In this episode of Nothing Venture, host Aarish Shah sits down with Alokik Advani, Managing Partner at Fidelity International Strategic Ventures. With over two decades of experience in finance, Alokik shares insights into the role of corporate ventures in the startup ecosystem, addressing common misconceptions about their involvement, including the notion of "dumb money." The conversation highlights the increasing participation of strategic investors in deals, the evolving mindset towards sustainable growth (focusing on $100 million ARR rather than billion-dollar valuations), and the importance of patience in the investment landscape. Alokik also discusses the challenges startups face with down rounds and fund structures, emphasising the need for a long-term perspective. Tune in for valuable takeaways and contrarian advice that could reshape your approach to venture capital.

🕒 Time stamps - 02:19 Corporate venture capital's reputation.05:28 Strategic corporate venture capital.07:28 Corporate spinouts and strategic alignment.10:14 Corporate venture and founder dynamics.15:21 Flexibility in investment structures.18:12 Long-term investment strategies.20:23 Market state and investment returns.23:10 UK FinTech ecosystem evolution.26:44 UK tech market investment challenges.30:20 Philosophy of slowing down.