Venture Capital Cross — 10/10/2024 — We have launched a Podcast about private markets, emerging technology, and companies working on paradigm shift technologies called “The Cross” – If you would like to be a guest on the show please reach out to us.
Venture Capital Cross — 9/4/2024 — Private markets are growing in popularity and we’re getting lots of questions about what is what, why and how are private markets different than public markets, etc. So we’ve launched a free learning area on our portal @ vccross.com/learn – Also, we have launched user Forums where we can discuss secondary market opportunities or other market events, we invite you to check it out (for the Forum, registration is required.)
Content for pros and novice alike, checkout this short on the value of being quiet:
Here is a short explanation what is the Cap Table:
These and more are free on our YouTube channel as well as our site. Enjoy!
From the Venture Capital Cross Blog – Checkout this inside look at SpaceX with a casual interview with founder Elon Musk. Say what you will about Elon, SpaceX is an amazing company that’s shooting up like a rocket. Let’s listen to what he has to say directly:
SpaceX has established itself as a revolutionary force in the aerospace industry since its founding in 2002 by Elon Musk. The company has achieved numerous milestones that have transformed the landscape of commercial spaceflight and satellite communications.
SpaceX has become the world’s leading provider of launch services, offering cost-effective and reliable access to space. The company’s Falcon 9 rocket, known for its reusable first stage, has dramatically reduced launch costs and increased launch frequency. This reusability breakthrough came in 2015 when SpaceX successfully landed a Falcon 9 first stage, and by 2017, they were regularly reusing these stages for multiple missions.
In 2020, SpaceX made history by becoming the first private company to send astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). This achievement marked the beginning of a new era in commercial crewed spaceflight, with SpaceX now regularly transporting astronauts to and from the ISS for NASA.
SpaceX has also ventured into the satellite internet market with its Starlink megaconstellation. As of 2023, Starlink had 3,660 active satellites in orbit, comprising half of all active satellites. This ambitious project aims to provide global broadband coverage, especially to underserved areas.
Looking ahead, SpaceX is focusing on its next-generation Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket. This fully reusable system is designed for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. SpaceX is investing heavily in Starship development, with reports suggesting an annual budget exceeding $1 billion for the project.SpaceX’s success has not only revolutionized the space industry but has also inspired a new wave of commercial space companies and investments. As the company continues to push the boundaries of space technology, it remains at the forefront of the ongoing transformation in space exploration and utilization.to push the boundaries of space technology, it remains at the forefront of the ongoing transformation in space exploration and utilization.
Tier-1 VC are world’s leading and most reputable VC firms — they typically lead the round and their investment is a strong quality signal for other investors.
List of Tier-1 venture firms:
Not as high-signal as Tier-1 VCs, Notable VCs are still very professional, long-standing reputable firms that bring a quality signal to the deal. Please note that the list skews towards US-based firms.
Notable angel investors are those individual investors who have a known public track record and bring value to the company along with their capital.
The space industry, once the exclusive domain of government agencies and large aerospace contractors, is undergoing a transformation. The burgeoning field of space investment has attracted significant interest from private investors, venture capitalists, and tech entrepreneurs. This growing sector encompasses a wide range of activities, from satellite communications and space tourism to asteroid mining and interplanetary exploration. Key companies are driving innovation and expanding the possibilities of what can be achieved in space. This article explores the evolving space investment landscape, highlights leading companies, and examines their groundbreaking projects.
The space sector’s expansion is fueled by several factors, including advancements in technology, decreasing launch costs, and a growing recognition of the economic potential of space-based activities. Innovations in rocket technology, satellite miniaturization, and propulsion systems have reduced the barriers to entry, making space more accessible to private enterprises. Additionally, the increasing reliance on satellite-based services, such as telecommunications, weather forecasting, and Earth observation, has created a robust market for space infrastructure and services.
The global space economy is projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2040, driven by a diverse array of industries including satellite manufacturing, launch services, space tourism, and planetary exploration. This growth presents lucrative opportunities for investors and has led to a surge in funding for space startups and established companies alike.
Several companies are at the forefront of the space investment boom, each contributing to different aspects of the space economy. These companies range from well-established aerospace giants to innovative startups, all of whom are pushing the boundaries of space exploration and commercialization.
Founded by Elon Musk, SpaceX is perhaps the most well-known private space company. SpaceX has revolutionized the space industry with its reusable rocket technology, significantly reducing the cost of launching payloads into space. The company’s Falcon 9 rocket is a workhorse for delivering satellites to orbit, resupplying the International Space Station (ISS), and launching crewed missions. SpaceX’s Starlink project aims to provide global high-speed internet access through a constellation of thousands of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
SpaceX is also pioneering efforts in space exploration with its Starship vehicle, designed for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The company’s ambitious vision includes establishing a human presence on Mars and transforming humanity into a multi-planetary species.
Founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin is another major player in the private space sector. The company’s motto, “Gradatim Ferociter” (Step by Step, Ferociously), reflects its methodical approach to advancing space technology. Blue Origin’s New Shepard suborbital rocket is designed for space tourism, offering passengers short trips to the edge of space with a few minutes of weightlessness. The company is also developing the New Glenn orbital rocket, which aims to compete with SpaceX for satellite launches and other missions.
Blue Origin is actively involved in NASA’s Artemis program, which seeks to return humans to the Moon. The company’s Blue Moon lunar lander is a key component of these efforts, with the goal of facilitating a sustainable human presence on the Moon.
OneWeb is a global communications company that focuses on providing internet connectivity through a constellation of LEO satellites. Like SpaceX’s Starlink, OneWeb aims to bridge the digital divide by offering high-speed internet access to remote and underserved areas around the world. The company’s satellite network will also support applications in various sectors, including aviation, maritime, and defense.
Despite financial challenges, OneWeb has continued to advance its satellite deployment, with plans to offer global coverage by 2022. The company has received backing from major investors, including the UK government and Bharti Global, highlighting the strategic importance of satellite-based internet services.
Virgin Galactic, founded by Sir Richard Branson, is a pioneer in the emerging space tourism market. The company’s SpaceShipTwo vehicle is designed to take passengers on suborbital flights, offering a few minutes of weightlessness and breathtaking views of Earth. Virgin Galactic aims to make space travel more accessible to the public, with plans to expand its fleet and increase flight frequency.
In addition to space tourism, Virgin Galactic is exploring other commercial opportunities, such as high-speed point-to-point travel and scientific research missions. The company is positioning itself as a leader in the commercial spaceflight industry, with the potential to revolutionize air travel and open new frontiers for research.
Planet Labs is a leading player in the Earth observation sector, specializing in high-resolution satellite imagery. The company operates a constellation of small satellites, known as Doves, which capture daily images of the Earth’s surface. These images are used for various applications, including agriculture, environmental monitoring, disaster response, and urban planning.
Planet Labs’ data services provide valuable insights for governments, businesses, and non-profits, helping them make informed decisions and address global challenges. The company’s innovative use of small satellite technology demonstrates the growing importance of Earth observation in the space economy.
The space investment sector is characterized by rapid innovation and a dynamic landscape. Several emerging trends are shaping the future of the industry:
The space investment sector is experiencing unprecedented growth and innovation, driven by advances in technology and a growing recognition of the economic potential of space. Key companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, OneWeb, Virgin Galactic, and Planet Labs are leading the charge, each contributing to different aspects of the space economy. As new trends emerge and the industry continues to evolve, the possibilities for space exploration and commercialization are expanding, offering exciting opportunities for investors and society at large. The future of space investment promises to be as vast and boundless as space itself, with the potential to transform our world and beyond.
Pre-IPO Private Markets Investing: An In-Depth Exploration
Pre-IPO (Initial Public Offering) private markets investing involves purchasing shares of a company before it becomes publicly traded. This investment strategy offers unique opportunities and risks, attracting institutional investors, high-net-worth individuals, and increasingly, retail investors. With the potential for substantial returns, pre-IPO investing has become a significant component of modern financial markets.
Pre-IPO investments are typically facilitated through private placements, secondary markets, or venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) funds.
The regulatory environment for pre-IPO investing has evolved significantly in recent years. Key regulations and trends include:
The future of pre-IPO investing looks promising, driven by several factors:
Pre-IPO private markets investing offers a compelling opportunity for investors to access high-growth companies before they become publicly traded. While the potential for substantial returns exists, it is accompanied by significant risks and challenges. Successful pre-IPO investing requires thorough due diligence, diversification, a long-term perspective, and engagement with professional networks. As the regulatory landscape evolves and technological advancements continue, the pre-IPO market is poised for further growth and innovation, providing new opportunities for investors worldwide.
In the realm of finance, Security Forward Agreements stand as pivotal instruments for managing risk, hedging against price fluctuations, and facilitating strategic investments. This comprehensive exploration delves into the intricacies of Security Forward Agreements, particularly in the context of venture capital. We will elucidate their fundamental concepts, mechanics, benefits, risks, and specific applications within the venture capital landscape.
A Security Forward Agreement, often simply referred to as a forward contract, is a financial derivative contract between two parties where they agree to exchange a specific asset (the underlying security) at a predetermined price (the forward price) on a future date (the maturity date). Unlike options, which provide the buyer with the right but not the obligation to buy or sell the underlying asset, forwards bind both parties to fulfill the contract.
