One of Silicon Valley’s most storied VC firms has emerged as a hidden hand steering AI policies in Trump's Washington https://t.co/BiFWBNC7Vh ...

Group 1 - The company, Octopus AIM VCT plc, has admitted further securities to trading as part of its Dividend Reinvestment Scheme [1][2] - A total of 2,237,378 new Ordinary Shares have been admitted, increasing the total number of securities in issue to 230,371,710 [2] - The admission date for these new shares is set for February 2, 2026, and they are fully fungible with existing Ordinary shares [2] Group 2 - The Ordinary shares have a nominal value of 1p each and are identified by the ISIN GB0034202076 [2] - The securities are traded on the London Stock Exchange – Main Market [2] - The company provides additional information and updates on its webpage [2]

Core Viewpoint - The 2026 Zijin Mountain Venture Capital Conference in Nanjing aims to accelerate fund aggregation and promote industrial development through a series of activities focused on high-level circulation of technology, industry, and finance [1][22]. Group 1: Event Overview - The conference is guided by the Jiangsu Provincial Government and hosted by various governmental and financial institutions, gathering over 500 representatives from government, regulatory bodies, exchanges, investment, industry, and academia [3][5]. - Key leaders, including Jiangsu Provincial Governor Liu Xiaotao and Nanjing Mayor Li Zhongjun, attended the conference, discussing national venture capital policies and regional development strategies [5]. Group 2: Fund Development and Policies - The conference announced the establishment of the "Zijin Mountain International Sci-Tech Innovation Fund District," marking a significant milestone in Nanjing's financial development [6]. - A total of over 700 billion yuan in funds were unveiled, including a "Nanjing 10 billion market-oriented mother fund" with a 20-year investment period aimed at nurturing high-quality enterprises [8][10]. - Additional funds, such as the Jiangsu Modern Service Industry Innovation Development Fund and Jiangsu Sci-Tech Relay Fund, each with a scale of 100 billion yuan, were also launched to support the real economy [10]. Group 3: Ecosystem and Collaboration - The conference emphasized the importance of integrating capital with academic research, launching a liaison office to connect 17 key universities with venture capital [14]. - Various platforms for legal services, intellectual property protection, and talent cultivation were established to enhance the venture capital ecosystem in Nanjing [14]. Group 4: Industry Insights and Future Directions - Industry leaders shared insights on new trends in venture capital, focusing on the importance of patient capital and the integration of funds with industry [16][18]. - The conference concluded with a focus on nurturing a high-quality investment ecosystem in Nanjing, aiming to support the modernization of Jiangsu and contribute to the construction of an international technology innovation center in the Yangtze River Delta [22].

Core Viewpoint - Jiangsu Province has established a strategic emerging industry mother fund with a total scale of 50 billion yuan, aiming to transform the investment landscape and promote coordinated development across the province [6][7]. Fund Establishment and Scale - The mother fund has successfully set up three batches of 41 specialized industry funds, totaling 106.9 billion yuan, achieving coverage across all 13 districts in Jiangsu [7]. - The fourth batch of specialized industry funds has been launched, with a total scale of 67.1 billion yuan, consisting of four funds [14][15]. Highlights of the Fourth Batch of Funds - One significant fund is the Yangtze River Delta Venture Capital Guidance Fund, with a scale of 55.1 billion yuan, recognized as one of the first three regional funds under the national venture capital guidance fund [8]. - Two provincial enterprise specialized funds total 11 billion yuan: - Jiangsu Province Capital Expansion Fund for New Industries, with a scale of 10 billion yuan, focusing on sectors like biomedicine and artificial intelligence [9]. - Jiangsu New Energy (Guoxin) Specialized Fund, with a scale of 5 billion yuan, concentrating on new energy and related industries [9]. - A municipal specialized mother fund, the Jiangsu Lianyungang Security Industry Specialized Mother Fund, has been established with a scale of 1 billion yuan, focusing on the entire security industry chain [15]. Recent Developments in the LP Circle - In addition to Jiangsu's mother fund, there are 13 new developments in the LP circle, including the completion of the first closing of the Dingxin Capital 2026 Technology Flagship Fund [10][12]. - The Guangdong Province Strategic Emerging Industry Investment Guidance Fund has been officially announced with a total scale of 100 billion yuan, aiming to leverage social capital to form a fund cluster exceeding one trillion yuan [16]. - The Hubei Social Security Science and Technology Equity Investment Fund has been established with a contribution of 20 billion yuan, focusing on venture capital and investment management [17]. New Fund Initiatives - The Shandong Province Artificial Intelligence Venture Capital Fund has been established with a contribution of 1 billion yuan, supporting the development of the AI industry [18]. - The Jiangsu Province Joint Investment Fund has been set up with a target scale of 1 billion yuan, focusing on the digital transformation of the automotive industry [19]. - The Changjiang Industry Group has established a 500 million yuan fund focusing on biomedicine and health sectors in Xianning City [20]. Additional Fund Establishments - The Jiangyin City State-owned Enterprise Market-oriented Mother Fund has been established with a scale of 1.801 billion yuan, targeting strategic emerging industries [22]. - The Jiading District Future Industry Fund has been launched with a total scale of 800 million yuan, focusing on future-oriented sectors [23]. - The Guanzhou Capital and Guang Paper Group have jointly established a venture capital fund with a scale of 1 billion yuan, focusing on emerging industries [25].

