Graham Weaver - Founder & CEO, Alpine Investors - On Finding Purpose & Exceptional Investing
Mar 18, 2024
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Graham Weaver, founder of Alpine Investors, discusses his journey from dorm room startup to $16B AUM, investment philosophies, and Alpine's $4.5B fund. Topics include unique hiring philosophy, screening for will to win in candidates, entrepreneurial choices, and navigating social media self-help content.
Graham Weaver highlights the importance of persistence and resilience in growing Alpine to $16B AUM.
Alpine Investors prioritizes employee satisfaction and long-term growth through selective hiring and positive work culture.
Alpine's pursuit of B Corp certification demonstrates a commitment to social impact and ethical business practices, attracting top talent.
Deep dives
Graham Weaver's Journey with Alpine Investors
Graham Weaver reflects on his journey from starting Alpine in his Stanford dorm room to growing it to over $16 billion in assets under management. He discusses his personal growth and investment philosophies, along with the challenges faced during the initial stages of Alpine. Weaver's experience highlights the importance of persistence, resilience, and the evolution of entrepreneurial goals.
Emphasizing Employee Happiness and Engagement at Alpine
At Alpine Investors, a key tenet is hiring selectively, investing heavily in training, employee engagement, and retention strategies. Weaver emphasizes creating a work culture where employees are happy and engaged, contrary to industry norms. By focusing on employee satisfaction and long-term growth, Alpine stands out for its commitment to fostering a positive work environment.
Alpine's Commitment to Social Impact and B Corp Certification
Alpine's decision to pursue B Corp certification reflects its commitment to social impact beyond financial returns. The certification highlights Alpine's dedication to customers, community, employees, shareholders, climate, and governance. By aligning with the values of the younger generation focused on impact, Alpine aims to attract top talent and signal its commitment to ethical business practices.
Graham Weaver's Approach to Personal Growth and Teaching at Stanford
Weaver delves into his personal growth philosophy, emphasizing the importance of setting meaningful goals and continuous self-improvement. As a teacher at Stanford, he focuses on empowering students to overcome fears, doubts, and limiting beliefs, fostering their entrepreneurial spirit. Weaver's teachings encourage students to pursue their dreams authentically and build resilience for long-term success.
Alpine's Innovation with Continuation Vehicles and Apex Service Partners
Alpine's innovative use of continuation vehicles, exemplified by the Apex Service Partners deal, showcases a strategic approach to extending ownership in successful businesses. This tactic allows Alpine to capitalize on long-term growth opportunities and deepen its impact in key industries. By leveraging continuation vehicles, Alpine demonstrates a commitment to sustainable business practices and investment strategies.
Graham Weaver's Mindfulness Journey and Meditation Routine
Weaver shares his mindfulness journey, emphasizing the transformative power of meditation on mental clarity and well-being. His daily routine includes cold showers, Wim Hof breathing exercises, and silent meditation to stay present and focused. Through mindfulness practices, Weaver fosters a sense of balance, calmness, and heightened self-awareness in his personal and professional life.
In today's episode, Wesley Aster and Djavaneh Bierwirth host Graham Weaver, the founder and managing partner of Alpine Investors, a people-driven private equity firm that invests in software and services businesses.
Tune in to hear about:
- Graham's journey from starting Alpine in his Stanford dorm room to growing the firm to $16B in AUM
- Graham's personal growth and investment philosophies, as well as how he thinks about driving long-term impact
- Alpine's latest $4.5B fund 9, and Graham's experience fundraising in a challenging market
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