Swimming with Allocators

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Derrick’s background in venture capital (0:19) Transition to public sector (2:27) The Government's role in innovation (4:55) Public perception of government in venture capital (8:40) Government programs for venture capital (10:48) Constraints of public funding (13:11) Coordination among state programs (15:18) Purpose of public venture funds (17:14)...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Peter’s background and journey Into finance (0:58) Strategy of Institutional LPs (2:30) Bandwidth Constraints and Time Management (5:53) Lessons Learned from Early Stage Programs (8:01) Criteria for Fund Managers (10:11) Transition to Institutional LP and Governance Structure (12:56) Challenges Faced by Institutional LPs (16:10) Excitement about ce...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: The Growth and Evolution of Impact Investing (0:47) Misconceptions about Impact Investing (3:34) Impact Investing in Political Climate (7:59) Spring Point Partners' Mission (11:07) Venture Capital and Impact Strategy (12:28) Assessing and Vetting Fund Managers (14:41) Impact Labeling for Fund Managers (16:47) Fundraising Strength and Networked Weal...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Alex's experience as a VC turned LP (0:51) Insights into evaluating smaller funds (2:20) Characteristics of a good LP (6:44) Role of an LP as a sounding board (8:06) Constructing an LPAC (10:39) Continuing relationships with funds (12:15) Pitch to LPs for Slipstream Investors (14:17) Evaluating Emerging Managers (18:53) Sector-Focused Funds (24:05)...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: The Origin Story of TSWII (1:04) Kate entering the finance industry (6:07) Family dynamics and alignment in investing (8:28) Transition to private investments (00:11:02) Exploring the full spectrum of investments (15:14) Sourcing and Early Stage Investment (18:58) Investing in Female Managers (22:26) Innovating for Parity (24:02) Insider Segment: S...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: The LA venture ecosystem (0:43) Unique investment opportunities in LA (3:54) Leveraging entertainment and deep tech in LA (6:42) The Partnership between Josh and Ankeet (7:47) Finding the right partner (9:23) The goal of FirstLook Partners (11:35) Fee structure of fund of funds (15:47) Strategy Shifts and Market Validation (18:13) Co-Investment Str...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Edward and Earnest’s Basketball Memories (0:47) The importance of pension investments (5:42) How fund managers should approach pension plans (7:59) Unique challenges of pension plans (10:41) Role of venture in the portfolio (13:02) Impact of public markets on venture deployment (14:14) Looking for new managers in 2024 (16:11) Investment vehicles (1...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Chris’ background and expertise in private market investments  (0:12) Challenges of Venture Capital (2:14) Multifamily Offices and Client Demographics (4:42) Advice on Participating in Alternative Investments (6:16) Sourcing of Fund Managers (8:22) Behavioral Finance and Market Behavior (9:45) Opportunities in Private Credit (12:37) Behavioral Fina...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Jason’s background as an LP (0:27) Learning as an LP (3:00) Deal Flow and Decision Making (4:54) LP Archetype and Relationship Building (9:07) Venture Investment Strategy (10:55) Communication and Strategy (14:48) Different Investor Preferences (16:25) Predatory Behavior in Acquisitions (18:49) Insider Segment: Advice for Entering the Venture Capit...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Themes from Allocators (1:29) Opportunities and Market Trends (5:49) Debate on Venture Returns and Fund Strategies (8:22) Opportunity and Market Bifurcation (13:13) Game: FMK - Fund Manager Scenarios (15:24) Discussion of the value of a founder's experience and relationships (19:35) Investor Archetypes (20:48) Flight Risk of GPs (22:55) VC Contract...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Eric’s background in venture and investing (0:02) Lessons from a Bottom Decile Experience (2:20) Motivation to Enter the Venture Capital Space (3:45) Challenges for New LP Allocators (6:08) Supporting Emerging Managers (7:35) Specialists vs. Generalists (10:53) Judging New Fund Managers (16:24) Attributes for Winning in Fund Management (18:57) Insi...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Boris’ Reasoning for Investing in Emerging Managers (0:57) Wrong Reasons for VC Investment in Emerging Managers (3:15) Funding Strategy at Version One (4:28) Motivation for GP Level Investments (5:27) Areas of Interest for Investments (6:59) Relationship with Fund Managers (8:24) How One Tweet Generated an Overwhelming Response (11:56) Insider segm...