to drive returns in stable asset classes. If you're interested in learning more about how CCV is reshaping the venture capital landscape, let’s connect!? More updates to follow! #VentureCapital #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Startups #ScalingFast #CreativeCapitalVentures https://lnkd.in/eiuWVtvT

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TechCrunch broke news of an amazing #AI play with EGYM raising $200M at a $1.2B. What is amazing about this is that they are based in Europe, and they are actually generating meaningful revenue via their #AI play optimized for going to the gym as opposed to other plays that want you to work out at home. This will be a very interesting company to watch and should give #AI Investors pause for more generic plays that are 1) Raising more funds, 2) At higher valuations, 3) With less revenue. What do you think? #management #venturecapital #privateequity #capitalmarkets #ehealth

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This week Mikal Ventures brings you a 4-week breakdown of the non-US capital market with an emphasis on the Mikal verticals. The 4-week period ending September 2 saw 1,663 new companies added, bringing the total to over 107,100 companies included in the non-US Health Tech, Med Tech, AI Tech Fin Tech and Ed Tech verticals. Non-US AI Tech again saw the greatest percentage growth in new companies at 26%, vs. the vertical average of 16% for the period. AI Tech also led the group in transactions. Non-US Med Tech led in SEC Filings, while non-US Health Tech led in news articles.?? Mikal Ventures publishes these stats on a rolling 4-week basis to provide a perspective on how the verticals and new startups move through time.?We hope you find them informative?and thought-provoking. VC Investors are always adjusting their "Play Book" with a variety of options for investing. Mikal Ventures is one of those alternatives, offering curated solutions to real world problems. Reach out if you have questions on how we can be of assistance and bookmark?https://mikalventures.com/?for additional insights and information.

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??Benchmarks in the investment industry serve as a standard for measuring the performance of securities, mutual funds, or investment managers. They provide a reference point for analyzing allocation, risk, and return of a portfolio, enabling investors to make informed decisions. Thanks Peter Walker for keeping us all informed!! Can’t wait for this!! Follow and get on the waitlist for this one! #benchmarks #fundraising #Capitalraise #founders #womenshealth #femhealth #medtech #wellness

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??BRICS+ ACCELERATE 'THE UNIT' CHALLENGER TO KING ?? ????ARCADIA ECONOMICS (C. Marcus) interviews Eagle Forge (EF) Matt Riley about "BRICS-buck" aka "THE UNIT", long awaited (+ overdue!) challenger. ?????????SEEK TO REVALUE GOLD, create a parallel SWIFT-like system. "UNIT" a payments settlement ccy with a 40% gold backing. Not 100% (many BRICS members lack required Au reserves.) 6???0???% REMAINDER TO BE backed by a pairing of strongest world trade fiats within the group. Smaller nations (e.g. Ethiopia) do fear being "drowned" by the majors, simply giving up one problematic system for another. ??STRATEGY TAKING SHAPE; anchored by resources (30-40% world oil supply), sheer number of BRICS humans (1.4 billion); three pillars: 1) DECOUPLE USD-PRICED Au and Ag from the new parallel system 2) RENDER "WESTERN" FIATS irrelevant by imposing "DIPLOMATIC, INFO, MILITARY and ECONOMIC" ("DIME") power-playbook 3) LEAVE ROOM FOR credit expansion, hence < 100% Au backing ???POLITICS DRIVES FX vals, the "will" to transform the system. ?????????????, front-running is the "everyone for themselves" factor; could scupper a unified "UNIT" front. Requires herculean geopolitical coordination to pull it off. ?????COULD PRE-EMPT and revalue Au reserves first. Then, weaponize their "Strategic BTC Reserve". Matt thinks the latter is mere pandering (hodler votes). ???BOTTOM LINE, BRICS lack asymmetric warfare (comms force) to shift the narrative. Comms majors are all G7-based (FT, X, Reuters, NewsCorp etc) ??INTERESTINGLY, MATT RAISES the prospect of big bullion dealers being bought out by one or more BRICS/ proxies. Miles Franklin cited as one option. Informative Miles Franklin review from LinkedIn here: https://lnkd.in/gw5pKdsN #ArcadiaEconomics #BRICS+ #MattRiley #EFBullion #USD #TheUnit #monetary #commodities #gold #silver #MilesFranklin

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