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese venture capital market is transitioning from a dual-driven model of RMB and USD funds to a predominantly RMB-driven landscape, raising questions about the future role of USD funds in this new environment [6][8]. Group 1: Market Trends - USD funds have experienced a dramatic decline, with total investment shrinking by over 84% in five years, and their market share dropping from one-third to just 10% [8][12]. - In 2021, USD investments accounted for 35.9% of the market with an investment amount of 532.9 billion yuan, but by 2025, this figure plummeted to 82.7 billion yuan, representing only 10.1% of the market [12][13]. - Conversely, RMB funds have increased their market share from 64.1% to 89.9%, indicating a significant shift in funding dynamics [13]. Group 2: Factors Behind the Decline of USD Funds - The rise of state-owned and industrial capital has become a dominant force in the market, with state-backed investment institutions achieving a direct investment penetration rate of 45% [16]. - The traditional VC growth model has collapsed, leading to a lack of funding in the growth stage, which is critical for USD funds that typically support companies transitioning to overseas listings [18]. - External factors such as regulatory changes and geopolitical risks have hindered traditional exit strategies for USD funds, making their investment outlook increasingly pessimistic [19]. Group 3: Future of USD Funds - USD funds may not completely disappear but will need to shift from being the main players to providing specialized value as secondary players in the market [21]. - Potential niches for USD funds include serving as global enablers for Chinese companies aiming for international expansion, acting as catalysts in cutting-edge technology sectors, and focusing on early-stage investments to discover disruptive innovations [22][23].

Core Viewpoint - The interim management statement for Hargreave Hale AIM VCT PLC highlights contrasting economic conditions in the US and UK, with the US showing strong growth while the UK faces challenges including weak economic growth and rising unemployment [3][5]. Economic Overview - The US economy reported a robust growth rate of 4.3% in Q3 2025, despite political pressures [3]. - The UK is projected to have a growth rate of 1.5% for 2025 and 1.4% for 2026, with an unemployment rate rising to 5.1% [5]. - Consumer sentiment in the UK has improved post-Autumn Budget, although business confidence remains fragile [4]. Inflation and Monetary Policy - UK inflation, as measured by CPI, increased by 3.4% year-on-year as of December 2025, down from 3.8% in September 2025 [6]. - The Bank of England reduced interest rates to 3.75% during the quarter, with expectations for further cuts in 2026 [6]. Investment Performance - The unaudited NAV per share decreased by 1.25 pence to 35.21 pence, resulting in a total return of -3.43% for shareholders [9]. - The AIM index returned -0.97% in the three months to December 31, 2025, reflecting a challenging market environment [8]. Qualifying Investments - Hardide saw a significant increase of 157.1% in value, returning to profitability and reporting a 40% year-on-year revenue increase [10]. - Skillcast and Tortilla Mexican Grill also reported positive performance, with increases of 11.7% and 34.3% respectively [11]. - Negative contributors included Cohort, which declined by 36.7% despite solid revenue growth, and Diaceutics, which fell by 23.3% without specific news [12][13]. Portfolio Structure - The company maintained a strong investment position, ending the period with 84.11% invested according to HMRC VCT investment tests [16]. - The weighting to qualifying investments increased from 54.0% to 54.9% by market value [16]. Share Buybacks and Market Activity - The company repurchased 2.6 million shares at an average price of 34.14 pence, with the share price trading at a discount of 4.30% to the last published NAV [21]. - Post-period, the NAV per share increased to 36.33 pence, reflecting a 3.18% rise, while AIM increased by 6.54% [22].

