The Influence of Science Fiction and Fantasy on Investing

Michael Steinhardt offered invaluable insights into investing, emphasizing the importance of conviction, balance, and the willingness to acknowledge mistakes. This rings especially true in the dynamic world of technology investments, where assessing asset pricing and risk in areas like artificial intelligence, application software, GPUs, and data management is crucial for success.

In this latest episode of the Thematic Investors podcast, Kieran Cavanna is joined by Gavin Baker, CIO & Managing Partner, Atreides Management, LP. Gavin shares how his love of history and games of chance ignited his enthusiasm for technology investing. 

Additional key points discussed in this podcast with Gavin include:

• how he said goodbye (momentarily) to the dream of living in a pickup and rock climbing and doubled down on investing in technology-themed investments.
• throughout history, starting from the era of the steam engine, we have observed the emergence of technological bubbles that often herald a new wave of investment opportunities. As we contemplate the rise of AI, the question arises: could we be on the brink of another such transformative bubble?
• how can VC’s or private equity firms take advantage of data center investments for the future.
• the challenges that numerous multi-billion dollar startups encounter in this industry and the significant risks associated with investing in them, particularly with the formidable presence of industry giants such as Google, Meta, and Microsoft and the rest of the Magnificent Seven..
• how his time at Fidelity prepared him with an ‘investing lens’ to see the truly different CEOs of our time. He explains how it’s almost like watching Jordan play basketball and comparing the way Elon and Jensen run Tesla and Nvidia. 
• how his parents’ love of literature and history helped him open his imagination to technology investing across both public and private asset classes.
• And more.

Resources:

• Technological Revolutions and Financial Capital by Carlota Perez
• Google: Attention is All You Need

Connect with Kieran Cavanna: 

• Old Farm Partners
• LinkedIn: Kieran Cavanna

About Gavin Baker: 

Gavin Baker is the Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Atreides Management, LP. In addition to overseeing investments and research at Atreides, he is responsible for the firm’s day-to-day portfolio management. Prior to founding Atreides in 2019, Gavin was at Fidelity Investments from 1999 to 2017, most recently as the portfolio manager of the Fidelity OTC Portfolio from 2009 to 2017. He also helped spearhead Fidelity’s venture capital investing from 2013 to 2017. Prior to managing the Fidelity OTC Portfolio, he was a portfolio manager of the Fidelity Select Wireless Portfolio from 2007 to 2011, the Fidelity Select Telecommunications Portfolio from 2007 to 2009, and the Fidelity Select Pharmaceuticals Portfolio from 2002 to 2005. Gavin started his career at Fidelity as an analyst and focused on semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, retail, consumer packaged goods, and telecommunications. Gavin earned an AB in economics and history from Dartmouth College.

Please note, the information covered and posted represents the views and opinions of the guest, and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Vidrio Financial and or our host, Kieran Cavanna. The content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional investing advice. Always seek the advice of your financial advisor or other qualified financial service provider with any questions you may have regarding investment planning.

All opinions expressed by Gavin Baker in this podcast (the “Podcast”) are solely his own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Atreides Management, LP (“Atreides”). This Podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions. Clients of Atreides may maintain positions in the securities discussed in this Podcast. This is not an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security in any fund managed by Atreides. The statements and opinions contained herein may change at any time, based on market or other conditions.  This Podcast includes forward-looking statements, including projections of future economic conditions, and information that is provided for illustrative purposes.  Atreides does not make any representation, warranty, guarantee, or other assurance whatsoever that any of such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate.

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