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AA

Amazon Alexa Fund

About

We believe experiences designed around the human voice will fundamentally improve the way people use technology.

We are honored to work with founders who are trailblazers in their fields and to help them navigate Amazon and innovate with Alexa.

How we Support Companies

Beyond the capital we can provide, the founders in our portfolio value our help to facilitate introductions, navigate Amazon, and identify opportunities.

  • Value-added investor: The Alexa Fund provides up to $200M in investment to fuel voice technology innovation.
  • Innovation: Opportunities to improve your product with Amazon.
  • Support: Dedicated portfolio development managers helping you navigate Amazon, AWS, and Alexa teams.
  • Industry Leadership: Introductions to product leaders at Amazon.
  • Product Insights: Opportunities to learn about closed betas for new APIs, devices, and features.
  • PR and Marketing Opportunities: Potential opportunities for enhanced marketing and PR support timed with investments and product milestones.

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YV

YourNest Venture Capital

After managing two successful funds, we now present YourNest Innovative Products VC Fund III. Focused on disruptive technologies to enhance the way mankind leverages the value of time, this US$ 75 mn fund will invest in startup founders across a spectrum of DeepTech domains: AI, IoT, Robotics, AR/VR/MR, Dev. Tools, Edge Cloud and other Digital products. As always, our intent is to create an opportunity for Indian entrepreneurs to scale into global markets with IP-led innovations: many of our portfolio companies in YourNest VC Fund II have secured patents and attracted customers in international markets. As a pioneering, pre-Series A, early-stage venture capital fund established in 2011 to support audacious startups building life-changing businesses, YourNest strongly believes in the human capability and works with the dictum of ‘what is impossible today is routine tomorrow’. We believe, too, that we are Challengineers: a team that actively pushes boundaries and engineers outcomes, standing shoulder to shoulder with our founders and supporting them with ‘Nurture Capital’. With an established network of professionals, innovators, business leaders, advisors and mentors, we offer the most enabling eco-system for any startup whose business is validated by customers. Our team prides itself on identifying committed entrepreneurs with the highest level of integrity, enabling their business ambitions and helping them to scale for international markets. In 2020, we launched our fast-track funding program SOAR which invested in five startups. The year also saw us exiting Uniphore and SmartQ from our first fund – YourNest Angel Fund – with a 0.7x DPI. Between the two funds, we are confident of multiple exits to deliver significant returns to our investors in the foreseeable future. Investment Thesis With the rise of entrepreneurs and the growth of startups in the past few years, we believe there are critical sectors, rooted in technology, that will fuel the next level of disruption in the coming decade. YourNest Innovative Products Fund-III will primarily seek to invest in enterprise-oriented, innovative, IP-led, tech-product startups. Its mission is to select products that are built around emerging technologies and have applications at scale. These product companies could be in sectors including Mobile Internet, Cloud Technology, Automation of Knowledge Work, Low-code or No-code Platforms, AI-based Cybersecurity, IOT, Edge Computing, Digital Twinning, Autonomous Technologies, Robotics, Electronic System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM). The focus of the Fund will be to invest in unlisted companies. The investment may start at an early seed stage and continue investing in promising companies at various stages of their growth. One or more rounds are likely to be made with co-investment from other investor(s) who may be an individual or an institution or an AIF or international investor such that the risk and reward of the portfolio company’s success is shared. ESG Policy Statement The YourNest Capital Advisors Pvt Ltd. i.e. Investment Manager (“IM”) of the Fund, commits to being a responsible investor, considering environmental, social and governance issues across all its investments. The IM is committed to comply with its ESG policy, applicable laws of the land and to be responsive to existing and emerging ESG concerns. We adhere to our responsibility to people and the planet while setting the stage for long-term success. Through ESG integration in our investment approach, we will endeavour to maximise business and investment opportunities. ESG integration will enable us to grow and improve the companies in which we invest, for long-term value generation opportunities for the benefit of all stakeholders. At the same time, we believe that ESG integration will help mitigate any liability, credit, market or reputation risks emanating from such issues. Nurture Capital Philosophy YourNest is a sharply focused early-stage DeepTech VC fund from India. The first fund established in 2012, raised US$ 14 mn and has several companies in the portfolio that have had multiple up-rounds and are on their way to a 4X+ return. Having completely invested its first two funds, YourNest is currently raising its third fund of US$ 75 mn to invest in Indian start-ups with a focus on DeepTech domains like AI, IoT, Robotics, AR/VR/MR, Dev. Tools, Edge Cloud and other Digital products. The YourNest team combines what may well be India’s widest access to prospective investees along with a rigorously prudent selection process that enables us to stay true to our investment thesis of nurturing high-potential entrepreneurs. In addition, we give our investors transparent access and exposure to high-growth, under-the-radar tech start-ups in India. In a country where entrepreneurship is encouraged but comes with its own challenges, the Indian DeepTech eco-system is rapidly evolving. As local Fund Managers, the YourNest team of experienced partners operates as unified enablers who have become adept at spotting emerging enterprises, nurturing and guiding them up the ladder of success. With a leadership coach as a founding partner, other partners bring complementary skillsets that including M&A, Financial Governance & Restructuring, Executive Development, Deal Flow Management, Building Intellectual Property and Global Scale. Brand building, Marketing and HR Practices are other competencies which have been added via the Venture Partners and Entrepreneur-in-Residence and are available to the portfolio companies. Our portfolio companies benefit from:‘Nurture Capital’ rather than plain ‘Venture Capital’. Our ability to mentor and coach entrepreneurs of investee companies. Our advisory expertise in key entrepreneurial matters: strategy, compliance, legal, HR, secretarial, talent sourcing, etc. Our network of corporates and individuals who can collectively multiply advantage for our investees.

