
歡迎來到我們的“2025年全球大預(yù)言”系列!
在總結(jié)2024年的同時(shí),我們也在展望人類共同的未來——或者說,可能的未來。
就我個(gè)人而言,我對(duì)預(yù)測(cè)的感情有些復(fù)雜。我常常想起溫斯頓·丘吉爾的那句名言:“試圖展望過于遙遠(yuǎn)的未來是錯(cuò)誤的,面對(duì)環(huán)環(huán)相扣的命運(yùn)鏈條,我們一次只能處理其中的一環(huán)。”
盡管如此,許多人都在進(jìn)行預(yù)測(cè)。而我確實(shí)認(rèn)為,預(yù)測(cè)的第一環(huán)往往是期望與規(guī)劃。我們認(rèn)為哪些事情可能或很有可能發(fā)生?因此,我們又會(huì)采取哪些措施將其變?yōu)楝F(xiàn)實(shí)?
在篩選了數(shù)百條預(yù)測(cè)后,我深深感受到一種強(qiáng)烈的樂觀情緒。人們似乎普遍相信,2025年將為私募市場(chǎng)帶來諸多機(jī)遇。
言歸正傳,以下是人們對(duì)2025年的預(yù)測(cè)。
注:為簡(jiǎn)明起見,部分回答經(jīng)過編輯。
風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資:轉(zhuǎn)折之年
2025年,在新一屆政府政策的推動(dòng)下,風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資領(lǐng)域?qū)⒂瓉矸睒s?!寥f·尼科,Navigate Ventures創(chuàng)始人
預(yù)計(jì)企業(yè)獲得新融資的過程依舊緩慢,而退出進(jìn)程也將繼續(xù)滯后。初創(chuàng)公司必須謹(jǐn)慎管理資金使用周期,因?yàn)檠娱L(zhǎng)融資輪次可能會(huì)更加普遍。
公司需要展示真正的市場(chǎng)吸引力和產(chǎn)品市場(chǎng)契合度才能獲得A輪融資;初創(chuàng)公司必須證明其自身的生存能力,才能從內(nèi)部人士那里獲得額外支持?!獑潭鳌P丹,Torch Capital創(chuàng)始人兼管理合伙人
2025年最顯著的變化將是資本更多地集中于成熟的基金。2022年,1,500多支基金募資1,842億美元,創(chuàng)歷史紀(jì)錄,而截至2024年第三季度,僅有380支基金募資650億美元,其中81%的資金流向了成熟基金。這一趨勢(shì)表明有限合伙人正向“優(yōu)質(zhì)資產(chǎn)轉(zhuǎn)移”?!嗝啄峥恕た扑固棺?,43North投資組合副總裁
準(zhǔn)備迎接史上最強(qiáng)牛市——零利率政策(ZIRP)回歸,市場(chǎng)即將變得瘋狂且喧囂。加密貨幣將重?zé)ㄉ鷻C(jī),“猴子圖片”等非同質(zhì)化代幣或其他投資產(chǎn)品將卷土重來;與此同時(shí),房?jī)r(jià)飆升,市場(chǎng)上涌現(xiàn)IPO熱潮。種子輪融資將如2021年般源源不斷,更多資金將追逐下一個(gè)大風(fēng)口。這將是一段瘋狂的行情,但希望我們能從上一次泡沫中汲取一些教訓(xùn)——因?yàn)檫@一切正在走向似曾相識(shí)的局面?!愃箭R,Runway創(chuàng)始人兼CEO
2024年可能標(biāo)志著風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資市場(chǎng)周期性收縮的底部。盡管初創(chuàng)公司融資趨于穩(wěn)定,但對(duì)風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資基金的資本投入較2023年有所下降,其中新興管理者(基金I-III)和新成立的管理者(基金IV-VII)受影響最為嚴(yán)重……我預(yù)測(cè)2025年的關(guān)鍵在于退出市場(chǎng)的重新開放。——比澤·克拉克森,Sapphire Partners合伙人
在2025年,風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資人將專注于測(cè)試和應(yīng)對(duì)公開市場(chǎng)對(duì)不同類型公司IPO的接受度。一旦出現(xiàn)成功上市的標(biāo)志性事件,就可以期待大量機(jī)會(huì)將會(huì)涌現(xiàn)出來。——阿齊茲·吉拉尼,Mercury Fund普通合伙人
我們預(yù)測(cè),隨著普通合伙人逐步釋放在2021年和2022年積累的閑置資金,歷史上一般落后于整體市場(chǎng)反彈速度的融資活動(dòng)將會(huì)增多,并在2025年下半年加速反彈?!箍铺亍の炙?,HarbourVest董事總經(jīng)理
盡管后期階段的風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資交易活動(dòng)放緩,我們預(yù)計(jì)對(duì)較成熟公司的成長(zhǎng)期投資將迎來復(fù)蘇。這一變化可能受益于2025年IPO市場(chǎng)的重新開放以及并購(gòu)活動(dòng)的增加,為這一階段的投資者創(chuàng)造了吸引力十足的機(jī)會(huì)。——托馬斯·穆勒克爾,BMW i Ventures副總裁
我們可能會(huì)看到新的和回歸的有限合伙人將資本重新注入風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資領(lǐng)域。許多有限合伙人在該資產(chǎn)類別上的配置過高,有些有限合伙人則將投資策略從風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資轉(zhuǎn)向更快實(shí)現(xiàn)流動(dòng)性的選擇,但我們開始注意到新一批有限合伙人正押注風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資。這可能會(huì)在2025年使風(fēng)投基金募得更多資金,并幫助優(yōu)秀公司脫穎而出?!鞯履帷ね旭R斯,Symphonic Capital創(chuàng)始人
我們將看到大量風(fēng)投資本涌入技術(shù)領(lǐng)域,以重新激發(fā)美國(guó)的工業(yè)基礎(chǔ),并對(duì)國(guó)防能力進(jìn)行現(xiàn)代化升級(jí)。地緣政治格局的變化、政府對(duì)非對(duì)稱技術(shù)需求的增長(zhǎng)以及更多普通投資者的參與將成為這一趨勢(shì)的推動(dòng)因素。預(yù)計(jì)在人工智能、自動(dòng)化、網(wǎng)絡(luò)安全、量子技術(shù)以及其他面向制造業(yè)、供應(yīng)鏈和國(guó)防領(lǐng)域的戰(zhàn)略技術(shù)領(lǐng)域,將迎來創(chuàng)紀(jì)錄的交易和資金流入浪潮?!獊唫悺ぱ鸥鞑忌琋EA合伙人