four Super Bowl appearances, four wins, and three MVP awards. But these days, Joe Montana is scoring big in the field of venture capital. He is the founder and managing partner of Liquid 2 Ventures and is here with us to discuss.It's so great to have you here. Thank you. >> Thank you for having me.Appreciate time. >> We'll talk ball in in a little bit. But when did you first know that you wanted to do this when you had a an eye for business and investing early.Uh, and you know, I I really wasn't looking for ...

Economic Growth and Tariffs - The U.S. economy experienced a significant growth rate of 4.4% in the third quarter of 2025, marking the fastest pace in two years, driven by consumer spending, exports, government spending, and investment [2] - A narrower trade deficit contributed 1.62 percentage points to overall GDP growth, with imports declining [1][2] - President Trump attributes this economic turnaround to his tariff policies, claiming they have transformed the U.S. from a "DEAD" country to the "HOTTEST" economy in the world [3][5] Stock Market Performance - The stock market has seen a strong bull run, with the S&P 500 up approximately 24% since Trump's tariff announcement in April 2025, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average nearing 49,449 [6][9] - Trump predicts the Dow will soon break 50,000, reflecting his bullish outlook on the stock market's continued growth [6][10] Retirement Accounts and Wealth Creation - The average 401(k) balance rose by 9% year-over-year to an all-time high of $144,400 in Q3 2025, benefiting from the stock market surge [9] - The U.S. stock market is emphasized as a powerful engine of wealth creation, with significant gains flowing into retirement accounts [9] Investment Opportunities - Platforms like Moby provide market research to simplify stock analysis, with their recommendations outperforming the S&P 500 by nearly 12% on average over the past four years [11] - Fundrise has disrupted the venture capital space by allowing retail investors to invest in private tech companies with a minimum investment of $10, aiming to build a portfolio of valuable firms [13][14] Real Estate Investment - Real estate is highlighted as a cornerstone of wealth-building, with properties providing consistent rental income and a hedge against inflation [16] - Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived enable investors to buy shares in rental homes with as little as $100, making real estate investment more accessible [17][18] - Institutional-quality real estate investments are available through platforms like Lightstone DIRECT, which requires a minimum investment of $100,000 and has a strong historical performance [20][21][22]

Core Insights - Europe is investing billions into early-stage climate startups, but many fail at the Series B stage, highlighting a gap in growth capital [2] - Mundi Ventures has launched Kembara Fund I, raising €750 million in its first close, with a potential final closing of €1.25 billion [3][4] Fund Details - Kembara Fund I received a €350 million commitment from the European Investment Fund as part of the European Tech Champions Initiative [2] - The fund is managed by a specialized team within Mundi Ventures, with offices in Madrid, London, Barcelona, and Paris [3] - The fund's general partners include experienced venture capitalists and industry experts, enhancing its credibility and fundraising capabilities [4] Investment Strategy - Kembara Fund I aims to focus on Series B and C funding rounds, planning to invest between €15 million and €40 million in approximately 20 companies [6] - The fund's total investment per company could reach up to €100 million, allowing for follow-on investments to support scaling and global expansion [6] Market Context - The European startup ecosystem is facing a scale-up problem rather than an innovation or startup problem, as noted by Kembara's co-founder [6] - The fund's strategy is designed to address the challenges faced by European climate and deep tech startups, particularly in securing necessary growth capital [5][6]

How Jeffrey Epstein Helped His Publicist Become A Big-Time Venture Capitalist https://t.co/bZR0nFX0JgIllustration: Macy Sinreich for Forbes; Photos: Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images; Federal Bureau of Prisons, Jon Elswick via Associated Press https://t.co/y1uHJAqTaM ...