BS

Baltic Sandbox Ventures

We invest in early-stage R&D-focused individuals and teams solving complex technical challenges with large potential for commercial application. INVESTMENT AREAS We like to invest in teams building solutions in these technical domains: Software++AI & ML Big Data AR, VR & XR Cybersecurity Cloud/DevSecOps Distributed systems Performance computing Life SciencePersonalized medicine Drug discovery software Precision medicine Biofabrication Digital twins Organoids other BioTech, MedTech HardwareRobotics Automation IoT Industry 4.0 Nanotechnology Material Science Space

EI

EXEO Innovation Fund Management

Through its corporate venture capital arms, EXEO Global Ventures as well as EXEO Innovation Fund Management, the Group focuses on investing in value creation across the Group, and securing high potential growth opportunities across different sectors, including but not limited to: Data analytics Smart logistics Cyber security Fintech IoT Smart cities 5G Each investment is important to the company as synergies within the group are carefully considered and also the potential of the business to expand and develop its products or services. The newly set up EXEO Innovation Fund Management Pte Ltd manages the limited partnership fund, EXEO Innovation Fund, as its fund manager. Set up in partnership with the Fund Corporation for the Overseas Development of Japan’s ICT and Postal Services (“JICT”), the fund aims to acquire leading-edge technology, knowledge and expertise, and reap broad-based returns, strengthening the telecommunication engineering field in Japan and beyond. By extension, the Fund will work in partnership with EXEO Group’s networks in every prefecture in Japan, supporting the creation of new business growth and developing solutions for social issues both in Japan and globally. The investment team based in Singapore will be in charge of driving the investment process, which ranges from deal sourcing to deal screening, due diligence, investment monitoring and exit.

SV

Scalator Ventures

Some of our founders started with artificial intelligence and building new services, products and business models years ago. As investors, tech builders, entrepreneurs and in top management. That resulted in multi-billion dollar turnovers - not just unicorn status. We have big visions and love tech. ​And we have a passion for learning and thinking. Here are some results and thoughts based on the learnings: ​"Financial engineering" must be as precise as other engineering: Investments in Ventures and Tech needs to be high enough to reach critical milestones, but too much money can be even more destructive than not enough. (More) Money can buy speed. But there are time-compression-diseconomies. In many areas of digital solutions the first mover will have a big chance to win the race to be the market leading platform. This applies especially to artificial intelligence (AI). Data is the new oil - yes, but look closer: Rockefeller earned his fortune at Standard Oil with access to oil (drilling), especially refinement and making a trustworthy product out of it (Standard Oil) and then later controlled transport channels to customers. Oil is like data nothing. Only when you bring the right data together for a use case, you get value out of it. Also the analogy with transport channel in oil applies for AI. It makes a lot of sense to look closer into the oil industry to learn for AI. Longterm stable data access is a key topic. And in some areas it needs even a co-development of AI algorithms together with new sensor systems to have access to data, which is precise enough. Sensors and IOT are still key topics for artificial intelligence.​ Ecosystems are key - but only stable and exclusive ones! Innovation needs often content with high production costs for it and a minimum of users or market coverage. For these situations you can see often discussions about open innovation. This is low cost and risk. But with this the innovation spreads fast and easy to all competitors: the innovation lose the USP and the margin in the whole market decreases. And this is even worst case for the consumer, since they got so many solutions to choose and test and the companies do not earn enough to improve their products more. Open innovation ecosystems with many programmers as co-producers have big relevance in some areas. But only, if new applications, content etc. can be produced with a very limited investment. Best examples are the smart phone apps. But this strategy did already not work with smart watch apps. It didn't and will not work with augmented reality in many areas, many health-tech segments and not for automotive in-cabin innovation. There are many reasons for it and we analyzed them very carefully. But on the other side all this sectors need ecosystems. Based on that analysis we developed a new concept for investment and building startups: Scalator X

