State of Asian Funding UK Report: Insights and Recommendations

We're so proud to be a partner on The State of Asian Funding UK Report! The report led by Bae HQ is a landmark first look into this underdocumented segment of the UK Startup Ecosystem. They’ve combined data on funding rounds with unique survey data from their community to establish a baseline to measure progress. The aim is to drive change through their recommendations to policymakers and the rest of the ecosystem. The report goes live on October 8th, and you can pre-register here: https://lnkd.in/ehh2NtwT.

Thank you NorthGuide and for hosting this timely and vital discussion over why so many Canadian AI startups are struggling to access risk capital right now. If you can get a term sheet from a Gulf-based or Silicon Valley VC, Canadian sources will jump in - but don’t expect them to lead a round. Ironically Canadian ex-pats are stepping up to invest in their home country’s moment of economic crisis. This is not a new dynamic, for sure. But it’s being exaggerated currently with so much uncertainty.

The numbers are in for H1 2025 VC activity, and Eastern Europe is holding its ground. The Venture in Eastern Europe Report 2025 (H1 Edition) reveals a region shifting from promise to performance. With over €1.3B raised across 265 deals, the story is one of consistency, confidence, and capital flowing into deep tech, AI, and frontier innovation. AI leads the pack, follow-on rounds dominate, and diaspora founders continue fueling momentum. From powerhouse rounds like ElevenLabs and Cast.AI to steady growth stories across 21 countries, the region is maturing. The takeaway? Eastern Europe is no longer the "emerging" story — it’s a market that’s competing, delivering, and setting new standards for global innovation. 📁 Check out our H1 updates for 2025 Eastern European VC, built by How to Web in partnership with BCR Seed Starter Romania.

Here’s a clip from our Managing Partner Crystal Ikanih-Musa, Esq. Ikanih- Musa participating in The Beta Collective Catalyst Summit. She spoke on the Capital Pathways: Financing African Innovation panel with Ukeme Daniel, MD MPH moderating. Some takeaways from her contributions include: 1. African startups need to understand international investors’ mindsets. 2. Startups need to have internal structures that will make it less risky to invest in them. You can watch the full panel discussion here: https://lnkd.in/eU6wJxkG You can learn how to get international investors with our e-course here: https://lnkd.in/e4hfNNJu

If you missed this discussion you need to go back and listen. Yesterday I joined The Beta Collective as a panelist to discuss how African startups can attract international investors and venture capital—but the conversation went far beyond funding. I’ve witnessed how entrepreneurship is more than business—it’s a driver of sustainable development. When African founders build companies that are legally structured to access global capital, they don’t just raise money; they unlock solutions to some of our most pressing challenges—education, climate, health, and more. I’ve been doing the work to help startups position themselves for sustainable and innovative financing by ensuring they meet the legal and immigration requirements to tap into U.S. venture capital and international markets. This isn’t just about investment; it’s about creating the frameworks that allow businesses to advance the SDGs and deliver impact at scale. Africa’s entrepreneurs are proving every day that business can be a powerful engine for development and inclusion. With the right structures and access to capital, their ideas can transform communities—and the world. #SustainableDevelopment #InnovativeFinancing #AfricanStartups #GlobalInvestment #SDGs #blendedfinance #catalyticcapital

Zennström: Make Europe Great Again, a call to action I just finished listening to Niklas Zennström's opening speech at Bits & Pretzels in Munich. Here's what he had to say. He delivered a powerful message: Europe has what it takes to lead the next wave of technological innovation and elevate the European society to the next level, but ONLY if we dare to act boldly, together. 1) Growth funding for startups and tech companies must come from home, not always from across the Atlantic. 2) The EU single market for growth companies is within reach, we have made progress, and we must keep pushing for it. 3) AI is reshaping entire industries, creating new categories and opportunities at lightning speed. 4) A generational shift is happening, and with it, an urgent need for action. Zennström reminded that Europe does not need to follow anyone else’s playbook. With responsible innovation and faster execution, we can lead in solving the world’s greatest challenges by backing bold entrepreneurs. But this requires entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to align, act, and believe in Europe’s power to lead. His message was clear: European future depends on it. It’s time for Europe to wake up, stand tall, and shape the future, not just follow it or lean in to history. #MakeEuropeGreatAgain #Bits25

