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Stronger
with Vibranium
We are a venture fund with an investment focus on future champions with global ambitions
We are looking for:
Fast-growing B2B SaaS companies with:
An operating product bringing in $40K+ MRR on the US market through an incorporated US entity
No more than 3 years of operations
An allocation of up to $500K in the current round (seed, pre-series A)
A valuation cap under $25M
3X annual revenue growth (MoM 15%+) and ambition to grow to $100M ARR in 5 years
A proven product market fit and traction
Our portfolio
Our League of Champions
Our Team
Analyst
Tamam Nafikova
Investment Manager
Alexander Zhulyev
Chief Operating Officer
Olga Sokurova
Co-founder and Partner
Kirill Timofeev
Founder and General Partner
Zamir Shukho
Our Team
Chief Business Development Officer
Valentina Pidgaina
Zamir Shukho
Founder and General Partner
Zamir is the founder and general partner of the Vibranium.VC fund, as well as the Managing partner of the Global Venture Alliance (GVA). He is a serial entrepreneur who created 10 companies and organizations, a business angel/investor, an expert in venture capital, management, acceleration, corporate innovation and marketing with over 19 years of professional experience.
Formerly Managing Partner of GVA Capital Fund 1, Zamir is now partner of GVA LaunchGurus Fund 1. He was included in the TOP-30 of the most prominent participants in the venture capital industry according to MoneytoStartup. Zamir lectures on innovations at a number of EMBA programs, mentors startups, and is a certified coach of the Stanford I2M program. His writing has appeared in a number of leading media outlets, including Forbes Russia. Zamir has 39 letters of professional commendation from UNESCO, IBM, PepsiCo, IKEA and many other companies and organizations.
Under Zamir’s leadership, over 550 events were organized and 40 accelerators were created, including MEGA Accelerator, PepsiCo Lab, MTS Startup HUB, Startup Kazakhstan, Faberlic Accelerator, GVA TeenStart, SteelTech Accelerator, ED2 EdTech Accelerator, Tech Export to India. Participation in these and other leading programs exceeded 1250 startups.
GVA received a number of awards, including as the World No. 1 Private Business Accelerator in 2019 and Triumph of Innovation in 2021 by UBI Global. GVA funds have invested about $ 150 mln in 220+ startups around the world.
Zamir is married, has three children and a dog. He loves sports, yachting and other outdoor activities. In his spare time. Zamir engages in volunteering and charity work.
Formerly Managing Partner of GVA Capital Fund 1, Zamir is now partner of GVA LaunchGurus Fund 1. He was included in the TOP-30 of the most prominent participants in the venture capital industry according to MoneytoStartup. Zamir lectures on innovations at a number of EMBA programs, mentors startups, and is a certified coach of the Stanford I2M program. His writing has appeared in a number of leading media outlets, including Forbes Russia. Zamir has 39 letters of professional commendation from UNESCO, IBM, PepsiCo, IKEA and many other companies and organizations.
Under Zamir’s leadership, over 550 events were organized and 40 accelerators were created, including MEGA Accelerator, PepsiCo Lab, MTS Startup HUB, Startup Kazakhstan, Faberlic Accelerator, GVA TeenStart, SteelTech Accelerator, ED2 EdTech Accelerator, Tech Export to India. Participation in these and other leading programs exceeded 1250 startups.
GVA received a number of awards, including as the World No. 1 Private Business Accelerator in 2019 and Triumph of Innovation in 2021 by UBI Global. GVA funds have invested about $ 150 mln in 220+ startups around the world.
Zamir is married, has three children and a dog. He loves sports, yachting and other outdoor activities. In his spare time. Zamir engages in volunteering and charity work.
Kirill Timofeev
Co-founder and Partner
Kirill launched his business career at the age of 20, when he organized a professional MMA team. As a manager, he assembled young athletes and boosted their careers to the next level — most of them have reached world-class leagues.
In Events Marketing, he invented and organized Upward Motion — a unique forum that supported young and dedicated people from the provinces.
At the Global Venture Alliance, Kirill was in charge of promoting start-up acceleration programs. He also worked as an ESG communications consultant and was responsible for several global brands’ international projects at the Dear Editors agency.
His first university qualification was in sports rehabilitation for people with disabilities. When he was 23, he received an MBA in Strategic Management.
He then completed Skolkovo Business School’s Digital Transformation Management program.
Kirill spends his free time with his wife and son, and enjoys surfing.
In Events Marketing, he invented and organized Upward Motion — a unique forum that supported young and dedicated people from the provinces.
