At the intersection of innovation and impact, visionary entrepreneurs and angel investors stand as architects of change, reshaping industries. With foresight as their compass, they navigate uncharted territories, spotting opportunities where others see obstacles. Fueled by an unwavering belief in possibility, they sow seeds of transformation, nurturing budding startups into industry titans. Their investments are not merely financial; they represent investments in the future—a future where prosperity is inclusive, and where dreams know no bounds.
Within the field of entrepreneurship and investment, Vera Kretschmar stands out for her unparalleled impact. As the Managing Director of Ivory Capital Asia, Vera’s portfolio spans various industries, from aesthetics and property investments to creative agencies, hospitality, and cryptocurrency. Her journey as an entrepreneur and investor is marked by a keen eye for promising brands and companies, a passion for nurturing businesses, and a commitment to empowering women-led startups. This article delves into Vera’s inspiring journey and the key investments that have shaped her career.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit Unleashed
Vera’s entrepreneurial spirit began to flourish during her time in China, where she juggled a corporate job with side ventures in angel investments and crypto companies. It was during this period that she discovered her passion for not only investing but also building and nurturing businesses. After leaving China, Vera embarked on a journey that took her to Switzerland, Italy, Hong Kong, and the Philippines, during which she continued to expand her investment portfolio and develop a keen eye for promising brands and companies.
Vera has experience in spotting risky fundraising pitches because she is an angel investor. “I seek out more traditional individuals who have faith in their product, have advanced it in some way, and have demonstrated its financial viability.” Vera asserts that authenticity is essential for companies looking to raise venture financing.
A Discerning Eye for Promising Brands
As an angel investor, Vera knows a speculative fundraising pitch when she sees one. She looks for authenticity and true dedication to a project backed by tangible results and a clear growth trajectory. Vera focuses on investments aligned with her interests, particularly women-run start-ups, promoting businesses she’s genuinely interested in and emphasizing the importance of knowing what she invests in.
Vera highlights the significance of genuine commitment to a project, supported by measurable outcomes and a distinct growth trajectory, and makes a distinction between professional fundraisers and enthusiastic creators. Becoming the enthusiastic creator of a firm in which you have genuine investment and being a professional fundraiser are two very different things. “True interest in a project that has demonstrated its potential via tangible outcomes and provides a route for growth is what makes a difference”, according to Vera.
Notable Investments: Vie – Live Life Better and Perfect Moment
One of Vera’s notable investments is in Vie – Live Life Better, founded by Sabrina Villard. Vie offers tools for mental, emotional, and physical well-being, delivering awareness and strategies to enhance daily life. Vera praises Vie for its commitment to improving lives and providing valuable resources for personal growth.
Another significant investment is in the fashion brand Perfect Moment, which successfully went public and was listed on the NYSE. Known for high-performance luxury ski wear with a stylish touch, Perfect Moment originated in the mountains of Chamonix and is led by a former French World Cup skier turned extreme sports filmmaker. This investment showcases Vera’s ability to identify and support brands that combine functionality and fashion, creating perfect moments on and off the slopes.
Anaya Aesthetics: The Flagship Venture
Anaya Aesthetics, located in Bali, stands out as the flagship of Vera’s ventures and is a distinguished high-end aesthetics clinic offering an extensive range of state-of-the-art treatments. From cutting-edge laser technologies like Exilis and Pico Laser to revitalizing HydraFacial and body-transforming EMSculpt, the clinic provides a wide array of advanced beauty solutions. Vera’s commitment to ensuring that treatments typically administered by medical professionals, including Botox, fillers, and fat injections, are readily available guarantees that clients receive exceptional care.
Cryptocurrency and IX Swap
Amidst her various ventures, Vera is also actively involved in the dynamic world of cryptocurrency, with a particular focus on IX Swap, where Alice Chen serves as the female co-founder. Identified as the “Uniswap” for Real World Asset Tokens (RWA), IX Swap developed the world’s first-ever regulated automated market maker for tokenized real-world assets. The beauty of automated market makers is that they allow anyone to become a market maker, essentially allowing the crowdfunding of liquidity pools and earning fees in return, solving one of the biggest issues in the industry (a complete lack of liquidity for secondary trading).
IX Swap focuses on bringing traditionally inaccessible assets such as private market assets and alternatives such as real estate, content, private equity, and venture investing in a tokenized format so that anyone, including retail investors, can now access, invest, and trade these assets for as little as $1, truly democratizing investments and at the same time providing exposure to Web3 in a legal and compliant manner.
Expanding Ivory Capital and the Future
Vera’s forthcoming venture entails expanding Ivory Capital as a partner and opening an office in Milan, with a focus on investments in technology, retail, and AI, while also considering real estate in Italy as investments for Ivory Capital Milan in the portfolio. This expansion signifies her commitment to continuously growing and evolving as an entrepreneur and investor, seeking new opportunities to transform lives and industries.
Vera Kretschmar’s journey as a visionary entrepreneur and angel investor is evidence of her ability to identify and nurture promising brands and companies. With a diverse portfolio spanning various industries, Vera’s commitment to empowering women-led start-ups and promoting businesses she’s genuinely interested in sets her apart in the world of entrepreneurship and angel investing. As she continues to expand her ventures and explore new opportunities, Vera’s impact on lives and industries is poised to grow even further.
