Capital Allocators – Inside the Institutional Investment Industry Ash Fontana – Investing in Artificial Intelligence at Zetta Ventures (First Meeting, EP.11)
Oct 28, 2019
Ash Fontana, Managing Director at Zetta Ventures, dives into the realm of artificial intelligence investments. With a background building AngelList’s financial operations, he shares insights on Zetta's approach to identifying promising AI startups. Topics include the evolution of AI, the critical balance between human oversight and AI capabilities, and the importance of quality data in decision-making. Ash also addresses misconceptions about AI, explores competitive strategies against tech giants, and reveals how AI is reshaping financial services.
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Early Career
- Ash Fontana combined his childhood interests in computers and business by pursuing venture capital.
- He sold his startup, Top Guest, after 18 months, gaining valuable empathy for founders.
AngelList Journey
- After selling Top Guest, Ash Fontana joined AngelList, initially helping with various tasks.
- He spearheaded the development of AngelList's online investing platform, growing it to manage billions.
Investing Style
- Ash Fontana's investing style favors deep relationships and fundamental research over high-volume interactions.
- This realization led him to co-found Zetta Ventures, focusing on concentrated, fundamental investing.