At the Global Venture Alliance, Kirill was in charge of promoting start-up acceleration programs. He also worked as an ESG communications consultant and was responsible for several global brands’ international projects at the Dear Editors agency.
His first university qualification was in sports rehabilitation for people with disabilities. When he was 23, he received an MBA in Strategic Management.
He then completed Skolkovo Business School’s Digital Transformation Management program.
Kirill spends his free time with his wife and son, and enjoys surfing.
Olga Sokurova
Chief Operating Officer
Olga is the Chief Operating Officer at the Vibranium.VC fund and the former COO of Global Venture Alliance. She is an expert in taxation, management and finance. Her career spans over 23 years, five of which have been in the USA.
Olga received a combined Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Auditing from the Kabardino-Balkarian State University (KBSU). She also holds a Diploma in Russian Federation Taxation from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), as well as a certificate in Strategic Planning from Baruch College in New York.
Olga is married and has two children. She loves outdoor activities and reading. In her spare time, Olga is involved in volunteer activities.
Olga received a combined Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Auditing from the Kabardino-Balkarian State University (KBSU). She also holds a Diploma in Russian Federation Taxation from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), as well as a certificate in Strategic Planning from Baruch College in New York.
Olga is married and has two children. She loves outdoor activities and reading. In her spare time, Olga is involved in volunteer activities.
Valentina Pidgaina
Chief Business Development Officer
Valentina is the Chief Business Development Officer at Vibranium.VC. She was previously a scout at MTS Startup Hub and a project director at Global Venture Alliance. Valentina has more than 7 years of experience in the innovation ecosystem: she was responsible for the development and implementation of corporate and industry acceleration programs, soft-landing programs for international startups, as well as corporate programs in Silicon Valley, including startup scouting for corporate departments in the MTS StartUp Hub.
Valentina holds a degree in International Economic Relations & Tourism from the Simon Kuznets Kharkiv National University of Economics.
She is passionate about martial arts, and has the first dan in Taekwon-Do ITF.
Valentina holds a degree in International Economic Relations & Tourism from the Simon Kuznets Kharkiv National University of Economics.
She is passionate about martial arts, and has the first dan in Taekwon-Do ITF.
Alexander Zhulyev
Investment Manager
Alexander is an Investment manager with a proven track record in investment management companies, PE funds and international companies. Have an expertise in market research and trends analysis, financial due diligence, and valuation. Graduated with honors from the University of Economics with a degree in Finance. Valuation (PWC), Risk Management
Tamam Nafikova
Analyst
Tamam is an analyst with experience in technology transfer, corporate innovation and startups. She is an expert in market and technology research, trend watching and startup strategy.
Tamam graduated with honors both from HEC Paris with degree in Strategic Management and MGIMO University with degree in Economics.
Tamam graduated with honors both from HEC Paris with degree in Strategic Management and MGIMO University with degree in Economics.
Newsroom
In October 2019, Jensen Juan was named “The best CEO of the year”
Why Jensen Huang is the best CEO in the world
27.01.2020
“WinterIsland”workshop: the view of the participants of the Export track
I discarded all my hypotheses on market entry strategies and formed new ones
21.01.2020
18.08.2021
The soft landing program "Tech Export to India" is looking for startups
“Tech Export to India” accelerator is looking for 30 technology companies
© vibranium.vc, 2021 | Fund Vibranium Venture Capital
Address
123112, Moscow, nab. Presnenskaya, 12, Federation Tower, West, fl. 40, suite #9
123112, Moscow, nab. Presnenskaya, 12, Federation Tower, West, fl. 40, suite #9
- 03.24.2023Lots of events happening in a startup community every day and they are all about networking. Founders pitching their startups to investors, entrepreneurs meeting companies to discuss potential cooperation, etc. Networking might and often lead to a successful collaboration.
Read more → - 03.10.2023Starting a new business can be overwhelming. Startup coaching can help you clarify business goals, refine a strategy, and develop a roadmap to success. On top of that, you might receive insights and perspectives on your business that you may not have considered before.
Read more → - 03.03.2023Do not chase after a higher salary from the start. Eventually, you will get to this point — there are always options within the company to grow. So don’t always follow the money. Look for other things within the job description as well that will fulfill you and interest you in the long term. Interview with Vibranium.VC CEO & Founder Zamir Shukho for Authority Magazine.
Read more → - 02.21.2023In this article, we will outlined 6 key steps startups go through before the investment fund makes a final funding decision.
Read more → - 02.07.2023Lifelong learning is a very valuable part of the human experience — be it discovering more about yourself or gaining new skills and knowledge. Today, we want to focus on academic education, which plays an important role in instilling learning habits.
