Tilo Bonow is Founder at Piabo Communications with global clients like Stripe, Google, DJI. Meanwhile, he is an active LP in 60+ global VCs, like Headline, HV Capital, 3VC, and more.

Tilo Bonow joined YUVC to discuss the pivotal role of effective communication in the startup and venture capital ecosystem. As the founder and CEO of Piabo Communications, Europe’s leading tech PR agency, Bonow explains why 50% of startup valuation is narrative.

Eugene Foo: What are the key criteria you use to evaluate and select solo GPs for investment? Tilo Bonow: Solo GPs who demonstrate a clear positioning and focused expertise within a specific industry, ideally showcasing a career path aligning with their chosen sector. A history of entrepreneurship is highly valued, as is the ability to effectively communicate and leverage their LP community for mutual benefit. Now listen in for more insights! ❤

00:00 - Intro 00:57 - Exploring a Historic Office Location 02:15 - Tilo Bonow’s Background and Piabo’s Mission 03:19 - The Role of Communication in Business 06:30 - Building Trust and Transparency 08:15 - Storytelling’s Impact on Startups 14:49 - Challenges and Strategies in PR 23:49 - Piabo’s First Client and Philosophy 31:27 - Criteria for Investment Decisions 31:45 - Founder Relationships and Their Importance 32:17 - Active LP Community and Relationship Leverage 33:17 - Honesty and Transparency in Venture Capital 36:55 - Perspectives on Global Investments 37:54 - Identifying Red Flags in GPs 45:18 - Berlin’s Rise as a Startup Hub 49:06 - Challenges and Opportunities in Europe 53:14 - PR Strategies for Startup Success 56:59 - Personal Reflections and Insights

PODCAST LINKS: • Podcast Website: https://www.whyyouvc.com • Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3V4FyQN • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4hYSvpg • RSS: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcrss • Podcast Playlist: https://bit.ly/whyyouvc

SOCIAL LINKS: • X: https://x.com/whyyouvc • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whyyouvc • RED: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcred • Bilibili: https://bit.ly/whyyouvcbili • Email: whyyouvc@gmail.com

GUEST LINKS: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tilobonow/ • Piabo: https://piabo.net/