From startups to disruption: How venture capital fuels innovation

From healthcare to industrial robotics, venture capitalists are not just betting on ideas; they are investing in the people behind them. These founders often possess a deep understanding of their industries, enabling them to create solutions that address real-world pain points. At the recent SuperVenture event, Andrew King, General Partner, Bastille Ventures and Emma Lipski, Principal, 10D Ventures, sheds light on how early-stage investments are shaping the future of industries ranging from healthcare to quantum computing.

Emma's key takeaways:

A collaborative approach to investing

• Unlike traditional VC firms where partners specialize in specific sectors, 10D Ventures takes a collaborative approach. The entire team works together on every investment, from pre-investment due diligence to post-investment support. This model ensures that startups benefit from diverse expertise and perspectives.

Health tech as a hotbed of innovation

• One of the standout examples discussed was a health tech company called One Step. This startup has developed a passive monitoring solution that uses smartphones to track a person’s walking patterns. Such technology has the potential to revolutionize post-surgery care and rehabilitation, offering insights that were previously unattainable.

Lessons learned in deep tech investing

• The interview also touched on the challenges of investing in deep tech. While technical expertise is often a given, founders sometimes struggle with go-to-market strategies and commercial execution. Venture capitalists must balance their evaluation of technical innovation with the founder’s ability to navigate market dynamics.

The future of venture capital

• Looking ahead, the venture capital landscape is poised to focus on solving society’s most pressing challenges. Areas like healthcare, industrial manufacturing, and supply chain optimization are ripe for disruption. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, computer vision, and quantum computing will play a critical role in addressing these challenges. As the interview emphasized, the key to successful investing lies in identifying not just the best technology but also the best teams.