The agreement typically includes:
Forward contracts are customized agreements traded over-the-counter (OTC), which means they are not standardized and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the parties involved. This flexibility allows for a wide range of applications across different sectors of finance.
To grasp the mechanics of a Security Forward Agreement, consider the following example involving a venture capital scenario:
Imagine a venture capitalist (VC) firm is interested in investing in a promising startup that plans to go public in the next two years. The VC firm anticipates significant growth in the startup’s valuation upon its IPO but is concerned about potential fluctuations in the stock price post-IPO. To mitigate this risk, the VC firm enters into a Security Forward Agreement with a counterparty, agreeing to purchase a certain number of shares of the startup at a predetermined price per share on the IPO date.
Let’s break down the steps involved:
Security Forward Agreements offer several advantages to participants in venture capital and other financial markets:
Venture capital firms often face substantial risks when investing in startups, particularly those that are not yet publicly traded. These risks include uncertainty about the startup’s future valuation, market conditions post-IPO, and liquidity concerns. Security Forward Agreements can be instrumental in mitigating some of these risks:
Beyond risk management, Security Forward Agreements play a strategic role in the investment planning of venture capital firms:
While Security Forward Agreements offer numerous benefits, they also come with inherent risks and considerations:
Security Forward Agreements represent a powerful tool in the arsenal of financial instruments available to venture capital firms and institutional investors. By allowing parties to hedge against price fluctuations, manage risk, and strategically plan their investments, these contracts facilitate smoother and more efficient operations in both stable and volatile market conditions.
In the dynamic and competitive world of venture capital, where uncertainty and opportunity coexist, forward contracts provide a structured approach to navigating risks while pursuing investment opportunities with confidence. As the financial landscape evolves, understanding and effectively utilizing Security Forward Agreements will continue to be essential for achieving optimal portfolio performance and sustaining growth in the venture capital sector.
These references provide foundational knowledge and scholarly insights into derivative contracts, venture capital finance, and the broader financial markets, enriching our understanding of Security Forward Agreements and their applications.
To see how a firm order ticket works, contact our support @ invest@vccross.com
Venture Capital Cross – 6/2/2024 — It takes all kinds to make the world go round, they say. We encounter all of the above being in the financial services business. The reason we like late stage secondaries as our legacy go to market is because of the credibility of the assets, they are companies that have $1 Billion + valuations and have already proven themselves to the market. However, the real value is in catching the next big thing at an early stage, and herein lies the dilemma. Investors are not sure which one is going to be the next big thing (i.e. Google, Amazon) and which one is going to totally fail. And to be fair to issuers, they don’t know too.
We have compiled a short list of ‘red flags’ to look for, these are not by themselves an indication of a bad deal, but overall, these are things you want to be aware of when evaluating earlier stage opportunities.
1. The principal refuses to show any due diligence
2. Insists on meeting in person
3. Does not have a public profile, media following
4. Does not have a lawyer
5. High Returns “Too good to be true”
6. Has lots of stories, but lacks documentation to back them up
7. Is not registered (this by itself isn’t proof that it’s a scam, but many legitimate fund managers and investment bankers ARE registered)
8. Uses words like “Arbitrage” and “Bank Guarantee” and “Insurance”
9. Explains the investment has “No Risk” (Any investment has risk, even Arbitrage has risk)
10. Is private, confidential person
11. Looking for in person referrals
12. Signs of time deadline / hurry
13. Operates from a dark jurisdiction i.e. Seychelles, Argentina, etc.
14. Uses big names “I got into this because of Bill Gates”
See the video analysis
Checkout our Udemy course on Venture Capital:
Venture Capital, Private Equity, Private Markets, Pre IPO
Uncover the Secrets of Antarctica film project with Brad Olsen
Brad Olsen is raising capital for an expensive but valuable expedition to Antarctica to uncover never before seen sites. Various permissions have been authorized for travel to these locations, for those who are skeptical. Some of these sites have been visited by hikers but never explored deeply with a film crew. Brad is not planning on going to any unauthorized areas.
For more information on the project including a deck, login to Venture Capital Cross and navigate to this page: (registration required – for Accredited Investors only)
https://vccross.com/primary/antarctica-lost-civilization-documentary-film
DISCLAIMER: INVESTING IN PRIVATE PLACEMENTS IS HIGHLY RISKY, AND IS FOR SOPHISTOCATED, ACCREDITED INVESTORS ONLY. FOR A FULL LIST OF RISKS, SEE THIS PAGE: https://vccross.com/risks
