⏮️January's Highlights Across Startups, VC, Data & AI
Content, Research, Reports, Podcasts, Events, Jobs & More
👋 Hi, I’m Andre and welcome to my newsletter Data-Driven VC which is all about becoming a better investor with Data & AI. Join 31,560 thought leaders from VCs like a16z, Accel, Index, Sequoia, and more to understand how startup investing becomes more data-driven, why it matters, and what it means for you.
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Welcome to our monthly wrap-up episode where we cover January’s most relevant content at the intersection of startups, VC, data & AI.
We read it all so you don’t need to - here we go👇
INTERESTING RESEARCH & REPORTS📈
How Much Do Founders Get Paid?
A recent report by our friends at Creandum reveals that startup founder salaries across Europe increased in 2024 compared to 2023, with notable variations by country and funding stage. Amy Levin at Sifted provides a great summary:
French Founders Lead: French founders experienced a 60% salary increase, averaging €124k, surpassing their UK counterparts who averaged €107k.
Funding Stage Impact: Median founder salaries rose with funding progression: €85k at seed, €120k at Series A, and €159k at Series B.
Bonuses Resurgence: 23% of founders received bonuses in 2024, with the highest at €680k; 45% of Series B founders received bonuses, up from 19% in 2023.
✈️ KEY TAKEAWAYS
The data indicates a positive trend in founder compensation across Europe, with significant increases in both salaries and bonuses, particularly in France and at advanced funding stages.
New SaaS Benchmarks Report
High Alpha’s 2024 SaaS Benchmarks Report, in collaboration with OpenView, offers a comprehensive analysis of the SaaS landscape, highlighting trends in AI integration, market stabilization, and growth strategies.
Generation AI Emergence: The proliferation of generative AI is reshaping SaaS companies, with nearly 70% incorporating AI components into their offerings. AI-native and vertical SaaS firms are outperforming horizontal counterparts, signaling a shift towards specialized, intelligent solutions.
Market Stabilization Observed: After two years of declining growth and retention rates, the market is showing signs of stabilization. Public SaaS companies report steady net dollar retention at 110%, with revenue growth stabilizing between 17%-18%. Venture capital investment is also rebounding, with nearly a third of 2024 investments directed towards AI-native companies.
Balancing Growth and Efficiency: Successful SaaS companies are achieving both growth and efficiency, leading to gains in employee productivity. Early-stage companies, particularly those under $5M ARR, have increased efficiency more than their larger counterparts, indicating a trend towards leaner operations.
✈️ KEY TAKEAWAYS
The SaaS industry is undergoing significant transformation, driven by AI integration and a focus on efficient growth. Companies that adapt to these trends are well-positioned for success in the evolving market landscape.
INSPIRING TECH IN VC CONTENT💡
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“6 Months of building a Data-Driven VC operation”
Danny Chepemnko from InDrive New Ventures shares how they leverage data & AI to invest in 15+ geographies, from Peru to Indonesia, without relying on local partners in every location here