Latest news with #Investor
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Booz Allen upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at William Blair
William Blair upgraded Booz Allen (BAH) to Outperform from Market Perform. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. Published first on TheFly – the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>>
Wall Street Journal
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- Wall Street Journal
How Tariffs Helped Turn Hertz and AutoZone Into Winning Bets
A Hertz car-rental site in San Jose, Calif. Investor Bill Ackman now has a large stake in the company. (Constanza Hevia H. for The Wall Street Journal)
Forbes
11-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Community Capital: Building Founder-Funder Ecosystems—Part Two
Nate Williams is Managing Partner of Union Labs VC, a seasoned investor and operator focused on the convergence of SaaS & DeepTech. In Part One, "Community Capital: How Networks Drive Deep Tech," I made the case that in deep tech, community is foundational. The complexity of building at the intersection of science, hardware and software requires something more resilient than a spreadsheet or pitch deck. It requires trust. And trust is built inside community. Now let's talk about the 'how.' While there's no one-size-fits-all approach to building effective founder-funder ecosystems, I've found there are core principles that consistently generate high net promoter score (NPS) outcomes: intentionality, authenticity and alignment. Here's how to design and scale communities that matter—and that drive results. 1. Start with shared curiosity, not a calendar invite. In my experience, the best communities don't start with logistics. They start with a question: "What are we collectively trying to figure out that we can't solve alone?" From AI applications in precision manufacturing to unlocking public-private partnerships in defense tech, your community must orbit a real frontier. For example, the early days of one of my company's event series weren't driven by volume—they were driven by shared intent. A handful of deep tech investors realized we needed a safe space to cross-reference market insights, learn from missed opportunities and calibrate around new and novel technical developments. That curiosity turned into a consistent monthly ritual and now includes up to a dozen firms with collective expertise across artificial intelligence, autonomy, semiconductors, defense and more. 2. Design for depth, not just scale. Many founder-funder events chase scale—bigger guest lists, larger venues, more sponsors. But in my experience, true community capital is commonly forged in smaller, trust-rich spaces. Instead of headcount, curate for chemistry. Invite individuals who are at similar inflection points with their startups, careers or networks and who are wrestling with industry challenges. Pair ambitious operators with experienced startup founders for a chat. Look for people who aren't just interesting on paper but interested in building something that matters—and doing so collaboratively. When thoughtfully constructed, small gatherings can become industry catalysts, especially in venture capital. Done right, they can spark collaborations that outlive the events—sometimes even leading to cofounding relationships, early customer pilots or downstream investment. For example, one of our community series works precisely because it strips away hierarchy and replaces it with shared outdoor experiences. No stages. No panelists. Just climate and deep tech entrepreneurs and investors tackling real hills—literally and metaphorically—while cycling and sharing what's hard, what's working and what's next in our industry. 3. Build structure around informal signals. Too many communities seek to remain informal forever. But I've found that the most impactful ones evolve—gently—into systems. One best practice I recommend: Lightly track the outcomes of your connections. Which introductions led to new hires, early customers or co-investments? You don't need detailed customer relationship management (CRM) dashboards, but you should allocate time for reflection. Which rituals are worth repeating? What's missing? Is there return on investment (ROI) to keep this community event going, or is it time for a pivot? The goal isn't bureaucracy, but awareness. I've found that community capital becomes more effective when it's not just vibrant, but intentional. 4. Let the community shape itself. One of the biggest community-building myths I've encountered is that the host must control everything. As a recovering micromanager, I do understand this. But I've learned that the best founder-funder ecosystems become co-owned. They evolve organically, shaped by the needs of their members via their output through the events. Make it easy for others to step in and lead. Rotate moderators. Change venues. Open the agenda. Encourage shared ownership of events, conversations and outreach. When your community becomes a platform for others to build upon, it can become more resilient—and more scalable. 5. Design for emotional ROI. Yes, community leads to deal flow, diligence acceleration and talent acquisition. But perhaps the most undervalued return is emotional endurance. Deep tech and physical AI are hard. Venture capital is hard. Startups can be close to impossible. They can be stressful, both slow and chaotic, and oftentimes uncertain. Founders and funders alike need environments that remind them why they're doing this work—who else is 'in the arena'—and that the struggle is shared. When you get it right, a founder walks away not just with advice but with renewed zeal. A GP finds renewed conviction in a thesis iteration they've been questioning. A Fortune 500 exec realizes they're not the only one betting their career arc on physical world AI. That's real capital. Want community? Be a node, not a gatekeeper! If Part One was about recognizing the value of community capital, Part Two is your permission slip to go build it. You don't need to wait for someone to 'launch' the group. Start with a dinner meetup. A shared doc with relevant articles and research. A bike ride or poker night. A WhatsApp thread. Build it around a topic that matters and people who care. In early-stage venture capital—especially in deep tech—I've found that the firms with the most effective communities often see the best signals, the best ideas and the best people first. And in this game, timing is everything. So go be a node. Invite others in. Help more people do the hard thing well. I'll see you on the ride! Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Bloomberg
