Today's Venture Capital Pulse
Clip secures $500M to accelerate consumer wallet rollout
Mexican fintech Clip raised $500 million, pushing its valuation above $2.5 billion. The new capital will fund the rollout of a consumer‑focused wallet and broaden its financial‑services platform. Investors were not disclosed and the round remains under review.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Francisco Partners raises $18B for new tech funds
How Kong Was Born: APIs, Hustle, and the Future of AI Infrastructure
In this episode, a16z host Martin Casado interviews Kong co‑founder and CEO Augusto "Aghi" Marietti about his journey from a Milan garage to building a leading API infrastructure firm, highlighting the relentless grind, near‑death moments, and the bootstrap funding that got him onto Travis Kalanick’s couch. They discuss how APIs have become the "assembly line of software" and how Kong now underpins modern API and AI connectivity. Marietti argues that the upcoming wave of AI agents will make robust API infrastructure even more critical, positioning Kong at the core of future AI‑driven applications.
Project Europe Delivers Rapid Product-Market Fit, Secures Major Wins
Project Europe has product market fit so much faster and so much stronger than even we hoped. In the first 6 months: - 10 cracked teams invested in So what… of those 10: - 1 acquired by category leader - 1...
AI Voice Boosts Ecommerce Revenue, Solving Phone Conversion Gap
Proud @saastrfund is joining the round for @Consio_AI and the team building the AI voice layer for ecommerce!! Here's why we invested: 1⃣The Obvious Problem: Phone Converts Better Every ecommerce brand knows phone calls convert 3-5x better than web. But staffing a phone...
Reid Hoffman on AI, Consciousness, and the Future of Humanity
Reid Hoffman, alongside Erik Torenberg and Alex Rampell, explores how AI will transform work, science, and humanity, emphasizing that the most impactful breakthroughs will arise beyond obvious productivity tools. They discuss current AI’s reasoning limits, debate whether consciousness is required...
AI-Driven VC Matchmaking for Fundable Startups Only
We’re launching something different at SaaStr AI. VC Matchmaking that actually works. Because most founders are pitching the wrong VCs. Or pitching before they’re ready. Join the waitlist → https://t.co/x5NqYcTMbt Here’s how it works: 1️⃣: You upload your pitch Real revenue. Real metrics. Real traction....
Limited AI Still Fuels Revolutionary Momentum, Like Beam Engines
Prediction: LLMs in their current form may not be able to do everything, but AI now has enough momentum that this won't matter. Beam engines couldn't do everything either, but they were enough to set off the Industrial Revolution.
95% Faster Video Production with Synthesia | Victor Riparbelli
In this episode, Victor Riparbelli, co‑founder and CEO of Synthesia, explains how his AI‑driven platform lets anyone create video without cameras, cutting production time by up to 95% and opening new possibilities for content creators. He and Kleiner Perkins partner...
From $182M Loss to $38B Annual
https://t.co/GRwsz6132y is the go-to slur of the Dot Com era. Let's see: https://t.co/GRwsz6132y burned ~$182M total investor capital before going bust. Today, just US online pet goods sales = ~$38B/year; ~$70B total market cap including portions of Amazon & Walmart....
Deploying 20+ AI Agents: Playbook, Lessons, Brutal Truths
A deep dive into the playbook, lessons learned, and brutal truths about deploying 20+ AI agents into production — that actually work. During Dreamforce Jason (CEO) and Amelia (Chief AI Officer) at SaaStr dropped by Qualified’s office for a deep...
20VC Newsletter - 19th October 2025
The 20VC newsletter (Oct. 19, 2025) distills three podcast episodes featuring Atlassian CEO Mike Cannon‑Brookes, investors Rory O’Driscoll, Jason Lemkin and Roger Ehrenberg, and Warp CEO Zach Lloyd, highlighting how AI will expand software development, reshape pricing models, and leave...
Own Your Software: Essential for Scaling Success
"A lot of SaaS is not tailored enough to the needs of the company. Owning most of the software makes a significant difference in what you can do. It is the dumbest thing to do when you are small. It...
Scaling AI: Strategies for Building Intelligent Systems
How do you build AI systems that scale? On Nov 12 in SF, I’ll host Calvin French-Owen (Co-founder & former CTO @Segment, led @OpenAI's Codex launch) for a Theory Ventures Office Hours conversation on scaling intelligent systems. We’ll dig into: ⚙️ Building...
E635 | EUCVC Summit 2025: Francesco Di Lorenzo, Copenhagen Business School: Nordic CVC Insights
The EUVC podcast recap highlights four recent summit episodes, with the lead focus on Francesco Di Lorenzo’s Nordic CVC insights, while also covering Kristaps Ronis’s take on structured secondaries, Alper Oner’s Turkish gaming success story, and Seb Agertoft’s founder‑coaching perspective. Across the episodes, listeners learn...
Aim for a 3‑6 Month Transaction Timeline
How long should a transaction process last? Though there can be significant variance, a well-structured transaction process typically takes 3-6 months. From when you officially start marketing the business to when you close the deal, 3-6 months should give you...
