Driving Alpha

What does it take to identify a multi-decade investment category before the rest of venture capital even considers it viable? Julian Counihan launched Schematic Ventures in 2017 to back Physical AI and supply chain technology when the space was widely considered uninvestable — and spent the years since building factory-floor relationships and writing first checks in companies like Altana, Flock Fr...

What does it take to generate consistent growth equity returns in one of the most regulated industries in the world? Ben Cukier, Partner and Co-Founder of Centana Growth Partners, has spent over 25 years doing exactly that, investing exclusively in the financial services ecosystem and backing the companies that are quietly transforming it.   Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: 00:00 Welcome and...

What does it take to consistently generate venture capital returns in one of the most complex industries in the world? Garheng Kong, founder and managing partner of HealthQuest Capital, has spent more than two decades answering that question, backing transformative healthcare companies that improve patient outcomes while bending the healthcare cost curve. A physician, scientist, and engineer by tr...

A cancer diagnosis rarely leads to a venture fund, but for Ben Freeberg, it became the catalyst for building one. As Founder and Managing Partner of Oncology Ventures, Ben transformed a firsthand experience with broken cancer care into a focused investment strategy aimed at fixing the system from the inside out. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: 00:12 Introduction and Welcome 01:17 The Origin...

What happens when a venture capitalist brings a deep understanding of government into the startup world? Yanev Suissa, Founder and Managing General Partner of SineWave Ventures, has done just that, carving out a powerful niche by helping commercial-first startups break into government markets. His journey from NEA to the Bush and Obama administrations gives him a perspective few investors can matc...

What if your venture capital firm could plug you directly into the world's most influential corporations; unlocking growth, customers, and global scale overnight? That's exactly what Simon Wu does as a Partner at Cathay Innovation. Leading U.S. investments at the $2.5B global VC, Simon's work sits at the intersection of innovation, industrial strength, and strategic capital. Here's a glimpse of wh...

In venture capital, power isn't just about capital,  it's about who gets to decide where it flows. Paige Hendrix Buckner, CEO of All Raise, is redefining who sits at the decision-making table. With a background spanning public policy, education, and founder support, she's leading a movement to shift both the culture and the calculus of VC, proving that diverse check-writers create better outcomes....

What if your investor could also be your first customer, biggest champion, and gateway into a massive market? David Horowitz, Partner at Cerity Partners Ventures and a corporate VC pioneer, has spent over 20 years proving that venture capital can do more than write checks, it can open doors. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: 00:43 Introduction and guest welcome 01:21 David Horowitz's early ca...

Can AI truly transform the enterprise, not just improve it?  Eric Benhamou, legendary tech CEO and founder of Benhamou Global Ventures, believes it already is. He reveals how his firm is leading the charge with "Enterprise 5.0", a new era defined by full-stack, AI-native solutions. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: 00:43 Intro to Alpha Partners 01:00 Meet Eric enhamou: A Pioneer in Tech 02:09...

What if your greatest edge as a VC wasn't data or deal flow, but your network?  Heather Hartnett, CEO and General Partner of Human Ventures, is proving that authentic human connection can drive real alpha. From startup studio to powerhouse VC platform, she's built one of New York's most trusted early-stage ecosystems.   Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: 00:40 Introduction to the Driving Alpha...

What if the biggest venture opportunities aren't in the next SaaS tool, but in the markets everyone avoids? Salen Churi, founder and general partner at Trust Ventures, is proving that regulation-heavy industries hold the keys to outsize alpha. A former law professor turned VC, Salen helps startups turn red tape into competitive edge.   Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: 00:40 Introduction to D...

Can a PhD in accounting build a top-tier VC firm in the heartland, and beat the coastal giants?  Ira Weiss did just that. As founding partner of Hyde Park Venture Partners and a professor at Chicago Booth, Ira has quietly helped turn the Midwest into a serious startup engine, backing breakout companies like ShipBob and Audit Site before they were household names. Here's a glimpse of what you'll le...

Brad Feld isn't just a name in venture capital; he's one of the architects behind the startup ecosystem as we know it. From launching Techstars to mentoring hundreds of founders and fund managers, his legacy is rooted in building, not boasting. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: 00:48 Introduction to Driving Alpha 01:38 Brad Feld's Journey and Achievements 03:38 Reflections on Life and Career...

