Alright, entrepreneurs. You’re either in the fast lane or watching the game from the bleachers. If you're still chasing the dream—or maybe just trying to figure out how to survive this wild ride—let’s break it down. Venture capital. It's not just money—it's the fuel behind the world’s most disruptive ideas. The system that turns bold visions into billion-dollar realities. But let’s not sugarcoat it—most of you won’t make it. Venture capital is the business of taking big swings and accepting that most of them will miss.
So how does it work? VC is a bet. It’s a handful of investors gambling on a few crazy geniuses hoping to change the world—or at least break into the market long enough to cash out before the competition crushes them.
The Players in This Game?
1. Entrepreneurs: That’s you, the risk-takers. You’ve got the ideas and the grit (hopefully).
2. VC Firms: The middlemen. They take the money and throw it at you—if you can convince them.
3. Investors: The deep pockets. They’re the ones betting on your potential to make them richer than they already are.
4. The Stages: Where Are You?
-Seed Stage: You’ve got an idea. Maybe a product. Probably no revenue. The goal? Convince someone your crazy idea is less crazy than all the other crazy ideas.
-Early Stage: Now you’ve got a product and a pulse. You’re getting market traction, but you need cash to scale.
-Growth Stage: It’s time to go big or go home. You’ve got customers. Revenue is starting to happen. Now, you need a rocket boost for the big leagues.
The Trends You Need to Know. Let’s talk numbers.
Over the last decade, venture capital investment has skyrocketed from $50 billion in 2014 to a projected $260 billion till date. More money is pouring into startups, especially in tech-driven sectors. But here’s the kicker—startup success rates are actually declining. A decade ago, about 10% of startups succeeded. Now? It’s around 8.3%. Why? Competition is fiercer, and the stakes are higher. But there’s a silver lining—if you make it, you could be the next unicorn. The number of unicorns (startups valued at over $1 billion) has exploded, growing from 39 in 2014 to more than 350 projected till date. The odds are tough, but the rewards? Astronomical.
Balancing Risk & Reward
Let’s not mince words—90% of startups fail. That means for every unicorn, there are a hundred dead horses. So, why do VCs keep throwing money at startups? Because 10% do make it. And when they do, they make it big. Look at Careem being acquired by Uber and Souk by Amazon in the MENA region.
Even at Elekron Ventures, we know the risks—but where’s the thrill without the risk-reward factor on the line? Growing up playing sports competitively, almost semi-pro, it’s in my nature to chase the win. So what’s the next big high after the runner’s high and the wins in sports? Definitely venture capital. Every small win brings hope, and half the excitement is being in the trenches with entrepreneurs, figuring out how we get to the next level. When you do, it’s an incredible rush—and then you start chasing the next one. So yes, I’d like to say we’ve seen it all, even the unthinkable, but curveballs always come our way. From missed opportunities that became unicorns to ventures on the verge that imploded from within (yeah, we’ve been there).
With that experience and the right systems in place, we know how to navigate the toughest battlefields.
• Mentorship: Think of us as your co-pilot, guiding you through the storm.
• Strategic Guidance: We know where the landmines are, and with us by your side, you’ll avoid most of them.
• Network Access: We hold the keys to the right rooms, and we’ll open the doors for you. At Elekron, we definitely don’t play it safe. For us, real success is driven by bold ideas and fearless execution, born from the conviction and hunger of the underdog. Personally, I live to leave an impact because, in the end, I’m not taking anything with me.
So remember, success ultimately lies in your hands, and this journey isn’t for the faint of heart.
Thanks for reading!
Best,
Wees Abraham MP.
Elekron Ventures.
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