Dan Gavel on Building a Diversified Investment Strategy in Venture Capital
Nov 5, 2023
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Dan Gavel, founder of Black Sheep Capital Fund, discusses the importance of understanding risk in investing and adapting strategies to the changing market. He shares his approach to running a fund, syndicate, and making personal angel investments simultaneously. Being a lead investor is about building relationships with founders and providing post-investment support. The podcast also explores the resistance of big firms to adopt technology and the impact on efficiency and competition.
Understanding risk is more important than trying to fully comprehend it.
Running a fund, a syndicate, and making personal angel investments simultaneously allows for a more diversified portfolio and greater exposure to the ecosystem.
Being a lead investor is about building relationships with founders and providing post-investment support and guidance.
Deep dives
Passion-driven investing and unconventional leadership
Dan Gavall, founder of Black Sheep Capital, shares his unique approach to investing and leading in the early stage space. He emphasizes the importance of having conviction in investments and making bold decisions. Dan believes that being the first to put a number on a term sheet and show genuine interest in a company can act as a catalyst for a round. He also discusses the importance of post-investment leadership and being a supportive partner to founders. Dan shares a personal experience of a substantial investment made within two days, highlighting the risks and rewards in the venture capital industry.
Navigating negotiation and risk in investing
Dan delves into the art of negotiation in investment deals, balancing directness with care and consideration for the long-term relationship with founders. He highlights the need for thoughtful and respectful negotiations that do not burn bridges. Dan also shares his perspective on risk in early stage investing, acknowledging that losses are part of the game, but focusing on big-picture thinking and overall returns. He encourages investors to take big swings and absorb the downside while remaining optimistic and forward-thinking.
Challenges and lessons learned in the venture capital industry
The podcast episode also touches on some challenging experiences in the venture capital industry. Dan shares a story of how a significant investment was turned into gold and subsequently robbed. While acknowledging the difficult situation, he emphasizes the importance of focusing on the bigger picture and not getting caught up in isolated negative experiences. Dan's resilient and forward-thinking mindset allows him to overcome challenges and maintain a positive outlook in the venture capital world.
The evolving landscape of early stage investing
Dan discusses the changes and opportunities in early stage investing, including the rise of party rounds and the increasing participation of founders investing in their own space. He also highlights the importance of ecosystem building and the positive impact of successful companies like Canva and Go1 creating more founders and opportunities in the tech space. Dan expresses excitement for the growth of the Australian ecosystem and the potential for more people to participate and invest in innovative assets in the future.
Balancing conviction, due diligence, and valuation
Dan emphasizes the importance of conviction when making investment decisions, often knowing early on whether he wants to invest and then conducting due diligence to support that conviction. He also shares his perspective on the role of valuation and how it can impact an investment. Dan believes that leading an investment is not solely determined by the check size, but by being the first to put a number on the term sheet and provide the founder with the opportunity to structure a deal. He encourages investors to trust their instincts and take big swings in the early stage space.
Lessons from risk and resilience in venture capital
Dan's experiences in venture capital have taught him valuable lessons about risk and resilience. He underscores the need to be prepared for risk and to accept that losses are part of the venture capital industry. Dan shares his understanding that venture capital investments come with uncertainty and that unexpected situations can occur. However, his focus remains on the bigger picture, maintaining optimism, and learning from challenges to become a better investor and leader in the ecosystem.
Dan Gavel, founder of Black Sheep Capital Fund and the Flock Syndicate, shares his unique approach to investing and discusses the importance of understanding risk. He emphasizes the need for investors to have the capacity to accept risk and adapt their investment strategies to the changing market. Dan also talks about the benefits of running a fund, a syndicate, and making personal angel investments simultaneously. He explains how he decides which investments go to each channel and the importance of building relationships with founders. Dan believes that being a lead investor is more about post-investment support and guidance rather than pre-investment due diligence. He also shares a personal story of a risky investment that didn't go as planned.
About The Guest(s)
Dan Gavel is the founder of Black Sheep Capital Fund and the Flock Syndicate. He has a background in financial planning and has made numerous successful angel investments. Dan is known for his down-to-earth and innovative approach to investing.
Key Takeaways
Understanding risk is more important than trying to fully comprehend it.
The investment landscape is constantly changing, and investors need to adapt their strategies accordingly.
Running a fund, a syndicate, and making personal angel investments simultaneously allows for a more diversified portfolio and greater exposure to the ecosystem.
Being a lead investor is about building relationships with founders and providing post-investment support and guidance.
It's important to have conviction in an investment and be willing to take risks.
Quotes
"For us, the pre-seed stage is all or nothing. We're aware that it's a risky business, and we accept that." - Dan Gavel
"The lead investor is the person who wants to build a relationship with the founder and do what it takes to get the deal across the line." - Dan Gavel
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