Stride Partners

Status on European unicorns for Stride Partners As we have navigated through 2024, the topic of European unicorns has continued to come up in conversations here on LinkedIn – especially in juxtaposition to their American peers. Based on recent findings from Pitchbook, I summarise some of the key facts for European unicorns. We are seeing fewer new unicorns: The data shows a shift in the market dynamics of European unicorns. The number of new unicorns has significantly decreased since its peak in 2021, driven by the increasing cost of capital and a maturing ecosystem where business models are expected to balance growth with resilience and sustainability. The unicorns are concentrated in Central Europe: The report reveals a significant concentration of unicorns in Central Europe, highlighting the role of established tech hubs in supporting high-growth companies. Countries such as Germany, France and the UK continue to lead the way, benefiting from robust venture ecosystems and comprehensive support structures for startups. SaaS and Fintech have produced the most unicorns: SaaS and Fintech remain the dominant sectors, thriving on the back of accelerated digital transformation across industries. The resilience of these sectors, even in a tighter funding environment, underlines their critical role in the European economy. Interestingly (but perhaps not so surprisingly!), sectors such as AI and Big Data are emerging as key drivers. Decreasing valuations: PitchBook data highlights the ongoing valuation adjustments, with many unicorns from the 2021 cohort undergoing down rounds. This correction is likely bringing market valuations more in line with long-term business fundamentals. Swipe right ➡️ to uncover deeper insights. #EuropeanUnicorns #StartupTrends #VentureCapital #Innovation #TechStartups 

Cozy vibes and festive spirits✨ Last weekend, we celebrated our very first Christmas dinner in Copenhagen. Kicking off in rather untraditional style at one of our favourite restaurants, Fabro, the evening had the perfect balance between coziness and festive cheer. With plus ones joining us for both the dinner and the later festivities (it is Christmas, after all 😉), it was an evening filled with laughter, great food, and memorable moments. Here’s to many more social dinners and shared celebrations in the years to come! We thank you all for your contributions to making this a great year and wish you a joyful holiday season! 🎄  

Umbrex has shared one of our previous post series outlining tips and tricks for fundraises. Take a look if you missed it the first time or get a refresher. #Fundraising #Negotiation #Tips

Last week, our Partners, Lasse and Nicolaj, went to Malta on a strategy tour to dedicate time for sharpening our long-term vision and defining our next steps for growth. The daily routine consisted of early-morning workshops in the rising sun and evening workshops in the setting sun, while delivering on current client projects in between. The days were rounded of with workouts by the sea - followed by jumping in, of course. At Stride Partners, we do multiple offsides a year across the team to facilitate bonding and perceiving life and business from new perspectives. #Offsite #Strategy #Malta

Heat, laughter, and team spirit 🧘♂️🌞 Last week the team took a well-deserved breather with a Saunagus get-together. Between the calming heat, good laughs, and refreshing cold plunges, it was the perfect way to hit the reset button and bond as a team. A clear mind and strong connections are central to everyday life at Stride Partners, and this night was all about both. With new memories and a boost of energy, we are more than ready to dive into the week ahead with full momentum 🌟 A big thank you to Plugin Heat Club for having us and creating such a great atmosphere!

Personal stories | Learning to lead in a foreign country at 20 years old   This week, Oscar Wester Carlsson shares his learnings from being a leader in an international context at a very young age. Oscar has lived in New York, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen and works as an Analyst at Stride Partners, where he is also responsible for implementing his leadership learnings into our daily operations. 

Join our team - We are seeking a talented Senior Consultant Are you passionate about making an impact and looking to accelerate your professional growth? We are looking for experienced consultants that want to take their (working) life to the next level in terms of not only being excellent young professionals, but also being part of building a next generation consultancy and holding strong personal relationships to clients. At Stride Partners, we are all about fostering growth and making meaningful impact. We assist elite scale-ups on key CEO agendas with spikes in fundraising and strategy consulting. Join our dynamic team based on Vesterbro, and let us thrive together!

Over the next few weeks, we'll be sharing a handful of personal stories from our team about their experiences in the scaleup world. From overcoming challenges to celebrating milestones, these insights will provide an insight into what it really takes to scale a business. This week, Levi van Boekel shares his thoughts on scaling (and fumbling) a DKK 16 million business as a teenager.    

What determines VC market activity? One thing that most founders find frustrating is the fact that the VC market can seem like a black box. Valuations, deal activity and terms seem to be determined by some (unknown) forces that have an enormous impact on their business. Luckily, the reality is different. The apparent black box of VC isn't so black after all. So here are some key factors that, while admittedly out of your control, influence how VC funds invest. 1. Interest rates: Higher interest rates often reduce deal flow and force funds to impose tighter terms as riskier investments become less attractive. 2. Public market performance: When public markets are bullish, VCs often become more active, anticipating lucrative exits through IPOs or acquisitions. Conversely, bearish markets may tighten the flow of capital. 3. Regulatory environment: Regulatory uncertainty can slow VC activity, while favourable policies can stimulate it. 4. Fundraising cycles: If a VC has recently raised a new fund, it may be more aggressive in looking for deals. The opposite is true when a fund is nearing the end of its life. 5. Sector trends: When a particular sector is in favor, VC activity will be higher in that area, sometimes regardless of the underlying economic fundamentals.  

Venture debt is on the rise! As more venture debt providers enter the European market, founders have become increasingly aware of the availability of non-dilutive capital. In Q1 and Q2 of 2024, €17.6bn has already been raised, compared to €12.6bn for the whole of 2023. While there are no definite right or wrongs when considering your capital structure, the trend suggests that founders' preferences have shifted towards higher levels of venture debt financing. Avoiding the pressure of pre-round valuations is just one of the benefits associated with debt financing. However, it is important to keep in mind that interest rate payments, repayment schedules, and covenants make the choice between debt and equity financing more nuanced. Need help funding your growth expansion? As always, we're here to help.