February 27, 2025

AI or die? Why VCs (still) cannot afford to ignore AI evolution in 2025



AI is advancing rapidly, and those who don't keep up risk missing significant investment opportunities! The BoomAI 2025 course is designed specifically for venture capital investors, offering a hands-on approach to understanding AI's impact on industries and investment strategies.

Let’s be real: AI is moving at breakneck speed, and if you’re not paying attention, you’re already falling behind. The startups of tomorrow are being built today, powered by AI-driven innovation, and the investors who fail to keep up risk missing out on some of the biggest opportunities of this decade.

We’ve all heard the buzzwords: AI is revolutionizing industries, reshaping business models, and unlocking insane new market potential. But let’s cut through the noise - this is not just a trend. AI is fundamentally changing the investment game, and if you don’t understand it, you’re not just uninformed: you’re leaving money on the table.That’s where we come in. After the massive success of BoomAI 2024, we’re back - bigger, bolder, and laser-focused on what matters most to investors. And no, this is not just another AI training program. 

BoomAI 2025 is a hands-on, no-BS deep dive into AI especially made for VC investors: the opportunities, the pitfalls, the hidden gems, and the landmines you need to avoid. If you’re serious about staying ahead, understanding AI isn’t optional, it’s survival. This course will equip you with the knowledge, strategies, and real-world tools to spot the best AI-driven deals before everyone else does.

But wait, there’s more: to reinforce our mission of fostering an educated and aware VC community in Italy, we are making our Playbook from the first edition an open-source resource for everyone to access. 

Unlocking insights from BoomAI 2024 edition

Our open-source Playbook, distilled from the first edition of the course, captures essential knowledge and insights from the very first BoomAI edition, which set the foundation for VCs to grasp AI from both a technical and strategic standpoint. We covered three macro themes:

  • - AI Basics: Technology & Tools - We kicked off with an introductory module that broke down AI technologies, focusing on practical tools that investors can integrate into their personal and professional workflows. From prompt engineering tricks to AI-powered productivity tools, we made sure participants weren’t just passive learners but active users of AI. 

  • - Corporate’s View on AI - The second phase was all about understanding how AI is shaping corporate strategy. We explored how major players across industries are adopting AI, adapting their business models, and making strategic bets on AI-powered innovations. This was crucial for investors looking to spot trends and anticipate where big money is flowing.

  • - VC Investing in AI - Finally, we dove into AI as a VC investment opportunity. We analyzed current and future trends, assessed how investors should evaluate AI-driven startups, and build solid, diversified AI investment portfolios. The goal? To equip VCs with the skills and insights to navigate and capitalize on the AI revolution.

This last chapter was definitely the highlight of our journey, with some of the top VCs globally - 7GC, Project A, Decibel - giving us their own personal take on AI-driven business models, funding strategies, and key evaluation metrics for AI startups. 

Want a little spoiler? There you go. 

Here’s a quick glimpse into what we covered in this insightful module: 

  1. The AI market is shifting from general models to vertical applications

    • - While foundational models (like OpenAI’s GPT or Anthropic’s Claude) have dominated AI discourse, the real value for investors lies in vertical AI applications - industry-specific solutions tailored for sectors like finance, healthcare, and manufacturing.

    • - Startups that fine-tune AI for niche problems (e.g., AI-powered fraud detection for fintech) tend to have stronger market differentiation and higher defensibility.

  2. The “Services as Software” model is redefining SaaS

    • - AI is challenging traditional SaaS models by embedding intelligence into software services, enabling automation and personalization at scale.

    • - Investors should evaluate AI companies not just on their technology but on their ability to integrate AI into real-world workflows with clear monetization pathways.

  3. Data is the new competitive moat

    • - Unlike algorithms, which are becoming increasingly commoditized, proprietary datasets create defensibility and long-term value.

    • - Investors should prioritize companies that can leverage exclusive data sources, whether through strategic partnerships, in-house collection, or industry-specific integrations.

  4. AI adoption is a marathon, not a sprint

    • - While AI startups may demonstrate impressive early growth, long-term success depends on their ability to scale sustainably while navigating regulatory and ethical considerations.

    • - VCs should assess AI startups based on their infrastructure readiness, scalability, and ability to comply with evolving AI regulations.

  5. Understanding AI infrastructure and compute power

    • - Many AI models require significant computational resources, making access to high-powered GPUs and cloud services critical for AI startups.

    • - Investors must evaluate a company’s strategy for managing compute resources, whether through partnerships, dedicated infrastructure, or innovative efficiency approaches.

Curious about the details? Dig deeper with our Playbook here

Is a new edition in 2025 really necessary?

We strongly believe so. If 2024 taught us anything, it is that AI innovation never stands still. The rapid acceleration of foundational AI models, the shift towards proprietary data strategies, and the emergence of new monetization models mean that investors must continuously refine their understanding to stay competitive. While our previous course laid a strong foundation, the upcoming edition will delve even deeper into AI investment trends, regulatory developments, and real-world applications shaping the industry today.

The increasing adoption of AI across sectors like healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and consumer applications has created a dynamic investment landscape. Venture capitalists must now navigate challenges like algorithmic bias, AI governance, and evolving regulatory frameworks. Plus, the race for computational power and the rise of multimodal AI models present both opportunities and challenges that deserve a deeper understanding.

Therefore, the 2025 edition of BoomAI isn’t just another sit-and-listen lecture series - it’s a high-energy, hands-on, no-BS deep dive into the real-world intersection of AI and venture capital. Forget generic PowerPoint presentations; this is about getting your hands dirty with AI tools, debating the hottest investment trends, and engaging with some of the sharpest minds in the industry.

Module 1 (February-April): Mastering AI Tools for Personal and Professional Use

The AI revolution isn’t happening in a vacuum, and investors who don’t know how to use these tools are already falling behind. This first module is all about professionalizing AI adoption - learning how to use cutting-edge AI tools for data-driven decision-making. Expect interactive sessions with real-world use cases, not just theory.

Module 2 (May-July): Corporate and Big Tech Strategies in AI

Want to know where the big money is going? This module dives into how corporations and tech giants are shaping AI’s future - from M&A deals to strategic bets that are shifting the industry. If you want to invest where the titans are playing, this is your insider guide.

Module 3 (September-December): AI Investment Strategy – A Year in Review

What did we get right last year? What completely blindsided investors? This final module is a brutally honest look at AI investment strategies - which assumptions held up, which flopped, and how investors can refine their AI theses for 2026. Expect deep dives into actual deals, post-mortems, and the kind of candid investor conversations you won’t find in any report.

Each module is designed to be dynamic, highly interactive, and laser-focused on what actually matters for investors. If you’re serious about AI investing, this course is your fast-track ticket to understanding where the money is flowing, what’s real vs. hype, and how to place smart bets on AI startups. 

The future won’t wait - neither should you. Secure your spot for BoomAI 2025 Edition - sign up now!