Marianne Abib-Pech is the Managing Partner at Transitions First, an early-stage deep tech venture fund accelerating industrial transitions, backing industrial start-ups from advanced deep-tech ecosystems such as Silicon Valley, France, and Israel.

Takeaways ✨

Venture Capital to Marianne

• Finance with a twist (everything is finance)
• Creativity incorporated
• A strong focus on people and relationships

Why industrial startups?

• a market representing a $3 trillion opportunity
• only 1% of venture capital dollars in
• potential for acquisition by multinationals made it a venture case

Now listen in for more insights! ❤

00:07 Introducing Marianne and Her Background

00:37 Early Influences and Career Path

02:41 The Journey from CFO to Venture Capitalist

03:58 The Role of Finance in Venture Capital

08:51 Leadership and Its Evolution

14:21 The Importance of Diversity in Leadership

20:15 Transitioning to Venture Capital

20:29 Focus on Industrial Venture Capital

23:31 Investing Across Europe and the US

26:51 Challenges in French Venture Capital

28:09 Navigating Market Barriers

28:56 Strategic Market Entry

31:17 Criteria for Investment

32:54 Innovative Startups and Technologies

39:58 Philosophy and Future of the Fund

44:48 Personal Insights and Leadership

50:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

PODCAST LINKS:

• Podcast Website: https://www.whyyouvc.com
• Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3V4FyQN
• Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4hYSvpg
• RSS: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcrss
• Podcast Playlist: https://bit.ly/whyyouvc

SOCIAL LINKS:

• X: https://x.com/whyyouvc
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whyyouvc
• RED: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcred
• Bilibili: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcbili
• Email: whyyouvc@gmail.com

GUEST LINKS:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianneabibpech/
• Transitions First: https://t1st.vc

Christian Guba is Principal at Extantia’s flagship €204M Fund and previously Principal at Foodlabs, leading their €100M foodtech investments.

Eugene Foo: What are the major obstacles hindering Germany's and Europe's progress in the tech race? Christian Guba: 1) a need for a mindset shift towards greater ambition and salesmanship 2) the lack of a unified European domestic market leading to country-by-country regulatory hurdles 3) excessive regulation hindering innovation (exemplified by the anecdote about plastic bottle cap regulations) Now listen in for more insights! ❤

00:00 - Introduction to ClimateTech Challenges 00:20 - Introduced by Han Shen at iFly.vc 01:49 - Career Journey and Early Influences 04:38 - Venture Capital Insights 05:37 - International Experience in Taipei 07:52 - Lessons from Different VC Firms 10:46 - Specializing in ClimateTech and FoodTech 14:36 - Alternative Protein Technologies 20:09 - Investor Perspectives on FoodTech 28:10 - Tackling Market Inefficiencies in Renewable Energy 28:39 - Exciting Startups and Technological Innovations 30:40 - Challenges in Germany’s Energy Sector 31:53 - Technology’s Role in Solving Daily Pain Points 32:41 - Investment Strategies and Nuclear Fusion 34:16 - Berlin as a Tech Hub 38:50 - Mindset and Market Challenges in Europe 43:48 - ClimateTech and Green Solutions 48:59 - Personal Reflections and Lessons Learned 51:31 - The Meaning of Life and Future Ventures

PODCAST LINKS: • Podcast Website: https://www.whyyouvc.com • Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3V4FyQN • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4hYSvpg • RSS: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcrss • Podcast Playlist: https://bit.ly/whyyouvc

SOCIAL LINKS: • X: https://x.com/whyyouvc • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whyyouvc • RED: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcred • Bilibili: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcbili • Email: whyyouvc@gmail.com

GUEST LINKS: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianguba/ • Extantia: https://www.extantia.com/

Jing Wang is the venture investor of recently Nasdaq-listed WeRide, the World's First IPO of Universal Autonomous Driving Technology Company. A partner at Sky9 Capital with 15 years of experience, Jing joined YUVC for an in-depth podcast.

Eugene Foo: You classify founders based on traits, similar to how Olympic events are categorized into three types: systematic image, extreme breakthrough, and environmental. What is the basis for this classification?

