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The Future of Climate Summit Vol II: A Landmark Event for Sustainable Innovation

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The world is at a critical juncture in the fight against climate change. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), climate change could become irreversible by 2030. With just seven years left to create meaningful change, the urgency to act has never been greater. In response, the PDIE (Purpose Driven Innovation Ecosystem) Group and Venionaire Capital are hosting “The Future of Climate Summit Vol II.” This event will unite influential voices and leaders to address the global climate crisis. 

  

A Pivotal Moment in the Climate Movement 

Scheduled for September 20, 2024, “The Future of Climate Summit Vol II” will take place at Dentons Law Firm’s head office in New York Midtown. This summit promises to be a significant step toward a sustainable future. It will provide a platform for experts, visionaries, and changemakers to exchange ideas and present innovative solutions to the climate crisis. 

  

Organized in collaboration with The Earthshot Prize, this event underscores its importance and potential to drive real change. 

  

Exploring “Positive Futures Enabled by AI” 

The summit’s theme, “Positive Futures Enabled by AI,” focuses on critical topics. These include energy transition, the future of sustainable cities, decarbonization, food and agriculture, and natural capital and biodiversity. These discussions aim to encourage collaboration and generate actionable strategies to address climate challenges. 

  

Moreover, the summit features an impressive lineup of speakers, including: 

  

– Xiye Bastida: Youth activist who rallied 30,000 followers for Fridays for Future in New York. 

– Augusto Lopez-Claros: Chairman of the Global Governance Forum. 

– Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim: Earthshot Prize Council member and advocate for Indigenous peoples’ rights. 

– Daniel Blackman: Senior Advisor for STEM Recruitment and Diversity at the United States Environmental Protection Agency. 

– Dr. Luke Haverhals: Founder and CEO of NFW, a company dedicated to creating sustainable materials. 

  

These speakers bring diverse perspectives and innovative ideas to ensure the summit is enlightening and impactful. 

  

A Call to Action for a Sustainable Future 

Christian Schmitz, founder and CEO of PDIE Group and Associate Partner at Venionaire Capital, emphasizes the importance of this event. He states, “We believe that by bringing together outstanding solution providers, investors, and global leaders, we can accelerate progress toward a sustainable and resilient future. Through engaging discussions, impactful collaborations, and visionary ideas, we aim to create a community committed to solving our climate crisis and making a lasting impact.” 

  

Berthold Baurek-Karlic, CEO and founder of Venionaire Capital, shares this sentiment. He says, “At the Future of Climate Summit, I expect groundbreaking innovations to address our planet’s most pressing challenges. This summit will bring together a dynamic mix of innovators, thought leaders, and investors. It will create a powerful platform for collaboration and progress. I am confident that the synergies formed here will drive impactful solutions and pave the way for a sustainable future.” 

  

Secure Your Spot at This Landmark Event 

With limited seats available, “The Future of Climate Summit Vol II” encourages individuals and organizations to secure their participation. This is more than just an event—it is a crucial gathering of minds dedicated to ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. 

 

Spot Reservation: https://pdiegroup.com/future-of-climate-summit 

Revolutionizing Workplace Nutrition: The Launch of Linde Digital’s Social Snack Bar

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In today’s fast-paced work environment, maintaining a healthy diet and fostering social responsibility is challenging. Recognizing this, Linde Digital has launched the Social Snack Bar. It was developed in close strategic partnership with Venionaire Capital, who proudly holds a stake in Linde Digital. This innovative app simplifies employee access to snacks and meals at work while promoting healthy eating and social responsibility.  

  

What is the Social Snack Bar? 

The Social Snack Bar allows companies to create a virtual snack store for their employees. Employers simply upload photos and descriptions of available snacks, transforming the workplace into a convenient digital marketplace. Employees can browse the selection, check available quantities, add desired snacks to a cart, and complete their purchase—all within the app. Moreover, the Social Snack Bar isn’t just a digital vending machine. It empowers companies to promote healthier lifestyles and demonstrate a commitment to social causes. 