Alfred Lin: Deep Business Insight Makes Board Exceptional
"I would have most liked to have @Alfred_Lin on my board. He is one of the best investors in the world. He understands the business he invests in a lot more deeply than other board members." @Bouazizalex What have been...
E634 | EUCVC Summit 2025: Christian Tang (Acme) & Claus Gregersen (Augustinus Fabrikker): Global Ambition in an Age of Sovereignty
The EUVC podcast episode E634 explores how European venture capitalists can maintain global ambitions amid rising sovereign‑first regulations, with insights from Christian Tang of Acme and Claus Gregersen of Augustinus Fabrikker on cross‑border investing, deal structuring, and founder strategies in...
Early AI‑GTM Adopters Scaling Fast, Laggards Scrambling
It's time. 🏃♀️It's time to get ahead of the pack in AI + B2B. At SaaStr AI London Dec 1-2 -> https://t.co/ufOgU4yrs6 The companies that figured out AI + GTM this year already are now scaling aggressively—closing bigger deals, reducing...
Deel’s $300M Raise Reveals Aggressive Acquisition Strategy
I fricking hate podcasts where the guest does a podcast tour to promote something. @Bouazizalex just raised $300M+ at a $17BN+ valuation. He did one podcast to discuss the round and the crazy last 12 months. 20VC. - Raising $300M from Ribbit, a16z and...
Join SaaStr Fund: Fast-Track Venture Deal Experience
I’m hiring an Associate at SaaStr Fund ($200m AUM) The job: 1️⃣ Screen 50+ inbound deals/week, find the 2-3 worth the deep dive. 2️⃣ Help manage the new https://t.co/D1x4RaX5t7 which over 5,500 founders have used in 5 years anywhere else for...
AWS Outage? Try Our Always‑On Startup Valuation Calculator
AWS down for you? 👉Take a break and try our StartUp Valuation Calculator! -> https://t.co/jvgsU2zIKA It only takes seconds, it's super cool, and ... it's still up!! https://t.co/lVUsOvUCJR
AI Isn't a Bubble, Unlike the Dot‑Com Era
this time last year post-@stateofaireport we heard lots of “is ai a bubble” chatter, just like we do today we wrote a piece on @airstreetpress arguing that ai is not like the dot com thinking of writing up a v2...
AI's Rapid Evolution Sparks Bubble Debate and Nvidia Dominance
got to chat about the @stateofaireport on @tbpn last fri w/@johncoogan @jordihays, incl. bits on financing dynamics, how today's ai is magical vs. 12 years ago when i started, ai bubble (yes, no?), nvidia's dominance, ai search/agent experience, industrial policy...
Albacore Secures $6.5M Seed for Stealth Submarine
Congrats to @albacoreinc on their $6.5M seed! Albacore is building underwater drones for the military. Their first product, Ghostfin, is an 8ft modular autonomous submarine designed to patrol undetected for 1,000+ nautical miles & support special ops. https://t.co/j9Ud89JdDQ
AI Platform Automates Ads and Landing Pages, Replacing Agencies
Uplane (@uplane_com) is building software to replace marketing agencies. Their AI generates ads with matching landing pages and steers them across Meta, Google, TikTok, and others. https://t.co/WEay29YNYx Congrats on the launch, @juliuskoerfgen, @Marvin_A_M & @vollmer_lukas! https://t.co/CBq2rxJqTp
Real Traction Speaks: Customers Return, Pay, and Refer
Most founders waste time trying to look like they have traction. When traction’s real, you don’t need to choreograph it. It shows up when people return, pay again, and bring their friends. Customers end up doing the advertising for you.
Back AI’s Good Guys to Drive Safe Innovation
1/ I want to state plainly: in all industries, especially in AI, it’s important to back the good guys. Anthropic is one of the good guys. More thoughts about why we need to fuel innovation and talk safety at the same...
Biannual Mock Fundraises Sharpen Founders' Reflection
Raising can be a grind, but it’s a good forcing function to reflect. Founders (and VCs) might benefit from doing biannual mock fundraising prep.
Innovation Quest Launches: 70+ Founders Ignite AI Ventures
2025 USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy Founders Bootcamp 🚀 Friday we kicked off the annual Innovation Quest with our 2025 Founders Bootcamp. Standing-room only & filled with energy, insight, & community. Over 70 IYA undergraduate & graduate founders...
Incumbents Erode OpenAI Share; Coding Tools Decline
Here are two very important charts about the current AI boom. Chart 1: Distribution Matters Open AI is still the clear leader but, interestingly, they are loosing percentage share as the market grows. This is normal for a category leader but...
Four Free AI Tools to Accelerate Fundraising
SaaStr.ai just launched four FREE AI tools that can save founders 100+ hours in fundraising prep. And maybe even get you funded: 1️⃣ AI Start-Up Valuation Calculator. Get VC-grade valuations using data from 5,000+ recent rounds, public comps, and AI...
Angel Fundraise Details Reveal Top 1% Founders
You can tell a top 1% founder purely from how they structure the angel component of a fundraise. The blurb they suggest. The forwardable email they send for each. The specific angels they want in. All says so much about their...