Jing Wang: The classification reflects event characteristics: systematic image events (e.g., football) rely on strong systems, extreme breakthrough events (e.g., track and field) focus on individual performance, and environmental events (e.g., snow sports) emphasize adaptability. This showcases the diverse demands on founder profile. 00:20 - Venture Capital: US vs. China

00:43 - Jing’s Background and 15-Year Journey

04:34 - Founding the Venture Campus

04:55 - Evolution and Growth of the Venture Campus

08:23 - Investment Philosophy and Strategies

12:38 - Challenges in Venture Capital

18:58 - Evaluating Entrepreneurial Projects

23:59 - The Obsession Factor in Investments

24:35 - Experience and Its Role in Decision Making

25:09 - Managing Conflicts and Discussions

25:58 - Assessing Project Risks and Opportunities

26:46 - The Power of Thorough Discussions

28:13 - Unpacking the Concept of Risk Investment

31:06 - Evolving Investment Strategies Over Time

34:58 - Role of the Combat Intelligence Center

41:20 - Future Trends in Risk Investment

47:16 - Human Nature and Technological Innovation

49:04 - Reflections on Life and Experience

PODCAST LINKS: • Podcast Website: https://www.whyyouvc.com • Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3V4FyQN • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4hYSvpg • RSS: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcrss • Podcast Playlist: https://bit.ly/whyyouvc

SOCIAL LINKS: • X: https://x.com/whyyouvc • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whyyouvc • RED: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcred • Bilibili: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcbili • Email: whyyouvc@gmail.com

GUEST LINKS: • Sky9 Capital: https://www.sky9capital.com/

Danijel Višević is Co-Founder and General Partner at World Fund, Europe’s Largest 1st-Time Climate Tech Fund.

Danijel Višević shares his journey working with Angela Merkel, transitioning from journalism to founding one of the largest first-time climate tech funds, and the importance of bold investments in decarbonization technologies.

Eugene Foo: What edge does being an immigrant investor give you? Danijel Višević: Coming from a less privileged background instilled a resilience and lack of fear regarding hardship. A sense of gratitude for opportunities and empathy and the ability to shift perspectives, leading to better understanding and decision-making. Now listen in for more insights! ❤

00:00 - European Climate Fund Challenges 00:38 - Personal Journey 01:34 - Climate Tech 06:06 - Immigrant Investor 08:59 - Failures and Lessons 14:47 - Angela Merkel’s Influence 16:44 - Transitioning into Venture Capital 19:04 - A Day in the Life of a General Partner 22:15 - The Genesis of World Fund 28:21 - Scalability Challenges for European Companies 28:53 - Spotlight on Portfolio Companies 30:41 - The Significance of Battery Recycling 31:54 - Dietary Choices and Environmental Impact 33:54 - Contrarian Perspectives on Impact and Profit 37:59 - The Future of World Fund and Berlin’s Startup Scene 42:23 - Germany and Europe: Challenges and Opportunities 52:12 - Personal Reflections and Philosophy

PODCAST LINKS: • Podcast Website: https://www.whyyouvc.com • Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3V4FyQN • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4hYSvpg • RSS: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcrss • Podcast Playlist: https://bit.ly/whyyouvc

SOCIAL LINKS: • X: https://x.com/whyyouvc • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whyyouvc • RED: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcred • Bilibili: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcbili • Email: whyyouvc@gmail.com

GUEST LINKS: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/visevic/ • Medium: https://visevic.medium.com/ • Personal Website: https://www.visevic.de/ • World Fund: https://www.worldfund.vc/

Tilo Bonow is Founder at Piabo Communications with global clients like Stripe, Google, DJI. Meanwhile, he is an active LP in 60+ global VCs, like Headline, HV Capital, 3VC, and more.

Tilo Bonow joined YUVC to discuss the pivotal role of effective communication in the startup and venture capital ecosystem. As the founder and CEO of Piabo Communications, Europe’s leading tech PR agency, Bonow explains why 50% of startup valuation is narrative.

Eugene Foo: What are the key criteria you use to evaluate and select solo GPs for investment? Tilo Bonow: Solo GPs who demonstrate a clear positioning and focused expertise within a specific industry, ideally showcasing a career path aligning with their chosen sector. A history of entrepreneurship is highly valued, as is the ability to effectively communicate and leverage their LP community for mutual benefit. Now listen in for more insights! ❤