  

A Win-Win for Employers and Employees 

One standout feature is its seamless integration with existing company systems. Employers can set up meal vouchers or subsidies directly in the app. This allows employees to see their current balance and make informed purchases. This feature is particularly beneficial for companies encouraging healthier eating habits. 

Furthermore, the app’s backend automates several processes. It generates a list of consumed snacks and forwards it to payroll. This ensures that snack costs are accurately reflected in salary calculations without manual effort. Additionally, the app manages inventory by automatically creating a shopping list based on real-time data, simplifying the restocking process. Best of all, companies can access these benefits for just 1 Euro per user, with a flexible monthly contract. 

  

A New Level of Social Responsibility 

The Social Snack Bar also offers a unique way to engage in corporate social responsibility. Employers can assign tags to individual products, setting lower prices for healthier snacks. They can also add a small donation to a charitable organization for every healthy snack purchased. “The key to this approach is that employers can assign tags to individual products,” explains Benjamin Jentzsch, Managing Director of Linde Digital and Linde Verlag. “For example, the price of healthy snacks can be set lower, and the company can also add a small donation to a charitable organization. This creates an extra incentive to promote healthy eating, social responsibility, and the well-being of the workforce. The accumulated donation amount is displayed in the app.” 

 

A Partnership for Innovation 

Since 2022, Linde Digital GmbH, a subsidiary of Linde Verlag, has been developing new digital business models. The Social Snack Bar is one of their latest innovations. It was developed in close strategic partnership with Venionaire Capital. Together, we create tools that address business needs and contribute to a healthier, more socially responsible work culture. 

  

Looking Ahead 

As companies explore ways to enhance employee well-being and promote social responsibility, the Social Snack Bar stands out. It’s more than just providing snacks—it fosters a healthier, more connected, and socially responsible workplace. The Social Snack Bar’s launch marks an exciting step forward in workplace innovation. We look forward to seeing its positive impact on companies and their employees. 

Austrian Fund of Funds: Austrian Economics Minister Kocher proposes Fund for Startups

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Economics Minister Martin Kocher has introduced a notable proposal: an Austrian Fund of Funds for Venture Capital. The idea follows the intention of ÖVP, to strengthen Austria’s position across all economic sectors. Berthold Baurek-Karlic, CEO of Venionaire Capital, sees potential positive developments for Austria as a business location in this proposal. 

How would it work? 

Institutional investors such as pension funds, banks, and insurance companies—holding a combined total of around 280 billion euros—are being encouraged to contribute to a fund supported by the government with favorable conditions. An initial capital allocation ranging from 500 million to 1 billion euros from institutional investors is being considered. The ministry suggests government guarantee elements, where the public sector would protect investors from a certain portion of potential losses. Minister Kocher also mentions potential tax incentives, which could make these investments appealing even for individuals through tax exemptions. These measures, according to the minister, pose minimal risk to the state but could greatly benefit young companies. 

Insights from the CEO of Venionaire Capital 

The idea is not new; it was introduced over 6 years ago. It is a project that the Austrian government has never delivered, while other countries in Europe successfully did. Moreover, the start-up scene has been calling for such a fund for years. “It took the government years to come up with FlexKap; a few changes to the Limited Liability Companies Act would have been enough. A fund of funds would have had a much greater economic benefit than a new company act. Why was it not implemented as planned?

The market would become more attractive for international funds (as they would likely open offices in Austria), which would make follow-up financing easier for domestic start-ups and fewer companies would move away,” says Berthold Baurek-Karlic, CEO of Venionaire Capital and Austrian Business Angel of the Year 2023. If these start-ups were kept in the country, there would be more new jobs and tax revenue for the state. “At the moment, we are just a great exporter of talent, it’s a crying shame,” says Baurek-Karlic. 

Timing of the Proposal: Strategic Considerations 

It’s likely no coincidence that Martin Kocher is revisiting this proposal now, with elections just a month away. While the start-up community generally welcomes the idea, there’s a clear sense of frustration. Back in 2020, then Minister of Economic Affairs Margarete Schramböck promised to launch a similar fund “within days.” The initiative was included in the government program, and politicians frequently praised the concept. Yet, as of late August 2024, the situation remains unchanged: another announcement, but no action.  