2025年將是投資者爭(zhēng)相退出的一年。有限合伙人對(duì)流動(dòng)性的渴望將推動(dòng)基金出售,而即將到期的投資周期將促使公司進(jìn)行收購(gòu)?!笮l(wèi)·范恩,VSS Capital Partners合伙人、高級(jí)董事總經(jīng)理兼投資者關(guān)系負(fù)責(zé)人
私募股權(quán):順風(fēng)助力
較低的利率將使私募股權(quán)公司更容易獲得收購(gòu)所需要的杠桿資金,從而啟動(dòng)由私募基金支持的收購(gòu)周期?!啤ぐ吞乩?,Thomvest Ventures董事總經(jīng)理
在2025年,機(jī)構(gòu)投資者可能需要“稍微讓出一些位置”,讓越來越多私人投資者進(jìn)場(chǎng),他們將通過持續(xù)拓寬的新渠道進(jìn)入私人市場(chǎng)?!驳铝摇W爾巴赫,Cambridge Associates全球私人投資負(fù)責(zé)人
我們預(yù)計(jì)2025年私募股權(quán)圈將表現(xiàn)得極其活躍。充裕的閑置資金、更長(zhǎng)的資產(chǎn)持有周期以及對(duì)投入資本分紅率(DPI)的需求,預(yù)計(jì)將使并購(gòu)活動(dòng)增多?!獫缮健っ访桑琒tifel金融贊助商團(tuán)隊(duì)負(fù)責(zé)人
傳統(tǒng)能源、可再生能源和核能領(lǐng)域需要大量投資,而私募股權(quán)將發(fā)揮關(guān)鍵作用,通過創(chuàng)造性的方式為這些領(lǐng)域提供資本?!s翰·格蘭德,Vinson & Elkins律師事務(wù)所并購(gòu)及私募股權(quán)合伙人
我們預(yù)計(jì)消費(fèi)行業(yè)將繼續(xù)主導(dǎo)私募股權(quán)投資。消費(fèi)行業(yè)在美國(guó)經(jīng)濟(jì)中占據(jù)重要地位,貢獻(xiàn)了70%的GDP?!苊住W哈拉,TSG Consumer Partners總裁
2025年將是私募股權(quán)領(lǐng)域的關(guān)鍵之年,新一屆政府對(duì)美國(guó)的愿景是實(shí)現(xiàn)更快的經(jīng)濟(jì)增長(zhǎng)、降低稅率和減少監(jiān)管,這將促進(jìn)交易和籌資活動(dòng)。通脹下降和堅(jiān)定邁入寬松周期的美聯(lián)儲(chǔ),將降低行業(yè)的資本成本,為更活躍的資本市場(chǎng)活動(dòng)創(chuàng)造有利環(huán)境?!暭{·奧弗斯特羅姆,Corsair Capital合伙人
初創(chuàng)公司:基本面仍然重要
在2025年,認(rèn)真經(jīng)營(yíng)的公司憑借高客戶投資回報(bào)率將從競(jìng)爭(zhēng)對(duì)手中脫穎而出,它們將以更具吸引力的估值繼續(xù)融資,而只會(huì)講空話和炒作的公司(例如大部分AI公司)則會(huì)日漸衰弱并放緩發(fā)展速度?!_布·比得曼,Asymmetric Capital Partners管理合伙人
初創(chuàng)公司能夠自力更生,將被視為一種榮譽(yù)的象征?!斏け人?,F(xiàn)lodesk聯(lián)合創(chuàng)始人兼CEO
與“僵尸”初創(chuàng)公司不同,“吸血鬼”初創(chuàng)公司正從2021年后的“沉睡”中覺醒,它們利用這段時(shí)間在增長(zhǎng)的同時(shí)提升效率(或許通過在產(chǎn)品中嵌入AI)。這些“吸血鬼公司”(如Dialpad和Airwallex)都是少有人知的可靠資產(chǎn)?!铩ぐ⑹膊剪斂耍珿 Squared創(chuàng)始人兼管理合伙人
市值十億美元、只有一個(gè)人的公司即將出現(xiàn)。隨著AI技術(shù)使設(shè)計(jì)、制造和銷售工具變得越來越簡(jiǎn)化,制造實(shí)體產(chǎn)品的個(gè)人創(chuàng)業(yè)者數(shù)量將激增?!材荨たㄟ_(dá)維,Redpoint Ventures管理合伙人
2025年,科技初創(chuàng)公司將重新聚焦增長(zhǎng),但有一個(gè)重要的限定條件。在過去幾年里,創(chuàng)業(yè)界的趨勢(shì)發(fā)生了巨大的變化。曾經(jīng),創(chuàng)業(yè)界的主流理念是“不計(jì)成本追求增長(zhǎng)”,公司進(jìn)行大規(guī)模融資并迅速將其花光。隨后,隨著利率上升和資本收緊,這種理念被高度追求效率的理念所取代。企業(yè)裁員、縮減開支并尋找降低支出的方式。如今,創(chuàng)業(yè)界終于重新回到了一個(gè)健康的中間地帶。隨著利率下降,初創(chuàng)公司將再次優(yōu)先考慮增長(zhǎng),但更加注重快速增長(zhǎng)與效率的平衡。事實(shí)上,初創(chuàng)公司本質(zhì)上就是增長(zhǎng)引擎。如果不增長(zhǎng),他們就會(huì)逐漸衰退。在2025年,我認(rèn)為創(chuàng)業(yè)界將再次進(jìn)入全面高速發(fā)展階段?!獑痰佟ぐ噘悹?,Harness與Traceable聯(lián)合創(chuàng)始人兼CEO
二級(jí)市場(chǎng):繁忙且愈發(fā)活躍
2024年上半年,二級(jí)市場(chǎng)交易量創(chuàng)下歷史新高。隨著年底臨近,根據(jù)我們的觀察,這一趨勢(shì)不僅會(huì)持續(xù)下去,還將迎來快速增長(zhǎng)。早在2019年,我們預(yù)測(cè)在2025年,二級(jí)市場(chǎng)的規(guī)模將突破2,000億美元,這一預(yù)測(cè)當(dāng)時(shí)遭到了許多質(zhì)疑,但我們?nèi)詧?jiān)信這一目標(biāo)即將實(shí)現(xiàn)?!獡P(yáng)·羅巴德,Dawson Partners管理合伙人
我們預(yù)測(cè),2025年針對(duì)私人財(cái)富的二級(jí)基金將越來越受歡迎。同時(shí),我們也認(rèn)為,不同基金的結(jié)構(gòu)和投資組合差異將開始影響投資者的接受度?!鸢病とR維特,ICG美洲地區(qū)LP二級(jí)市場(chǎng)負(fù)責(zé)人
二級(jí)市場(chǎng)的交易量預(yù)計(jì)將維持增長(zhǎng)勢(shì)頭,因?yàn)橛邢藓匣锶撕推胀ê匣锶爽F(xiàn)在普遍采用二級(jí)市場(chǎng)解決方案。由普通合伙人主導(dǎo)的資本解決方案(尤其是延續(xù)型工具)已被證明極為有效,所有跡象表明這種趨勢(shì)在2025年將延續(xù)下去?!@锟恕さ罓枺珽aton Partners(Stifel旗下公司)聯(lián)席主管
