InvestAlice’s Post

JumpSTART Showcase: We’re excited to share the incredible journey of Zoe Yeh, CEO of InvestAlice, and how Project JumpSTART has made a significant impact for her! 🌟 Project JumpSTART assists international entrepreneurs and women tech founders in expanding their startups into York Region, with the generous support of York Region (The Regional Municipality of York) — Charles Banfield, Jonathan Wheatle. The Project JumpSTART Team: The Schulich Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Schulich Startups) + YSpace, York University + Treefrog Accelerator make a dynamic team — supporting these awesome companies. 🤝 Through Project JumpSTART, Zoe Yeh also joined The Schulich Venture Academy, where she graduated from the Venture Finance course in the inaugural cohort. Zoe received invaluable guidance from Leen Li, CPA, CMA, former CFO of Wealthsimple (expanding her financial foundation and business knowledge for her startup and expanding her Canadian network). InvestAlice is an AI-driven financial platform that incorporates human emotions by monitoring market trends. Users can explore the rationale behind its insights, request personalized portfolio reviews, and even opt for automatic investments in the AI-managed Alice Fund. "InvestAlice's rapid progress was only possible because of these connections through SVA. I deeply appreciate Leen, my lovely and knowledgeable director, for her wonderful influence on my journey," Zoe remarks. Zoe and her Co-Founder Lucia Yang visited Schulich Startups as well for a planning session and were toured throughout York Region and the local startup ecosystem by the team at Treefrog. "The valuable insights, connections, and mentorship we received through JumpSTART have greatly aided with our early prototype. We deeply appreciate the impact JumpSTART has had on the success of InvestAlice," claims Zoe. Here’s to the power of connections and mentorship in driving innovation and onboarding new immigrant entrepreneurs thoughtfully into our ecosystem! 💡🤝🙌🤩 York Region is excited to support and welcome such amazing talent into our community! #ProjectJumpSTART #SchulichVentureAcademy #WomenInTech #Entrepreneurship #InvestAlice

The first 2 weeks of the Birdhouse journey for this 15th group of startups have already finished! ✅ 👉 10 weeks to go. During the first week, the founders got the opportunity to meet a lot of the Birdhouse Tribe members. Those conversations were truly inspiring and it’s just incredible to see that after close to 300 calls, each startup found their dedicated mentor and tailor-made advisory board. But what exactly will this mentor & advisory board bring to the process? 👉 A dedicated mentor is your sounding board during the journey, who shares their experience and expertise along the way, is there to coach you & brings overall strategic guidance. 👉 The advisory board has about 3 people who will focus on your company during the upcoming period. They’ll share their expertise & challenge you on different aspects: the companies’ proof points, funding strategy and various strategic topics. 👉 The support for the Cohort 15 startups isn’t limited to mentors & advisors. As a startup founder you’ll be able to get ad hoc meetings with people from the Birdhouse Tribe when you feel a need for it. After focussing on how to validate the product-market fit during the second week, and after being 2 full weeks in Antwerp, the founders finally headed home. Returning not only with luggage from the trip to Antwerp and an initial investment of Birdhouse Ventures but also with a cache of ideas, excitement, and new connections. We’re already looking forward to starting the upcoming online sessions and the next Physical Deep-Dive in May. 👋 See you in May, Cohort 15! #startups #investment #founders #growth

Lessons from My Godpup: Parallels Between Raising a Puppy and Nurturing a Startup 🐕💡 As I reflect on my 3-year-old godpup Cino's growth, I draw parallels with the journey of a startup. From the early days of validation to expansion, both require patience, dedication, and adaptability. Just like how this once-tiny bundle of joy has blossomed into a confident, playful companion, startups evolve through distinct stages of growth. 🌱 Just as Cino learned to navigate city life, startups must pivot and adjust to market demands. As growth accelerates, both journeys demand resilience and a willingness to learn. Today, watching Cino confidently explore Singapore's cityscape reminds me of a mature startup finding its stride. Both have developed their unique personality, formed strong relationships, and become valued members of their respective communities.💪 The lessons I've learned from Cino's growth have been invaluable in my entrepreneurial journey. Sometimes, the best business lessons come from unexpected sources, wrapped in fur and armed with a wagging tail. 🐾 #StartupGrowth #EntrepreneurshipJourney #PuppyLove #StartupLife #technology #Innovation #BusinessGrowth #PawsAndPivots #StartupCommunity #MarinaBaySands #FounderLife #TechInnovation #GrowthMindset #angelinvestor #mentor #investor #investing #venturecapital #startup PS: My heartwarming photo with Cino and Marina Bay Sands in the background perfectly captures this moment of reflection and growth! 📸

