Philosophies of Engagement with Portfolio Companies in the Venture World

Exploring the delicate balance of engagement in portfolio companies, highlighting strategies used by venture firms to offer support without exerting excessive control.

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Howard Morgan’s inimitable career began with his early and prescient interest in computers. In fact, Howard has been on email for 51 years! He is currently the Chair and General Partner of B Capital. He is considered one of the pioneers of early-stage investing, having co-founded First Round Capital alongside Josh Kopelman, which was the first professional seed stage fund and the first institutional investor in Uber.

Prior to First Round, Howard helped found Idealab with Bill Gross, and served as President of Renaissance Technologies, which he co-founded with Jim Simons. Renaissance Technologies is the best performing investment firm of all time, and its mysterious and famous Medallion Fund is considered to be the most successful fund ever.

Howard shares insights into the importance of timing, choosing great partners, and his approach to investments, mentorship, health, and philanthropy. Listen in on host Michael Sonnenfeldt’s conversation with the globally recognized venture capitalist, visionary, and TIGER 21 Member Howard Morgan.

Watch clips:

Behind Howard Morgan's Success

How to accomplish almost anything

Birth of RenTec

Topics:

(0:41) Host Michael Sonnenfeldt introduces Howard Morgan

(4:29) Howard Morgan's Journey: From Academia to RenTec

(7:15) Renaissance Technologies: Pioneering Quantitative Investing

(12:53) VC Successes: First Round Capital to Uber

(14:10) “You can accomplish anything if you don’t care who gets the credit.”

(16:01) Philosophy of Success: Mentors, Investments

(22:30) Aging, Dr. Comite