Alan Patricof (@alanjpatricof) is a venture capital pioneer with a career spanning more than 50 years and showing no signs of slowing down. The 87-year-old started his third venture capital business nearly two years ago called Primetime Partners, wrote his first book published this year, and this week he'll be attending Burning Man, and in the fall, he'll run the New York City Marathon for the sixth time.
He joins Julia La Roche on this episode for a wide-ranging conversation on life and investing.
Patricof started in venture capital at 36 in 1970, before a venture capital industry existed. His Patricof & Co. Ventures Inc. was the predecessor to Apax Partners, one of the largest private equity firms today. In 2006, at 72, Patricof founded Greycroft Partners, a venture capital firm that led numerous investments in digital media companies.
He has since left Greycroft to take on the founding partner and chairperson role at Primetime Partners. At Primetime Partners, Patricof, who said he plans to live until 114, is focused on what he calls the "ageless generation" — those over the age of 60 that are part of the fastest-growing part population.
Since its inception two years ago, Primetime Partners has deployed capital across 25 investments with a focus on seed and early-stage investments in products, services, and experiences for the aging, including aging in place, financial security for retirees, care management, longevity health services, and consumer experiences. Primetime has also backed older entrepreneurs building companies, with 18% of its founders over 50.
With his new book, "No Red Lights," Patricof hopes to encourage the older generation "not to pack it all in and go to the golf course and retire." He also hopes to share lessons with the younger generation to be open to new opportunities and live a life of curiosity.
