Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Illumen Capital's Approach (0:48)
• Research on Biases in Investment Process (1:23)
• Influence of Historical Figures (3:37)
• Previous Experiences Shaping Approach (5:39)
• Illumen Capital's Strategy (7:19)
• Challenges and Recommendations for Managers (10:07)
• Personal Stories and Motivations (14:02)
• Criteria for New Managers (16:36)
• Learning from Fund One to Fund Two (20:27)
• Bias reduction and systemic inequality in investing (21:01)
• Challenges and opportunities for overlooked asset managers (25:49)
• Insider segment: Future of venture and market trends (29:06)
• Venture landscape and impact of interest rates (37:13)
• The systemic inequality in investing (42:47)
• Final thoughts and takeaways (44:58)

Illumen Capital is a Black-owned and led manager dedicated to achieving racial and gender equity across investing. Illumen Capital invests in venture, growth, and private equity funds, and then works closely with fund managers to install a set of strategies and tools designed to reduce racial and gender bias in the hiring, investment, and company support processes. This research-informed bias reduction program – supported by a strategic relationship with Stanford SPARQ - empowers fund managers to expand their investable landscape and better support entrepreneurs who have historically been overlooked and underestimated.

Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a division of First Citizens Bank, is the bank of the world’s most innovative companies and investors. SVB provides commercial and private banking to individuals and companies in the technology, life science and healthcare, private equity, venture capital and premium wine industries. SVB operates in centers of innovation throughout the United States, serving the unique needs of its dynamic clients with deep sector expertise, insights and connections. SVB’s parent company, First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ: FCNCA), is a top 20 U.S. financial institution with more than $200 billion in assets. First Citizens Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at svb.com

Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that 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. 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.

The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.