Read the original article of DerStandard from Andreas Danzer in German here: https://www.derstandard.at/story/3000000234161/wirtschaftsminister-kocher-schlaegt-fonds-fuer-start-ups-vor-was-das-dem-staat-bringen-wuerde?ref=article  

Startup Scaling Strategies Part 2: Trust Building and Customer Growth

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In the previous discussion on startup challenges, we explored how entrepreneurial ventures often fail to become established firms. Many startups falter as they navigate the “valley of death,” struggling to scale operations and grow their customer base. Successfully overcoming these challenges is crucial for new ventures to reduce the risk of failure and ensure long-term survival. One essential strategy for navigating this transition is trust-building, which helps startups gain internal and external legitimacy and overcome the liability of newness.

The Liability of Newness

New organizations frequently face the liability of newness, as identified by Stinchcombe (2000). Founders encounter higher perceived risks because their ventures are often unknown and unproven. This challenge aligns with findings by Rao and Costigan (Costigan et al., 1998; Rao et al., 2008) that emphasize the importance of building trust among customers to ensure the survival of entrepreneurial ventures. Trust-building is crucial for overcoming this liability and establishing legitimacy (Spremann, 1988; Stinchcombe, 2000; Welter, 2012).

Strategies for Building Trust

Trust can be built through strategies such as branding activities, maintaining a consistent online presence, participating in events, and engaging in transparent communication. These efforts help ventures establish both collective and personal trust. Collective trust is where individuals trust the organization, and personal trust is where the founder’s personal brand bolsters the venture’s credibility (Welter, 2012). By reducing perceived risk through trust-building, startups can increase customers’ willingness to commit, confirming the Commitment-Trust Theory (Morgan & Hunt, 1994). This approach aligns with Aldrich’s (2005) view on the importance of trust for entrepreneurs introducing new products to the market.

The Role of Branding

Branding emerged as a critical strategy. Personal branding is especially important in a startup’s early stages, as it fosters perceptions of seriousness, competence, and credibility. As ventures mature, corporate branding becomes increasingly important (Sichtmann, 2007). Founders can enhance their personal brand by demonstrating expertise, networking, speaking at events, and leveraging past experiences and relationships (Aldrich & Fiol, 1994; Stinchcombe, 2000; Picken, 2017). Social proof, such as positive feedback and public endorsements, significantly impacts perceived risk and credibility.

The Power of Communication

Consistent and transparent communication further strengthens customer trust (Wiesenberg et al., 2020b). Honest and professional communication aligned with the company’s values builds trust over time. Two-way communication, such as customer feedback and reviews, enhances customer satisfaction and trust, particularly in B2B contexts. However, excessive communication can breach trust, highlighting the need for balance (Petkova, 2012).

Building Strong Relationships

Strong relationships are vital for business success. Personal ties and high-quality customer service are crucial for growing and retaining a customer base, especially in B2B ventures (Berry, 1995; Geyskens et al., 1998; T. V. Nguyen & Rose, 2009). While referral marketing may not be essential initially, it becomes more relevant as the venture matures. Conversely, word-of-mouth (WOM) is a primary goal for many startups, as it is a cost-efficient and effective method for generating customer loyalty and acquisition (Buttle, 1998; Harisalo et al., 2005; Ngoma & Ntale, 2019).

Refining the Theorized Model

Revisiting the theorized model confirmed the importance of branding, communication, and relationship-building. However, the importance of referral marketing was downplayed in the early stages of the entrepreneurial lifecycle. This comprehensive approach to trust-building provides a robust foundation for new ventures to overcome the liability of newness and achieve sustained growth.

Introducing New Elements

Customer feedback, such as reviews and co-creation, was introduced to the model as its relevance for customer base growth emerged from the analysis. A key finding was the importance of showcasing the venture’s track record. Showcasing past successes leverages historic trust to build future trust. This practice helps retain customers by sharing success stories and attracting new customers drawn to the venture’s proven track record. WOM was discovered to be an overarching driver of customer base growth, enabled by the trust-building strategies and practices mentioned above.

