Specter Monitor is a data-driven newsletter for investors interested in learning about the latest market trends, signals, and opportunities. Our audience includes some of the most legendary VC investors in the world. We’ll work hard to 🌳bring you actionable insights into what’s happening in today’s markets while celebrating data-driven wins and predictions. ✨
🔮 Talents of the Week
Specter monitors real-time global talent movements to spot investment opportunities before anyone else.
🪄 Predicted: Alexander Oppermann (US, 2023): Co-Founder at Rival
Advantage on Latest Funding Round: 621 Days
Description: Rival provides a unique 3D content platform leveraging 2D-to-3D AI technology.
Prev. Experience: Alexander Oppermann is the Co-Founder of Rival, a spatial computing startup he launched in July 2023 that recently emerged from stealth mode with a $4.2M pre-seed round led by Speedinvest. Rival has developed an AI-powered platform that enables users to create and share 3D content, including technology that converts 2D videos into immersive 3D experiences. Previously, Oppermann spent 4.5 years at GIC as a Private Equity Investor focusing on direct investments, and nearly 3 years as a Consultant at Boston Consulting Group. Earlier in his career, he co-founded multiple ventures, including RESTLOS Industrieverwertungen (2008-2013), a company liquidating assets for insolvency lawyers, and a German-Chinese joint venture in the circulation pump industry (2011-2012). Oppermann holds a Master of Science in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics and a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg.
Total Funding: $4.2M / $4.2M Latest Pre-Seed on 03-2025.
Notable Investors: Speedinvest, New Renaissance Ventures.
👻 Opportunity: David Okuniev (EU, 2025): Co-Founder at Float launching Supercut
Description: Supercut Video provides a Chrome extension that simplifies screen recording, enabling users to capture, share, and create professional-grade videos instantly.
Prev. Experience: David Okuniev is the Co-Founder of Float (March 2024–present), a startup that recently raised a €1.6M seed round led by Point Nine Capital and launched its first product called Supercut, a screen capture and video sharing tool. Concurrently, he serves as Co-founder & President of the Board of Directors at Typeform (February 2024–present), where he previously held positions as Co-founder/Head of R&D/Product designer (2018–2024) and Co-CEO/Co-Founder (2011–2018). Under his leadership, Typeform grew to over $75M in revenue, 500 employees, and raised over $50M in venture capital. Before Typeform, Okuniev ran Fat-Man Collective (2005–2013), a design agency where he met his Typeform co-founder Robert Muñoz. His entrepreneurial journey began after a brief music career (2000–2005), where he performed in bands and composed music. Okuniev is known for his design-led approach to business, creating intuitive, conversational interfaces that transformed online forms into engaging digital experiences.
🎱 Strategic Signals
Specter analyzes the online and social activity of leading investors and industry insiders to predict upcoming funding rounds and acquisitions.
🪄 Predicted: Lindon (Lin) Gao (US, 2024): Co-Founder and CEO at Dyna Robotics
Dyna Robotics
Advantage on Latest Funding Round: 28 Days
Description: Dyna Robotics empowers businesses by automating repetitive, stationary tasks with affordable, intelligent robotic arms.
Prev. Experience: Lindon (Lin) Gao is the Co-Founder and CEO of Dyna Robotics, a position he started in September 2024. Dyna recently announced a $23.5M seed round co-led by CRV and First Round Capital to develop cost-effective AI-powered robots that master one task at a time. Previously, Gao was Vice President and GM of In-Store at Instacart (2021-2024), leading teams that digitized physical stores with computer vision and hardware solutions. He joined Instacart after they acquired his previous company, Caper, for $350 million. As Co-Founder and CEO of Caper (2015-2024), Gao built technology for autonomous retail using computer vision and deep learning, with backing from Y Combinator (W16), First Round Capital, and Lux Capital. Earlier in his career, he was President of LPG Crafts Inc. (2010-2022), providing jewelry manufacturing for designers and retailers, and worked as an Investment Banking Analyst at J.P. Morgan (2014-2015) and Goldman Sachs. Gao holds a Bachelor of Science from NYU Stern School of Business and was recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30.
Total Funding: $23.5M / $23.5M Amount Latest Seed on 03-2025.
Notable Investors: CRV, First Round Capital.
👻 Opportunity: Justin Ho (US, 2024): Co-Founder and CEO at Sage Care
Description: Sage Care leverages AI to provide tailored healthcare guidance for patients and caregivers.
Prev. Experience: Justin Ho is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sage Care, a health and AI startup he launched in January 2024 focused on AI-powered care navigation to help patients find the right doctors faster and optimize physician time. Previously, he was GM & VP of Product at Gopuff (2021-2022) following their $115M acquisition of rideOS, which he co-founded and led as CEO from 2017 to 2021. At rideOS, Ho built AI marketplace and mapping cloud services for ridehailing companies and logistics providers, raising $34M from Sequoia and next47. Earlier, he served as Head of Strategy for Uber's Advanced Technology Center (2014-2017), focusing on self-driving technology. His finance background includes roles as an Investor at Citadel Investment Group and in Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs. Ho remains active as an angel investor through Overture AI and has served on the USC Credit Union board since 2006. He co-founded Sage Care with Chris Blumenberg, his former rideOS co-founder and CTO.
🍒 Cherry-Picked Companies
Specter tracks the performance of millions of companies and identifies the ones who are likely to increase in valuation.
🪄 Predicted: Shaun Modi (US, 2023): Co-Founder and CEO at Capitol AI
6 Months Growth: Web: -10.8%; Team: 14.2%; Social: 13.3%
Description: Capitol AI is a smart document creator that leverages advanced API and SDK solutions to transform publishers into AI-native companies.
Total Funding: $10M / Undisclosed Amount Latest Series A on 03-2025.
Notable Investors: Y Combinator, Rebel Fund, 468 Capital, Designer Fund, Fuel Capital.
👻 Opportunity: Michael Rosenfield (US, 2023): Co-Founder at Decipher AI
6 Months Growth: Web: 277.7%; Team: 33.3%; Social: 74.7%
Description: Decipher AI is an advanced AI agent that analyzes session replays to help companies discover customer issues, understand feature usage, and answer product questions.
Total Funding: $500k / $500k Latest Pre Seed on 04-2024.
Notable Investors: Y Combinator.
That’s all for this edition of Specter Monitor!
Stay tuned for the next updates and feel free to share with your friends.
