Highlights from this week’s conversation include:Lisha's Background and Journey in VC (1:44)Inspiration for Equity Charge (2:38)Angel Investing Data (4:36)Access to Venture Capital (6:02)Role of LP Investing (9:32)Advice for First-Time LPs (11:07)Valuing Early Backers (15:04)Economic Opportunity Fund at PayPal Ventures (16:14)Team Collaboration and Initiative (17:24)Advice for Other Organizations (20:00)Insider Segment: How Adoro Provides Scalable Solutions for VC Firms (21:09) Naming Adoro Advisors (23:27)Evolution of Fund Administration (25:37)Adoro's Unique Positioning (28:13)Synergy with Portfolio Companies (30:51)Building Synergistic Relationships (32:47)Diversity in GP Representation (33:39)Legacy of Racial Equity Movement (35:20)Investment Strategy and Portfolio Balance (37:42)Fintech Opportunities and Challenges (39:52)Adoption of Financial Technologies (42:10)Podcast "Sisters with Ventures" and Parting Thoughts (44:54)Lisha Bell has over 20 years of experience in technology innovation, specializing in digital money movement. She currently leads PayPal Ventures' Economic Opportunity Fund, a $100M investment in diverse emerging fund managers. Previously at PayPal, she led Product for the Financially Underserved Segment and Pay with Venmo. Prior roles include payments-related positions at Wells Fargo, Kohl’s, and Feedzai, where she developed early digital financial products like online banking and digital wallets. Lisha is cofounder of BLXVC, an angel syndicate supporting Black and Brown founders, and host of the Sisters with Ventures podcast. She previously led deal flow at Pipeline Angels and serves as board chair for Black Girl Ventures. Lisha holds a BSc from USC and MBAs from UC Berkeley and Columbia, and enjoys traveling, cooking, and dancing, all while balancing motherhood duties with her daughter. Aduro Advisors is a trusted partner for venture capital fund managers, offering comprehensive and expert fund administration services. Known for being agile, responsive, and focused on making fund operations seamless, Aduro enables fund managers to concentrate on investing. With deep expertise across a variety of fund sizes and strategies, Aduro provides a full suite of services, including fund accounting and compliance. The firm understands the fast-paced nature of venture capital and prides itself on being as innovative and driven as the funds it supports. Aduro doesn’t just manage operations—they help funds scale. https://www.aduroadvisors.com Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:Bradley's Background and Journey in Politics and VC (1:08)Regulatory Challenges in VC (3:18)Understanding Political Dynamics (4:18)Investment Strategies in Regulated Industries (6:00)Importance of Local Politics (9:33)California AI Bill Overview (11:25)Political Implications of the AI Bill (13:17)AI in Government Processes (16:08)Impact of AI on Legal Marketplaces (18:51)Sector-Specific Growth in GovTech (20:38)Political Influence on Tech Regulation (22:19)FTC's Mixed Impact on Innovation (24:13)Concerns Over Economic Policies (27:29)Mobile Voting Discussion (29:27)Impact of Low Primary Turnout (31:38)Political Survival vs. Public Safety (32:36)Mobile Voting Project Origins (34:15)Building Secure Voting Tech (35:26)Engaging Younger Generations (37:20)Impact of Technology on Voting (38:12)Final Thoughts and Takeaways (39:10)Bradley Tusk is a venture capitalist, political strategist, philanthropist and writer. He is the CEO and co-founder of Tusk Holdings, the world’s first venture capital fund that invests solely in early stage startups in highly regulated industries, and the founder of political consulting firm Tusk Strategies. Bradley’s family foundation is funding and leading the national campaign to bring mobile voting to all U.S. elections. Tusk Philanthropies also runs and funds anti-hunger campaigns that have led to the creation of anti-hunger policies and programs (including universal school breakfast programs) in 22 different states, helping to feed over 12.5 million people. Bradley is the author of The Fixer: My Adventures Saving Startups From Death by Politics and Obvious in Hindsight, writes a column for New York Daily News, hosts a podcast called Firewall about the intersection of tech and politics, and is the co-founder of the Gotham Book Prize. He recently opened a bookstore, podcast studio, event space and cafe called P&T Knitwear on Manhattan's lower east side. He is also an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School.Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:Malcolm’s Background and Experience (0:10)Experience as an Allocator (2:43)LP Perspective on Investment Risks (4:07)Advantages of Smaller Check Writers (6:43)Criteria for Assessing Fund Managers (8:44)Exciting Opportunities in Healthcare and Deep Tech (12:09)Challenges of Sourcing Family Offices (15:06)Insider Segment: The Impact of AI on Hardware Ecosystems (18:30)Interest in Hardware Financing (21:15)Diversifying Capital Stacks (22:20)Formation of the Black LP Association (24:12)Growth of Diverse Emerging Managers (27:27)Challenges in Fundraising (30:34)Differentiation in Asian Markets (32:12)Value Addition as an LP (37:05)Internship Opportunities in VC (39:33)Building a Talent Pipeline (42:04)Final Thoughts on Market Opportunities (44:20)Malcolm Robinson founded and serves as the executive director of the Black Venture Capital Consortium (BVCC), which educates, trains and places top students from HBCUs into the venture capital and startup ecosystem. In addition, Mr. Robinson co-founded and is the executive director of the Black LP Association (BLPA). Prior to BVCC and BLPA, Mr. Robinson was a general partner at Avenue Capital Group where he launched Avenue's Asia investment management business in 1999 and grew it to over $5 billion AUM, opening 9 offices in 8 countries and building and managing a team of over 110 employees throughout China, India and Southeast Asia. The fund invested in private equity, distressed debt, nonperforming loans and mezzanine investments. Prior to joining Avenue in 1999, he was the chief investment officer for the Richmont-Parley Investment Company, a Hong Kong based investment company. Before that, he was a portfolio manager at The Pacific Group’s Asia Hedge Fund based in Hong Kong and affiliated with the U.S. based hedge fund, Tiger Management Corporation. The Asia Hedge Fund directly invested in long/short equities, convertible bonds, fixed income securities, currencies and derivatives. Prior to that, Mr. Robinson was an investment professional with the Prudential Investment Corporation. During his seven years at Prudential, he participated in $600 million of direct investments in private credit and private equity. Mr. Robinson founded the New Jersey Advocates for Education, a college scholarship program which has awarded scholarships to over 300 students from the greater Newark, NJ area. Mr. Robinson graduated with Honors with a B.S. in Business Administration from Florida A&M University in 1987 and received an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1994.Camber Road is the most cost-effective, flexible and nimble leasing company for venture-backed businesses. We are experienced, but not stodgy. We're hungry, like the startup companies we serve. And we hold every lease on our balance sheet. We finance business-essential equipment for venture-backed companies. We do one thing, and we do it better than the rest. Learn more at www.camberroad.com.Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Aakar Vachhani, Managing Partner at Fairview Capital Partners, shares insights from his 30-year venture capital journey, highlighting the evolution of investment strategies post-Great Recession. He emphasizes the potential of investing in emerging managers, especially from diverse backgrounds, and discusses how cloud technology has transformed startups. Steve Aronson of Camber Road dives into financing strategies that extend financial runway. Together, they explore the dynamic venture capital landscape, opportunities in Series A funding, and the rising role of AI in investments.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:Matt’s Background and Experience in VC (0:10)Challenges in Venture Capital Allocations (2:20)Understanding the Allocator's Perspective (4:32)Technology's Impact on Allocators (7:02)Direct Investments vs. Outsourced CIOs (10:04)Using Third-Party Reports for Performance Measurement (14:14)Understanding Performance Metrics (16:12)Venture Capital Landscape (17:50)Insider Segment: The Importance of Diversifying Funding Sources (19:31)Extending Your Runway and Preserving Equity (22:06)Engaging with Camber Road (22:57)Insurance Allocators' Strategy (24:55)MetLife's Venture History (26:40)Innovation Office Impact (27:53)New Pools of Capital (31:29)Balanced Portfolio Insights (34:25)Investment Strategies for New Investors (34:52)The Challenge of Investor Sentiment (37:00)The Importance of Manager Selection (40:09)Contrarian Investment Strategies (41:36)Final Thoughts and Takeaways (44:14)Matt Curtolo is a seasoned investor with 20+ years covering all functional