VC10X - Why Fundraising is Now a Numbers Game (And How to Win) - Braughm Ricke, Founder, Aduro Advisors

Dec 2, 2025

34:43

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Fundraising used to be a relationship business. Now, it’s a volume game.

In this episode, we sit down with the founder of Aduro Advisors to unpack the data behind the current venture capital landscape. With $131 Billion+ in assets under administration across 650+ firms, they have a bird’s-eye view of the market that few others possess.

We dive deep into the "haves vs. have-nots" dynamic in VC, why the era of the generalist firm might be ending, and the exact operational mistakes that stop emerging managers from scaling. If you are raising a fund or managing a firm in 2025, you need to hear this.

⭐ Sponsored by Podcast10x - Podcasting agency for VCs - https://podcast10x.com

Topics covered:

- Shift to Solo GPs: The rise of individual managers over large platforms.

- Fundraising Reality: Why raising capital is now a volume-based "numbers game."

- Market Polarization: The widening gap between the "haves" and "have-nots."

- Specialization Wins: Why LPs favor sector-focused funds over generalists.

- The 100% Rule: Data showing funds that invest 100%+ of capital outperform.

- Smaller Funds: The strategic advantage of "right-sized" funds for faster returns.

- Individual Investors: The massive influx of High Net Worth individuals into VC.

- AI & Operations: Using AI to automate fund administration and data reporting.

About the Guest:

Aduro Advisors is a premier fund administration firm supporting over 650 venture capital and private equity firms with more than $131 Billion in assets under administration. Their platform, FundPanel, leverages data and AI to streamline operations for the next generation of investors.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction and episode overview

(00:02:43) - Inspiration behind founding Aduro Advisors

(00:04:25) - Major shifts in fund operations and data flow

(00:05:58) - Aduro Advisors' data insights on fund performance and market recovery

(00:09:48) - Evolution of fund sizes and LP composition

(00:11:22) - Common mistakes made by first-time fund managers

(00:12:40) - The importance of sector specialization versus diversification for LPs

(00:17:24) - Surprising findings from Aduro Advisors' Q2 2025 report

(00:20:16) - Longevity of firms and the "haves and have-nots" dynamic

(00:23:09) - Characteristics of top-decile performing funds

(00:25:48) - How Fund Panel streamlines fund administration and reporting