Vinayak Biswas’ Post

Summary: The article discusses the decline of Latin American startups in Y Combinator's latest batch, citing data from previous cohorts and changes in YC's focus on AI and the San Francisco Bay Area. Key takeaways: The number of Latin American startups in Y Combinator's recent batches has decreased significantly compared to previous cohorts. The increasing focus on AI in YC's batches may be less aligned with Latin America's startup ecosystem. YC's historically U.S.-focused roots may have contributed to the decline in the representation of Latin American startups. Counter arguments: Some factors, such as companies remaining in stealth mode, may not be reflected in the data. YC's shift in outreach strategies may have also played a role in the decline of Latin American startups in its batches. #startups #venturecapital

👋🏽I’m a tech enthusiast, so this TechCrunch article: Y Combinator's latest cohort had only one LatAm startup in large part because of AI, really resonated with me, and is definitely a cause for concern. 📉 While the accelerator's focus on AI may be a contributing factor 🤖, it is also important to consider the decreased efforts to incentivize startups in Latin America to apply, such as the global outreach tours 🌍 that once included stops in Brazil 🇧🇷, Colombia 🇨🇴, and Mexico 🇲🇽.   This decline may be similar to the challenges faced by Caribbean start-ups in gaining access to global accelerators and venture capital. 💻🌎 Y Combinator and other accelerators really must continue supporting diverse start-ups from all regions and sectors, as innovation can come from anywhere. 🚀   On another note, a big congratulations to Brazilian startup Salvy (YC W24) 🎉, a mobile carrier for businesses 📱. They were the only company based in Latin America 🌎 in Y Combinator’s latest batch. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/evPgDZRp and let me know your thoughts in the comments section. 💬 #Startups #YCombinator #Caribbean #Brazil #AI #LATAM #Investment #Tech

Half the recent graduating class from the storied startup incubator Y-Combinator (YC) are #AI companies. The article covers 9 of them.  The article also points out the advantages of being near YC's San Francisco office for AI startups. Key quote: "There is no other place in the world with the same density of great startup founders per square mile as the area around the YC office—and this is fostering innovation and growth."

Y Combinator is a famed name among startups across the globe, and with just two cohorts a year, places on the accelerator are in high demand. 14 out of the 257 companies taking part in the latest batch are based in Europe, making up just over 5% of the total cohort. So far, 13 European startups have publicly announced their participation, according to the YC website, including: 👉 Onedoc (YC W24) 👉 malibou (YC W24) 👉 Pretzel AI (YC W24) AI 👉 Konstructly 👉 CoCrafter Find out what they’re working on below. #startuplife #startups

Y Combinator’s Penchant for Backing Similar Startups Raises Questions - The Silicon Valley dream of building a groundbreaking, unique startup that disrupts an industry is often linked to participating in the prestigious Y Combinator accelerator program. Companies like Airbnb, Coinbase, and Stripe have all emerged from YC’s hallowed halls. However, a closer examination of YC’s investment portfolio tells a different story. Data analysis by startup research firm Deckmatch reveals that Y Combinator frequently backs startups that are building products remarkably similar or even identical to previous YC graduates. From AI code editors to restaurant point-of-sale systems, YC seems to have a penchant for funding startups that directly compete with one […] https://lnkd.in/geuRxi4Y #StartupUpdates #StartupNews #EntrepreneurLoop #StartupWorld #EntrepreneurNews

The median time taken by Series A startups to raise the subsequent Series B round widened to 28 months in 2024, the longest span since 2012, per Crunchbase. The average time also peaked at 31 months, matching 2023’s record. While some startups in hot sectors like AI can quickly raise follow-on funding despite the macroeconomic challenges, most startups now take two to three years between these funding stages. Investors now expect startups to fully utilize available capital and achieve growth milestones before seeking additional funds. However, not all startups that secure a Series A go on to raise a Series B. Of over 4,400 U.S. companies that raised Series A funding in 2020 or 2021, only about 1,600 have secured a Series B round. As the window for raising subsequent rounds widens, many boom-era startups from the 2021 peak may struggle to secure further funding.

🧐🇵🇱How is the startup sector in #Poland? Startup Poland foundation released a report in collaboration with Google for Startups EU, PKO Bank Polski, PFR Ventures, Warsaw Stock Exchange (GPW) and the EIT Food examining factors contributing to startup success, identifying pain points, barriers to rapid development, and promising segments within the market. Look at some of their key findings: ▶ AI Dominance: One-third of Polish startups emphasize #AI, #deeptech, and #IoT as keywords, showcasing their focus on cutting-edge technologies. ▶ Revenue Improvement: Over half of #startups report significantly improved revenue compared to the previous year, indicating positive growth. ▶ Funding Sources: Domestic #VCfunds are the most common funding source, followed by foreign VC funds and #businessangels. ▶ Barriers to Development: The cost of hiring employees is the top barrier, followed by acquiring funding in subsequent phases. ▶ Areas Requiring Support: Most startups seek support in finding funding sources. ▶ Founder Complaints about Investor Behavior: The most common complaints are lack of feedback after meetings, investors taking advantage of founders' ignorance, and overly aggressive policies regarding cooperation terms. Read the #report to understand why supporting startups is crucial for economic strength and innovation👇 https://lnkd.in/g5yQiJM2 We invite the Polish innovation ecosystem to join the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator and make the most of the many opportunities we offer to expand your business connections in Latin America and the Caribbean 👇 https://lnkd.in/efj3Yjtt Tomek Snazyk Paulina Krol Paulina Brym-Ciuba Jakub Hrostek 🌈 Borys Musielak Damian Wielechowski Iga Kołacz Maciej Jankowski - connecting startup community Michal Sukiennik Wojciech Bachta