KV

Keen Venture Partners

Us We are the radically human venture capital firm. We are here to make sure you’re always in good company on the rather bumpy ride of fast-paced growth. We’re a team that knows scaling. Its many paths and painful pitfalls. Of course, more money can make a difference. However, being in good company makes all the difference. You You’re a fast growing tech scale-up in Europe. You're thinking about a Series A or B round of investment. You’re looking to work with like-minded people to build a meaningful company. Let’s get to know each other. The sooner the better, because let’s be honest, you also value having a relationship well before you need any funding. We are keen to work with ready-to-scale European tech companies in the following categories: Data and Intelligence; Software Services, Digital Models. We do not invest in Life Sciences, Clean Tech, Gaming Studios, Digital Media, Ad-Tech. We do not invest in companies based outside of Europe or at the pre-seed stage. The very earliest stages are critical, challenging, and essential, but we focus on early growth. Tech we like We have a vision of the future. We are looking for like minds who will shape this future. Our investment ideas are based on fundamental trends in specific areas of technology. Areas where we can make a real contribution with our experience and network. Smart Building Blocks We see a world where intelligence is no longer centrally accessed through ONE single point. Instead, it is distributed in an omnipresent fashion around the end user. Connectivity, cloud architecture and continued miniaturization of hardware are laying the foundations for new, exciting categories. We look for teams that are building category leading companies in Next Generation Networks | Virtualization | IoT Platforms | Big Data | Machine Learning | Smart Hardware and Robotics. Accessible Software In our opinion it’s clear that enterprise users want consumer level simplicity. While consumers want the power of sophisticated technology. These user groups are converging towards software applications that offer the best of both worlds. We’re looking for web and mobile services companies where smart software tools can be applicable to users in both a personal and professional context. Categories include: Productivity and Collaboration Tools | File Management | Analytics. Digital Transacting Technology has widened circles of trust and diminished transaction costs. As a result, consumption habits are changing fast. We see great opportunities for companies to unbundle the traditional service economy through digital models. As well as companies that can support the foundations of these new models through improved security, authentication and easier payment and fulfilment. Categories we’re interested in include: Marketplaces | Payment Services | Fin-Tech Platforms | Digital Security | Identity Solutions. How we like to work Every venture firm promotes their added value activities. We know that. Heck, some even have a talent pool ready to help with the design of your next logo. These are mostly used as a means to propel an investment once the ink has dried on the contracts. But there is life before the deal. We invest time first, money later. Our approach is to start by sharing our network, experience and capabilities. Well before any investment possibility arises. We believe getting to know each other, gaining trust and proving demonstrable value, are the foundations for a long-term relationship. We hope you agree. Ultimately, this approach helps both sides gain a higher degree of conviction when the actual opportunity to invest arises. We always stick to our promises, providing a fast and fair investment process. Sometimes our conversations are not followed by a capital investment. Time spent with the right people is never a waste. We also learn every day. When we do invest, we'll make sure that you’re in great company. Because money can sometimes make a difference but being in good company makes all the difference. That's why we're radically human in everything we do.

DV

Dallas Venture Capital

Dallas Venture Capital (DVC) is a Dallas based early-stage venture fund investing in AI/ML, IoT, XR and other emerging technologies launched by enterprise-focused entrepreneurs. In addition to providing capital and financing needs, our investment philosophy centers around guiding business development, product, and technology strategy for our portfolio companies through ‘DVC Advantage’ to achieve successful outcomes. Operating from USA and India, we aim to create a bridge that connects the two large global markets. Advantage ‘DVC Advantage’ is our proprietary engine for helping our portfolio scale. Our growth playbook follows a data driven model and is the result of repeated success across past investments Accelerate: Having a team with vast experience in growing and scaling technology startup companies and a great network of advisors and partners, we help our portfolio companies overcome the primary obstacles and accelerate their growth. Quick: At DVC we extend a red carpet welcome to startups, founders and entrepreneurs! Congratulations & Welcome aboard! A classic entrepreneur dilemma is when to receive external funding from a venture capital company.