areas of the private markets from both an allocator and investor lens. Most recently, he built the investment capability from the ground up at a fintech start-up called Allocate, focused on offering high-quality venture capital and alternative investment opportunities to a broader investor base. Previously, he was a co-manager of MetLife's Alternative Investments Portfolio and Head of Private Equity at a large independent OCIO. Matt began his career at Hamilton Lane (NASDAQ: HLNE) during its early growth, before it became the world's pre-eminent private markets allocator. Camber Road is the most cost-effective, flexible and nimble leasing company for venture-backed businesses. We are experienced, but not stodgy. We're hungry, like the startup companies we serve. And we hold every lease on our balance sheet. We finance business-essential equipment for venture-backed companies. We do one thing, and we do it better than the rest. Learn more at www.camberroad.com. Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:Lisa's LP Career Journey (1:05)Changes in the Venture Capital Landscape (4:21)Introduction to Screendoor (6:16)GP Advisory Services Explained (8:47)Portfolio Construction Approach (13:20)Analyzing Fund Ones (15:53)Investment of Time (17:44)Common Pitfalls for First-Time Managers (21:22)Legal and Operational Considerations (25:14)Insider Segment: Starting a New Venture (00:27:06)Understanding Equipment Financing (30:07)Lessons from the 2020-2022 Debt Cycle (31:55)Importance of Diversifying Funding Sources (36:10)The Value of Personal Stories in Fundraising (38:39)The Future of Venture Capital Evolution (00:44:17)Understanding Fund Management Challenges (46:17)Challenges Faced by LPs (48:04)Risk Management in Fund Commitments (50:16)Encouragement for Younger LPs (51:27)Final thoughts and takeaways (52:09)Lisa Cawley is the Managing Director at Screendoor, an investment platform that invests in new managers raising early institutional venture funds and building an enduring firm. At Screendoor, Lisa leads efforts to reshape the VC landscape by supporting new fund managers. Lisa leads the firm and is responsible for the entirety of Screendoor’s operations and investments. Her commitment extends beyond her professional roles, actively participating in initiatives like Global Women in VC, advocating for economic empowerment, transparency, and inclusivity in the ecosystem. Prior to Screendoor, Lisa worked with a private multi-billion-dollar global investment firm where she was involved in all aspects of managing the firm’s private market portfolio, including sourcing and manager due diligence, asset allocation and forecasting, and creating and implementing the firm’s investment data tools and analytics. Lisa started her career at Ernst & Young, & earned an MBA, MSF, and BBA from Loyola University Maryland. She is a CFA Charterholder and holds a CPA. Camber Road is the most cost-effective, flexible and nimble leasing company for venture-backed businesses. We are experienced, but not stodgy. We're hungry, like the startup companies we serve. And we hold every lease on our balance sheet. We finance business-essential equipment for venture-backed companies. We do one thing, and we do it better than the rest. Learn more at www.camberroad.com. Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:Jaclyn’s Background and Journey in VC (0:50)Early Experiences in Venture Capital (1:55)Finding Edge in Venture Investing (5:16)Decision to Institutionalize Fund Investments (8:09)Evolution of Foundry's Investment Strategy (10:38)Building Networks in Venture Capital (15:16)Initial Impressions of the Venture World (16:14)Understanding the LP World (17:51)Evaluating People in Venture (20:39)Adapting to a Growing Number of Funds (23:01)Insider Segment: Advice for Fund Managers (25:49)Opportunities for Limited Partners (27:22)Outlook for 2024 (28:28)Transition to Direct Investing (32:08)Importance of Manager Relationships (35:37)Value of a Focused Strategy (39:10)Future of Venture Capital (43:37)Connecting with Jaclyn and Final Thoughts (44:10)Jaclyn Freeman Hester is a Partner at Foundry. She joined in 2016 with a passion for supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs and investors. Jaclyn leads direct investments in early-stage companies, often collaborating with Foundry’s partner funds. She loves working closely with founders to solve hard problems and think about the human elements of business. She invests across B2B and consumer companies that exhibit strong end-user empathy and use technology to empower