Bucharest, 26th of September 2023: SeedBlink, the financing and equity management platform for European tech start-ups, launches &quot;Community Stars&quot; - an initiative dedicated to early-stage start-ups. This new type of opportunity, strategically placed alongside VC-backed rounds and syndications, is aimed at graduating start-ups of technology and business accelerators. 
&quot;Community Stars&quot; thus completes the SeedBlink offer for start-ups and investors, which includes various financing categories, adapted to specific investment needs, but also initiatives such as the Tech Investors Academy, for the education and development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, or <a href="https://nimity.com/?utm_source=communitystars&amp;utm_campaign=nimity">Nimity</a>, the equity management solution for companies and their shareholders. 
&quot;Community Stars is on a mission to bring together promising founders with their communities, providing essential support in the early stages of company development,&quot; said Ionuț Pătrăhău, Managing Partner &amp; Business Development at SeedBlink. &quot;A startup founder not only needs capital, but also a strong network. We&#39;re here to provide the knowledge of financing and infrastructure needed, enabling them to build a community of supporters and develop their vision.&quot; 
Eric Bartha, Head of Investment Management, added: &quot;From discussions with startups, there is a real need for alternative funding in every European country. We want to team up with local incubators and accelerators to support those entrepreneurs with solid business plans and innovative ideas. Also, this new type of opportunity is accessible with a lower investment ticket to better accommodate the supporters of founders.&quot; 
The “Community Stars” pilot project is the<a href="https://investors.seedblink.com/invest/unison/178"> start-up Unison</a>, which specialises in vegan snacks. In the future, the platform will host a variety of promising early-stage start-ups, fresh graduates of European accelerators. 
SeedBlink currently offers three main types of investment rounds, each addressing specific needs of start-ups and investors: 
<ul>
<li>VC-backed rounds: These are specifically designed for start-ups from seed to Series B. With a range of investments from €100,000 to €2,000,000, these are aimed at start-ups with demonstrable maturity and traction. Investors can enter these rounds with tickets starting at €2,500. All start-ups in this category are subject to a rigorous due-diligence process carried out by partner venture capital funds. </li>
<li>Syndications: This type of round is also aimed at seed start-ups, but with an investment range between €100,000 and €1,000,000. Like co-invested rounds, investors can participate with tickets starting at €2,500. However, the major difference is that the start-ups&#39; maturity and traction check are performed directly by the SeedBlink team, ensuring a rigorous internal evaluation. </li>
<li>Community Stars: aimed at very early-stage (pre-seed) start-ups. They target investments ranging from €50,000 to €300,000. The major advantage here is flexibility and accesibility, allowing investors to participate with investment vouchers from a much lower threshold of €500. </li>
</ul>
Through these three distinct funding streams, SeedBlink offers a wide range of options for investors and start-ups, facilitating the development and growth of the European technology ecosystem. 
Impact at the European level 
SeedBlink has established itself as a key pillar in the evolution of the European start-up ecosystem. By building an impressive community of private investors and an extensive network of business angel networks and partner VCs, SeedBlink has opened new horizons for founders and innovators. 
With an impressive track record of co-investing in over 100 technology start-ups in more than 15 countries, and backed by a network of 75,000 investors (business angels, VCs and strategic partners) in 92 countries, SeedBlink has been able to raise no less than €250 million to support technology innovation. 
About SeedBlink 
SeedBlink is an equity management and tech-specialized venture investment platform that enables European startups and their stakeholders to access, manage, and trade equity alongside established institutional investors. 
SeedBlink SA is registered in the Register of the Romanian Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF), under number PJR28FSFPR/400001 as of November 3, 2022, with an EU passport as per the European Securities and Market Authority (ESMA) register of crowdfunding service providers. Contact us at email: <a href="mailto:&#112;&#114;&#101;&#x73;&#115;&#x40;&#x73;&#x65;&#x65;&#x64;&#98;&#108;&#105;&#110;&#107;&#x2e;&#99;&#111;&#109;">&#112;&#114;&#101;&#x73;&#115;&#x40;&#x73;&#x65;&#x65;&#x64;&#98;&#108;&#105;&#110;&#107;&#x2e;&#99;&#111;&#109;</a>.

