Swimming with Allocators

This week on Swimming with Allocators, David Zhou, Founder of the Superclusters podcast and seasoned investor, joins Alexa and Earnest to discuss the art of venture capital from the LP perspective. Topics include how allocators differentiate true signal from noise, the value of qualitative insights vs. quantitative data, strategies for evaluating fund managers, and the importance of founder relati...

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Benedikt Langer, pastor turned family office investor and creator of “Embracing Emergence,” shares his journey and investment philosophy focused on backing exceptional people rather than just deals. He discusses the challenges and lessons of transitioning from direct investing to supporting emerging managers, the value of qualitative insights and reputation,...

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Michael Downing, serial entrepreneur and venture investor, shares his journey from founding startups to building MDSV Capital, while diving into the essential role of emerging manager funds in today’s venture landscape. The discussion covers the evolution of venture capital, key strategies for both LPs and GPs, the importance of innovative sourcing and commun...

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Joshua Berkowitz of Berkocorp joins Earnest and Alexa to share his journey transitioning his family office from real estate to venture capital, offering candid insights on building relationships with top VC and PE managers, the importance of patience and long-term thinking, and the realities of portfolio construction. The discussion covers how to underwrite e...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Michaela’s Career Journey and Entry into Impact Investing (1:06) Lessons from Early Impact Experiences (3:36) Misconceptions about Impact Investing and Returns (6:39) Lessons from Clean Energy Investments (10:11) Venture and Asset Class Inclusion in Impact (12:03) Capricorn’s Ecosystem Building and Value Add (15:59) Current Client Questions and Mar...

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Aram Verdiyan, partner at Accolade Partners. Aram shares his journey into venture capital and the principles behind Accolade’s top-performing fund-of-funds strategy. The discussion also covers the importance of access to elite managers, the value of portfolio concentration over diversification, and how disciplined, conviction-driven...

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Lara Banks, Managing Director at Makena Capital Management. Lara shares her journey from real assets to venture capital and offers an inside look at Makena’s approach to manager selection, portfolio construction, and the evolving role of LPs. The discussion also covers the endowment model, the impact of AI and market shifts on ventur...

This week on Swimming with Allocators, it’s time for another debate, discuss, and question episode as Earnest and Alexa dive into the complexities of venture capital from both LP and GP perspectives, focusing on how fund managers can differentiate themselves and the art of due diligence. They also discuss the realities of fund and startup failure rates, the evolving importance of marketing and nar...

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Vishnu Amble, Founding Director, Trustee, and Investment Committee Member at GreenBear Group. Vishnu shares insights from his global investment career, discussing his transition from traditional finance to leading a mission-driven family office. The conversation explores the importance of building strong networks, lessons from backin...

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Jason Howard, Founder and Managing Partner of New Catalyst Strategic Partners. Jason shares his journey from finance and entertainment to launching a firm focused on GP seeding and supporting emerging managers in private markets. The discussion covers New Catalyst’s innovative approach to providing seed capital, operational support,...

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Diego De Colombres, founding general partner of Dissent Capital. Diego shares his journey from equity research to launching a specialized crypto fund of funds. The discussion also explores the importance of backing emerging managers, building concentrated portfolios in a volatile market, and the evolving strategies required for succe...

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Brian O'Neil, a veteran CIO with over four decades of investment experience, who provides a candid overview of the current venture capital landscape. Brian discusses the challenges facing venture capital, including excessive funding, prolonged private company lifecycles, and the shift from growth-at-all-costs to profitability. He als...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Wendy’s Origin Story and Entry into Allocator World (1:17) Early Lessons as an Allocator (3:59) Gravitating Toward Private Assets (6:39) Founding Ivy Invest: The Problem and Vision (8:06) Trends and Tailwinds in Asset Management (11:01) Challenges Bridging Institutions and Individuals (13:55) Bridging Institutional and Individual Experiences (16:47...