2024年第三季度,Carta平臺(tái)的并購(gòu)活動(dòng)達(dá)到了兩年來的最高水平,共有170家公司被收購(gòu),這是并購(gòu)?fù)顺鼋灰走B續(xù)第四個(gè)季度增長(zhǎng)。同時(shí),二級(jí)交易正在改變初創(chuàng)公司利益相關(guān)者獲取價(jià)值的方式。太空探索技術(shù)公司(SpaceX)(目前史上最有價(jià)值的私人公司)和OpenAI通過要約收購(gòu)引領(lǐng)了這一趨勢(shì)。Carta的數(shù)據(jù)顯示要約收購(gòu)數(shù)量增多:第三季度完成了22宗交易,為2021年底以來的最高水平。如果公司能夠獲得資本從而更長(zhǎng)時(shí)間保持私營(yíng)狀態(tài),那么問題隨之而來:上市有什么好處?這個(gè)問題的答案或許將在2025年揭曉。隨著流動(dòng)性選項(xiàng)的演變和私人資本的涌入,IPO市場(chǎng)的表現(xiàn)將證明這是初創(chuàng)公司退出方式的根本性轉(zhuǎn)變,還是說這僅僅是一次暫時(shí)的調(diào)整?!说谩の挚?,Carta洞察負(fù)責(zé)人
宏觀經(jīng)濟(jì)與公開市場(chǎng)展望:積極趨勢(shì)與波動(dòng)并存
公開股票市場(chǎng)接近歷史高點(diǎn)。這為并購(gòu)活動(dòng)創(chuàng)造了機(jī)會(huì),因?yàn)樯鲜泄菊趯ふ沂召?gòu)目標(biāo);與此同時(shí),那些因股票增值而資金更充裕的潛在創(chuàng)業(yè)者,也可能會(huì)著手將他們醞釀已久的創(chuàng)業(yè)想法付諸實(shí)施。——杰弗里·伯曼,Camber Creek普通合伙人
盡管人們普遍期待公開市場(chǎng)繁榮發(fā)展,但在新政黨展現(xiàn)實(shí)力的過程中,2025年仍將是充滿波動(dòng)的一年。盡管市場(chǎng)整體向上的趨勢(shì)不會(huì)改變,這也不會(huì)是一條平坦的道路?!寮印ひ撞祭C?,F(xiàn)PV Ventures創(chuàng)始人兼管理合伙人
經(jīng)濟(jì)“適度增長(zhǎng)”的趨勢(shì)將發(fā)生逆轉(zhuǎn)。2025年,由于“政府效率部”(DOGE)對(duì)政府支出的影響,以及因?yàn)槊绹?guó)未能解決供應(yīng)鏈限制問題和更嚴(yán)格的貿(mào)易協(xié)定導(dǎo)致的通貨膨脹重新加速,美國(guó)的GDP增速將會(huì)放緩。預(yù)計(jì)標(biāo)普500指數(shù)將下跌15%,納斯達(dá)克指數(shù)將下跌20%。——安德魯·艾伯特,Channel Equity Partners管理合伙人
隨著美聯(lián)儲(chǔ)降息、美國(guó)股市創(chuàng)歷史新高且經(jīng)濟(jì)依然穩(wěn)健,我們是否會(huì)進(jìn)入一個(gè)新的通脹時(shí)代,3%是否將取代2%成為新的通脹目標(biāo)?——丹·泰勒,Man Numeric首席投資官
其他領(lǐng)域:創(chuàng)作者、體育、《星際迷航》等
摩爾定律并未終結(jié),它只是暫時(shí)沉寂?!说谩ぐ屠滋兀琍layground Global普通合伙人兼聯(lián)合創(chuàng)始人
《星際迷航》中通用語(yǔ)言翻譯器和三錄儀醫(yī)療設(shè)備終于問世?!芊颉だ椎路遥琈enlo Ventures合伙人
原本預(yù)計(jì)在特朗普首個(gè)任期內(nèi)會(huì)受到阻礙的許多綠色技術(shù),并未如預(yù)期那樣受到影響。然而,那些嚴(yán)重依賴政策相關(guān)資助且被認(rèn)為仍然具有高風(fēng)險(xiǎn)的技術(shù),將面臨重大挑戰(zhàn)?!s翰·圖赫,Energize Capital管理合伙人
特朗普重新執(zhí)政可能會(huì)提出針對(duì)看護(hù)者的稅收抵免計(jì)劃,以減輕育兒成本負(fù)擔(dān)。但問題在于,除非這些稅收抵免足以抵消飛漲的開支,否則對(duì)大多數(shù)家庭來說,這只不過是杯水車薪。正如疫情期間的情況一樣,我們可能會(huì)再次看到大量女性離開全職工作崗位,勞動(dòng)力市場(chǎng)在重壓之下逐漸崩潰?!斩鳌づ两鹚梗琔rbanSitter聯(lián)合創(chuàng)始人兼首席執(zhí)行官
到2030年,創(chuàng)作者經(jīng)濟(jì)將成為Z世代的主要就業(yè)領(lǐng)域?!鹂【牛琖EBTOON首席執(zhí)行官兼創(chuàng)始人
從國(guó)防科技初創(chuàng)公司的角度來看,我們樂觀地預(yù)測(cè),特朗普政府將為國(guó)防部帶來必要變革。歷史上,向國(guó)防部出售技術(shù)的過程通常效率太低、成本太高、難度太大。面對(duì)如此重大的挑戰(zhàn),我們不能掉以輕心。特朗普政府積極從科技行業(yè)招募人才,并尋找優(yōu)秀的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)者,這些人深刻理解我們?cè)诖笠?guī)模部署新技術(shù)方面的使命。——丹·萊特,Armada首席執(zhí)行官兼聯(lián)合創(chuàng)始人
體育場(chǎng)館將迎來“升級(jí)”,例如聘請(qǐng)米其林星級(jí)廚師和提供高科技感官體驗(yàn)等。2025年體育場(chǎng)館將繼續(xù)注重提供高檔空間和優(yōu)質(zhì)體驗(yàn)?!~克爾·普羅曼,Scrum Ventures董事總經(jīng)理
多元、公平和包容(DEI)的投資原則將以其他命名形式繼續(xù)存在,例如專注于投資“與服務(wù)對(duì)象在身份或背景上接近的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)者”(與其服務(wù)人群分享一種或多種身份的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)者),因?yàn)檫@種策略能帶來更成功的投資,并產(chǎn)生更大的影響力。——道格·蓋倫,Rippleworks聯(lián)合創(chuàng)始人兼CEO
在2025年,我認(rèn)為我們會(huì)看到第一首主要由AI創(chuàng)作的歌曲贏得格萊美獎(jiǎng)。——卡梅倫·亞當(dāng)斯,Canva聯(lián)合創(chuàng)始人兼首席產(chǎn)品官(財(cái)富中文網(wǎng))
譯者:劉進(jìn)龍
審校:汪皓
歡迎來到我們的“2025年全球大預(yù)言”系列!