Embark on the Path to Success with Unlock Ventures! 🌟 Are you ready to turn your startup dreams into reality? At Unlock Ventures, we're dedicated to guiding you through every step of your entrepreneurial journey. Here's how we can help: 💭 Step 1: Dream Big Let's envision your goals and aspirations together. From brainstorming innovative ideas to mapping out your vision, we'll ignite your entrepreneurial spirit and set the stage for success. 📊 Step 2: Strategy Sessions Unlock the power of strategic planning! Our experienced team will work closely with you to develop personalized strategies tailored to your startup's unique needs. With a clear roadmap in hand, you'll be equipped to navigate challenges and seize opportunities with confidence. 🚀 Step 3: Growth Acceleration Ready to take your startup to new heights? Our experts will provide you with the tools, resources, and industry insights you need to accelerate growth and thrive in today's competitive landscape. Whether it's scaling your operations, expanding into new markets, or optimizing your business model, we'll be by your side every step of the way. 🌐 Step 4: Community Building Join our vibrant community of like-minded entrepreneurs! Connect, collaborate, and learn from fellow startup founders who are also on the journey to greatness. With access to valuable networks and support systems, you'll have the opportunity to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and fuel your entrepreneurial drive. 🎉 Step 5: Results & Celebrations Celebrate your achievements with us! Whether it's securing funding, reaching key milestones, or achieving significant growth, we'll be there to cheer you on every step of the way. Your success is our success, and we're committed to celebrating your wins and milestones together. Ready to start your journey to success? Reach out to us at https://lnkd.in/gS8AJuMF today and let's make your startup dreams a reality! #startupsuccess #entrepreneurship #businessgrowth #dreambig #strategy #growth #CommunityBuilding #CelebrateSuccess #UnlockVentures

🚀 The Nova Ventures Journey Begins 🚀 At Nova Ventures, we empower founders at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. From the first spark of an idea to scaling on a global level, we provide the resources, mentorship, and strategic funding needed to help startups thrive. 🌟 Holistic Support: We're with you from day one, helping refine your business model and navigate growth. 💡 Expert Guidance: Our mentors and industry experts offer insights to guide your startup to success. 💼 Smart Capital: It's not just about funding—it’s about finding the right capital for long-term growth. 🌍 Global Scale: Ready to take your startup global? We’re here to help you expand beyond borders! Join a community of innovators and take your startup to the next level with Nova Ventures. Let’s kickstart your entrepreneurial journey today! https://lnkd.in/e2G4R5g5 #StartupJourney #EntrepreneurSupport #NovaVentures #GlobalScale #Innovation

Maria Rotilu, Europe's first Black solo GP, has launched Openseed 🚀 Exciting News! Maria Rotilu, Europe's first Black solo GP, has launched Openseed, a pioneering solo GP fund to support operator-led startups in Europe and Africa. With a successful first close, Maria aims to finalize the fund at $10m. 🌍 Openseed focuses on three main areas: the future of commerce, health, and work. It backs startups at their earliest stages, often before pre-seed, targeting founders ready to leap into building their ideas. ✨ Maria's strategy prioritizes visionary founders with a clear view of the future, compelling storytelling skills, and strong teams. Openseed plans to invest up to $150k for a 5% stake in each company, supporting around 60 startups over five years. 📈 This unique approach has already attracted significant interest from LPs keen to increase their exposure to startups in Europe and Africa. Read more about Maria’s inspiring journey and the impact of Openseed! : https://lnkd.in/gwr_Dhuv #VentureCapital #StartupFunding #TechInnovation #Entrepreneurship #DiversityInTech

A recent article in The Canberra Times ranked Canberra as the worst capital for startup businesses, something I can’t agree with. I wanted to put forward my views on the top 10 things that kill Startups, and geographic location, internet speed, or cost of living per the Times article isn’t one of them. Instead, the risks for startups transitioning through seed, early growth and expansion stages come down to the business of startups and how startup founders approach the fundamentals of operating a business. If you're involved in a startup and want to share your experience, please reach out for a coffee.

