Monday, 16 November 2015

Take-aways from GABA (and the P word)

GABA is  the German American Business Association which is distinct from the American German Business Club although not too distinct.

Tonight they had a panel discussion about funding options including VCs and crowdfunding.

I made a few good contacts and ....


  • Crowdfunding like Kickstarter could be used as a side-investment for a specific project (though with care over formulation).
  • The US market now has a lot of controls over this now which is making it less attractive as an investment.
  • Although it may be more attractive in Germany - there are over 60 platforms and some are used by established companies to fund certain initiatives (for example, savings in energy reduction).
  • Could also perhaps be used is VC funding is not possible - kinda a plan B
  • Valuations are high and we are possibly heading for a tech bubble (when people say "it isn't a bubble then it's a bubble")
  • There are about 40 unicorns in Europe but apparently the creator of the term "unicorn" has a new term: "unicorpse".
  • It seems VCs value on likely future valuation rather than actual profit and right now few companies (at least in Europe) are heading towards IPO ...
  • this led me to ask if this valuation things wasn't just a "Ponzi scheme". Seems I asked an obvious question.

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