Community Stars is on a mission to bring together promising founders with their communities, providing essential support in the early stages of company development.

SeedBlink introduces "Community Stars" for helping pre-seed tech start-ups fundraise easier 

Learn from the experience of leading IT leaders, entrepreneurs and investors how to successfully navigate the challenges of funding strategies and ESOPs. We invite you to an exclusive MeetUp in the heart of Bucharest, made with the support of our partners at ANIS.
Agenda:
🕕 18:00 - Welcome &amp; Registration
🕡 18:30 - Brief Introduction with Mihai Matei
🕢 18:35 - Mastering Equity Management: Best Practices for Startups
Speakers: Radu Georgescu, Sergiu Neguț, Marius Istrate
🕖 19:15 - Q &amp; A
🕢 19:30 - ESOP Essentials: Insights for Crafting an Effective Stock Option Plan
Speakers: Anca Grigorescu, Valentin Filip, Andrei Hâncu
🎤 Moderator: Elena Vrabie
🕗 20:00 - Q &amp; A
🕘 20:15 - PITCH Start-up with Matei Dumitrescu
🕙 20:45 - Socialize over pizza &amp; wine
💌 RSVP: Founders based in Bucharest interested in joining are invited to email <a href="mailto:&#112;&#114;&#x65;&#x73;&#x73;&#x40;&#115;&#101;&#101;&#x64;&#98;&#108;&#105;&#x6e;&#x6b;&#46;&#99;&#x6f;&#109;">&#112;&#114;&#x65;&#x73;&#x73;&#x40;&#115;&#101;&#101;&#x64;&#98;&#108;&#105;&#x6e;&#x6b;&#46;&#99;&#x6f;&#109;</a>. Limited spots available!
Let&#39;s together shape the future of Romanian tech! ✨🌍

Event for entrepreneurs and IT leaders happening in Bucharest, on 28 September, from 6PM.

ANIS MEET-UP: All Things Equity by SeedBlink

Are you interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the fundraising landscape in Europe? Looking for actionable strategies and insights to enhance your fundraising efforts? Then join us for a dynamic conversation that will illuminate the best practices and innovative strategies in European fundraising. 
<h2 id="key-takeaways">Key Takeaways</h2>
<ul>
<li>Unpack the findings of our latest comprehensive report on <a href="https://pages.seedblink.com/best-practices-fundraising/">European fundraising</a>. </li>
<li>Engage with industry-leading speakers, bringing years of expertise and on-the-ground experience. </li>
<li>Participate in a live Q&amp;A, addressing your pressing questions in real-time. </li>
<li>Connect with a community of professionals to share experiences and broaden your network. </li>
</ul>
<h2 id="featured-speakers">Featured Speakers</h2>
<ul>
<li>Christof Goetz, Founder of Brainhero: A thought leader in the industry, Christof brings his vast experience in building and fundraising a succesful MedTech startup. </li>
<li>Robbin Hoogstraten, SeedBlink: With over a decade in Investment Management, Robbin has his fingers on the pulse of the investment ecosystem, bringing valuable insights into the fundraising process. </li>
<li>Alexandru Gavril, Promocrat: Specializing in Growth Marketing, Alexandru boasts over 10 years of experience in driving businesses to new heights with innovative marketing strategies. </li>
</ul>
When: September 26th, 3 PM CET | 4 PM EEST 
Duration: 1 Hour 
Platform: <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yO1FGfiGRMKDkP250n5OcA">Online Webinar</a>
Take advantage of this great chance to be a part of a conversation that will shape the future of fundraising in Europe. Whether you&#39;re an entrepreneur, an investor, or an industry professional, this webinar is designed to give you the information and tools you need. 
<h2 id="reserve-your-spot"><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yO1FGfiGRMKDkP250n5OcA">Reserve Your Spot!</a></h2>
Space is limited, so make sure you sign up early if you want to be a part of this educational event. Don&#39;t miss out on the chance to take your fundraising skills to the next level. 
We look forward to seeing you on the 26th of September!