Read more → - 01.28.2023In this article, over 20 successful business owners, including Vibranium.VC CEO & Founder Zamir Shukho,were interviewed to gain insight into what traits they believe are most important for entrepreneurial success.
Read more → - 01.23.2023Silicon Valley is a dream destination of choice for establishing technology businesses. Many world famous companies such as Meta, Cisco, Google, Adobe, Apple, and other major tech giants have their HQs in Silicon Valley, and they continue to show great results and revenues operating from the region.
Read more → - 01.20.2023It is another great milestone for Vibranium.VC to be featured as a Top Investor by SeedRound Info alongside with key venture players such as Y Combinator and Liquid2 Venture.
Read more → - 01.11.2023You are an early-stage startup seeking seed investors. Not an easy endeavor, at Vibranium.VC we know that first-hand. Your solution is great, you have a clear growth strategy and strong profit potential. If you think these are the key evaluation factors for investors — you are absolutely right.
Read more → - 12.21.2022It’s Vibranium.VC’s first birthday, and to commemorate this special occasion, we decided to take a little walk down memory lane. We’ve had the time of our lives so far meeting incredible people and investing in disruptive technologies.
Read more → - 12.05.2022
Vibranium.VC invests $100K in Best of Stonks Fund
By becoming an LP of the Fund, Vibranium.VC gains access to an index of the most promising B2B SaaS startups and builds an early relationship with potential Vibranium portfolio companies. - 11.28.2022In October 2022 Vibranium.VC added a new startup to its portfolio — an Israeli AI-powered optimization and personalization platform PicUp that adds customized interactive digital layers to outbound calls. We want to know more about each project — its story, ups and downs, challenges and valuable lessons learned along the way.
Read more → - 11.24.2022
Vibranium.VC adds PicUP startup to its portfolio
Vibranium.VC invested in PicUP in the seed round. This startup is an AI-powered optimization and personalization platform for outbound sales and customer service calls. PicUP became the sixth company in the Vibranium.VC portfolio alongside other promising B2B SaaS solutions. - 11.17.2022
iSchoolConnect raises funds from Vibranium.VC to fuel its expansion plans
The Vibranium.VC fund is always looking for the next big thing – not only when it comes to revenue, but also in terms of market disruption and positive societal impact. With that in mind, Vibranium.VC is excited to put the spotlight on its next portfolio company – iSchoolConnect. - 11.16.2022
Stronger with Vibranium: first Softlanding program for SaaS B2B startups launched
Vibranium.VC’s Softlanding program is a free of charge practical online program for talented, active, and ambitious entrepreneurs ready to relocate their business to the US and enter a fast-growing market. - 09.24.2022Vibranium.VC invests in IVM MarketsWe are thrilled to introduce our new portfolio company - IVM Markets- a Saas investment content generation portal, which empowers financial distributors and resellers of structured products. The company and the people behind it are disrupting the financial industry by providing an alternative route to design, price and risk manage customized investments.
- 08.25.2022Vibranium.VC invests in Otis AIToday, we’re excited to announce our investment in Otis AI, an all-in-one digital marketing assistant for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that helps clients launch data-driven campaigns across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Google in minutes.
- 06.28.2022Vibranium.VC opened an office in Silicon ValleyGlobal venture capital investment in 2021 reached a record $621 billion, and almost half of it - $311 billion - came from the U.S. venture capital market.
- 05.11.2022Vibranium.VC closes a $250,000 dealThe fund invested in MR-NET (MotionRay) - a platform for accessing the Internet anywhere in the world. This is a tech startup operating in the US, Europe, and China. Investments will be directed to the development of sales in the respective markets.
- 04.19.2022Vibranium.VC invests in online event platform EverytaleThe $200k investment will be used to drive sales in the U.S. and expand the product line. Everytale is a platform for hybrid and online events (conferences, exhibitions, summits, webinars, workshops, and online courses).
- 03.15.2022The 6T Methodology. What does an early-stage investor look at?Zamir Shukho, General Partner of the Vibranium.VC speaks about one of the interesting innovative approaches actively used in Silicon Valley - 6T methodology for the early-stage startups evaluation.
- 01.28.2022Our task is to find the DNA of the future championZamir Shukho talks about the fund’s strategy, attractive areas for venture investors, as well as the problems of the CIS startups.
