
Startup Dad The Hidden Benefits of Raising Kids in NYC | Dan Borok (Dad of 2, nvp capital)
Daniel Borok is a Managing Partner at nvp capital, an early-stage venture firm investing in founders building the next generation of vertical AI companies. With a focus on B2B applications, Dan spends his days meeting visionary entrepreneurs, making high-conviction bets at the pre-seed and seed stages, and helping early teams build durable companies. Before nvp, he held operating and investing roles across finance and tech, giving him a sharp eye for both product-market fit and founder grit.
But Dan’s most demanding portfolio companies might be his two young kids. He and his wife, Abby, a real estate investor, are raising their family in Manhattan’s West Village, just blocks from where he grew up. Whether he’s sprinting to catch the school bus, navigating dual-career logistics, or caddying for his daughter in junior golf tournaments, Daniel brings the same thoughtful, systems-driven mindset to parenting as he does to investing. We discussed:
- Why mornings are sacred: How Daniel and his wife start every day as a family, despite their busy careers.
- Balancing careers and family: From nannies to grandparent backup, Dan shares how they manage the scheduling puzzle.
- Letting kids fail on the golf course: Dan reflects on caddying for his daughter and learning to let go of control.
- Raising kids in New York City: Why Dan believes the city is one of the best places for kids to grow up.
- The importance of practice at work and home: Lessons from sports that translate into career and parenting growth.
- Why he tracks family time like OKRs: Dan shares the analog system he uses to ensure he’s prioritizing what matters most.
Where to find Daniel Borok
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dborok/
- X: https://x.com/danielborok
Where to find Adam Fishman
- FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/
In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Introducing Daniel Borok, Managing Partner at nvp capital
(02:10) Balancing two careers in a dual-working household
(04:35) How the family manages childcare and travel schedules
(07:10) Starting a family later in life
(08:45) Raising kids in Manhattan vs. the suburbs
(14:40) The family’s big sports focus and weekend logistics
(17:34) Dan’s experience as his daughter’s golf caddy
(20:12) Most surprising parts of parenting
(23:43) How Dan thinks about tech exposure for his kids
(26:26) Using a weekly checklist like OKRs for parenting
(30:35) How he uses AI to reflect on weekly habits
(35:01) How he uses AI tools with his kids
(37:39) Helping kids discover their passions
(39:31) Applying sports practice frameworks to venture investing
(42:03) Lightning round: walkie-talkies, golf tees, dishwasher chaos
Resources From This Episode:
nvp capital: https://nvpcap.com/
The Disengaged Teen (Book by Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop): https://www.thedisengagedteen.com/
Training a Tiger (Book by Earl Woods): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/546636.Training_a_Tiger
Atomic Habits (Book by James Clear): https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits
Scooby Doo, Where Are You! (TV Show): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063950/
Bunk’d (TV Show): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4591680/
The Goonies (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089218/
iPad: https://www.apple.com/ph/ipad/
—
Support Startup Dad
For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.
For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
