Methodology: Every two weeks we collect most relevant posts on LinkedIn for selected topics and create an overall summary only based on these posts. If you´re interested in the single posts behind, you can find them here: https://linktr.ee/thomasallgeyer. Have a great read!
If you prefer listening, check out our podcast summarizing the most relevant insights from Venture Capital CW 51 - 02:
Founder fundraising playbook and investor psychology
Warm introductions and long-term relationships convert early rejections into later conviction
Founder investor alignment on pace, risk appetite, and ambition shapes outcomes early
Traction expectations rise quickly by round stage, weak proof points are penalized
First impressions matter, narrative clarity often precedes deep diligence
Customer momentum is positioned as the primary credibility signal
Setbacks are reframed as learning loops to sharpen positioning and re-engage capital
Pre-seed and seed mechanics
Early rounds are increasingly driven by small, active funds rather than brand-name megafunds
Micro VCs are positioned as decisive when larger funds remain non-committal
Pre-seed valuation pressure forces sharper storytelling and faster validation
Ownership discipline and dilution management are highlighted as core return drivers
Accelerators and incubators remain relevant as structured entry points for first capital
Fund manager operations and LP expectations
LP diligence for first-time funds is intensifying around process and repeatability
Operational setup and vendor choices are framed as strategic risk factors
GP commitment levels are treated as a signal of alignment and seriousness
Fund administration pricing and tooling comparisons are shaping 2026 planning
Institutional allocator standards are rising, particularly in select European markets
Market signals and liquidity dynamics
Venture-backed companies are consistently linked to stronger IPO performance
Venture participation in IPOs is used as a proof point for value-added capital
The US venture secondary market is described as accelerating materially
Acquiring and repositioning VC-backed assets is framed as a strategic lever
Silicon Valley concentration effects are discussed as reinforcing rather than declining
AI as the dominant venture narrative
AI is reshaping venture workflows across sourcing, diligence, and portfolio support
Early-stage legal and diligence tasks are debated as partially automatable
Investor pressure to identify AI category leaders is accelerating decision cycles
Platform-scale funds highlight historical AI deployment as a competitive edge
Frontier technology positioning is contrasted against crowded SaaS models
New funds, capital inflows, and ecosystem partnerships
New European funds are closing with clear sector and geographic theses
Large global funds signal continued capital depth despite cautious market sentiment
Founder-led and brand-driven fund formations remain active
Ecosystem partnerships are used to expand sourcing and portfolio access
Structured matchmaking formats are promoted to improve founder investor fit