September 26th, 3 PM CET | 4 PM EEST

WEBINAR: Best Practices for Effective Fundraising in Europe 

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryangrantlittle/">Ryan Grant Little</a> is an angel investor focusing strongly on Climate Tech and Sustainability, with 27 investments in the alternative protein space. 
Ryan is also the host of <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2KHlfSlnRXFdHZtMCzR98Y">Another ClimateTech Podcast</a>, featuring Interviews with people fighting climate change through entrepreneurship, investment, academia, and more. 
This insightful interview delves into Ryan Grant Little&#39;s unique perspective on angel investing, particularly in climate tech and sustainability, around the future of food and protein-oriented solutions. 
<h1 id="who-is-ryan-grant-little">Who is Ryan Grant Little?</h1>
“I&#39;ve been an impact entrepreneur for most of my life. As a teenager, I founded <a href="https://www.canadahelps.org/en/">CanadaHelps</a>, a public foundation and donation platform in Canada.&quot; 
Over the years, Ryan&#39;s commitment to impact continued as he delved into renewable energy and later shifted his attention to supporting social entrepreneurs. Drawing from his extensive experience in bridging the gap between impactful companies and potential investors, Ryan transitioned into the role of an impact investor himself. 
&quot;With my background as a founder, I positioned myself as an angel investor, rapidly connecting with the values-driven alternative proteins sector globally.“ 
<h1 id="ryans-investment-thesis">Ryan’s Investment Thesis</h1>
“Animal welfare became a core value for me as a person that I could turn into a core value as an investor. I saw a booming food tech sector, particularly alternative proteins, offering a chance to reshape the food system, align with climate goals, and eliminate animals from the supply chain.” 
As a plant-based diet and big animal lover, Ryan struggles with what to feed his dog and cat, as they love meat and cats are carnivores by nature. It’s one of the reasons why he decided to invest in BioCraft as soon as their paths crossed. 
BioCraft Pet Nutrition, founded in 2016, is a biotech company developing cultured meat for the growing pet food market. This company produces meat from the cells of rabbits (for dogs) and mice (for cats) - real meat, their ancestral diets. 
“BioCraft is, for me personally, my most important investment as a pet lover. Their CEO, Shannon Falconer, is a great combination of Stanford Postdoc and the most values-driven founder I&#39;ve ever met.
I have 27 investments and actively support them through their growth stages. I can say I am taking a break from new deals. I will start investing again once some of these companies have an exit.”
<h1 id="hive-wisdom-for-startup-selection">Hive Wisdom for Startup Selection</h1>
Ryan embarked on his investment journey independently, seeking opportunities alone. However, he has since shifted his approach, relying on collective intelligence. 
“Initially, I started by myself, trying to find these opportunities. Today, I rely a lot on hive wisdom.
I almost exclusively invest through referrals from my network - people in my angel networks and my syndicates who I know well and know how they think and their track records. I join them on deals. It’s important for me since I&#39;m only one person and don&#39;t have a VC firm behind me.”
Having a strong network enables Ryan to efficiently manage his investments and leverage the expertise of like-minded individuals. 
“There are specific networks like a group called Food_Hack, which is like an information platform and investor syndicate, a deal flow platform all in one.“
<h1 id="the-future-of-proteins--food-tech">The Future of Proteins &amp; Food Tech</h1>
The Food Tech industry has a diverse and impressive landscape worldwide. 
The innovation landscape in North America, particularly in the US and Canada, continues to thrive. While, on the other hand, Europe boasts impressive startups in the alternative protein sector, it&#39;s hindered by lagging policymakers who risk losing out to more progressive regions like Asia and North America.
“I anticipate a monumental shift in the next five to ten years. 
We&#39;re on the brink of a revolution encompassing food production, growth methods, and how we perceive and interact with food. This transformation holds the potential to mitigate geopolitical risks linked to food, as evident in current scenarios where it&#39;s wielded as a weapon. 
Dividing land from food production can strengthen supply chain security and reduce political interference.” 