在總結(jié)2024年的同時(shí),我們也在展望人類共同的未來——或者說,可能的未來。
就我個(gè)人而言,我對(duì)預(yù)測(cè)的感情有些復(fù)雜。我常常想起溫斯頓·丘吉爾的那句名言:“試圖展望過于遙遠(yuǎn)的未來是錯(cuò)誤的,面對(duì)環(huán)環(huán)相扣的命運(yùn)鏈條,我們一次只能處理其中的一環(huán)?!?/p>
盡管如此,許多人都在進(jìn)行預(yù)測(cè)。而我確實(shí)認(rèn)為,預(yù)測(cè)的第一環(huán)往往是期望與規(guī)劃。我們認(rèn)為哪些事情可能或很有可能發(fā)生?因此,我們又會(huì)采取哪些措施將其變?yōu)楝F(xiàn)實(shí)?
在篩選了數(shù)百條預(yù)測(cè)后,我深深感受到一種強(qiáng)烈的樂觀情緒。人們似乎普遍相信,2025年將為私募市場(chǎng)帶來諸多機(jī)遇。
言歸正傳,以下是人們對(duì)2025年的預(yù)測(cè)。
注:為簡(jiǎn)明起見,部分回答經(jīng)過編輯。
風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資:轉(zhuǎn)折之年
2025年,在新一屆政府政策的推動(dòng)下,風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資領(lǐng)域?qū)⒂瓉矸睒s?!寥f·尼科,Navigate Ventures創(chuàng)始人
預(yù)計(jì)企業(yè)獲得新融資的過程依舊緩慢,而退出進(jìn)程也將繼續(xù)滯后。初創(chuàng)公司必須謹(jǐn)慎管理資金使用周期,因?yàn)檠娱L(zhǎng)融資輪次可能會(huì)更加普遍。
公司需要展示真正的市場(chǎng)吸引力和產(chǎn)品市場(chǎng)契合度才能獲得A輪融資;初創(chuàng)公司必須證明其自身的生存能力,才能從內(nèi)部人士那里獲得額外支持?!獑潭鳌P丹,Torch Capital創(chuàng)始人兼管理合伙人
2025年最顯著的變化將是資本更多地集中于成熟的基金。2022年,1,500多支基金募資1,842億美元,創(chuàng)歷史紀(jì)錄,而截至2024年第三季度,僅有380支基金募資650億美元,其中81%的資金流向了成熟基金。這一趨勢(shì)表明有限合伙人正向“優(yōu)質(zhì)資產(chǎn)轉(zhuǎn)移”?!嗝啄峥恕た扑固棺?,43North投資組合副總裁
準(zhǔn)備迎接史上最強(qiáng)牛市——零利率政策(ZIRP)回歸,市場(chǎng)即將變得瘋狂且喧囂。加密貨幣將重?zé)ㄉ鷻C(jī),“猴子圖片”等非同質(zhì)化代幣或其他投資產(chǎn)品將卷土重來;與此同時(shí),房?jī)r(jià)飆升,市場(chǎng)上涌現(xiàn)IPO熱潮。種子輪融資將如2021年般源源不斷,更多資金將追逐下一個(gè)大風(fēng)口。這將是一段瘋狂的行情,但希望我們能從上一次泡沫中汲取一些教訓(xùn)——因?yàn)檫@一切正在走向似曾相識(shí)的局面。——陳思齊,Runway創(chuàng)始人兼CEO
2024年可能標(biāo)志著風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資市場(chǎng)周期性收縮的底部。盡管初創(chuàng)公司融資趨于穩(wěn)定,但對(duì)風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資基金的資本投入較2023年有所下降,其中新興管理者(基金I-III)和新成立的管理者(基金IV-VII)受影響最為嚴(yán)重……我預(yù)測(cè)2025年的關(guān)鍵在于退出市場(chǎng)的重新開放?!葷伞た死松?,Sapphire Partners合伙人
在2025年,風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資人將專注于測(cè)試和應(yīng)對(duì)公開市場(chǎng)對(duì)不同類型公司IPO的接受度。一旦出現(xiàn)成功上市的標(biāo)志性事件,就可以期待大量機(jī)會(huì)將會(huì)涌現(xiàn)出來?!R茲·吉拉尼,Mercury Fund普通合伙人
我們預(yù)測(cè),隨著普通合伙人逐步釋放在2021年和2022年積累的閑置資金,歷史上一般落后于整體市場(chǎng)反彈速度的融資活動(dòng)將會(huì)增多,并在2025年下半年加速反彈?!箍铺亍の炙梗琀arbourVest董事總經(jīng)理
盡管后期階段的風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資交易活動(dòng)放緩,我們預(yù)計(jì)對(duì)較成熟公司的成長(zhǎng)期投資將迎來復(fù)蘇。這一變化可能受益于2025年IPO市場(chǎng)的重新開放以及并購(gòu)活動(dòng)的增加,為這一階段的投資者創(chuàng)造了吸引力十足的機(jī)會(huì)?!旭R斯·穆勒克爾,BMW i Ventures副總裁
我們可能會(huì)看到新的和回歸的有限合伙人將資本重新注入風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資領(lǐng)域。許多有限合伙人在該資產(chǎn)類別上的配置過高,有些有限合伙人則將投資策略從風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資轉(zhuǎn)向更快實(shí)現(xiàn)流動(dòng)性的選擇,但我們開始注意到新一批有限合伙人正押注風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資。這可能會(huì)在2025年使風(fēng)投基金募得更多資金,并幫助優(yōu)秀公司脫穎而出?!鞯履帷ね旭R斯,Symphonic Capital創(chuàng)始人
我們將看到大量風(fēng)投資本涌入技術(shù)領(lǐng)域,以重新激發(fā)美國(guó)的工業(yè)基礎(chǔ),并對(duì)國(guó)防能力進(jìn)行現(xiàn)代化升級(jí)。地緣政治格局的變化、政府對(duì)非對(duì)稱技術(shù)需求的增長(zhǎng)以及更多普通投資者的參與將成為這一趨勢(shì)的推動(dòng)因素。預(yù)計(jì)在人工智能、自動(dòng)化、網(wǎng)絡(luò)安全、量子技術(shù)以及其他面向制造業(yè)、供應(yīng)鏈和國(guó)防領(lǐng)域的戰(zhàn)略技術(shù)領(lǐng)域,將迎來創(chuàng)紀(jì)錄的交易和資金流入浪潮?!獊唫悺ぱ鸥鞑忌琋EA合伙人
