Swimming with Allocators
Swimming with Allocators dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. In each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. Follow along and subscribe at swimmingwithallocators.com. See you later, Allocator!
Episodes
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 backing both startups and fund managers, ...
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, and strategic partnerships, as well...
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 success in crypto venture capital. Key t...
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 also emphasizes the importance of dive...
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)
- Is Retail Capital a New Institutional...
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 corporate venture capital, emphasizi...
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 of ESG investing, technology's role...
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. The conversation also explores the c...
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 investments with personal values. Th...
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 founder-focused investing, leveraging...
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 conversation also covers challenges in...
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 Recommendation (26:39)
- Technological and Econom...
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 LP Expectations (30:28)
- Growth Through Disc...
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 Diverse Perspectives (27:38)
- Complex Fund Agree...
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 (24:57)
- Impact of Legal Partnership (29:01)
- Mea...
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 (20:11)
- Insider Segment: Trends in Vent...
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)
- Evaluating Deal Opportunities (22:07)
- Ins...
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Ian’s Journey in Wealth Management (0:41)
- Founding Westfuller Advisors (5:05)
- Challenges in Early Days (10:36)
- Current Differentiation and Pitch (12:18)
- Long-term Strategic Asset Allocation Model (14:37)
- Ownership Lens Focus (16:57)
- Advocacy for Due Diligence (18:16)
- Economic Mobility and Career Decisions (22:32)
- Insider Segmeng: Catalyst 2045 Initiative Overview (25:59)
- Investment Focus ...
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Meghan's Background and Journey (1:18)
- Capital Formation Insights (7:39)
- Lessons from Goldman Sachs (9:05)
- Advice for Emerging Managers (11:11)
- Importance of Client Experience (17:00)
- The Competitive Landscape of Venture Capital (19:14)
- Changing GP and LP Relationships (23:29)
- Creativity in Investor Relationships (28:19)
- Insider Segment: Florida’s Diverse Venture Ecosystem (31:10)
- Challen...
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Samir’s Background and Journey (0:31)
- Founding Allocate (1:09)
- Emerging Managers Focus (4:26)
- Market Cycles and Investment Strategies (8:11)
- Current Market Trends (12:22)
- Illiquidity in Venture Capital (14:04)
- Misconceptions About Venture Capital (16:05)
- Direct Investments vs. Fund of Funds (19:51)
- Operational Needs of Wealth Advisors (22:13)
- Building Infrastructure for Investment (24:1...
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