00:00 - Intro 00:57 - Exploring a Historic Office Location 02:15 - Tilo Bonow’s Background and Piabo’s Mission 03:19 - The Role of Communication in Business 06:30 - Building Trust and Transparency 08:15 - Storytelling’s Impact on Startups 14:49 - Challenges and Strategies in PR 23:49 - Piabo’s First Client and Philosophy 31:27 - Criteria for Investment Decisions 31:45 - Founder Relationships and Their Importance 32:17 - Active LP Community and Relationship Leverage 33:17 - Honesty and Transparency in Venture Capital 36:55 - Perspectives on Global Investments 37:54 - Identifying Red Flags in GPs 45:18 - Berlin’s Rise as a Startup Hub 49:06 - Challenges and Opportunities in Europe 53:14 - PR Strategies for Startup Success 56:59 - Personal Reflections and Insights

PODCAST LINKS: • Podcast Website: https://www.whyyouvc.com • Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3V4FyQN • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4hYSvpg • RSS: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcrss • Podcast Playlist: https://bit.ly/whyyouvc

SOCIAL LINKS: • X: https://x.com/whyyouvc • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whyyouvc • RED: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcred • Bilibili: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcbili • Email: whyyouvc@gmail.com

GUEST LINKS: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tilobonow/ • Piabo: https://piabo.net/

Chun Xia is Founding Partner at TSVC alongside Eugene Zhang (YUVC#19) based in Silicon Valley. Seed investor in Zoom, Carta, Ginkgo Bioworks and more.

Dr. Xia Chun joined Eugene Foo and Yuyan Wang at YUVC discussing the intricate dynamics of Chinese entrepreneurs seeking financing in the U.S. amidst geopolitical tensions to focusing on the qualities needed to become a category leader.

Eugene Foo: TSVC’s approach to evaluating founders? Dr. Chun Xia: We prioritize founder traits like integrity, resilience, and alignment of values, ensuring the best chance of success. Now listen in for more insights! ❤

00:00 - Intro 00:14 - Insights on Entrepreneurship and Investment 02:11 - Personal Interests and Hobbies 07:44 - Journey and Experiences in the U.S. 18:55 - Challenges and Advice for Chinese Entrepreneurs 25:51 - Understanding People in Teams 26:27 - Challenges for Technical Founders 26:45 - Client Interviews and Engineer Mindset 27:25 - Investment Insights and Benchmarks 30:45 - The Trust Economy and Sharing Economy 35:56 - AI's Impact on Jobs and Industries 39:37 - The Future of Technology and Education 44:47 - Philosophical Reflections on Life and Media

PODCAST LINKS: • Podcast Website: https://www.whyyouvc.com • Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3V4FyQN • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4hYSvpg • RSS: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcrss • Podcast Playlist: https://bit.ly/whyyouvc

SOCIAL LINKS: • X: https://x.com/whyyouvc • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whyyouvc • RED: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcred • Bilibili: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcbili • Email: whyyouvc@gmail.com

GUEST LINKS: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chunrayxia/ • TSVC: https://www.tsvcap.com/

Ertan Can is Founder at Multiple Capital based in Luxembourg and Frankfurt backing Micro VCs with a focus on Europe.

2100 funds screened, 1000 GP relationships, 50+ sectors, 48 funds invested, 103 GPs/Partners, 1359 portfolio companies, 156 outliers, 23 unicorns, 1 decacorn.

Eugene Foo: Your take on Masayoshi Son and SoftBank? Ertan Can: The longer SoftBank remains active as such, the higher the chances of success. Eugene Foo: What factors set a seed fund apart from others? Ertan Can: They become known as the go-to investors within their respective regions or verticals. Now listen in for more insights! ❤

00:00 - Roadtrip Across China and Beyond 08:12 - The Rise of MicroVCs 16:15 - Randomness in Venture Capital 24:44 - Unfair Advantage in Venture Capital 32:42 - Fund Size and Investment Strategy 42:05 - Beyond Track Record 53:36 - Skin in the Game 59:00 - Large Funds Struggle at Seed Stage 1:06:05 - On MicroVCs 1:12:00 - Disruption, Transparency 1:19:07 - Meaning of Life 1:24:00 - Advice for YUVC 1:27:24 - Global Venture Rac 1:31:51 - Future of Venture Capital

PODCAST LINKS: • Podcast Website: https://www.whyyouvc.com • Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3V4FyQN • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4hYSvpg • RSS: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcrss • Podcast Playlist: https://bit.ly/whyyouvc

SOCIAL LINKS: • X: https://x.com/whyyouvc • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whyyouvc • RED: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcred • Bilibili: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcbili • Email: whyyouvc@gmail.com

GUEST LINKS: • X: https://x.com/rtancan • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ertancan/ • Multiple Capital: https://www.multiple.capital/