Co-founder and CEO of Quoroom, a global investment management platform for angel syndicates, venture funds and founders, Ulyana Shtybel is a former executive director of the Warsaw Stock Exchange office in Ukraine. Ulyana has over 12 years of experience in finance and capital markets. An expert in syndicated venture capital deals, she has supported venture capital transactions exceeding $50 million.
As a co-founder of two fintech incubation programs in partnership with Mastercard, OTP Bank and National Bank of Ukraine with a PhD in Economics, she is a startup mentor and adviser researching the field of impact investing.
Ulyana is named InspiringFifty 2022 - The Top Fifty Women in European Tech and Investment Technology Leader of the Year 2021 by Finance Monthly. She is also on the Women in FinTech Powerlist 2019 and 2021. Further, she is a LinkedIn Top Venture Capital Voice with over 16 thousand followers from startups and the venture capital industry.
Safe trade is imperative to start and grow a business. Investors seek unhindered risk mitigation when pushing start-ups toward their goals. In this article, Ulyana Shtybel unlocks the intricacies of optimized venture capitalism in today’s distorted investment landscape. She discusses the impact of data analytics in overseeing the long-term reliability and scope of business deals.
The Quoroom norm
Before launching Quoroom, I developed a deep understanding of capital markets and venture capital at the Warsaw Stock Exchange office in Ukraine. Over the last 12 years, I have advised and facilitated transactions totaling over $50 million in venture capital, focusing particularly on syndicated deals.
Quoroom was born from my desire to simplify and optimize the often complex and fragmented processes in venture capital. We aim to help angel investors, syndicate leads and emerging venture capital managers efficiently manage collective investments and fund businesses that solve meaningful problems at scale.
The angel investing market today
This environment is increasingly disorienting. One of the biggest challenges is managing the numerous disconnected tools and systems currently used for deal flow, legal compliance and portfolio monitoring. Many syndicates and funds face high legal fees, time-consuming portfolio management and difficulty in securing fresh capital or new investors.
“My work with Quoroom is grounded in solving these problems by bringing together key elements like regulatory compliance, legal documentation, and portfolio monitoring into a more cohesive and user-friendly experience,”
From my experience, this fragmentation not only slows down the deal process but also imposes unnecessary costs, particularly for syndicate leads and emerging venture capital managers. Another issue is the limited access to robust data on investments and portfolio performance, which often hampers decision-making.
To address these challenges, the industry must move toward more integrated systems that streamline the entire process—from data room and investor onboarding to exit distributions. My work with Quoroom is grounded in solving these problems by integrating key elements like regulatory compliance, legal documentation, and portfolio monitoring into a more cohesive and user-friendly experience. The goal is to make investment management more efficient and transparent for all parties involved.
Key considerations for launching and running a successful angel syndicate
Launching a successful angel syndicate involves several strategic steps, and each must be executed with clarity and purpose. First, defining a clear investment thesis is essential in specific sectors, stages of investment and regions. This helps attract like-minded investors who share similar goals and expectations.
Building a strong community of investors is equally important. In my experience, fostering personal connections and regularly engaging with potential investors can create a solid foundation for a syndicate. Networking, attending industry events and using social platforms are great ways to expand this circle.
Next comes deal sourcing and evaluation. Identifying startups that align with your investment thesis and conducting thorough due diligence are critical for success. It is also important to maintain transparency by sharing detailed investment memos with your investor community and organizing opportunities for direct engagement with founders.
Finally, portfolio management and exits require ongoing support and communication. Providing regular updates on the performance of portfolio companies and working closely with them on exit strategies are key factors contributing to long-term syndicate success. Having led numerous syndicate deals, I have seen firsthand how a disciplined approach to these steps can create sustainable value for investors and startups.
Preparing for the angel investing market
The next decade will likely see several transformative trends in angel investing. One significant shift I anticipate is the growing use of data-driven decision-making and artificial intelligence (AI). Investors are looking for deeper insights into the performance of their investments and normalizing the use of advanced analytics. In my experience, the more informed investors are, the better their decisions will be, especially in high-stakes venture capital environments.
Another key trend is the expected wealth transfer from baby boomers to millennials, which is projected to reach $68 trillion by 2030. This demographic shift is set to bring a new generation of investors who are not only more selective but also more impact-oriented. Millennials are generally inclined toward investments that align with their values, which means we are likely to see an increase in venture capital directed to socially responsible and sustainable startups.
To prepare for these trends, we are focusing on creating systems that offer the transparency and efficiency that investors demand. It is important to provide tools that not only simplify investment management but also align with the emerging priorities of younger investors. I have seen how powerful it can be when investors and platforms evolve together to meet new market dynamics.
Strategic approach to venture capital and other investment avenues
One of our recent initiatives at Quoroom has been the enhancement of portfolio monitoring and performance analytics. Through our acquisition of Investory.io, we have integrated advanced reporting tools that allow investors to track metrics and performance data more efficiently. In contrast to other platforms where data requests are often manual and time-consuming, we offer a more proactive and automated approach to portfolio management. This has been instrumental in improving the way syndicates and funds monitor their investments.
We have also focused on expanding our syndicate and fund discovery tools. Many existing platforms offer only limited visibility into the venture capital ecosystem. We aim to build a more comprehensive discovery tool that provides global access to syndicate leads and fund managers, allowing for greater connectivity and collaboration in the investment community.
In my experience, combining technology with specialized knowledge is key to staying competitive in this fast-evolving landscape. Our focus has always been on integrating solutions that address the specific challenges of the venture capital industry, from legal workflow automation to seamless payment reconciliation.
For seekers
In today’s investment landscape, the importance of data-driven decision-making cannot be overstated. Seasoned business owners should focus on integrating tools that provide comprehensive insights into the performance of their portfolios and the broader market. The rise of AI in venture capital has already begun to shape how investment decisions are made, and it is crucial to stay ahead of these technological advancements.
Additionally, as the millennial generation steps into wealth management, their influence on investment strategies will grow. Investors and founders alike need to be aware that decisions are becoming increasingly values-driven, with a focus on impact investing and sustainability. In my experience, aligning your strategies with these emerging trends will help attract new investors and secure long-term growth.
For executives raising capital, it is essential to understand that investor discovery and decision-making have become more data-focused. Ensuring transparency and providing meaningful metrics will not only make your company more attractive to potential investors but also build trust in a competitive market.