2025年將是投資者爭(zhēng)相退出的一年。有限合伙人對(duì)流動(dòng)性的渴望將推動(dòng)基金出售,而即將到期的投資周期將促使公司進(jìn)行收購(gòu)。——大衛(wèi)·范恩,VSS Capital Partners合伙人、高級(jí)董事總經(jīng)理兼投資者關(guān)系負(fù)責(zé)人
私募股權(quán):順風(fēng)助力
較低的利率將使私募股權(quán)公司更容易獲得收購(gòu)所需要的杠桿資金,從而啟動(dòng)由私募基金支持的收購(gòu)周期?!啤ぐ吞乩?,Thomvest Ventures董事總經(jīng)理
在2025年,機(jī)構(gòu)投資者可能需要“稍微讓出一些位置”,讓越來越多私人投資者進(jìn)場(chǎng),他們將通過持續(xù)拓寬的新渠道進(jìn)入私人市場(chǎng)?!驳铝摇W爾巴赫,Cambridge Associates全球私人投資負(fù)責(zé)人
我們預(yù)計(jì)2025年私募股權(quán)圈將表現(xiàn)得極其活躍。充裕的閑置資金、更長(zhǎng)的資產(chǎn)持有周期以及對(duì)投入資本分紅率(DPI)的需求,預(yù)計(jì)將使并購(gòu)活動(dòng)增多?!獫缮健っ访桑琒tifel金融贊助商團(tuán)隊(duì)負(fù)責(zé)人
傳統(tǒng)能源、可再生能源和核能領(lǐng)域需要大量投資,而私募股權(quán)將發(fā)揮關(guān)鍵作用,通過創(chuàng)造性的方式為這些領(lǐng)域提供資本?!s翰·格蘭德,Vinson & Elkins律師事務(wù)所并購(gòu)及私募股權(quán)合伙人
我們預(yù)計(jì)消費(fèi)行業(yè)將繼續(xù)主導(dǎo)私募股權(quán)投資。消費(fèi)行業(yè)在美國(guó)經(jīng)濟(jì)中占據(jù)重要地位,貢獻(xiàn)了70%的GDP。——杰米·奧哈拉,TSG Consumer Partners總裁
2025年將是私募股權(quán)領(lǐng)域的關(guān)鍵之年,新一屆政府對(duì)美國(guó)的愿景是實(shí)現(xiàn)更快的經(jīng)濟(jì)增長(zhǎng)、降低稅率和減少監(jiān)管,這將促進(jìn)交易和籌資活動(dòng)。通脹下降和堅(jiān)定邁入寬松周期的美聯(lián)儲(chǔ),將降低行業(yè)的資本成本,為更活躍的資本市場(chǎng)活動(dòng)創(chuàng)造有利環(huán)境?!暭{·奧弗斯特羅姆,Corsair Capital合伙人
初創(chuàng)公司:基本面仍然重要
在2025年,認(rèn)真經(jīng)營(yíng)的公司憑借高客戶投資回報(bào)率將從競(jìng)爭(zhēng)對(duì)手中脫穎而出,它們將以更具吸引力的估值繼續(xù)融資,而只會(huì)講空話和炒作的公司(例如大部分AI公司)則會(huì)日漸衰弱并放緩發(fā)展速度?!_布·比得曼,Asymmetric Capital Partners管理合伙人
初創(chuàng)公司能夠自力更生,將被視為一種榮譽(yù)的象征?!斏け人枺現(xiàn)lodesk聯(lián)合創(chuàng)始人兼CEO
與“僵尸”初創(chuàng)公司不同,“吸血鬼”初創(chuàng)公司正從2021年后的“沉睡”中覺醒,它們利用這段時(shí)間在增長(zhǎng)的同時(shí)提升效率(或許通過在產(chǎn)品中嵌入AI)。這些“吸血鬼公司”(如Dialpad和Airwallex)都是少有人知的可靠資產(chǎn)。——拉里·阿什布魯克,G Squared創(chuàng)始人兼管理合伙人
市值十億美元、只有一個(gè)人的公司即將出現(xiàn)。隨著AI技術(shù)使設(shè)計(jì)、制造和銷售工具變得越來越簡(jiǎn)化,制造實(shí)體產(chǎn)品的個(gè)人創(chuàng)業(yè)者數(shù)量將激增?!材荨たㄟ_(dá)維,Redpoint Ventures管理合伙人
2025年,科技初創(chuàng)公司將重新聚焦增長(zhǎng),但有一個(gè)重要的限定條件。在過去幾年里,創(chuàng)業(yè)界的趨勢(shì)發(fā)生了巨大的變化。曾經(jīng),創(chuàng)業(yè)界的主流理念是“不計(jì)成本追求增長(zhǎng)”,公司進(jìn)行大規(guī)模融資并迅速將其花光。隨后,隨著利率上升和資本收緊,這種理念被高度追求效率的理念所取代。企業(yè)裁員、縮減開支并尋找降低支出的方式。如今,創(chuàng)業(yè)界終于重新回到了一個(gè)健康的中間地帶。隨著利率下降,初創(chuàng)公司將再次優(yōu)先考慮增長(zhǎng),但更加注重快速增長(zhǎng)與效率的平衡。事實(shí)上,初創(chuàng)公司本質(zhì)上就是增長(zhǎng)引擎。如果不增長(zhǎng),他們就會(huì)逐漸衰退。在2025年,我認(rèn)為創(chuàng)業(yè)界將再次進(jìn)入全面高速發(fā)展階段?!獑痰佟ぐ噘悹?,Harness與Traceable聯(lián)合創(chuàng)始人兼CEO
二級(jí)市場(chǎng):繁忙且愈發(fā)活躍
2024年上半年,二級(jí)市場(chǎng)交易量創(chuàng)下歷史新高。隨著年底臨近,根據(jù)我們的觀察,這一趨勢(shì)不僅會(huì)持續(xù)下去,還將迎來快速增長(zhǎng)。早在2019年,我們預(yù)測(cè)在2025年,二級(jí)市場(chǎng)的規(guī)模將突破2,000億美元,這一預(yù)測(cè)當(dāng)時(shí)遭到了許多質(zhì)疑,但我們?nèi)詧?jiān)信這一目標(biāo)即將實(shí)現(xiàn)?!獡P(yáng)·羅巴德,Dawson Partners管理合伙人
我們預(yù)測(cè),2025年針對(duì)私人財(cái)富的二級(jí)基金將越來越受歡迎。同時(shí),我們也認(rèn)為,不同基金的結(jié)構(gòu)和投資組合差異將開始影響投資者的接受度?!鸢病とR維特,ICG美洲地區(qū)LP二級(jí)市場(chǎng)負(fù)責(zé)人
二級(jí)市場(chǎng)的交易量預(yù)計(jì)將維持增長(zhǎng)勢(shì)頭,因?yàn)橛邢藓匣锶撕推胀ê匣锶爽F(xiàn)在普遍采用二級(jí)市場(chǎng)解決方案。由普通合伙人主導(dǎo)的資本解決方案(尤其是延續(xù)型工具)已被證明極為有效,所有跡象表明這種趨勢(shì)在2025年將延續(xù)下去?!@锟恕さ罓?,Eaton Partners(Stifel旗下公司)聯(lián)席主管
