DOMiNO Effect Newsletter #18
DOMiNO Effect Newsletter #18
As we move into 2025, we’re excited to reflect on the incredible progress our portfolio startups have made.Last month, they’ve reached significant milestones, demonstrating innovation, resilience, and growth. Aswe’re starting the year, our continued focus on expanding opportunities and strengthening operationalcapabilities is paving the way for even greater success in the year ahead. These achievements are a testament to the strong foundation we’ve built together, setting the stage for an impactful 2025.
DOMiNO Effect in the Spotlight
- We had the privilege of hosting visionary global investors at the DOMiNO Ventures Global Sync event, filled with meaningful connections and impactful discussions.
- We were at Take Off Startup Summit 2024!
- Mustafa Kopuk, shared insights about DOMiNO Ventures’ 2024 strategies and future plans in an interview with Arden Papucciyan from Webrazzi.
- Mustafa Kopuk and Yagiz Karadeniz were at the ICT Week Uzbekistan Startup and Venture Summit 2024!
- Mustafa Kopuk talked about the Turkish Investment Ecosystem at the Webrazzi event.
- We are excited to announce that DOMiNO Ventures has become the first venture capital fund to join AXEL!
- Mustafa Kopuk and Yagiz Karadeniz attended the connected2024 conference in Astana, Kazakhstan!
- Mustafa Kopuk and Yagiz Karadeniz attended the 0100 Conference Mediterranean 2024 in Milan!
- Mustafa Kopuk and Yagiz Karadeniz attended SuperInvestor 2024 in Monte Carlo, Monaco!
- We hosted the Pitch Day of our TechUP Acceleration Program, organized in collaboration with DOMiNO Ventures and BEBKA.
Portfolio News!
- One of the rapidly growing companies in our portfolio, GoDays, operating in the Corporate Health sector, has joined StartX, the accelerator program of Stanford!
- Our portfolio company Lumian Energy’s mobile app is now available!
- Our portfolio company Cognitiwe has been recognized as one of the top 10 startups to watch in Tallinn, Estonia!
- Our portfolio company, idenfit, is forming a strategic partnership with Pulsifi, a global leader operating in 57 countries!
- Our portfolio startup Lumian Energy has successfully closed its seed round with a $400K USD investment!
DOMiNO Impact for Better Future
At DOMiNO Ventures, we align with Better Future Goals (BFGs), which represent our commitment to sustainability and social progress, driving innovation in AI, DeepTech, CleanTech, HealthTech, and other critical sectors.
Highlights for Better Future on Linkedin!
Explore the latest editions of Highlights for a Better Future below, DOMiNO Ventures’ newsletter dedicated to sustainability and impact. Stay updated with the most recent news and insights in entrepreneurship, technology, investing, and more, all through the lens of sustainability and impact.
President-elect Donald Trump’s return raises urgent questions about the future of global climate efforts. His past actions—such as exiting the Paris Agreement—cast a shadow over international progress and the ability to meet critical emissions targets. https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/11/04/trump-climate-policy-election-cop29/
Other significant news:
Global Green Skills Report 2024: Insights into the workforce needed for a sustainable future.
Climate Finance Target Achieved—But Is It Enough?: A better approach to scaling climate investments.
$86B in Dry Powder for Climate: Exploring the vast capital reserves available for climate- focused investments.
Google’s $20B Data Center and Clean Energy Plan: Combining infrastructure and renewable energy in anambitious strategy.
Explore more news and articles in our newsletter—subscribe now using the links below!
BetterFuture AI Acceleration Program
BetterFuture AI Acceleration Program is an 8-week online acceleration program targeting AI startups in Central Asiaand Caucasus region. The aim of the program is to support the growth and development of high-potential startups in this ecosystem by connecting them with mentors, investors, and entrepreneurs in global markets.
We proudly wrapped up the second batch of the BetterFuture AI Acceleration Program, featuring 10 promising startups from Central Asia and the Caucasus. On December 19th, we hosted an exciting Demo Day, where 20 international VCs from our network joined to share valuable feedback and insights.
You can watch our Demo Day here on Youtube!
Check out our LinkedIn posts below for more details!
- We’re thrilled to announce some of the incredible mentors joining the BetterFuture AI AccelerationProgram!
- A glimpse into the sessions from the 2nd Batch of the BetterFuture AI Acceleration Program!
- We held the BetterFuture AI Acceleration Program 2nd Batch Demo Day!
- We were proud to announce that 20 international VCs from our global network joined us as jury members for theBetterFuture AI Demo Day!
Better Future Talks
Tune into Better Future Talks, a dynamic YouTube show hosted by our Managing Partner, Yagiz Karadeniz. Join him as he engages with leading investors and key players from the startup ecosystem, exploring insights, opportunities, and transformative ideas shaping the region.
- First Episode Guest: Yelzhan Kushekbayev
- Second Episode guest: Iro Tsagareishvili
Ecosystem News from Focus Region
- Kazakhstan to Establish $1 Billion Venture Capital Fund
- Kazakhstan is launching a Fund of Venture Capital Funds, aiming to attract $1 billion in private investment to boost its tech ecosystem. Large Kazakh businesses have already pledged over $100 million as initial capital. The fund will invest in global, regional, and local venture funds, focusing on sectors like artificial intelligence and digital health. Kazakhstan currently accounts for over 70% of Central Asia’s venture deals, with venture capital volume increasing sixfold to $80 million over the past five years.