Bootstrapped Screen‑mirroring App Nets $1.8M Profit
Some mobile apps are crazy profitable. This one generates $1,800,000 per year!🤯 Now live on @acquiredotcom: Top rated iOS apps for screen mirroring and remote control. > 570K monthly users > $3.5M revenue > $1.8M profit > Bootstrapped Full listing: https://t.co/T7kDgxkfQp https://t.co/p6BkZYUyqN
Startups Funding Peers: Warning Sign of a Bubble
Startups investing in other startups... is this peak bubble behavior? https://t.co/1paenKbhQh
Speed Is a Feature of the Best
Just sent a deal to a dear friend and mentor who is one of the greatest of our time. Sent at 8:12AM PST and response provided to me and founder by 8:18AM. Speed is a feature of the best.
Get Pre‑Screened Dealflow Directly on Our Waistlist
VCs: Want more dealflow? With deals pre-screened, selected, and analyzed for you? Get on our waistlist here -> https://t.co/t0woGMPLz6 https://t.co/LWckPofGUm
Executive‑Retail Dialogues Redefine Market Dynamics
Back at Reddit, we saw how powerful real conversations between companies & communities could be. That same energy is reshaping markets. @StakeholderLabs , a @sevensevensix co, just launched @Marketopolis with @Benzinga to help execs talk with retail investors, not at them.
AI Funding Surge Leaves Traditional SaaS Exits Stalled
🤔 Who Will Buy The SaaS Companies? We’re sitting on a problem many don’t want to talk about: the traditional SaaS exit playbook is breaking down. Even for very good SaaS companies For years, it was predictable. Build to $20M-$50M...
Startups Use Proxy Metrics to Fake Early Traction
SHOWING TRACTION BEFORE YOU HAVE TRACTION Everybody knows that startups thrive when they have “real” traction — that is revenue, active users, great retention curves, and a fast growth rate. However, startups also find themselves in a catch-22 where they're not...
Top NBA Owner Calls ATHLOS Conference Best Ever
The Friday Morning of ATHLOS, we held our first STARTING LINE CONFERENCE to bring together the best builders, owners, and investors at this intersection of emerging sports x tech. As always, we followed up with everyone to get feedback on how...
First‑Check Investors Celebrate Big Dreams and Community
Reminiscing on the @sevensevensix investor community event a few weeks back! Team-bonding, founders dreaming big and a room buzzing with possibility. Nights like this remind us why we love being the first check into founders with BIG ambitions. Some of us...
Solo Founder Sells $144K ARR CAD SaaS for $740K
These are the kinds of businesses you never hear about but they print money. Now live on @acquiredotcom: CAD + calculation SaaS for building engineers. > $144K ARR > $140K profit > Solo founder > Asking: $740K Full listing: https://t.co/WAQyftmp01 https://t.co/h9PkXiqvj7
Treat Founder Attention Like Cash: Say No
Founders: if it’s not a top priority, it’s a "no". If it might be later, it’s still a "no" for now. Protect your attention like cash. That’s how you win.
Originality Gives Innovators Edge Over Mere Copycats
It's easier to innovate when you're the original of something. People copying you can only copy a snapshot of your current state. They don't know which aspects of the snapshot are essential and which are random things you'd been about...
Choose the Right Location for Your AI Agents
It’s 9:30 AM. Do you know where your agent is? As we enter the era of agentic AI, this is an increasingly important question. ChatGPT launched the consumer use of AI, compressing all of human knowledge into a single model....
B2B Influencer Fees Need Tiered Pricing, Not Flat Rates
Dear CMO: Thanks again for offering me $800 to write 10 X and LinkedIn posts for you as a “B2B Influencer”! I do think these programs make sense. (If and until algos kill them.) Every B2B marketer seems to think...
AI Success Lies in Resegmenting, Not Creating New Categories
Most AI products aren’t creating new categories. They’re resegmenting existing ones. Understanding the difference shapes everything about how you build, market, and scale. Resegmentation means taking a job people already understand and making it faster, clearer, or more accessible. Category creation means...
Bootstrapped Agency Sells for $1.6M, Defying VC Need
Nice way to end the week at @acquiredotcom. We just closed an agency for $1,600,000 cash. Completely bootstrapped. More proof you don't need venture capital to win. https://t.co/RMGykfRnMP
Consumer Software Thrives on Community Co‑Creation and Feedback
Loved hosting this off-the-record talk w/ @southpkcommons founders about what’s next in consumer software. The beauty of consumer is a community that builds w/ you—immediate feedback loops, use case evolutions, evangelism. No better time than this current period of creativity and...
Let Curiosity Lead You to Meaningful Work
“Curiosity is the best guide. Your curiosity never lies, and it knows more than you do about what’s worth paying attention to.” Paul Graham on How to Do Great Work: https://t.co/Tv7W8Lqx0v
Software OS Boosts VC Firm Accountability and Transparency
The best part of building an operating system to run your VC firm is all the accountability and transparency it brings your org - all thanks to the magic of software. https://t.co/42TuNDK2Dx