2024年第三季度,Carta平臺(tái)的并購(gòu)活動(dòng)達(dá)到了兩年來的最高水平,共有170家公司被收購(gòu),這是并購(gòu)?fù)顺鼋灰走B續(xù)第四個(gè)季度增長(zhǎng)。同時(shí),二級(jí)交易正在改變初創(chuàng)公司利益相關(guān)者獲取價(jià)值的方式。太空探索技術(shù)公司(SpaceX)(目前史上最有價(jià)值的私人公司)和OpenAI通過要約收購(gòu)引領(lǐng)了這一趨勢(shì)。Carta的數(shù)據(jù)顯示要約收購(gòu)數(shù)量增多:第三季度完成了22宗交易,為2021年底以來的最高水平。如果公司能夠獲得資本從而更長(zhǎng)時(shí)間保持私營(yíng)狀態(tài),那么問題隨之而來:上市有什么好處?這個(gè)問題的答案或許將在2025年揭曉。隨著流動(dòng)性選項(xiàng)的演變和私人資本的涌入,IPO市場(chǎng)的表現(xiàn)將證明這是初創(chuàng)公司退出方式的根本性轉(zhuǎn)變,還是說這僅僅是一次暫時(shí)的調(diào)整?!说谩の挚耍珻arta洞察負(fù)責(zé)人
宏觀經(jīng)濟(jì)與公開市場(chǎng)展望:積極趨勢(shì)與波動(dòng)并存
公開股票市場(chǎng)接近歷史高點(diǎn)。這為并購(gòu)活動(dòng)創(chuàng)造了機(jī)會(huì),因?yàn)樯鲜泄菊趯ふ沂召?gòu)目標(biāo);與此同時(shí),那些因股票增值而資金更充裕的潛在創(chuàng)業(yè)者,也可能會(huì)著手將他們醞釀已久的創(chuàng)業(yè)想法付諸實(shí)施?!芨ダ铩げ?,Camber Creek普通合伙人
盡管人們普遍期待公開市場(chǎng)繁榮發(fā)展,但在新政黨展現(xiàn)實(shí)力的過程中,2025年仍將是充滿波動(dòng)的一年。盡管市場(chǎng)整體向上的趨勢(shì)不會(huì)改變,這也不會(huì)是一條平坦的道路?!寮印ひ撞祭C祝現(xiàn)PV Ventures創(chuàng)始人兼管理合伙人
經(jīng)濟(jì)“適度增長(zhǎng)”的趨勢(shì)將發(fā)生逆轉(zhuǎn)。2025年,由于“政府效率部”(DOGE)對(duì)政府支出的影響,以及因?yàn)槊绹?guó)未能解決供應(yīng)鏈限制問題和更嚴(yán)格的貿(mào)易協(xié)定導(dǎo)致的通貨膨脹重新加速,美國(guó)的GDP增速將會(huì)放緩。預(yù)計(jì)標(biāo)普500指數(shù)將下跌15%,納斯達(dá)克指數(shù)將下跌20%。——安德魯·艾伯特,Channel Equity Partners管理合伙人
隨著美聯(lián)儲(chǔ)降息、美國(guó)股市創(chuàng)歷史新高且經(jīng)濟(jì)依然穩(wěn)健,我們是否會(huì)進(jìn)入一個(gè)新的通脹時(shí)代,3%是否將取代2%成為新的通脹目標(biāo)?——丹·泰勒,Man Numeric首席投資官
其他領(lǐng)域:創(chuàng)作者、體育、《星際迷航》等
摩爾定律并未終結(jié),它只是暫時(shí)沉寂?!说谩ぐ屠滋?,Playground Global普通合伙人兼聯(lián)合創(chuàng)始人
《星際迷航》中通用語(yǔ)言翻譯器和三錄儀醫(yī)療設(shè)備終于問世?!芊颉だ椎路?,Menlo Ventures合伙人
原本預(yù)計(jì)在特朗普首個(gè)任期內(nèi)會(huì)受到阻礙的許多綠色技術(shù),并未如預(yù)期那樣受到影響。然而,那些嚴(yán)重依賴政策相關(guān)資助且被認(rèn)為仍然具有高風(fēng)險(xiǎn)的技術(shù),將面臨重大挑戰(zhàn)?!s翰·圖赫,Energize Capital管理合伙人
特朗普重新執(zhí)政可能會(huì)提出針對(duì)看護(hù)者的稅收抵免計(jì)劃,以減輕育兒成本負(fù)擔(dān)。但問題在于,除非這些稅收抵免足以抵消飛漲的開支,否則對(duì)大多數(shù)家庭來說,這只不過是杯水車薪。正如疫情期間的情況一樣,我們可能會(huì)再次看到大量女性離開全職工作崗位,勞動(dòng)力市場(chǎng)在重壓之下逐漸崩潰。——琳恩·帕金斯,UrbanSitter聯(lián)合創(chuàng)始人兼首席執(zhí)行官
到2030年,創(chuàng)作者經(jīng)濟(jì)將成為Z世代的主要就業(yè)領(lǐng)域。——金俊九,WEBTOON首席執(zhí)行官兼創(chuàng)始人
從國(guó)防科技初創(chuàng)公司的角度來看,我們樂觀地預(yù)測(cè),特朗普政府將為國(guó)防部帶來必要變革。歷史上,向國(guó)防部出售技術(shù)的過程通常效率太低、成本太高、難度太大。面對(duì)如此重大的挑戰(zhàn),我們不能掉以輕心。特朗普政府積極從科技行業(yè)招募人才,并尋找優(yōu)秀的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)者,這些人深刻理解我們?cè)诖笠?guī)模部署新技術(shù)方面的使命?!ぁとR特,Armada首席執(zhí)行官兼聯(lián)合創(chuàng)始人
體育場(chǎng)館將迎來“升級(jí)”,例如聘請(qǐng)米其林星級(jí)廚師和提供高科技感官體驗(yàn)等。2025年體育場(chǎng)館將繼續(xù)注重提供高檔空間和優(yōu)質(zhì)體驗(yàn)。——邁克爾·普羅曼,Scrum Ventures董事總經(jīng)理
多元、公平和包容(DEI)的投資原則將以其他命名形式繼續(xù)存在,例如專注于投資“與服務(wù)對(duì)象在身份或背景上接近的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)者”(與其服務(wù)人群分享一種或多種身份的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)者),因?yàn)檫@種策略能帶來更成功的投資,并產(chǎn)生更大的影響力?!栏瘛どw倫,Rippleworks聯(lián)合創(chuàng)始人兼CEO
在2025年,我認(rèn)為我們會(huì)看到第一首主要由AI創(chuàng)作的歌曲贏得格萊美獎(jiǎng)。——卡梅倫·亞當(dāng)斯,Canva聯(lián)合創(chuàng)始人兼首席產(chǎn)品官(財(cái)富中文網(wǎng))
譯者:劉進(jìn)龍
審校:汪皓
Welcome to our 2025 Crystal Ball series!