In this week’s #FiveForFriday, Alberta Innovates unveils a new plan to streamline programs and scale impact, while VCs look to AI-powered portfolio operating systems to unlock data-driven growth. We also cover the nearly five-year wait for Canada’s start-up visa, the rise of private capital in retail portfolios, and the launch of Canada’s new AI Task Force. https://lnkd.in/eZATqvzt

BACKSTAGE PASS: A DAY SPENT IN A BARNYARD FULL OF INVESTORS I had the privilege of attending the Anglo American IFN Invest Fest 2025 —a brilliantly curated space bringing together start-ups and investors of all kinds: VC, debt, DeFi, government, and more. ✨ Here’s what I took away from being inside the space: 1️⃣ *Start early*. Building relationships with investors shouldn’t only happen when you’re raising. The earlier you build trust, the better. 2️⃣ *Small but mighty ecosystem*. South Africa’s investor network is intimate—everyone knows everyone. This means one introduction can open many doors. But it also means reputations matter—don’t burn bridges. 3️⃣ *Different cultures of capital*. Unlike Silicon Valley’s “fail fast” mindset, South African VCs often manage smaller, high-pressure funds and must deliver strong ROI to their backers. Here, failure isn’t as easily forgiven. That’s why founders should carefully consider: Do you need VC capital, or would other instruments serve you better? 4️⃣ *The U.S. has the “American Dream." What is our South African Dream?* My most important takeaway: South Africa’s start-up ecosystem needs a unifying vision—just like the American Dream aligns government, investors, entrepreneurs, and big business towards collective growth. What is our South African Dream? For me, it should be centred on creating sustainable job opportunities and driving positive economic growth through supporting new ventures. Only then can we build a thriving ecosystem moving in one direction, together. 💡 My reflection: The South African funding ecosystem is growing, unique, and relationship-driven. It’s not about just pitching—it’s about partnership, trust, and building towards a shared national vision. 👉 For fellow founders and investors: What do you think the South African Dream should be? #SouthAfricanStartups #VentureCapital #InvestorNetwork #StartupEcosystem #FundingOpportunities #EconomicGrowth #FutureOfWork #ImpactInvestment #SouthAfricanDream #SustainableGrowth #Partnerships #AngloAmericanIFN2025

'More start-ups have formed across Europe in recent years, fueled by world-class research hubs in Britain, booming tech sectors in France and Germany, a high venture capital presence in Estonia and robust backing by pension funds in Sweden.' https://lnkd.in/dek3uPmw

Unfortunately, the investment world hasn’t always been a level playing field. ✋🏼 Too many underrepresented founders and investors continue to face barriers that hold them back. This free webinar from the British Business Bank will explore those challenges and spotlight the changemakers working to make the ecosystem more inclusive. On the agenda: 💡 The barriers still holding people back 💡 Stories from inclusive funders and founders 💡 How to make investment work for everyone In partnership with the UK Business Angels Association, this free online event is hosted by Vicky Mears, Director of British Business Bank, with guest speakers: Roderick Beer, Managing Director of UK Business Angels Association, Jordan Dargue, Co-founder of Lifted Ventures and Laura Mallaburn, Head of Business Support at Lincolnshire Business Angels. Conveniently timed as a lunchtime session, this is your chance to learn how investors are backing the next generation of innovators. 📅 Tuesday 14th October 🕚 12 til 1 PM 💻 Online via Microsoft Teams 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/ejqNBYQx #Investment #Diversity #AngelInvestors #Webinar #BritishBusinessBank #BusinessFunding #OnlineWebinar #LunchAndLearn