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Jon Wolkin, Managing Director of Deloitte Ventures. Jon shares his journey from investment banking to corporate venture, highlighting Deloitte's $150 million fund strategy that balances direct and fund investments across key technology verticals like AI, future of work, and health tech. The discussion reveals critical insights into c...

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Quincy Brown, Managing Director at FEG Investment Advisors. With 29 years of experience, Quincy discusses how his firm serves mission-driven organizations by integrating responsive investing strategies, focusing on diverse and emerging managers, and balancing financial performance with social impact. Key topics include the evolution...

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Farhan Lalji and Dario de Wet, Co-Founders of LTV Capital. During the conversation, Farhan and Dario discuss their unique approach to investing in emerging fund managers. They share insights into evaluating new venture capital funds, emphasizing the importance of understanding a manager's "why," network strength, and hustle factor. T...

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa sit down with Clare McLaughlin, Partner at TLI Bedrock. Clare shares her unexpected path from art history and professional harpist to VC, along with her distinctive lens on early-stage investing in sectors like material science, defense, and deep tech. She highlights the importance of founder execution, financial storytelling, and aligning i...

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Brian Brackeen, Managing Partner at Lightship Capital. Brian shares his unconventional journey from tech founder to venture capital allocator. He discusses his vision for democratizing venture capital by investing in overlooked regions like the Midwest and challenging traditional investment biases, and emphasizes the importance of fo...

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Evan Finkel and Charlotte Palmer from Integra Global Advisors. Evan and Charlotte discuss their approach to venture capital investing, focusing on emerging managers while also sharing insights into evaluating new fund managers, emphasizing the importance of transparency, unique investment theses, and consistent communication. The con...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Current IPO Drought Discussion (1:12) Assessing Venture Capital Allocations (4:01) AGM Season Insights (9:17) Leveraging AGMs for Impact (12:47) Debate on LP Due Diligence Frameworks (15:27)   Democratization of VC Access (20:32) Hamilton Lane Product Introduction (21:54) Emerging Manager Programs Challenges (24:25) Vanguard's Private Equity Recomm...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Introduction of Guests (0:13) Raudline’s Journey to Allocator (1:18) Kevin's Non-Traditional Path (2:37) Lessons from the Allocator Perspective (4:03) Balancing Process and Creativity (9:54) Raudline’s Firm Inspiration (11:15) Kevin's Firm Motivation (13:57) Building Founder Relationships (19:10) Embracing Discomfort for Growth (24:04) Changes in L...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Justin's Journey into Finance (1:11) Changes in Investment Management (4:59) Institutionalization of RIAs (7:47) Overview of AWM Capital's Services (11:22) Athletes as Clients (15:16) Engaging Athletes as LPs (16:21) Educating Clients on Private Markets (20:19) Regulatory Shifts in Venture Funds (24:23) Insider Segment: Emerging Managers and Divers...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Differences Between Canada and the US (1:17) Canadian Ecosystem Growth (3:32) LP Network Composition (4:36) Gap in Corporate Investment (8:12) Paula's Journey at BDC Capital (10:54) Government Support for VC (14:05) Advice for Attracting Capital (18:56) Venture Ecosystem Growth in Canada (22:08) Insider Segment: Evolving Role of Legal Counsel (24:5...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Laura's Journey to Allocator (1:05) Differentiators of Sapphire Partners (6:35) Advice for New Allocators (9:54) Shifts in Manager Selection Focus (11:41) Understanding the Underwriting Process (14:57) Balancing Emerging and Established Managers (16:09) Characteristics of Successful Emerging Managers (18:04) The Importance of Fund Size and Strategy...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Lockwood's Background and Journey (0:46) Vincimus Capital Overview (2:09) Democratization of Private Markets (3:51) Transition to Private Equity (4:52) Influence of Shackleton's Endurance (7:43) Current Market Opportunities (8:40) Criteria for Ideal Clients (14:26) Opportunities in Larger Investments (17:09) Slow Dating in Manager Selection (20:26)...