Sequoia to close London office, cut Europe team
THE SO WHAT
One of the most global venture brands pulling back a dedicated London presence is a signal that Europe is shifting from must-have beachhead to selective coverage. Founders in the region should expect slower decision cycles from US megafunds and relatively more leverage for local and sector-focused capital.
READ THE SOURCE
MORE FROM THE WIRE
Startups & VentureFinpilot raises $10M for AI agents that handle the grunt work for institutional investors
Finpilot’s $10M raise to offload institutional-investor paperwork is another data point that agentic AI is going after high-fee, low-leverage tasks in finance first. If you run a fund or back-office team, the near-term ROI is in automating document prep and monitoring — not decision-making — while you harden controls and audit trails.
Startups & VentureElevenLabs could start preparing for an IPO in 2028, its CEO says
ElevenLabs talking about IPO prep for 2028 signals that AI-native tooling companies are planning to be standalone publics, not just features inside larger suites. If you depend on their stack for voice or audio, this is a hint to expect continued product expansion and enterprise pricing — and to lock in terms before that ramp.
Startups & VentureAfrica-Focused OPay Is Said to Halt US IPO After China Inquiry
A Nigeria-focused fintech halting a $300M US IPO over last-minute Chinese inquiries shows how multi-jurisdictional oversight can freeze late-stage liquidity. If your cap table or control stack crosses China, the US, and emerging markets, you need a regulatory map as detailed as your financial model.
Startups & VentureOnline Supermarket Unicorn Rohlik Weighs Prague IPO, CEO Says
Rohlik considering a Prague listing signals that European growth companies are increasingly willing to trade global visibility for local market fit and execution control. If you’re a regional category leader, the viable exit set may be broader than “wait for NASDAQ” — but your investor mix and governance need to match that path.