What is Co-Founder Vesting? A bad co-founder will ruin your business. Co-founder vesting is like a prenup for startups. With a well-structured vesting schedule, you ensure that your co-founders lose equity if they leave the startup early. If you don't have vesting, your co-founders will keep their equity even if they leave. That will be devastating for your startup because it will become 'dead equity,' preventing you from raising investment. Typically, you have a 1-year cliff, which is extremely important. Most bad co-founders will reveal themselves within a year, so you get a chance to fire them before they can get any equity. Don't ignore the signs of a bad co-founder. People don't change. If they are not 100% committed and don't have what it takes to build a startup, fire them ASAP. There is something called the 'bad leaver' clause in the vesting agreement. I'd review that carefully and make sure you have a wide range of circumstances that would qualify your co-founder as a bad leaver to lose equity even if vesting has started. Follow me to learn about startups! 🔔 I am the founder of an EdTech AI startup, building an AI-powered higher education and career- building tool. #StartupAdvice #CoFounderVesting #EquityManagement #StartupLegal #BusinessProtection #EntrepreneurshipTips #VentureCapital #StartupFounders

My Seventh Startup: The Ongoing Journey as a Co-Founder of Bucky 🚀 They say entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster ride, and after  founding/co-founding seven startups, I can confirm that the journey  never gets easier—just more rewarding. With each venture, the stakes are  higher, the lessons are deeper, and the passion grows stronger. When we founded Bucky, our mission was clear: to create a payment  solution that remove the complexity around splitting money to different  sources. We knew the challenge ahead was huge—but so was the  opportunity. This venture has reinforced many lessons: 1. Persistence is non-negotiable. No matter how many startups I’ve  built, every new challenge requires the same relentless drive. 2. Innovation is key. The digital payments landscape is rapidly  evolving, and staying ahead means embracing change and constantly  iterating on our solutions. 3. Experience matters, but so does a fresh perspective. I’ve had the  privilege of working with new and brilliant minds, which has kept me  inspired and focused. 4. Failures fuel success. Not every venture has been a smooth ride, but  every setback has taught me something invaluable, allowing me to  approach this latest startup with more wisdom and clarity. To the team, partners, and everyone who has been part of this  journey—thank you for your unwavering support. As we continue to build  and innovate, I’m reminded that entrepreneurship isn’t just about  creating products; it’s about solving real problems and making a  meaningful impact. #serialentrepreneur #startupjourney #paymentsolutions #fintech  #innovation #mindset #cofounder Knut Magnus Ugland Jacobsen Harald Fredrik Zeiner-Gundersen Joakim Lund Rangel Cecilie Røskeland Frank Coucheron Rosenfors Eivind Areklett Norebø Gisle Sveva Eilin Schjetne Camilla Julie Wollan Stein Ole Larsen Lars Gilleberg Håkon Knappskog Thommy Stenvik Rasmus Endre Bø Tarjei Bø

We welcome Sophia Tran 🚀 to our SevenVentures Pitch Day jury this year!    Sophia Tran is the Founder & CEO of Spotlight! Ventures, where she empowers emerging digital #startups. As both an investor and the NRW spokeswoman for the German Startup Association, she is deeply attuned to the needs of young companies and understands what it takes to turn promising startups into successful ventures. Sophia is also a prominent speaker and host on German television, publisher and founder of an online lifestyle magazine and tech blog author. As a passionate world traveler and business angel, Sophia adds the perfect balance to our five-member #jury. We sat down with Sophia to ask her some questions before she makes her first appearance on the #7VPD stage. 1. Sophia, this is your first time on the SevenVentures Pitch Day jury! Where does your passion lie? I’m deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. Through my work with Spotlight! and Spotlight! Ventures, we aim to support underrepresented founders and bring more diverse perspectives into the european start-up ecosystem. My passion lies in empowering founders to create innovative solutions that not only push the boundaries of technology but also drive meaningful social impact.    2. What are you most looking forward to at SevenVentures Pitch Day 2024? Are there any current start-up trends or innovations that you are super excited about at the moment? I’m excited to see how start-ups are embracing diversity in their approaches to solving problems. Sustainability continues to be a major trend, and I’m particularly interested in how founders are tackling environmental issues with innovative business models. Additionally, the way AI is evolving and being applied across industries really fascinates me—I’m looking forward to seeing how start-ups harness this potential to create scalable solutions.    3. How can Pitch Day finalists pitch to impress you this year?  To impress me, finalists should present a clear and compelling vision of how their product or service addresses a real need, especially if it has the potential to create a lasting impact. I value start-ups that not only have strong business fundamentals but are also mindful of diversity and inclusion in their teams and solutions. Authenticity and passion for your mission are crucial - it’s important to show that you’re truly committed to making a difference.    4. And lastly - what do you want to see from a Pitch Day winner?  I want to see a start-up with a truly innovative and scalable solution, but equally important is the potential for real-world impact. The winner should have a well-defined business model and a strong team capable of executing their vision. I’m particularly drawn to companies that are not only commercially viable but also contribute positively to society or the environment - those that aim to leave a meaningful legacy.    Thanks Sophia and see you 15th October at the New Com Summit!