Flashpoint is an international tech investment firm with approximately $600 million in assets under management (AUM), focusing on U.S. and Western European tech companies originating from Europe and MENA. Flashpoint manages nine funds across three products: Venture Growth, Growth Debt, and Direct Secondary. The firm is headquartered in London, with offices in New York, Tel Aviv, Budapest, and Riga.
Growth Debt: What’s Happening in Europe and Italy?
Italy’s startup ecosystem is growing, but what is still holding it back?
In this podcast with Francesco Cerruti (https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-cerruti-89928816/), Director General of Tech Italian Alliance (https://www.italiantechalliance.com/), and Ilja Velickis (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilja-velickis-cfa-7650455a/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_event%3BTgAUtK5bReWxU5nuP6tKXQ%3D%3D), Associate Partner at Flashpoint (https://www.linkedin.com/company/flashpointincapital/)Growth Debt , we take a closer look at the Italian tech landscape and discuss:
→ Where the Italian startup ecosystem stands today
→ Why growth debt remains underused
→ What’s changing in the funding landscape
→ The challenges investors and founders face
→ Where Italy could see the next wave of growth, from robotics to space
4 Sept 2026
What Investors Are Really Talking About?
In this episode, Ilja Velickis, Associate Partner at Flashpoint, and Cyril Golub, Board Member at Latvian Business Angel Network (LatBAN), dive deep into the reality of angel investing, from building an investment philosophy to creating meaningful relationships beyond transactions.
They discuss the tough lessons behind angel investing, why chasing unicorns isn’t always the right strategy, and what really matters when keeping LPs happy. We also explore how AI is changing the startup landscape, why the value of code has disappeared while the value of software remains, and how AI is transforming due diligence and portfolio evaluation.
1 Jul 2026
Against the Wind: How AirHelp Turned Passenger Pain Into a Global Business
Henrik Zillmer, founder and first CEO of AirHelp, shares the story of building the company from early frustration with airline delays into a global leader in flight compensation. In conversation with Lukas Harustiak, Partner at Flashpoint, he reflects on the company’s early pivot from an information platform to a “no win, no fee” legal-tech business, its global launch strategy, and the role of Y Combinator in pushing the team toward automation and scale.
14 Apr 2026
Chess, Fate and the Dawn of AI
How did a lifelong passion for chess become a $100M+ global business?
What were the early challenges of bootstrapping Chess.com, and how did moments of fate and serendipity shape the company?
How is technology, including AI, transforming the game and the future of fair play?
12 Dec 2025
The future of AI in Hospitality Tech
In our podcast, Amiad Soto, Co-Founder of Guesty, and Alex Konoplyasty, Co-Founder of Flashpoint, will share how AI is:
Automating guest journeys & back-office operations
Boosting efficiency and guest satisfaction
Powering an AI-enabled hospitality stack with partners like AIPEX
Driving measurable ROI for property managers
If you’re curious about real AI impact in proptech, this episode is a must-listen 🎧
25 Nov 2025
Exploring Italy’s Growth Opportunities — Reflections from the 0100
How have you seen the Italian investment landscape evolve recently, and what factors are driving this change?
Growth debt seems to be gaining traction—what makes it appealing to local investors, and how is it shaping venture strategies in Italy?
With the rise of deeptech startups, what unique opportunities or challenges are emerging for collaboration with family offices and gatekeepers?
2 Oct 2025
Global Private Capital in Growth Tech
Alex Konoplyasty and Haim Zaltzman dove into the dynamic world of private capital in growth tech. They explored where investment was flowing, what investors were prioritizing, and how cross-border deals were evolving in the fast-changing market of the time.
Alex shared his perspective and the Flashpoint approach, while Haim brought insights from his experience at Latham & Watkins, a global law firm that advised the businesses and institutions driving the global economy.
30 Sept 2025
Survive, Scale, or Sell: The Future of Venture and Liquidity
The clock is ticking for a generation of companies. An unprecedented number of startups that raised during the peak of 2019-2021 are now approaching the end of their investors' fund life. The problem? Many aren't ready for an IPO, and the traditional M&A market presents its own challenges.
This is creating a massive surge in structured secondary solutions. But what do these deals actually look like today?
30 Sept 2025
The Family Office Edge – Educate. Govern. Invest.
We shared our perspectives on why governance and education were key to helping family offices access and navigate new investment opportunities.
If you're thinking about the future of family capital and how to build smarter, more agile investment structures—this one’s for you.
19 Sept 2022
How Should Early-Stage Companies Navigate the Ever-Changing Landscape of ESG?
Why is ESG important for early-stage companies? What are the risks and opportunities?
What are the most common weak areas for early-stage companies in their approach to ESG?
How should early-stage companies navigate the ever-changing landscape of ESG?
How can companies integrate ESG into their strategies and processes?
Jan Dauman, Independent Director, Trusted Advisor to SMEs and charities, Specialist in ESG implementation
Flashpoint is an international technology investment firm that manages venture capital, secondary buy-out and venture debt funds. We seek to partner with exceptional entrepreneurs who would like to change and improve the world around us. We invest in international software companies with proven business models, support founders originating from Emerging Europe and Israel doing business in the western markets, and provide various types of capital to companies and their stakeholders from early life of the company to late stages.
18 May 2022
What are the Differences and Similarities in Approaches in Venture Investing between Turkey and Israel?
Flashpoint is an international investment group with over US$0.5 billion AUM. Flashpoint manages six venture funds: four VC funds, a Venture Debt Fund, and a Secondary Fund. We invest in international software companies with proven business models, support founders originating from Emerging Europe and Israel doing business in the western markets, and provide various types of capital to companies and their stakeholders from early life of the company to late stages.
500 Global is a venture capital firm that invests early in founders building fast-growing technology companies. 500 Global has backed over 6,000 founders representing more than 2,500 companies operating in 77 countries. Our portfolio includes 33 companies valued at over $1 billion and 120 companies valued at over $100 million. We focus on markets where technology, innovation, and capital can unlock long-term value and drive economic growth.
20 Apr 2022
Why Do Startups Need Funding?
TechChill & Flashpoint discuss various forms of financing available to startups. Which are more suited for particular startups, how to understand which source of funding is right for a company and how to evaluate and compare the cost of such funding.
Flashpoint is an international technology investment firm that manages venture capital, secondary buy-out and venture debt funds. We seek to partner with exceptional entrepreneurs who would like to change and improve the world around us. We invest in international software companies with proven business models, support founders originating from Emerging Europe and Israel doing business in the western markets, and provide various types of capital to companies and their stakeholders from early life of the company to late stages.
TechChill celebrates the best of the Baltic startup community by annually bringing together 2300+ attendees, including over 300 of the fastest-growing startups, most innovative corporations, 200 investors active in the region, 100 media representatives, and talented tech enthusiasts.
Contact FlashpointSpeaks
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of FlashpointSpeaks?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