FAQ
In October 2019, Jensen Juan was named “The best CEO of the year”
Why Jensen Huang is the best CEO in the world
27.01.2020
“WinterIsland”workshop: the view of the participants of the Export track
I discarded all my hypotheses on market entry strategies and formed new ones
21.01.2020
18.08.2021
The soft landing program "Tech Export to India" is looking for startups
“Tech Export to India” accelerator is looking for 30 technology companies
© vibranium.vc, 2021 | Fund Vibranium Venture Capital
Address
123112, Moscow, nab. Presnenskaya, 12, Federation Tower, West, fl. 40, suite #9
123112, Moscow, nab. Presnenskaya, 12, Federation Tower, West, fl. 40, suite #9
According to Grand View Research, the cloud services market, including the SaaS segment, will expand by up to 18%+ annually. Some of the most rapidly developing companies in the tech space are SaaS solutions. We are eager to work in strategic areas that attract a lot of talent and demonstrate impressive business growth.
On top of that, we have a wealth of expertise in the B2B sector. We are confident that startups will benefit from our experience in growing sales, improving metrics, building networks and fundraising more capital.
On top of that, we have a wealth of expertise in the B2B sector. We are confident that startups will benefit from our experience in growing sales, improving metrics, building networks and fundraising more capital.
- MRR: $40K+ on the US market (with an incorporated US entity)
- Annual revenue growth: 300% and higher (with a MoM growth of 15%+)
- Valuation CAP: max $25M
- Tech focus: IT B2B SaaS, PaaS, cloud services (industry agnostic)
- Stage: seed, pre-series A (no bridge rounds)
- Company age: no more than 3 years old
- Team: core expertise in the area, serial entrepreneurs
- Ambition: growing to $100M ARR in 5 years
- Investment check: up to $500K in the first round, up to $1.5M onward.
Our Investment Committee makes the final decision on whether to close a deal (= to invest in a startup), which is based on company analysis, interviews and due diligence results. We plan to expand our Investment Committee to 5 people: our two GPs and three external experts, with GPs having the final say.
The origin of a startup or that of its founders doesn’t matter. For us, the team is the key factor, followed by the product, technology, finances, and so on.
However, based on our 10+ year track record, we understand the struggles and difficulties facing startups that are new to the US. This is why we launched the Vibranium Softlanding Program. It aims to support startups making their first steps in entering the US market and fundraising here. As a fund, we are planning to consider the brightest alumni of the program for our own portfolio.
However, based on our 10+ year track record, we understand the struggles and difficulties facing startups that are new to the US. This is why we launched the Vibranium Softlanding Program. It aims to support startups making their first steps in entering the US market and fundraising here. As a fund, we are planning to consider the brightest alumni of the program for our own portfolio.
On top of the financial aspect, we are here to provide our expertise and offer support in marketing and networking. We can also assist in syndicating deals with other investors from our community. Once due diligence is complete, the startup becomes “more investable”: our audit team points out weaknesses and helps eliminate them. This is what we mean when we say “Stronger with Vibranium”.
We developed our own 6T Methodology that focuses on the following criteria:
TEAM – an A-team that has a vision, passion and necessary skills
TAM – a large, growing, accessible and strategic market
TECHNOLOGY – disruptive technology and/or a disruptive business model
TRACTION – customer, technical, market or product validation
TRENDS – why now? Micro shifts that support the thesis
TERMS – does the investment fit us? Is there any hair on this deal?
TEAM – an A-team that has a vision, passion and necessary skills
TAM – a large, growing, accessible and strategic market
TECHNOLOGY – disruptive technology and/or a disruptive business model
TRACTION – customer, technical, market or product validation
TRENDS – why now? Micro shifts that support the thesis
TERMS – does the investment fit us? Is there any hair on this deal?
In this scenario, broadly speaking we recommend you work on your current shortcomings and apply later. However, in some cases we might consider an application with a slight difference in valuation cap – up to $30M.
Getting a “no” from an investor is all part of the venture capital journey. Before moving forward, it's important to fix all the weak points that our team flagged during the application process.
It’s important for us to be 100 percent confident in the ethics behind each one of our projects. This means there are certain legal markets that we don’t and won’t invest in: alcohol and tobacco, legalized drugs, weapons, the adult industry, gambling, financial scheming. Companies in these particular fields will be rejected at the first stage of the vetting process.
Numerous studies and surveys based on thousands of venture deals highlight that the driving force behind every startup is its people. A strong team will succeed in almost anything it deals with.
As a US-based fund, we seal deals according to Delaware law, which is the best fit for both parties. Proven sales in one of the biggest markets in the world demonstrates that the startup has clear potential. Also, future rounds and a possible exit are more likely to happen in the US, given that the Silicon Valley remains a global leader in terms of investment deals.
Address
101 Jefferson Drive, Menlo Park, CA
94025
101 Jefferson Drive, Menlo Park, CA
94025
© Vibranium.VC, 2022 | Fund Vibranium Venture Capital
