Nothing Ventured

In this episode of Nothing Ventured, host Aarish Shah welcomes Dr. Uzma Choudry, an expert in deep tech and biotech investing. Uzma shares her extensive experience in developing the European tech bio ecosystem, including her role in managing a portfolio of over one and a half billion pounds at one of Europe's largest funds. The conversation delves into the current state of the life sciences venture market, highlighting the recent debloating of the venture bubble and the withdrawal of generous capital. Uzma explains the unique challenges in biotech, where the focus is primarily on de-risking technology and science rather than immediate revenue scaling. She emphasises the necessity for deep pools of capital in biotech investments and discusses how platform companies can showcase their value through their assets. Tune in for insights on sustainable growth and commercialization in the life sciences sector.

In this episode of Nothing Ventured, host Aarish Shah welcomes seasoned investor and entrepreneur Chris Donegan. With a rich background in molecular neurobiology and business strategy, Chris shares his insights on the current state of innovation and investment. The conversation explores whether the present and future are more promising than the past, and delves into the ongoing industrial revolutions—highlighting the transition into the AI age. Chris discusses the nuances of investing in advanced technologies, questioning whether a deep technical understanding, such as knowledge of qubits for quantum computing or molecular biology for biotech, is necessary for successful investment. Tune in for valuable perspectives on adapting to change and unlocking value through intellectual property in today's rapidly evolving landscape.

In this episode of Nothing Ventured, host Arish Shah welcomes Hannah Meiton, founding partner at Ampli Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Stockholm that specializes in early-stage investments in Nordic B2B SaaS companies. Hannah shares her insights on the importance of founders actively promoting their businesses, emphasizing that simply building a great product is not enough. She discusses the tendency of Nordic startups to undersell themselves and the importance of visibility in the early stages of development. Additionally, Hannah reflects on her experience in scaling businesses and how that informs her investment philosophy, advocating for a hands-on approach to help companies transition from founder-led operations to sustainable, scalable enterprises. The conversation also touches on the potential shift in venture capital towards more concentrated portfolios, reducing reliance on a few key companies for fund returns. Tune in for valuable insights into the evolving landscape of venture capital and the vital role of sales in a founder's journey.

In this episode of Nothing Ventured, host Arish Shah welcomes Ash Ravikumar, a seasoned professional in science entrepreneurship. With a rich background that includes serving as an entrepreneurship development officer at CERN, Ash discusses the importance of bridging the gap between scientific research and industry application. He elaborates on the creation of CERN's VentureConnect, a platform designed to facilitate technology transfer and commercialization in advanced technologies. Ash shares insights on the significance of understanding scientific breakthroughs, such as the unexpected x-ray generation from Sellotape, and emphasizes the need for innovation in materials science and intellectual property strategy. Tune in to explore why science matters and how initiatives like Atom Factory aim to accelerate global tech transfer.

In this episode of Nothing Ventured, host Aarish Shah welcomes seasoned founder, operator, and investor Rishabh Kaul. Based in London, Rishabh is the founder of Svagat, a platform dedicated to elevating South Asians in tech across Europe. He shares insights from his extensive experience, including his leadership roles in innovative startups and his work with Belong, an AI-driven HR tech platform. The conversation explores the interconnectedness of the Indian community, the increasing trend of tier 2 visas being issued to Indians in the UK, and the transition from survival mode to building sustainable ventures as immigrants. Rishabh discusses the potential for an India-Europe tech corridor to rival the India-Silicon Valley connection and addresses India's PR challenges in the European tech landscape. He highlights the growing perception of Europe as a stepping stone to the US for Indian tech talent and reveals his efforts in creating a supportive community of 200 founders and operators from the Indian diaspora. Rishabh also shares his contrarian view that, in some cases, it might be more advantageous for entrepreneurs to buy ventures rather than build them from scratch. Tune in for valuable insights and thought-provoking discussions on the future of Indian startups in Europe.