Actionable Steps for Implementation

To facilitate the managerial implementation of these findings, five actionable steps have been developed:

1. Prioritize Trust-Building Strategies

Trust is essential to overcoming the liability of newness and ensuring customers commit to your venture.

Action: Implement personal and corporate branding activities, build a consistent online and offline presence, and engage in transparent communication.

2. Leverage the Founder’s Personal Brand

Showcasing credibility and expertise can help you be perceived as a domain expert. Leveraging the founder’s network helps gain from historical trust.

Action: Engage in public speaking, networking events, and utilize past experiences to enhance perception as a domain expert.

3. Focus on Relationship Building

Relationships are key to successfully growing the customer base, as they enable both customer acquisition and retention.

Action: Invest in relationship marketing and curate personal relationships offline. Implement personalized customer service and a CRM system. Regularly check in with clients, especially in the B2B realm.

4. Showcase Your Track Record

Ensure people know about your historic successes. Communicate your track record in your marketing and sales strategies to leverage past trust.

Action: Ask past and current clients for recommendations and statements on your work. Highlight your venture’s successes in your communication strategy.

5. Capitalize on WOM

Positive WOM is a powerful, cost-effective, and long-lasting marketing tool for customer acquisition and retention.

Action: Engage in the above-mentioned strategies, ensure high customer satisfaction, encourage two-way communication by introducing reviews and customer feedback (e.g., NPS scores), and share customer success stories.

Applying these five actionable points can contribute to the survival of the transition phase and customer base growth of scaling entrepreneurial ventures. By focusing on trust-building, branding, communication, and relationships, startups can successfully overcome the liability of newness and achieve sustained growth.

 

Author: Sylvie Steinegger, Msc

Venionaire & European Super Angels Club feiern Exit: STS Digital erwirbt flovtec

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STS Digital, ein auf den außerbörslichen Handel und das Market Making von digitalen Vermögenswerten spezialisiertes Unternehmen, übernimmt flovtec, einem in der Schweiz ansässigen Market Maker für digitale Vermögenswerte.

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The Successful Exit of flovtec

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Venionaire Capital is pleased to announce the successful exit of flovtec, a Swiss-based market maker and portfolio company of the EXF Alpha S.C.S Fund, managed by Venionaire Ventures S.à r.l. flovtec has been acquired by STS Digital, a firm specializing in over-the-counter (OTC) trading and market making for digital assets. This acquisition marks a strategic milestone for both companies and advances the digital asset market-making sector. 

Venionaire’s Role in the Deal 

Venionaire Capital played a crucial role in advising on the deal. The EXF Alpha S.C.S Fund, the syndicate fund of the European Super Angels Club (ESAC), managed by Venionaire Ventures S.à r.l. based in Luxembourg, was directly involved. Berthold Baurek-Karlic, CEO @ Venionaire Capital, also served on flovtec’s Board of Directors and was instrumental in guiding the company through this acquisition process. 

This exit underscores Venionaire Capital’s commitment to supporting innovative companies and delivering value to its investors. The successful acquisition of flovtec by STS Digital highlights the potential of the digital asset market. It also demonstrates the importance of strategic partnerships in driving technological innovation. 

Looking ahead, Venionaire Capital remains dedicated to supporting groundbreaking companies within its portfolio and enabling more successful exits. 

About flovtec and Its Market-Making Expertise 

Since its founding in 2018, flovtec has established itself as a leader in liquidity solutions for digital assets. The company is known for its advanced algorithmic trading strategies and tailored liquidity management services. These innovative approaches have earned flovtec a strong reputation in the market, which paved the way for this successful and strong acquisition. 

Deal Details  

STS Digital’s acquisition of flovtec is a significant move that will greatly enhance its market-making services. flovtec’s clients, in fact, will benefit from increased liquidity and tighter spreads. Moreover, flovtec’s advanced trading infrastructure and proprietary algorithms will now power STS Digital’s platform. This integration strengthens STS Digital’s technological edge in the competitive digital asset market. 

