What I'm looking for when investing in startups - Eamonn Carey, Tera Ventures GP and ex-Techstars MD

SEEKERS

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.

You can find Eamonn on LinkedIn and Twitter.