Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Trustai raises $4m - led by OIF Ventures a win for Cx


Sarel Roets,  Ryan Kohler and David Shein 

Founders of Trusst AI , CX veterans Sarel Roets and Ryan Kohler has raised a seed round of  $4 million led by OIF ventures .

What does TRustAI do

TrusstAI implements autonomous agents that integrate into customer systems, cloning your best workers, 24/7, powering automation and reducing costs. 


TrusstAI empowers the intelligent workforce by managing, analysing, automating and personalising customer interactions in any language or channel, learning and adapting in real time. 

 

It analyses customer data, helping businesses to better understand their needs and streamline internal processes through continuous optimisation., resulting in 

  • a reduction in churn, 
  • a continuous increase in sales and 
  • greater customer retention and [net promoter score]


“We’re incredibly excited to be backing Sarel and Ryan,” David Shein, partner at OIF, said.

“Their deep domain expertise, combined with the best-in-class product they’ve built, puts them in a fantastic position to take on what is an immense opportunity for disruption in the CX space.”

Monday, March 10, 2025

🌾 The Future of Agribusiness: Innovation, Resilience, and Growth 🌍



My friend Zsolt Nagy is arguably one of the most connected humans on the planet.

He has various onterests around the world 🌍, including an agribusiness in Slovakia .

Here is his takeouts from a mastermind of 168 agribusiness leaders and innovators from around the world at a high-level strategic forum, , where they  tackled some of the most pressing challenges and groundbreaking opportunities shaping the future of agriculture.

🌾 The Future of Agribusiness: Innovation, Resilience, and Growth 🌍

This wasn’t just a program—it was a global exchange of ideas, exploring how we can future-proof agribusiness through innovation, sustainability, and strategic adaptation.

🔥 Key themes that shaped our discussions:
🌍 Climate Resilience – The impact of shifting weather patterns on crop yields and how adaptive farming can mitigate risks.
📊 Data & Technology – Precision farming, AI-driven decision-making, and automation as the foundation of modern agribusiness.
🌾 Sustainability & Consumer Demand – How transparency, regenerative practices, and alternative food systems are reshaping the industry.
💼 Strategic Business Models – Agility, market diversification, and value-chain collaboration as tools for long-term success.

What truly set this gathering apart were the real-world case studies, offering deep insights into the transformations happening across Europe and Slovakia. From agritech-driven efficiency in Central Europe to the rise of biogas as a sustainable energy source, the message was clear—small, smart changes drive exponential impact.

💡 Key takeaways as an agribusiness expert:
🔸 Technology is no longer optional—it’s the competitive edge that will define the next generation of agricultural success.
🔸 Collaboration is power—supply chain resilience depends on stronger partnerships between farmers, processors, and retailers.
🔸 Adaptability is survival—those who embrace new revenue streams, sustainable models, and consumer-driven changes will lead the industry.

With agriculture in Slovakia and Europe undergoing a major transformation, the opportunity to drive meaningful change has never been greater. 🚜💡 From integrating renewable energy to expanding precision agriculture, I am more motivated than ever to apply these insights and push the boundaries of what’s possible in our industry.

🌟 What trends or innovations do you see shaping the future of agribusiness in 2025? Let’s connect and discuss!

#Agribusiness #Innovation #Sustainability #FutureOfFarming #AgricultureLeadership #AgriTech #Growth

Friday, March 07, 2025

Ari Klinger’s 4 questions to assess the long game of a company


Here are Ari’s  Level 2 questions that dig into markets, moats, and long term value:


❓1. How big and durable is the market, and where does the company stand?


  • 💥Is the market growing, stable, or at risk of disruption? 
  • 💥Who are the main competitors, and how are you positioned to win?
  • 💥Are there regulatory, economic, or cultural trends that significantly impact the market, positively or negatively?


2. ❓Why’s this team the one to back now?


  • 💥What relevant track record or domain expertise does leadership have, and what evidence shows they can execute against ambitious timelines
  • 💥How do they attract, motivate, and retain top talent?
  • 💥Are they demonstrating an ownership mindset (capital efficiency, free cash flow focus, personal skin in the game)?


3. ❓Is there a strong moat that will last for years?


  • 💥What is the biggest threat or disruptor to your model, and how do you mitigate it?
  • 💥What’s your competitive advantage, and can it become or remain a defensible moat?
  • 💥If you disappeared tomorrow, what would customers do and how quickly could a competitor fill the gap?


4.❓ Can the business scale while improving quality?


  • 💥Which new products, markets or partnerships are you considering, and how is your product or technology evolving to stay ahead of competitors? 
  • 💥Which metrics and unit economics are you tracking to ensure healthy growth? 
  • 💥How do you balance investment in R&D or market expansion vs. near-term profitability?


5. ❓Is the valuation a win or a warning?


  • 💥What’s the valuation versus the company’s future potential?
  • 💥What assumptions justify this price?
  • 💥What are the current and future capital needs (equity, debt, resource allocation)?

Wednesday, March 05, 2025

How to size up a business with 5 Questions

Great insites from VC legend Ari Klinger 

5 questions any business needs to nail 

1. Who are you selling to? 

 Create an avatar of your ideal client 

2. What are they buying? 

What is the painkiller for your client 

3. Why you? 

What is your unique proposition - is it your superpower

4. How will you profitably and sustainably deliver on that promise?
  • The business model 
  • Revenue /costs/Gp 
  • Scalability and cost of scaling 

5. How do you measure success?

What are the metrics and kpis 


Let me know if you want to know level 2 questions? 



Send your vCard and refer your network with www.referron.com
www.referron.com