Ryan is also advocating that we’re in a position to improve and change what we’ve been doing wrong in the past, such as the devastation caused by deforestation or how we support the food production system. 
“This shift towards a more human and environmentally conscious food system is deeply exciting. One remarkable example is the ongoing emergence of cellular agriculture, where we can produce meat without traditional livestock farming. 
Cultivating alternative proteins from cells can revolutionize our approach to protein consumption, simultaneously addressing environmental and animal welfare issues.&quot; 
In Ryan&#39;s perspective, the evolution of alternative proteins directly impacts the food industry&#39;s future.
“While plant-based alternatives like Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger are familiar, the significance of precision fermentation often goes unnoticed by the public, despite its immense importance.” 
The industry&#39;s future won&#39;t be a competition between these categories. Instead, Ryan thinks the solution will be a fusion of all three. 
“This fusion will result in a new generation of healthier food products, customizable to individual preferences. These advancements enhance food safety, as the controlled and sterile production environments eliminate the health risks associated with traditional slaughterhouses. 
With the potential for more personalized nutritional profiles and improved cleanliness, the food industry is undergoing a transformative era that redefines how we produce and consume food.”
<h1 id="the-role-of-equity-in-ryans-investment-strategies">The Role of Equity in Ryan’s Investment Strategies</h1>
<h2 id="the-evolution-of-equity-in-recent-years">The Evolution of Equity in Recent Years</h2>
In the rapidly evolving landscape of early-stage investments, there have been significant shifts in funding structures and strategies. It brought more flexibility and better transparency to the cap table. 
“Most deals at this very early stage start as SAFE notes and then get converted into equity at the first price round, usually the seed or series A. 
I&#39;m playing in the pre-seed phase, where there&#39;s good visibility at the cap table. There&#39;s a push towards having employee ownership and generous ESOP programs.”
Additionally, a significant change has emerged with the inclusion of small angel investors rolled up into a single Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) on the cap table. 
<h2 id="empowering-founders-through-education">Empowering Founders Through Education</h2>
The process of educating founders about equity concepts and industry standards has a great impact on how they adopt specific tactics. 
I have taken the initiative to introduce founders to concepts such as syndicate deals and SPVs. While many founders might not be aware of these innovative approaches initially, they often embrace the idea once introduced. 
&quot;I&#39;ve led some of these syndicate deals, like these roll-up deals. It&#39;s generally been me teaching the entrepreneurs about it, and once they learn about it, they love the idea. But it&#39;s something that only some founders know about.
I would love to see it included as a topic for founders in more accelerators and startup programs. I don&#39;t expect them to know it, but I would like them to know it.&quot;
<h2 id="nurturing-meaningful-connections-and-guidance">Nurturing Meaningful Connections and Guidance</h2>
For founders seeking early-stage investments, establishing connections with reputable angels can play a massive role. Experienced investors offer valuable guidance and play a pivotal role in introducing startups to larger financing opportunities. 
&quot;I believe in getting well-connected investors with good reputations involved early. 
Engaging with networks of investors, like those in specific industry groups or accelerators, can help founders tap into valuable expertise and make strategic connections that could shape the trajectory of their startups.”
<h1 id="resources-mentioned-in-the-discussion">Resources mentioned in the discussion:</h1>
Connect with Ryan:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryangrantlittle/">Linkedin</a></li>
</ul>
Others:
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.biocraftpet.com">BioCraft Pet</a></li>
<li><a href="https://foodhack.global/">FoodHack</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.canadahelps.org/en/">CanadaHelps</a></li>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2KHlfSlnRXFdHZtMCzR98Y">Another ClimateTech Podcast</a></li>
</ul>

Explore Ryan Grant Little's impactful journey as an angel investor in climate tech - insights and lessons on protein development and the future of food.

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