Dave Lambert, co-founder and managing director at Right Side Capital Management, has built one of the most active pre-VC investment firms in the U.S. With a portfolio of over 2,000 companies, Dave and his team take a data-driven approach to ultra-diversified early-stage investing, making quick decisions and challenging traditional VC norms.

In this episode...

In this episode, Dave shares how Right Side Capital identifies high-potential startups before they reach traditional VC rounds. He explains how his experience as both an entrepreneur and an investor led him to see inefficiencies in early-stage fundraising—and how data and systematic portfolio construction can optimize returns.

Dave also discusses the evolution of venture capital, the impact of AI on startup scaling, and why ownership percentage is irrelevant when evaluating investment opportunities. His unique approach reveals how ultra-diversification and a power-law mindset can uncover the next billion-dollar companies.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

00:43 Introduction to Driving Alpha
00:48 Meet Dave Lambert: Entrepreneur and Investor
01:48 Challenges in Early Stage Investing
04:11 The Data-Driven Approach of Rightside Capital
06:42 Evolution of Investment Strategies
13:47 The Impact of AI on Startups
17:01 Fundraising and Portfolio Management
19:50 Sourcing and Evaluating Investments
31:18 Advice for Aspiring Investors
34:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Dave Lambert of Right Side Capital: A Data-Driven Approach to Pre-VC Investing