𝐓𝐨𝐩 10 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐇1 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞! 👇 🇷🇴 The Romanian startup scene has always sparked interest. In recent years, the ecosystem has grown remarkably, capturing the attention of investors, skilled talent, and global corporations. 🔍 This article dives into Romania’s startup landscape, showcasing key players in the investor's scene like Early Game Ventures and TechAngels Romania 👼 startups including FlowX.AI, Digitail, DRUID AI, initiatives like Techcelerator.Co, and conferences such as How To Web. 🚀🌍 Read below!

It’s been a few months since the grand finale, and as I look back at the event photos, I can’t resist sharing the incredible journey we’ve been on. Witnessed an inspiring experience at the Info Edge Ventures AI Hackathon 2024, where thousands of startups, developers, and working professionals from across the nation came together to present innovative AI ideas.🤖 From the launch on July 14th to the grand finale on August 10th, the event featured 15 exceptional finalists with solutions ready to scale and make a real-world impact. The Story of Info Edge Ventures --> Info Edge Ventures began its investment journey under the leadership of Mr. Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Founder and Executive Vice Chairman of Info Edge. With early investments in companies like Zomato and PolicyBazaar, Info Edge Ventures was officially launched in 2019 with backing from Temasek, continuing its mission to empower tech startups. 💼 Over the past 4 years, Info Edge Ventures has supported over 60 early-stage startups, offering patient capital and long-term support from seed stage to IPO. 📈🌱 I had the exciting opportunity to contribute to the marketing and promotions of this remarkable initiative, thanks to my team at Hack2skill.📣 From building awareness to ensuring seamless execution, my role involved reaching out to the community, promoting this incredible opportunity through targeted campaigns, and showcasing the innovative talent that participated. It has been an incredible experience to witness the future of AI taking shape firsthand. Not only did we have 3 winning teams, but 4 startups also earned special mentions for their exceptional contributions. The creativity and innovation displayed throughout the hackathon were nothing short of inspiring. 🏆🎖️ Here’s to fueling more startups, nurturing young talent, and driving the next wave of AI solutions! 🚀🤝 #AIHackathon #Hack2skill #InfoEdgeVentures #Innovation #AI #Entrepreneurship #Tech #FutureOfAI #Startup #Leadership #venturecapital #funding

Y Combinator's latest batch reveals intriguing shifts in the global startup landscape, particularly concerning Latin American representation. While Salvy (YC W24), a Brazilian mobile carrier for businesses, stands as a beacon of regional innovation in the Winter 2024 cohort, the stark decline from previous batches raises critical questions about LatAm's position in the tech world. As I read along the story I could not help but come up with questions I believe Latam entrepreneurs need to address: Fintech's Fading Presence: Historically, Latin America has seen a surge in fintech startups, addressing the region's pressing need for financial inclusion. However, the dwindling fintech representation in YC's latest batch, from 24% in 2022 to a mere 8% in 2024, is concerning. Is this a signal of waning investor interest or a pivot towards other sectors? AI's Ascendancy: With AI startups dominating this batch, it's evident that YC is doubling down on cutting-edge technologies. Yet, this focus might not align seamlessly with Latin America's tech scene. While AI holds immense promise, the region's startup ecosystem has traditionally thrived in fintech and e-commerce. How can LatAm startups navigate this shift in investor preferences? Geographic Hurdles: The allure of Silicon Valley remains undeniable, but for many Latin American founders, the journey isn't straightforward. Relocating to the Bay Area poses challenges ranging from cultural differences to visa complexities. Moreover, the perception that success hinges on Bay Area presence could deter potential innovators from pursuing their dreams locally. How can we bridge this geographical gap and foster homegrown innovation? Untapped Potential: Despite the hurdles, Latin America brims with untapped potential. Startups like Rappi have demonstrated the region's capacity to spawn unicorns, albeit without YC's stamp. As LatAm startups chart their paths, it's crucial to leverage local expertise and networks while seeking global partnerships and funding. How can we amplify the voices of LatAm founders and showcase the region's entrepreneurial spirit on a global stage? While YC's current focus may not perfectly align with the region's strengths, it's imperative for Latin American startups to capitalize on their unique advantages. By leveraging local expertise, fostering cross-border collaborations, and tapping into emerging sectors like fintech and e-commerce, LatAm founders can carve out their niches on the global stage. #latinamerica #latam #entrepreneurship