Welcome back to the AQVC Insights newsletter! We’re excited to share with you the most recent updates at AQVC and highlight important topics. In this Newsletter you can expect:

• Learnings around Democratization of Private Markets
• AQVC in Media
• Empowering Founders with Best-in-Class Privacy & Legal Tools
• AQVC Portfolio News
• Job offerings from AQVC Portfolio

Let’s dive into the democratization of private markets:

The venture capital landscape is undergoing a significant shift as access to startup investments broadens. Traditional VC firms now contend with increasing competition from new players, such as equity crowdfunding platforms, angel syndicates, and rolling funds. This shift empowers a more diverse group of investors to join funding rounds, challenging the conventional VC model. Key drivers of this transformation include:

• Greater accessibility through platforms that welcome both accredited and non-accredited investors
• New fund structures offering more flexible investment opportunities
• Improved transparency and efficiency in deal flow and due diligence

As this evolution unfolds, established VC firms will need to adjust their strategies to stay competitive and relevant to both limited partners and startups. This democratization could foster a wider variety of funding sources, potentially redefining the power dynamics within the startup ecosystem. For both VCs and LPs, remaining proactive and adaptable will be essential to harness emerging opportunities and mitigate future challenges.

At AQVC, this democratization is pivotal. It positions us as leaders in innovation by enabling us to offer diverse investment access through our products and streamline capital formation through our digital platform.

Thanks for your support 💙

The AQVC team

AQVC in Media

In an insightful Bamkast episode, Marcus Börner, the serial entrepreneur, investor, and founding partner of AlphaQ Venture Capital, shares his journey and perspectives on innovation in venture capital.

Joined by host Davud Bećirović, Marcus delves into AlphaQ's distinctive investment strategies, their connections to the Balkans, particularly Sarajevo, and the transformative role AI plays in shaping private and public markets. This engaging discussion was recorded during the 'Kiss the Future' AI Summit in Sarajevo, rounding off the Bamkast business podcast series with a compelling finale.

🎧 A highly recommended listen for founders, investors, and decision-makers seeking fresh insights into the future of venture capital!

Don’t miss out and watch the video here! 📖

Empowering Founders with Best-in-Class Privacy & Legal Tools

Startups shouldn’t have to choose between protecting user privacy and moving fast.

That’s why ex/ante, in collaboration with the Ford Foundation, is launching Builder Blueprints - a powerhouse library of free, expert-vetted legal resources designed to help founders implement high-integrity policies without the usual headaches.

Crafted with top-tier partners like Morrison Forester and the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), these tools make it easier than ever to adopt stronger privacy policies, better terms of service, and airtight agreements—all without the hefty legal fees.

Help spread the word—let’s build a better, more privacy-first startup ecosystem!

Learn more here

AQVC Portfolio News

To highlight recent developments and general news from our portfolio, we're excited to share updates on our existing investments, recent milestones achieved by our portfolio companies, and other noteworthy events.

White Star Capital

• Carbon6 has been acquired by SPS Commerce! (link)
• Dfns has raised $16M in a Series A funding round led by Further Ventures, with participation from several new and existing investors. (link)

Scale Venture Partners

• Spot AI has launched the first remote AI security agent to enhance physical security. (link)
• Bland has closed its Series B funding round, raising a total of $65 million from investors including Y Combinator, Scale Venture Partners, and Emergence Capital. (link)

Amino Collective

• Lindus Health, an AI-driven clinical trial company, has raised a $55M Series B round led by Balderton Capital, with participation from Creandum, firstminute capital, Visionaries Club, and Seedcamp. (link)

Don’t Quit Ventures

• Ruya AI, a UAE-based startup backed by Don't Quit Ventures, is tackling the $5 billion genomics market by 2025. The post highlights the journey of its founder, Arslan Berbic, from Bosnia to the U.S., showcasing his entrepreneurial story and vision. (link)

Global Ventures

• Zension Technologies Inc. has secured a $30M Series A funding round, led by Saudi Aramco’s Wa’ed Ventures, with participation from Sumitomo Corporation and Global Ventures, to support its business expansion. (link)

Job Opportunities at AQVC Portfolio Funds & Companies

White Star Capital -Associate – Early Growth Fund Team, New York Learn more

Symbol - VP Product – Tel Aviv Learn more

SpeedInvest - Visiting Associate Fintech – Berlin or London Learn more

SpeedInvest - Associate SaaS & Infra – Berlin, Munich or Paris Learn more

SpeedInvest - Officer Manager (part-time) – London Learn more

SpeedInvest - Officer Manager (part-time) – London Learn more