Survive to Thrive: Deep Tech Bets, Sleep Hacks & Startup Reality Checks

The only newsletter trusted to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and investors.

👋 Welcome

Hey Reader,

A shorter edition this week thanks to UK bank holidays, but still packed with insight.

A quick hit if you're short on time:
💸 UK space & defence startups—funding is open.
🚫 No IPO wave in sight—startups must build for survival.
📉 ECB cuts rates as recession fears grow.
😴 And yes, sleep might be your ultimate founder edge.

🔦 Weekly Spotlight

Looking for space or defence startup funding in the UK?

At Future Planet Capital, through our UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), we manage six early-stage portfolios. I focus on these two active areas:

💼 £18.5M MOD-backed defence & security dual-use portfolio
🚀 A UKSA-backed space portfolio focused on breakthrough UK-based technology

We’re investing in deep tech, real-world impact, and scalability.

If you’re building in space or defence, we want to hear from you.
📩 Send us your deck

🎥 Watch the clip to see how we invest

💼 VC Perspective

London Space Finance 2025 kicked off on Wednesday with a blast 🚀

I joined the “Smart Investing / Smart Operations” panel with Felix von Schubert, Sanjeev Gordhan, and Farooq Sabri, chaired by Sally Bridgeland.

We explored how capital can scale innovation in space while staying grounded in commercial and impact-focused returns.

The takeaway? Space is fast becoming a serious asset class. The more finance professionals get involved, the stronger the ecosystem becomes.

More insights to follow this week from the recorded panel. Stay tuned.

Check out my intro video.

Big thanks to Mark Wheatley and team for having us back!

🚀 Entrepreneur Corner

Startups: Don’t count on a 2025 exit, or VC, to save your runway. Build to survive.

Stanford, one of Silicon Valley’s most respected institutional LP, said it best:

2025 was meant to be the comeback year. But here’s what’s crashing the party:

1. Market volatility.

2. Recession fears.

3. Trump’s tariff talk.

No exits = no recycled capital = slower VC deployment.

VCs are stretched, LPs are cautious, and startups need to adapt.

If your strategy is “raise again or exit soon,” rethink it.
Here’s what to do instead:

• Cut burn.

• Extend runway.

• Prioritise revenue.

• Push for profitability.

The smartest founders I know are already shifting gears.

👉 Read my LinkedIn post

🎯 Read the full Tech Crunch article (thanks Matthew Holding 강마태 for highlighting the article)

🌍 Common Ground / Industry Trends

ECB cuts rates to 2.25% amid deteriorating growth outlook

Despite inflation still lingering, the European Central Bank made a surprise rate cut as trade tensions and economic uncertainty rise.

My take? This won’t be the last. I predict further deep cuts in the UK and EU by late 2025 as governments try to head off recession.

That’s good news if you’re renewing a mortgage…
…but tough news if you're running a startup through turbulence.

Buckle up. Look after yourself out there.

Share your thoughts on this post.

❓ Ask Alex

Q: “What’s the secret to being successful in startups?”
A: Sleep.

Yep, sleep.

Founders obsess over productivity hacks, but ignore the best one: rest.

Here’s what I’ve learned (the hard way):

1. Sleep sharpens your decision-making.

2. Boosts emotional intelligence. Essential for pitching, fundraising, and leading.

3. Prevents burnout.

Working on less sleep doesn’t make you a hero. it just makes your judgment worse.

Treat sleep like strategy. It’s not indulgence. It’s leverage.

Watch this video to find out more.

Agree? Then go have that nap you need.

📩 Got a question for the next edition? Reply to this email or hit me up on LinkedIn or TikTok!

@thetippytopblog

Everyone talks about performance hacks. Very few talk about the most powerful one: sleep. As a founder, investor, and parent, I’ve tried i... See more

🧭 Closing Thoughts

Thanks for tuning in. Whether you're raising, building, or backing—this journey’s better together.

Here’s to reaching the Tippy Top, together!

Have a great day,

Alex

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