397. Defying the VC Orthodox, Re-inventing Financial Services, Picking Righteousness Over Returns, and Why VCs Should be More Like Rick Rubin and Less Like Don Wilson (Dan Kimerling)
Aug 21, 2023
auto_awesome
Dan Kimerling of Deciens Capital discusses defying the VC orthodox, reinventing financial services, supporting different fee structures, underserved communities in FinTech, decarbonizing finance, and the art of creating the future.
Decien's Capital focuses on creating enduring financial services businesses and decarbonizing finance through co-evolutionary advancements.
Decien's Capital advises its portfolio founders to stay focused on what matters and execute effectively, creating value and compounding equity through operational leverage.
Decien's Capital sees their role as that of a record producer, helping entrepreneurs self-actualize professionally and create a positive impact while cultivating a sense of righteousness.
Deep dives
Decian's Capital: Investing in the Future of Financial Services
Decian's Capital is an early stage venture fund that focuses on the next generation of financial services. They partner with founders who are obsessed with innovative ideas and have high levels of resilience and fortitude. Their approach is centered around a relational and artisanal model of venture capital, prioritizing deep involvement with portfolio companies. They have a particular interest in areas such as developer tools, climate change, aging, embedded finance, and payments. Decian's aims to create enduring financial services businesses and decarbonize finance through co-evolutionary advancements.
Navigating the Market and Supporting Portfolio Founders
In a slow-paced market, Decian's Capital maintains a long-term focus and advises its portfolio founders to do the same. They emphasize staying focused on what matters and executing effectively. Decian's believes in the importance of creating value and compounding equity through operational leverage. They look for founders who have overcome adversity and possess a deep desire to build a better future. The key is to observe founders' behavior and align values during an extended period of engagement. Decian's also reflects on the role of financial services in decarbonizing the economy and highlights the need for customer-centricity.
The Art of Building Venture Capital
Decian's Capital sees their role as that of a record producer, helping entrepreneurs self-actualize professionally. They have a strong focus on the artistic expression of creating an alternative approach to venture capital. While financial success is important, their passion lies in creating a positive impact and cultivating a sense of righteousness. The firm values the importance of values, both internally and in aligning with like-minded LPs. Decian's embraces exercise, routine, and time away from technology as secret weapons for maintaining control and focus.
Founders Podcast and Learning from Other Professions
Decian's Capital suggests exploring the Founders Podcast and the insights of its founder, David Senzel. They encourage learning from other professions and contemplating the ways in which their approaches and techniques can inform venture capital. They emphasize the art of finding special individuals, supporting their growth, and helping them reach their full potential in the same way a record producer or book editor would.
Connecting with Decian's Capital
To connect with Decian's Capital, you can follow them on Twitter at @DecianCapital and visit their website at decians.com. For direct communication, you can reach out to Dan Kimmerling at dan@decians.com. Follow and engage with them to stay updated on their innovative approach to venture capital and their role in shaping the future of financial services.
Dan Kimerling of Deciens Capital joins Nick to discuss Defying the VC Orthodox, Re-inventing Financial Services, Picking Righteousness Over Returns, and Why VCs Should be More Like Rick Rubin and Less Like Don Wilson. In this episode we cover:
How to Diversify Risk
How to Support a Fee Structure That is Different
The Rise of Free and Open Source Software.
What Communities Are Most Underserved by FinTech.
The Role That FinTech Plays in Decarbonizing Finance.
The hosts of The Full Ratchet are Nick Moran and Nate Pierotti of New Stack Ventures, a venture capital firm committed to investing in founders outside of the Bay Area.