I’m thrilled to share here the first of four Crystal Ball installments for this year. As we round out 2024, we’re also looking into our collective future.
At least, what that collective future might look like. I have a complicated relationship with prediction, personally. I often think of that famous Winston Churchill line: “It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time.”
That said, many of you are in the business of prediction. And I do think the first link is often expectation and planning. What do we believe is possible or likely? So, what steps do we then take to make it so?
I will say this. Sifting through hundreds of predictions, I was struck by an overwhelming sense of optimism. There seems to be a general belief (at least in my inbox) that 2025 holds a lot of promise for the private markets.
Without further ado, here’s where you think 2025 is taking us.
Note: Many answers have been edited for clarity and/or brevity.
Venture capital: Turning the corner
The VC world is set for a boom in 2025, aided by the incoming administration’s policies. —Ivan Nikkhoo, founder, Navigate Ventures
Securing new funding rounds is expected to remain slow, and exits will continue to lag. Startups must carefully manage their runway, as extension rounds may become more prevalent.
Companies will need to demonstrate real market traction and product-market fit to secure an A round, startups must prove their viability to receive additional insider support. —Jon Keidan, founder and managing partner, Torch Capital
The most notable shift in 2025 will be an increased concentration of capital among established firms. 2022 saw a record $184.2B raised across 1,500+ funds, while up to Q3 2024, only $65B was raised across 380 firms, with 81% flowing to established players. This trend suggests a “flight to quality” among limited partners. —Dominic Costanzo, VP of portfolio, 43North
Get ready for the greatest bull market ever—ZIRP is back, and things are about to get frothy and loud. Crypto will roar back to life, monkey pictures and all, while housing prices skyrocket and IPOs flood the market. Seed rounds will flow like it’s 2021 all over again, with more money chasing the next big thing than ever before. It’ll be a wild ride, but let’s hope we’ve learned something from the last bubble—because it’s shaping up to be déjà vu. —Siqi Chen, founder and CEO, Runway
It could very well be that the venture market in 2024 marked the bottom of a cyclical contraction. While startup funding stabilized, capital commitments into venture funds declined from 2023 levels, with emerging managers (Funds I – III) and newly established (Funds IV – VII) bearing the brunt…I predict 2025 will hinge on the reopening of exit markets. —Beezer Clarkson, partner, Sapphire Partners
2025 will be a year where VCs will be focused on testing and reacting to public market receptivity to various types of companies trying to IPO. Once the pattern events for a successful offering, expect the floodgates to open! —Aziz Gilani, general partner, Mercury Fund
We expect fundraising, which has historically lagged a broader market rebound, will increase and accelerate into the second half of 2025 as GPs burn through the dry powder they accumulated in 2021 and 2022. —Scott Voss, managing director, HarbourVest.
While venture capital deal activity in later stages has slowed, we anticipate a resurgence in growth-stage investments for more mature companies. This shift will likely be driven by the reopening of IPO markets in 2025, alongside an uptick in M&A activity, creating attractive opportunities for investors at these stages. —Thomas Molleker, associate, BMW i Ventures
We might see new and returning LPs infuse capital back into venture. While many LPs are over-allocated in the asset class and others shifted their strategy away from VC to pursue quicker liquidity options, we’re starting to see a new crop of LPs bet on venture. This could lead to stronger fundraising numbers in 2025 and help distinguish breakout companies from others in the pack. —Sydney Thomas, founder, Symphonic Capital
We will see a flood of venture dollars into technology for re-catalyzing the U.S. industrial base and modernizing our defense capabilities. This will be driven by shifting geopolitical tides, growth in government demand for asymmetric tech and more generalist investors jumping in. Expect a record-breaking wave of deals and dollars flowing into AI, automation, cybersecurity, quantum and other strategic tech for the manufacturing, supply chain and defense sectors. —Aaron Jacobson, partner, NEA
2025 will be a mad dash to exits. LP thirst for liquidity will push funds to sell; the ticking clock of expiring investment periods will catalyze firms to buy. —David Fann, partner, senior managing director, and head of investor relations, VSS Capital Partners
Private equity: Tailwinds
Lower interest rates will make it possible for private equity firms to more easily afford the leverage needed to acquire companies and thus kick-start a PE-backed buying cycle. —Don Butler, managing director, Thomvest Ventures
Institutional investors may need to ‘scooch’ over a little more in 2025 to accommodate individual investors, who will increasingly access the private market through new pathways that continue to expand. —Andrea Auerbach, global head of private investments, Cambridge Associates
We expect to see robust activity among the Private Equity community in 2025. A combination of significant dry powder, longer holds on assets, and a need for DPI (distributed to paid-in capital) should lead to increased M&A volume. —Zeeshan Memon, head of financial sponsors group, Stifel
Private equity will play a key role in creatively providing capital for the major investments needed in traditional, renewable, and nuclear energy. —John Grand, partner of M&A and private equity, Vinson & Elkins
We expect the consumer sector to continue to dominate private equity. It’s a huge part of our economy, representing 70% GDP in the U.S. —Jamie O’Hara, president, TSG Consumer Partners
Private equity is positioned for a pivotal year in 2025, as the new administration’s vision for America is one of faster growth, lower taxes, and less regulation that will boost deal-making and fundraising. Lower inflation and a Federal Reserve that is firmly into an easing cycle should also lower the industry’s cost of capital, creating an environment for greater capital markets activity. —Gunnar Overstrom, partner, Corsair Capital
Startups: The basics still matter
2025 will be the year in which serious companies driving hefty customer ROI separate from the competitive herd and continue raising at even more compelling valuations while fluff and hype (i.e. most of AI) begins to sputter and decelerate. —Rob Biederman, managing partner, Asymmetric Capital Partners
Being a bootstrapped startup is going to be a badge of honor. —Martha Bitar, cofounder and CEO, Flodesk