Additionally, flovtec’s strong presence in Switzerland, coupled with its regulatory compliance, will help STS Digital expand its reach across Europe. This aligns with STS Digital’s broader strategy to become a global leader in digital asset trading and market making. Furthermore, the combined expertise of STS Digital and flovtec will lead to improved customer service. Clients can expect regulated custody, cost-efficient trading strategies, and enhanced support. 

A Significant Exit for the European Super Angels Club (ESAC) 

The European Super Angels Club held an investment stake of approximately €1.5 million in flovtec. This exit represents a successful milestone for the club. Berthold Baurek-Karlic, President of ESAC and CEO of Venionaire Capital, expressed satisfaction with the outcome:  

“The strong start of flovtec, marked by innovation and progress, led us at ESAC to invest in 2021. The merger with STS Digital, a leading trading firm for digital assets, is an excellent step forward in developing flovtec’s vision. STS Digital gains a wealth of expertise, experience, and innovative approaches from flovtec, which will ultimately benefit them. As the European Super Angels Club, we are proud to have supported this young and innovative company on their successful journey.” 

Navigating the Future of Web3: Insights from Berthold Baurek-Karlic, CEO of Venionaire

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During the annual World Venture Forum in Kitzbühel, BTC Echo‘s Editor-in-Chief Sven Wagenknecht interviewed Berthold Baurek-Karlic, CEO of Venionaire about the World Venture Forum becoming a crypto hotspot on the first day, about timing when it comes to crypto and about today’s environment for M&A deals.

 

The Transformative Power of Blockchain

In Web3, timing investments is less important than the transformative power of blockchain technology itself. We’ve seen the World Venture Forum become a bustling hub for crypto innovation , now celebrating its tenth year. What started as a small golf tournament has grown into an annual event attracting global investors and thinkers eager to explore the future of digital economies.

 

The Serendipitous Beginnings of the World Venture Forum

Our journey with the World Venture Forum began unexpectedly· A casual chat with Kitzbühel’s mayor about bringing investors together sparked the idea to create a platform for pioneers in digital assets. Over the years, driven by growing interest in cryptocurrencies, especially during the rise of Web3 technologies, the World Venture Forum expanded into a week-long event. It became clear early on that Kitzbühel’s beautiful setting was perfect for discussions on decentralized computing, innovative blockchain applications, and the broader impacts of the Internet of Blockchains.

 

Venionaire Capital’s Strategic Investment Approach

Venionaire Capital’s investment strategy focuses on finding projects with strong business models in the Web3 sector. We manage a specialized Web3 fund, the first registered Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) in Austria authorized for crypto investments. Unlike traditional approaches based solely on market capitalizations, our strategy emphasizes deep community engagement and thorough due diligence. We seek out companies that not only use blockchain technology but also drive sustainable progress in digital networks.

 

Anticipating the Future of the Cryptocurrency Market

Looking ahead, we expect further development in the cryptocurrency market marked by clear market cycles. After a period of market ups and downs, known as the “Crypto Spring,” we foresee a phase of consolidation and maturity. Regulatory changes, along with the introduction of crypto ETFs, are set to improve market transparency and institutional acceptance. This transformative phase offers opportunities for forward-thinking firms like 21shares, which develop ETFs and contribute creatively to the Web3 ecosystem.

 

The Fluid Nature of Web3 Investments

When evaluating market trends, it is crucial to highlight the fluid nature of Web3 investments. Unlike traditional sectors where timing is critical, the Web3 universe thrives on ongoing innovation and adaptability. The early days of the internet provide a good comparison; while market sentiments may fluctuate, our dedication to understanding and shaping the future of blockchain technology remains steadfast. It’s not just about investments; it’s about nurturing an environment where digital natives and experienced investors can fully leverage the potential of the Internet of Blockchains together·

 

Beyond investments, Venionaire actively participates in M&A advisory to foster strategic growth opportunities for our portfolio companies. In a landscape characterized by dynamic changes and strategic consolidations, we navigate opportunities for organic growth and transformative acquisitions.

 

The original interview has been published in German and can be read here:  https://www.btc-echo.de/news/venionaire-capital-ceo-im-web3-ist-es-egal-wann-man-investiert-187877/

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