From December 7-11, 2024, Global Ties San Francisco hosted the Venture Capital Investment and Regulation: Learning from the U.S. Model delegation of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Meridian International Center.

During their visit to the San Francisco Bay Area, our ten Slovenian leaders from governmental, financial, and legal sectors explored venture capital best practices. Meetings arranged offered impactful insights into the U.S. regulatory landscape, taxation models, and investment strategies, cultivating key opportunities for dialogue.

Our Professional Meetings

Clearstone Venture Partners

Kicking off the delegation’s visit, the first meeting featured Vish Mishra of Clearstone Venture Partners, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology startups. Mishra, a seasoned Silicon Valley venture capitalist and entrepreneur, provided insights into the U.S. venture capital landscape and the essential ecosystem required for its success. He emphasized the importance of mentors, investors, and a positive yet realistic mindset, highlighting the key factors that VCs typically consider when evaluating investment opportunities: team, talent, and track record.

The Deep-Tech Community and VC Nest

A subsequent meeting with the Deep-Tech Community and VC Nest further expounded on the life of startup founders in Silicon Valley and the VC ecosystem. Visitors heard from Arjun Subedi with the Deep-Tech Community, a network of researchers, innovators, venture capitalists, and industry experts focused on advancing Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) deep-tech innovation. Alongside him were Lochan Alagh and Badru Valani, co-founders of VC Nest, a VC firm and coworking space focused on fostering the innovation of scalable businesses by building an ecosystem of fund managers. The speakers addressed their important work and potential strategies for Slovenian VCs.

Consulate General of Denmark, Silicon Valley – Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK)

Another impactful meeting with the Consulate General of Denmark in Silicon Valley explored examined the history and role of Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK) — which provides services to educational and research institutions, companies, public stakeholders, and Danish citizens looking to expand innovation through access to Silicon Valley. Consul General Jesper Kamp, Asger Bruhn, and Sweeta Ali highlighted ICDK’s unique model in the United States, addressing topics including tax relief or credits options for investors, and how to kickstart investments and develop a strong track record.

Woodside Capital Partners

Following this, the visitors met with Woodside Capital Partners, a leading corporate finance advisory firm for tech companies in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) and financings in the $30M – $500m segment. Managing Partner Rudy Burger and Executive Director Rajesh Shakkarwar led a conversation on M&A trends, emphasizing key differences between European and American companies. They also highlighted challenges such as aligning with founders’ expectations and understanding the gap between a company’s value and the capital it raises. The group appreciated both the candid market insights and the strategic connections offered for future opportunities.

500 Global

Another noteworthy discussion with 500 Global further revealed aspects of the venture capital landscape in Silicon Valley. Recognized as one of the world’s most active early-stage VC firms, 500 Global specializes in backing fast-growing startups across industries. During the session, the team shared an overview of their in-person accelerator program, which enables companies to gain firsthand exposure to the U.S. market without the need to fully relocate to California.

Kumo.AI

A final exceptional session for the visitors was with Kumo.AI, a technology company whose machine learning (ML) infrastructure simplifies the training and deployment of ML models on complex data. CEO Vanja Josifovski touched on what entrepreneurship looks like in Silicon Valley, reflecting that the region is focused and things move quickly. He also shared that the ability to mobilize talent is the key to success. The group appreciated these perspectives, as well as further dialogue on privacy, AI, copyrights, data storage, and more.

Cultural Experiences in San Francisco

Sightseeing

The visitors had an amazing time exploring San Francisco! They had the opportunity to wander through the towering trees of Muir Woods, experience the eclectic vibe of Haight-Ashbury, admire the Palace of Fine Arts, and experience the vibrant culture and colors of Chinatown.

Exchanges Impact

This global exchange program with Slovenia highlighted the significance of building ongoing relationships between Slovenian and U.S. investors. During the visit, the group explored best practices in venture capital regulation, policies and initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, and the importance of collaboration to drive economic growth. The group’s cultural experiences also gave them the opportunity to see firsthand the innovative and driven environment of San Francisco and Silicon Valley, while deepening their perspectives on the U.S. cultures and society.

^{Author: Valleigh Brechtel, Spring 2025 Intern
Editor: Alannah Crandall}