Unlike their zombie startup counterparts, vampire startups are now awakening from a post-2021 ‘slumber’ having used the time to drive efficiencies alongside growth (perhaps by embedding AI in their offerings). These ‘vampires’ (like Dialpad and Airwallex) are solid assets flying under the radar. —Larry Aschebrook, founder and managing partner, G Squared
The one-person $1 billion company is coming. The number of solopreneurs building physical products will explode as the tools to design, manufacture and sell are made increasingly simple with AI. —Annie Kadavy, managing partner, Redpoint Ventures
In 2025, tech startups shift back towards a focus on growth, with an important qualification. Over the past years, we’ve seen the pendulum swing dramatically in the startup world. Growth-at-all-costs was once the dominant paradigm, with companies raising huge rounds and spending them almost as quickly. That gave way to an intense focus on efficiency as interest rates rose and capital grew more constrained. Companies shed workforce, tightened their belts and looked for ways to minimize spending. We’re finally at a stage now where the pendulum is swinging back toward a healthy middle ground. With interest rates declining, startups will again prioritize growth—but with a refined focus on growing quickly without giving up efficiency. The reality is, startups are fundamentally growth engines. If they don’t grow, they sputter out. In 2025, I think the startup landscape will again shift into high gear. —Jyoti Bansal, CEO and cofounder, Harness and Traceable
Secondaries: Busy, and getting busier
The secondary market saw record volume in the first half of 2024. As we near the end of the year, based on what we are seeing, this trend has not only continued but accelerated. Back in 2019, we predicted that the secondary market would break $200 billion in 2025—that was met with a lot of skepticism, but we still believe we are on track. —Yann Robard, Managing Partner, Dawson Partners
While we predict that secondary funds for private wealth will become increasingly popular in 2025, we also think that structural and portfolio differences among the funds available will start to impact investor receptivity. —Ryan Levitt, head of Americas, LP secondaries, ICG
Momentum in secondary deal volume is expected to continue as the use of secondary market solutions by LPs and GPs is now common practice. GP-led capital solutions (continuation vehicles in particular) have proven to be highly effective, and all signals suggest this will continue in 2025.” —Eric Deyle, co-head of Eaton Partners, a Stifel company
In Q3 2024, M&A activity hit a two-year high, with 170 companies acquired on Carta. That’s the fourth consecutive quarter of rising M&A exits. Meanwhile, secondary transactions are changing how startup stakeholders access value. SpaceX—now the most valuable private company in history—and OpenAI have led the way with tender offers. Carta data shows tenders are trending up: 22 were facilitated in Q3, the highest since late 2021. If companies have the access to capital to stay private longer, it begs the question: What are the benefits of going public? The answer to that question might come in 2025. With liquidity options evolving and private capital flowing, the IPO market will reveal whether this is a fundamental shift in how startups exit—or just a temporary recalibration. —Peter Walker, head of insights, Carta
Macroeconomic and public markets outlook: Positivity and volatility
The public equity markets are near all-time highs. This opens up M&A opportunities as publicly traded companies look for acquisition targets and may enable would-be entrepreneurs, who are now a little richer in stock, to pursue the startup business ideas they have been thinking about for a while. —Jeffrey Berman, general partner, Camber Creek
As much as everyone is expecting roaring public markets, there will be volatility throughout the year as the new political parties test out some muscle, even if we end directionally upward, it won’t be a smooth ride. —Pegah Ebrahimi, founder and managing Partner, FPV Ventures
The Goldilocks economy will reverse course. 2025 will see U.S. GDP slow due to DOGE’s impact on government spending and inflation will reaccelerate due to a lack of address supply constraints in the U.S. economy combined with stricter trade agreements. S&P declines 15% and NASDAQ declines 20%. —Andrew Albert, managing partner, Channel Equity Partners
With the Fed cutting rates, the U.S. stock market at all-time highs, and the economy still healthy, could we be looking at a new inflationary regime with 3% being the new 2%? —Dan Taylor, CIO, Man Numeric
Miscellaneous: Creators, Sports, Star Trek, and more
Moore’s law is not dead, it is merely resting. —Peter Barrett, general partner and cofounder, Playground Global
Star Trek’s universal language translator and Tricorder medical devices finally ship. —Joff Redfern, partner, Menlo Ventures
Many green technologies that were supposed to be hindered during the first Trump presidency were not impacted as expected. However, solutions that are heavily reliant on policy-related funding AND perceived to still be risky technologies are in for a world of hurt. —John Tough, managing partner, Energize Capital
Trump’s return to office is likely to bring proposals for caregiver tax credits aimed at easing childcare costs. But here’s the catch: Unless these credits are robust enough to offset skyrocketing expenses, they’ll feel like a drop in the bucket for most families and much like during the pandemic, we’ll see women exit full-time jobs in droves and the workforce will start to crumble under the pressure. —Lynn Perkins, cofounder and CEO, UrbanSitter
By 2030, the creator economy will be a primary employment sector for Gen Z. —JunKoo Kim, CEO and founder, WEBTOON
From a defense tech startup perspective, we’re optimistic that the Trump administration will bring needed change to the Department of Defense. Historically, it’s been too slow, too expensive and too difficult to sell technology to the Defense Department and with challenges this great, we can’t afford to be complacent. The Trump Administration has recruited heavily from the technology industry and has sought out high quality leaders who understand our mission in deploying new technologies at scale. —Dan Wright, CEO and cofounder, Armada
Sports venues are poised to get a ‘Glow Up’—think Michelin-Star chefs and high-tech sensory experiences. 2025 will see a continued emphasis on premium spaces and experiences. —Michael Proman, managing director, Scrum Ventures
DEI investing principles live on with other naming conventions—like a focus on investing in proximate leaders (those who share one or more of their identities with the population they serve)—because it leads to more successful investments and greater impact. —Doug Galen, cofounder and CEO, Rippleworks
In 2025, I think we’ll see the first Grammy go to a song that was enabled primarily by AI. —Cameron Adams, cofounder and chief product officer, Canva