How We Invest?

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:

    
	flowchart TD
	
	inbound("Inbound")
	events("Startup Events & Network")
	accelerators("Accelerators & Incubators")
	members("Syndicate Members")
	inbox("Inbox")
	prescreening("Pre-screening")
	screening("Screening")
	selectedForEvent("Selected for Event")
	shortlist("Shortlist")
	vc("VC Funds")
	followup("Follow Up")
	archive("Archive")
	firstRound("Pitch")
	secondRound("Business Model Presentation")
	overtime("Overtime")
	dueDiligence("Due Diligence")
	note("CLA or SAFE")
	qualifiedRound("Equity Round")
	conversion("Conversion")
	subsequentRounds("Subsequent Rounds")
	exit("EXIT") 
	
	click members href "https://kb.gluon.vc/Knowledge+Base/How+We+Invest/Sourcing#Syndicate+Members"
	click events href "https://kb.gluon.vc/Knowledge+Base/How+We+Invest/Sourcing#Startup+Events+%26+Network"
	click accelerators href "https://kb.gluon.vc/Knowledge+Base/How+We+Invest/Sourcing#Accelerators+%26+Incubators"
	click inbound href "https://kb.gluon.vc/Knowledge+Base/How+We+Invest/Sourcing#Inbound"
	click vc href "https://kb.gluon.vc/Knowledge+Base/How+We+Invest/Sourcing#VC+Funds"
	click inbox href "https://kb.gluon.vc/Knowledge+Base/How+We+Invest/Selection#Inbox"
	click prescreening href "https://kb.gluon.vc/Knowledge+Base/How+We+Invest/Selection#Pre-Screening"
	click screening href "https://kb.gluon.vc/Knowledge+Base/How+We+Invest/Selection#Screening"
	click shortlist href "https://kb.gluon.vc/Knowledge+Base/How+We+Invest/Selection#Shortlist"
	click selectedForEvent href "https://kb.gluon.vc/Knowledge+Base/How+We+Invest/Selection#Selected+for+Event"
	click firstRound href "https://kb.gluon.vc/Knowledge+Base/How+We+Invest/Pitch+Events#Pitch"
	click secondRound href "https://kb.gluon.vc/Knowledge+Base/How+We+Invest/Pitch+Events#Business+Model+Presentation"
	click overtime href "https://kb.gluon.vc/Knowledge+Base/How+We+Invest/Pitch+Events#Overtime"
	click dueDiligence href "https://kb.gluon.vc/Knowledge+Base/How+We+Invest/Investment#Due+Diligence"
	click note href "https://kb.gluon.vc/Knowledge+Base/How+We+Invest/Investment#CLA+or+SAFE"
	click qualifiedRound href "https://kb.gluon.vc/Knowledge+Base/How+We+Invest/Investment#Equity+Round"
	click conversion href "https://kb.gluon.vc/Knowledge+Base/How+We+Invest/Investment#Conversion"
	click subsequentRounds href "https://kb.gluon.vc/Knowledge+Base/How+We+Invest/Subsequent+Rounds+and+Exit#Subsequent+Rounds"
	click exit href "https://kb.gluon.vc/Knowledge+Base/How+We+Invest/Subsequent+Rounds+and+Exit#Exit"
	
	subgraph sourcing[Sourcing]
	  inbound
	  events
	  accelerators
	  vc
	  members
	end
	
	vc <-. "Co-investments" .-> selection
	sourcing ==> selection
	
	subgraph selection[Selection]
	  direction LR
	  inbox --> prescreening
	  prescreening --> screening
	  screening --> shortlist
	  shortlist --> selectedForEvent
	end 
	
	selection <--> followup
	selection ==> event
	selection --> archive
	
	members -. "Wildcards" .-> event  
	
	subgraph event[Pitch Event]
	  direction LR
	  firstRound --> secondRound
	  secondRound .-> overtime
	end 
	
	event ==> investment  
	
	subgraph investment[Investment]
	  direction LR
	  dueDiligence --> note
	  note --> qualifiedRound
	  qualifiedRound --> conversion
	end
	
	investment ==> subsequentRounds
	subsequentRounds ==> exit

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. 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.