What I'm looking for when investing in startups - Eamonn Carey, Tera Ventures GP and ex-Techstars MD
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Eamonn Carey is a seasoned investor, the General Partner at Tera Ventures, a former Managing Director at Techstars, an advisor to dozens of startups, a founder, an author, and a former journalist. With experience evaluating thousands of deals, we thought he would be the perfect person to discuss the investment climate in Europe.
In this episode, we cover:
- Eamonn's transformative journey from being an aspiring journalist to becoming an ambitious founder closing deals with companies like O2, Emirates, and Diageo.
- How Eamonn's own business experience influences his approach to evaluating startups and potential deals. - The unique investment opportunities presented by the Baltics and Eastern Europe.
- How the 'launch fast' philosophy has evolved in the age of brand-conscious startups.
- Eamonn's perspective on startup success, providing insights into the factors that suggest a startup is likely to thrive.
- What makes a perfect pitch, along with the common mistakes startups make when seeking investment?
- The delicate balance between encouraging innovation and inflating investment bubbles, particularly in currently hyped industries like AI. Do VCs bear responsibility for sometimes damaging a sector?
- The defining characteristics of a great early-stage investor and the ways they can support young startups beyond just providing funding.
- Eamonn's biggest investing regret and the deal he wishes he had taken.
31 episodes