What happens when a Google and Facebook engineering leader turns his focus to helping immigrant founders dominate in AI and robotics?  Ihar Mahaniok, Founder and Managing Partner of Geek Ventures, has invested in over 100 startups, including five unicorns, and is now channeling his experience into backing the next generation of world-changing entrepreneurs. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: 0...

What happens when decades of media and venture capital experience converge? Stewart Alsop, co-founder of TK MediaTech Ventures and a VC since 1996, brings a journalist's clarity and an investor's vision to the evolving landscape of media technology. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: 00:48 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:02 Early Career and First Impressions 01:37 Bluntness and Career Challe...

Renata Quintini and Roseanne Wincek are the powerhouse duo behind Renegade Partners, a venture firm purpose-built to guide startups through the critical "teenage years" of growth. With prior roles at Felicis, Lux, Canaan, and IVP, they've helped scale some of today's most iconic companies and are rewriting the playbook on early-stage investing. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: 00:48 Welcome...

Francisco Gimenez, Partner at 8VC, shares his unconventional journey from Stanford PhD to venture capital, where he leads investments in Bio-IT and enterprise AI. Known for his technical background and sharp instincts, Francisco has been pivotal in backing startups pushing the boundaries of biotech and healthcare innovation.   Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: 00:48 Introduction to Driving Al...

What if AI could predict which founders will build billion-dollar companies? Ben Orthlieb, co-founder of Blue Moon, is doing just that, using AI and behavioral science to consistently outperform even the top VC firms. With roots at LinkedIn and Emergence, Ben brings a rigorous, founder-first model to seed investing. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: 00:00 Intro to Driving Alpha 00:41 Meet Ben...

What if the key to outsized venture returns isn't just a great idea but the unshakable resilience of the founder behind it? Jonathan Taylor and Brice Penaud of Water Bear Ventures believe grit is the ultimate differentiator, and they've built a fund around finding it. Jonathan brings years of experience driving strategic outcomes in venture, while Brice draws on a behavioral science background to...

What does it take to turn early traction into scalable momentum? And how do you know if your startup—and your engine—is even built for venture capital? Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: 00:43 Introduction to Driving Alpha Podcast   02:20 Meet Manishh Patel: From Google to Nava Ventures   03:17 Growing Up in Rural Kentucky   05:24 The Journey to Venture Capital   08:17 Founding Nava Ventures  ...

Can deep operational experience shape better venture outcomes? One VC proves it can—drawing from years in the founder seat to back today's most promising startups. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: 00:43 Introduction to Driving Alpha Podcast   01:05 Eric's Background and Career Journey   03:45 Transition to Venture Capital   06:27 Eric's Role at S3 Ventures   07:19 Investment Philosophy and M...

Can Middle America become the next innovation powerhouse? Aziz Gilani, General Partner at Mercury, thinks so—and he's proving it by backing cloud and enterprise software startups across Houston and beyond. With a track record that includes major exits like Black Lotus and Modus, Aziz has helped Mercury's portfolio reach over $9 billion in enterprise value. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: 00...

Matt McIlwain, Managing Director at Madrona, has spent over two decades investing in intelligent applications and driving innovation in AI. With a track record including Smartsheet, Apptio, and Isilon, he brings rare perspective from 25 years in venture capital. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: 00:43 Introduction to Driving Alpha Podcast 00:57 Guest Introduction: Matt McElwain from Madrona 0...

Lisa Chai, co-founder and general partner at Interwoven Ventures, joins Driving Alpha to discuss how robotics and AI are transforming industrial technology. With a deep background in venture capital and public markets, Lisa shares her insights into the megatrends driving automation, reshoring, and industrial AI. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: 00:43 Introduction to Driving Alpha Podcast  00...

Bob Ackerman saw the future of cybersecurity before the market did. As the founder of AllegisCyber Capital, the first venture firm dedicated 100% to cybersecurity, and the co-founder of DataTribe, he's been at the forefront of investing in cyber defense. With a 20+ year track record, Bob has backed some of the most cutting-edge cybersecurity companies, navigating the intersection of venture capita...