[PreMoney SF 2015] "What To Look For In The First 12 - 18 Months"

TL;DR

Insightful exploration of unicorn startup characteristics, future market trends, and investor strategies within the innovation economy.

Transcript

yes my name is Bo Lasky really glad to be here thanks for having me I'm with spb capital which is part of silicon valley bank hopefully everybody knows who silicon valley bank is I've got quite a few colleagues here today I'm not sure if they're in the room there's Priya I got Andy I think got Katie recirc Kathleen forte and a couple other folks gl... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔠 SPB Capital manages $2.5 billion in equity across venture capital and fund-to-funds.
• 🧑‍🏭 Investor sentiment remains positive, with concerns over market corrections driven by macroeconomic factors.
• 😖 Unicorn founders are experienced entrepreneurs, often founding companies in teams rather than as individuals.
• ✋ Unicorns disrupt established markets like taxis and hotels, showing early user traction for high valuations.
• 🖐️ Top investors in unicorns include T. Rowe Price, Excel, and Goldman Sachs, with early backers playing a critical role.
• 🦄 Unicorn companies take around 9.8 years to reach a billion-dollar valuation on average, dispelling myths of overnight success.
• 🦄 Market potential for unicorns in 2020 showcases a competitive landscape in capturing large markets.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the key characteristics of unicorn founders?

Unicorn founders are often seasoned entrepreneurs, with majority being founded by teams, not individuals. Only about 3% of unicorns are started by first-time founders, indicating experience is crucial in success.

Q: How do investor sentiments influence the unicorn ecosystem?

Investors remain optimistic, with capital continuing to flow into the venture industry. Despite concerns of a market correction, factors like low interest rates and macroeconomic effects could drive changes.

Q: What industry trends are influencing unicorn valuations?

Unicorns are disrupting established markets like taxi services and hotels, not just new tech sectors. Early user traction and market penetration are key drivers of high valuations in companies like Snapchat and Airbnb.

Q: Who are the major investors in unicorn startups?

Top investors in unicorns include T. Rowe Price, Excel, Goldman Sachs, and Tiger Global, with early-stage backers like Sequoia and Excel crucial in identifying future successes.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Bo Lasky of SPB Capital presents insights on the unicorn ecosystem within the innovation economy.

• SPB Capital manages $2.5 billion across equity products, including venture capital funds.

• The presentation covers founding trends, investor sentiments, and market potential for unicorns.