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: The Venture Landscape (0:23) Investing in Venture (3:18) The Evolution of Venture (5:16) Rise of Key-Nodes (8:38) Challenges and Opportunities for Key-Nodes (12:36) Criteria for Micro VCs (18:35) Selecting and Supporting Venture Capitalists (18:51) Examples of Successful Fund Managers (25:14) Misconceptions in Working with Organizations (27:38) Ins...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Sarah's background in innovation and corporate partnerships (1:02) Challenges with Corporate Partners and Innovation (5:06) Strategic Corporate LPs and their Sustainability (7:23) Recognizing a Different Business Model (9:54) Insider Segment: The Role of SPVs and Opportunity Funds (15:56) Venture studio landscape (17:57) Advantages of company creat...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Nate’s background and journey in VC (0:46) Sapphire’s Approach (1:36) Emerging Managers Program (4:30) Criteria for Evaluating Managers (8:02) Assessing Established Fund Managers (11:58) Partnership Dynamics (14:48) Market Trends and Observations (16:50) Increasing Specialization in Allocators (17:54) Impact of Liquidity on Secondaries (18:56) Perc...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Avanish’s background and experience in venture (1:16) Diligence and Relationship Building (3:21) Allocation and Time Horizon (5:32) Insider Segment: Exploring the Canopy Platform with John Lang (8:17) Investment Comfort and Expertise (15:23) LP Investments in Venture Capital (18:47) Venture Partner Role (20:18) Portfolio Construction and Investment...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: David’s background and journey to founding Top Tier (1:38) Confidence in Fund to Fund Strategy (6:35) Technology Consumption and Venture Capital (11:53) Insight into the Secondary Market (15:22) Private Equity Secondary Space (17:23) Investing in Emerging Managers (22:33) Seed Investing and Portfolio Construction (25:42) Understanding Underlying Po...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Sam’s journey into VC (1:33) Underwriting for financials and human beings (4:04) Value add and vision for the firm (7:54) Opportunity in non-trendy categories (12:09) Lessons from Climate 10 (13:17) Insider segment: State of markets for the innovation economy (15:39) Venture Ecosystem Model (19:23) Underwriting and Conviction Building (21:54) Advic...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Illumen Capital's Approach (0:48) Research on Biases in Investment Process (1:23) Influence of Historical Figures (3:37) Previous Experiences Shaping Approach (5:39) Illumen Capital's Strategy (7:19) Challenges and Recommendations for Managers (10:07) Personal Stories and Motivations (14:02) Criteria for New Managers (16:36) Learning from Fund One...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Renata’s journey into investing (1:21) Impact of Previous Experiences on Renata's Role (4:22) Pivotal Ventures' Unique Approach (7:56) Relevance in Current Market (10:34) Market Trends and Venture Trends (11:54) Innovative Approaches in VC (15:17) Challenges for Women in Fundraising (18:26) Women-led funds facing challenges (19:14) Supporting fund...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Discussing the Changes in 2023 and Lessons Learned (0:02) Mapping LP Slots and Strategic Time Spending (4:22) Momentous Changes in the Venture Capital Asset Class (7:55) Uncovering Unspoken Messages from Allocators (9:17) Venture Capital Predictions for 2024 (12:21) Expectations for Seed and Pre-Seed Investors in 2024 (17:24) The counter to VC and...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Chris’ Journey to VC (1:49) The Vision for Micro VC (4:50) Perspective on Finding Good Firms (6:36) The journey in venture capital (7:31) Changes in micro VC strategy (8:24) Finding differentiation in investments (11:07) The Intimate Nature of Venture Capital (15:18) Understanding Behavioral Footprint in Venture Capital (16:11) The Struggles of Ent...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: The Ten Year Treasury and its Role in Booms (1:51) The End of an Era and the Impact of COVID-19 (5:09) Shocking Revelation of the Ten-Year Yield (9:31) Reset and Retooling (11:05) LP Perspective on Venture (13:11) Investing in Legacy Assets (15:21) Insider Segment: New and Emerging Trends for LPA (16:37) Raising capital in the current market (19:25...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Tony's background and entry into institutional investing (1:26) Approaching co-investments and the process at PSERS (3:16) Manager selection process and portfolio construction (6:07) Constructing the private equity portfolio (10:45) Timing and relationship with new managers (12:52) Insider Segment: How could emerging managers benefit from general c...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: The origin story of Running Point Capital (1:11) Transition from public stocks to venture (4:30) Running Point's unique investment philosophy (7:13) Building a Due Diligence Network (8:57) Fostering Long-Term Relationships (10:23) Advice for Managers Launching Their First Fund (14:07) Challenges and opportunities for family offices (19:21) Criteria...