A week packed with great content, featuring Episode #200 and Sequoia Capital

#200 - Solenne Niedercorn, founder and host of Finscale and #201 - George Robson (Partner at Sequoia Capital)

Dec 17, 2023

Episode #200

I have to be honest, being the sole focus of this episode was challenging for me. Anyone familiar with me knows how much I avoid discussing myself on my podcast.

Special thanks to those who encouraged the release of this episode. My goal was to summarise my four-year journey at Finscale and give you an insight into what motivates me.

I hope you enjoy it!

I've interviewed over 250 entrepreneurs and high-calibre leaders across various finance sectors, and six distinct character traits clearly stand out.

Realistic optimism : In challenging situations, their resilient spirit helps them to see the positives while maintaining a realistic perspective.
Courage : Despite facing various challenges, they consistently maintain their focus and direction.
Resilience : They rebound from failures, emerging stronger each time, much like phoenixes rising from the ashes.
Excellence: They excel in numerous fields, including sales, operations, legal, technology, finance, and more.
Empathy : Many possess an exceptional level of empathy, making them remarkable leaders of both men and women.
Discipline : Nearly all exhibit ironclad discipline in aspects like time management, sports routines, or running their companies.

I could have also emphasised other traits such as strategic vision, adaptability, unconsciousness 😉 and a strong spirit of initiative.

In my episode, I delve into various other topics, including soft skills and key strategies that have played a significant role in these companies' success.

It's a tribute to boldness and entrepreneurship.

If you prefer to listen to this episode in French.

Ecouter en français

Sequoia’s growth in the European Tech’ forest.

After connecting with teams in both the US and Europe, I managed to track down the perfect guest from this well-respected VC. George joined me for an in-depth discussion about the establishment and growth of Sequoia Capital in Europe.

As a former senior product owner at Revolut, George clearly has a deep understanding of the FinTech industry.

In the episode, we delved into current and future trends, with a focus on two deals: Trade Republic and Pennylane. These examples provided insights into Sequoia's investment strategies and successes in Europe. We also discussed the phenomenon of 'mafias' and the emergence of many startups founded by former employees of prominent FinTech companies in Europe.

We also covered two topics that were close to my heart: the 'Arc' and 'Scouting' programs.

‘Scouting’

A 'scouting' program in the VC field is a strategy used by funds like Sequoia Capital to identify and invest in promising startups.

VCs select individuals, often entrepreneurs, experienced investors, or other well-connected individuals in the startup ecosystem, to act as 'scouts.' These scouts are typically chosen for their ability to identify new talents and investment opportunities.

These individuals receive a fund that they can invest in startups on behalf of the VC. They are often free to choose which companies to invest in, although there are often criteria defined by the VC.

When a scout identifies a promising startup, they can choose to invest in that company. In addition to providing funds, scouts often offer mentorship and advice to the entrepreneurs.

If the startup succeeds and subsequently secures additional funding or gets acquired, both the scout and the VC firm benefit from a return on their initial investment.

Sequoia Capital

Founded in 1972 by Don Valentine, Sequoia launched its first VC fund in 1974. The American company, based in Menlo Park, specialises in investments from seed to beyond growth stages in the tech industry. As of 2022, the firm managed USD 85 billion in assets.

Among its notable investments are Apple, Cisco, Google, Nvidia, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, PayPal, Reddit, Tumblr, WhatsApp, and Zoom.

Sequoia operates in the US and Europe, as well as in India, China, and Southeast Asia. Sequoia announced its intention to split into three entities in 2024:

HongShan for China,
Peak XV Partners for India and Southeast Asia,
Sequoia for the US and Europe.

Arc

While preparing for this episode, I came across Sequoia Arc, and George shared valuable insights about it, explaining that the VC has been offering an entrepreneurship program since March 2022.

It serves as a method for launching, growing, and evolving startups, providing participants with the opportunity to connect with other founders, experts, and a dedicated community aimed at enhancing their skills and business development."

Registrations for the cohort will open in early 2024. If you're interested, you can sign up 👉 here to receive a notification when applications open.