Bogdan Gogu

The VC secondary market is on fire. But many LPs are rushing in without fully appreciating the risks. VenCap International plc has been active in VC secondaries (LP positions only) since 1987 — and this is one of the hottest markets we’ve seen. In the first half of 2025 we reviewed $6.5bn of secondary VC deals — a 41% jump from the $4.6bn we saw in the same period last year. This includes both GP-led and LP-led deals. Here are 4 lessons we've learned from nearly 40 years of buying secondaries: 1️⃣ Power law still rules – a few companies will drive most returns. 2️⃣ Quality over discount – our best deal was bought at a premium to NAV. 3️⃣ Know the valuation policy – different VCs can value the same company very differently. 4️⃣ Factor in manager behavior – holding winners vs. selling early can make or break returns. VC secondaries ≠ PE secondaries. The risks are different — but for LPs who can access the right deal, at the right price, the rewards can be exceptional.

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𝐏𝐄 𝐯𝐬. 𝐕𝐂 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞: 𝐀 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 Our latest data at Gain.pro highlights how PE and VC firms invest across Europe: ▪ PE-backed businesses are widely spread across the continent ▪ VC-owned assets are clustered in cities 📊 Sector focus drives this: – VC assets = 47% TMT (vs. 17% for PE) → drawn to innovation hubs – PE = 24% Services + 22% Industrials (vs. 13% & 7% for VC) → broader geographic reach beyond capitals 🌍 Top destinations: – Both: London & Paris lead – VC: 25% of assets in 11 cities (Berlin, Munich, Amsterdam next) – PE: 25% spread across 22 cities (Stockholm, Milan, Madrid stand out) ➡️ Same continent. Very different maps.

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Huge milestone for the US power industry and for the team at ElectronX⚡ They’re now the first US-regulated, direct-access electricity derivatives market, with DCM and DCO approvals from the CFTC. This unlocks a new set of tools for energy asset operators and larger users to better manage short-term price volatility and risk. We believe this market infrastructure will help unlock a cleaner, more resilient grid. It’s been a privilege to partner with Sam Tegel, CFA and the team as they’ve built toward this moment. Their vision and persistence have been incredible to watch, and this is just the beginning. Congrats to everyone involved. Looking forward to what's ahead! https://lnkd.in/g85acSHq

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The Lightrock team are proud to have co-led Makersite’s €60M Series B, alongside Partech, with SE Ventures joining and continued backing from all the company’s Series A investors. Manufacturing accounts for more than a fifth of global emissions, and companies are under increasing pressure to reduce climate impact while remaining competitive. Makersite is meeting that challenge by making product design and manufacturing smarter – and, in turn, delivering resource, energy, and cost efficiencies in addition to positive climate impact. The company’s AI-powered platform helps manufacturers like Microsoft and Schneider Electric understand their supply chains by fixing fragmented and inconsistent product data, enriching it with one of the most comprehensive supply chain databases available, and enabling real-time analysis of cost, carbon, compliance, and risk – all throughout the product design process. With its scalable, technology-driven business model and proven impact, Makersite aligns perfectly with Lightrock's investment thesis: The company embraces sustainability not just as a trend or tick box, but as a strategic business advantage. Congrats to Neil D'Souza and the ‘Makernauts’ on this milestone success, which you can learn more about from Sifted’s coverage and the company’s announcement - both linked in the comments. The Lightrock team is excited to support Makersite’s next stage of growth. #Lightrock #AI #ClimateTech #Manufacturing #ProductDesign #SupplyChain

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Here’s a harsh truth: fundraising today is slow, costly, and unfairly tilted towards the well-connected. You know what I’m talking about. We’ve all seen it again and again.   Europe has brilliant founders with bold ideas, yet too many fail before they even get a fair chance. And don’t get me wrong, it’s not because they lack vision, but because the fundraising system is outdated. CORE changes that. Because founders get a digital co-pilot that levels the playing field: AI guidance, investor-ready decks, early visibility, and rounds live in under 72 hours.  For the cost of a dinner, every founder now has access to the tools, structure, and visibility once reserved for a few. The real cost isn’t trying, it’s waiting. This isn’t about building another tool. It’s about building Europe’s private market infrastructure, where preparation, raising, and managing capital become accessible to all. 👉 This is how we level the field: https://lnkd.in/dsYhQqnp

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"I could be the Lionel Messi of mining, but ..." Hg's Nic Humphries shares advice for young and old people about what to learn or study in the age of AI. Watch the entire conversation on Alt Goes Mainstream here: https://lnkd.in/erQGkAMK

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