25-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
You Can't Exactly Buy Stock in Athletes
One thing that sometimes happens is that a small startup needs some money to keep the lights on, so it finds an investor who is willing to put in $100,000 but wants 10% of the company in exchange. The startup says yes, because (1) without the $100,000 the lights will go off and there won't be a startup anymore, and (2) $100,000 for 10% of the company — a $1 million valuation — seems pretty generous, given that the startup has no revenue and can't keep the lights on. The investor is putting up real money that the startup needs, and getting back nothing but a share of the startup's very uncertain future success. And then the startup invents some fundamental world-changing thing like cold fusion or AI or the 'like' button, and it becomes a $100 billion company, and the investor's $100,000 investment is worth $10 billion. And then:
Al-Ahram Weekly
19-06-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
St Kitts and Nevis IGS 2025 turns out major success with strong participation from MENA - Sponsored
The 2025 edition of the St Kitts and Nevis Investment Gateway Summit (IGS) concluded on a high note, following four days of robust dialogue and strategic engagement under the banner, 'Investment to Impact: Our Journey to a Sustainable Island State.' Held from May 31 to June 3, the summit convened hundreds of delegates, including economic citizens, senior executives, and stakeholders from Africa, the Middle East, and Europe who gathered to explore investment opportunities, forge cross-regional partnerships, and engage with the island's evolving development landscape. This year's summit built on the momentum of previous editions, with a particularly strong turnout from investors across the MENA region. A key attraction was the newly launched Investor Nexus Zone, an integrated platform designed to bring together real estate developers, financial consultants, legal experts, and other professional services under one roof, effectively presenting the nation's full investment ecosystem in a single setting. For participants from Africa and the Middle East, the summit served as more than a traditional investment forum. It positioned St. Kitts and Nevis as a strategic gateway for diversified investments and transnational collaboration, an opportunity to build not only portfolios but lasting relationships. The Investor Nexus Zone was a focal point for many, facilitating direct engagement with key industry players and project sponsors, and underscoring the Federation's readiness to welcome global capital with local impact. Notably, several economic citizens of Middle Eastern and African origin shared their personal journeys. Among them was Ibrahim Serham, who recounted his transition to citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis and he found home upon settling in. 'The summit is more than an investment platform; it's a bridge between communities, it provides a space to explore meaningful business opportunities while contributing to the development of St. Kitts and Nevis.' His remarks resonated strongly with numerous other attendees, many of whom left with a renewed commitment to integrating their investments with the social and cultural fabric of the islands. Another economic citizen, Hussein Diab Ghanem, reflected on his own transformative experience since acquiring citizenship. 'I can proudly say I have roots in St. Kitts and Nevis,' he said. 'It was a life-changing decision,one that has enriched both my personal and professional journey.' Such testimonials underscored the summit's broader message, that economic citizenship extends beyond transactional benefits. It is about cultivating a sense of place, purpose, and partnership in a nation increasingly seen as a beacon of stability and opportunity. Beyond individual stories, the summit also spotlighted institutional efforts aimed at strengthening the global investment migration framework. In his opening address, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew emphasized that St. Kitts and Nevis continues to lead by example, having pioneered the CBI model over four decades ago. Today, the nation remains a global benchmark for integrity and innovation in the sector. Meanwhile, Calvin St. Juste, Executive Chairman of the Citizenship by Investment Unit, detailed ongoing enhancements to the country's programme. He underscored that rigorous due diligence, transparency, and accountable governance remain at the core of the nation's approach. On the technological front, delegates were introduced to the Federation's newly implemented Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system, which went live on May 26. Alan Renaud of Travizory Border Security SA demonstrated how the platform enhances travel facilitation while safeguarding national security, reflecting the government's dual commitment to openness and protection. Governor Timothy N. J. Antoine of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) proposed the establishment of a pan-Caribbean regulatory body for Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes, an initiative aimed at standardizing practices, enhancing oversight, and reinforcing credibility across the region. Through its strong financial infrastructure, investor-friendly policies, and an expanding platform for global dialogue, the Federation continues to draw stakeholders seeking not only returns, but also a meaningful connection with a forward-looking island nation. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
