Karista - A VC Firm Investing in Game Changers from Scratch to Success
Show Notes:
● Catherine Boule is a molecular biologist turned venture capitalist, with expertise in healthcare, market, and healthcare technologies.
● Karista's relies on internal due diligence and external expert consultation to decrease risk and develop relationships as early-stage investors in complex ideas.
● Karista hires managers with diverse backgrounds to ensure they better understand the people they are financing.
● Karista's exits and experience in M&A, IPOs on Euronext and NASDAQ, and even a rare occurrence of management buyback.
● Expectations for tech companies seeking VC funding include being prepared to share power and strategy with investors, establishing trust with VC partners, and finding investors who share their company's vision.
Background:
Catherine Boule is a Molecular biologist who previously worked as a Scientific Researcher at Institut Curie. However, she realized that she did not want to spend her entire career in the lab and was advised to gain some business experience. To this end, she pursued an MBA, which opened up a whole new world outside of her lab work.
At that time, there were very few VC firms in France, and Catherine's first job was as a Project Manager for Life Sciences at IDFI Incubator, now known as Incuballiance. Later on, she joined Karista VC firm, where her expertise in healthcare, market, and healthcare technologies was highly valued.
Karista’s Portfolio:
Karista, a Paris-based firm, has been operating for 21 years with a team spread across France, the UK, Portugal, and Spain.
Initially, they invested in a broad range of high-tech companies including healthcare and digital, through a generalist fund. However, now they specialize in deep tech and space tech.
Karista’s Exits:
Karista has had around 25 exits with experience in many different outcomes. They have dealt with M&As in Europe, the US, and Asia, as well as IPOs on Euronext and NASDAQ. While they prefer M&A, they were also seed investors in three of the six French biotech companies listed on NASDAQ. In a rare occurrence, they even had one company where the management bought back the company.
What should tech companies expect when they get VC for the first time?
When seeking VC funding, it's important to be prepared to share power and strategy with the investors. Karista won't invest if they can't have a say in the direction of the company. Founders need to establish trust with their VC partners because investors are investing in the dreams and visions of entrepreneurs.
Connect With Catherine:
You can get in contact with Catherine and Karista via email: Catherine.Boule@Karista.VC
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