Gluon Syndicate’s investment process is designed to foster transparency, fairness, and efficiency while aligning the interests of both founders and investors. Whether you are a founder seeking funding or an investor exploring opportunities, our structured process ensures clarity and value at every step. Here’s a high-level breakdown:
1. **[[Sourcing]]**: We source startups from diverse channels, including inbound applications, startup events, partnerships with accelerators and incubators, referrals from syndicate members, and connections with VC funds.
2. **[[Selection]]**: Startups go through a thorough evaluation process, including pre-screening, screening, and shortlisting, before being selected to pitch at one of our quarterly pitch events.
3. **[[Knowledge Base/How We Invest/Pitch Events|Pitch Events]]**: Startups present their vision and goals in a two-round pitch event, where investors express interest and make commitments using our streamlined app.
4. **[[Investment]]**: Startups that meet their funding goals enter due diligence, after which investments are made through either [[CLA (Convertible Loan Agreement)]] or [[SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity)]].
5. **[[Subsequent Rounds and Exit]]**: We support startups as they grow and secure future funding, leveraging our network to connect them with institutional investors. Our goal is a successful exit, whether through acquisition, IPO, or other strategic opportunities, with a typical investment horizon of 7-10 years.
```mermaid
flowchart TD
inbound["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Sourcing#Inbound'>Inbound</a>"]
events["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Sourcing### Startup Events & Network'>Events</a>"]
accelerators["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Sourcing#Accelerators & Incubators'>Accelerators & Incubators</a>"]
members["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Sourcing#Syndicate Members'>Syndicate Members</a>"]
inbox["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Selection#Inbox'>Inbox</a>"]
prescreening["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Selection#Pre-Screening'>Pre-Screening</a>"]
screening["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Selection#Screening'>Screening</a>"]
selectedForEvent["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Selection#Selected For Event'>Selected For Event</a>"]
shortlist["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Selection#Shortlist'>Shortlist</a>"]
vc["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Sourcing#VC Funds'>VC Funds</a>"]
followup["Follow Up"]
archive["Archive"]
firstRound["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Pitch Events#Pitch'>Pitch</a>"]
secondRound["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Pitch Events#Business Model Presentation'>Business Model Presentation</a>"]
overtime["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Pitch Events#Overtime'>Overtime</a>"]
dueDiligence["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Investment#Due Diligence'>Due Diligence</a>"]
note["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Investment#CLA or SAFE'>CLA or SAFE</a>"]
qualifiedRound["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Investment#Equity Round'>Equity Round</a>"]
conversion["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Investment#Conversion'>Conversion</a>"]
subsequentRounds["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Subsequent Rounds and Exit#Subsequent Rounds'>Subsequent Rounds</a>"]
exit["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Subsequent Rounds and Exit#Exit'>Exit</a>"]
subgraph sourcing ["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Sourcing'>Sourcing</a>"]
inbound
events
accelerators
vc
members
end
vc <-. "Co-investments" .-> selection
sourcing ==> selection
subgraph selection ["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Selection'>Selection</a>"]
direction LR
inbox --> prescreening
prescreening --> screening
screening --> shortlist
shortlist --> selectedForEvent
end
selection <--> followup
selection ==> event
selection --> archive
members -. "Wildcards" .-> event
subgraph event ["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Pitch Events'>Pitch Events</a>"]
direction LR
firstRound --> secondRound
secondRound .-> overtime
end
event ==> investment
subgraph investment ["<a class='internal-link is-unresolved' href='Investment'>Investment</a>"]
direction LR
dueDiligence --> note
note --> qualifiedRound
qualifiedRound --> conversion
end
investment ==> subsequentRounds
subsequentRounds ==> exit
```
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