- Kaspi.kz acquires majority share of Hepsiburada for $1.1B
- Kaspi.kz, Kazakhstan’s fintech leader, is acquiring a 65.4% stake in Turkish e-commerce giant Hepsiburada for $1.1 billion. The deal, expected to close in early 2025, will expand Kaspi.kz’s market reach to 100 million people. Both companies will retain their brands while leveraging their combined expertise to enhance e-commerce and digital services in Turkey and Kazakhstan.
- IT Park Ventures: A New Milestone in the Development of Uzbekistan’s StartupEcosystem
- Uzbekistan’s IT Park has launched IT Park Ventures, a venture capital fund aimed at accelerating the nation’s startup ecosystem. The fund will provide financial support, mentorship, and networking opportunities to emerging tech companies, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Uzbekistan.
- MNT-Halan Expands Into Turkiye With the 100% Acquisition of Tam Finans
- MNT-Halan, Egypt’s leading non-bank financial institution and fintech, has acquired Tam Finans, a prominent Turkish commercial finance company with a loan book exceeding $300 million. This strategic move expands MNT-Halan’s international presence, enhancing its ability to deliver transformative financial solutions acrossborders.
- Eastern European Vorpen AI Secures Additional $200 Million in Upsized Funding Led by Microsoft
- Vorpen AI, originally from Lithanuia, has secured an additional $200 million in funding, led by Microsoft, to accelerate its global expansion and infrastructure development. This investment underscores the growing importance of artificial intelligence in the tech industry and highlights Microsoft’s commitment to advancing AI technologies.
Curated Content for You
Read:
- Startups Valuation in 2024: Methods & Best Practices
- Valuing a startup is a critical yet complex process, blending art and science. This article breaks down key methodsand insights to help investors and founders navigate the challenges of startup valuation effectively.
- The Future of White-Collar Work in the Age of AI
- The rise of AI is transforming white-collar work, raising questions about automation, productivity, and the future of jobs. This article explores how AI is reshaping professional roles and what it means for the workforce.
- The Anatomy of a Venture Capital Firm
- Venture capital firms drive innovation, but how do they operate? This article delves into their structure andprocesses, offering a clear understanding of how they function and create value.
Watch:
- Vertical AI Agents Could Be 10X Bigger Than SaaS
- As AI models evolve rapidly and competition intensifies, a new business model is emerging: vertical AI agents. In thisepisode of The Lightcone by Y Combinator, the hosts explore the potential impact of these specialized AI agents on existing SaaS companies, the most practical use cases, and the possibility of creating 300 billion-dollar companies within this category.
Listen:
- Reid Hoffman on the Trump Administration
- In this episode featuring Reid Hoffman, a tech visionary and one of the most impactful figures in the startup world, thediscussion spans critical topics in technology, geopolitics, and innovation. They discussed on topics included U.S.-China trade, Elon Musk’s impact on AI, NVIDIA’s chip dominance, and the role of nuclear, quantum, and AI in addressing climate change.
Clarity. Ambition. Precision. Respect. Impact.
At DOMiNO, our mission is to back bold founders and create the DOMiNO Effect for Better Future. These five values guide everything we do from how we choose our partners to how we show up for them. They reflect who we are, what we stand for, and how we build together.
Bold Moves Shift The Future
We back high-tech, pure-digital, and first-day global startups led by founders obsessed with finding innovative ways to build a Better Future with the DOMiNO Effect. We support outstanding technology founders from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus to help them realize their global ambitions.
Early and Growth Stage AI-driven Tech Startups
Qualified Founders and Multi-Functional Teams
First-day global thinkers with global scaling potential
Fully in-house Tech Solutions with Laser Focus
Early and Growth Stage AI-driven Tech Startups
Qualified Founders and Multi-Functional Teams
First-day global thinkers with global scaling potential
Fully in-house Tech Solutions with Laser Focus
Beyond Sectors. Into Scale
We’re looking for high-tech, pure-digital and first-day global startups and the big brains behind them. It’s not just about the category, it’s about clarity of vision and the courage to scale it fast.
AI
Deeptech
Cleantech
Healthtech
Fintech
Hrtech
Edtech
Gametech
Cybersecurity
Life Science
AI
Deeptech
Cleantech
Healthtech
Fintech
Hrtech
Edtech
Gametech
Cybersecurity
Life Science
Working on something big? We're all ears.
The best way to reach us is via someone we mutually know. You can always email us directly at apply@dominovc.com
Looking to invest in bold ideas for a Better Future?
The best way to invest with us is through shared vision and bold ambition, if you're ready now, our funds and portfolio are open to those ready to shape the future. Let's invest in it together.
DOMiNO Ventures is a venture capital fund focusing on high-tech, pure-digital and first-day global startups with strong origins in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus. We are backing founders who are solving new problems of the modern world in AI, Deeptech, Cleantech and beyond, helping them realize their global ambitions to create DOMiNO Effect for Better Future.
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