individuals, unlock potential, and improve experiences. Jaclyn helped launch Foundry’s partner fund strategy, building the portfolio to nearly 50 managers. Bringing her unique GP + LP perspective, Jaclyn has become a go-to sounding board for emerging VCs. Jaclyn first fell in love with entrepreneurship while earning her JD/MBA at CU Boulder (Go Buffs!). There, she served as Executive Director of Startup Colorado, where she got to know Foundry and the incredible Boulder/Denver startup community the firm helped catalyze. In her brief stint as a practicing attorney, Jaclyn advised clients in M&A transactions and early-stage financings. She also witnessed the founder's journey first-hand, working closely with her husband and his family as they built a B2B SaaS company, FareHarbor (acquired by BKNG). Learn more at foundry.vcGunderson Dettmer is the preeminent international law firm with an exclusive focus on the innovation economy. The firm serves market-leading venture capital and growth equity investors and pioneering companies through inception, growth and maturity, as well as groundbreaking public companies that result from the global venture capital ecosystem. The firm’s clear-cut focus and well-honed technical skill enables an accelerated pace and unmatched efficiency, delivering best-in-class value at each phase of a client’s business. Learn more: www.gunder.com. Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Sunil Pai, a venture capital expert with experience at DFG and AngelList, shares valuable insights into the evolving investment landscape. He discusses shifts from late-stage to early-stage ventures and the implications of regulatory changes on fund operations. Sunil introduces the Angel Collective Opportunity Fund, emphasizing its focus on proven emerging managers and the importance of thematic specialization. He also offers advice for aspiring VCs and highlights trends in the venture capital space, making a compelling case for collaborative funding models.

John Rikhtegar, Director of Capital at RBCx, and Brian Huber, Fund Partner at Gunderson Dettmer, dive into the changing landscape of Canadian venture capital. They discuss the misalignment in market opportunities and the critical infrastructure needed for emerging founders. The duo also touches on the challenges faced by new managers in fundraising, the importance of building anchor partnerships, and insights into the capital food chain. Key takeaways include the role of government support and future fundraising trends in Canada’s evolving ecosystem.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:Chris Shen's Background and LP Career Journey (0:52)US-China Geopolitics, History, and MacroEconomics (3:27)Developing Relationships with Asian Allocators (8:02)Flavor of GP and Navigating Family Offices in Asia (11:31)Understanding LP Motivations (16:52)Importance of Liquidity for Investors (18:35)Working with Corporate Venture Capital Groups (22:15)De-risking Perception for Corporates (24:28)Diversity of VC Ecosystem (30:53)Insider segment: Focusing on the Innovation Economy (32:01)Learning the ropes of venture capital (38:18)Advice for junior investors (40:30)Personal experiences and growth in investing (43:27)Asian American foundation and the Committee of 100 (45:33)C100 organization (49:57)Connecting with Chris and Final Takeaways (50:27)Chris Shen has over 15 years of financial services, investments and legal experience in both the United States and Asia. He is the co-founder of Revere, which is building a tech-enabled, data-driven platform specializing in emerging managers – like Cambridge Associates for the modern allocator. l. Previously, Chris was a managing director at LQ Pacific Partners, a Hong Kong based merchant bank focusing on tech investments. Chris was also a founding partner of West 22nd Capital Advisers, a Hong Kong-based single family office and SFC-licensed investment firm. Chris led investments in external asset managers, established the firm’s operations and was a member of the investment committee. Before moving to the buy side, Chris was a senior corporate finance and investment funds lawyer with Baker McKenzie, with a pan-Asia practice representing large corporates, financial institutions, and fund managers.Gunderson Dettmer is the preeminent international law firm with an exclusive focus on the innovation economy. The firm serves market-leading venture capital and growth equity investors and pioneering companies through inception, growth and maturity, as well as groundbreaking public companies that result from the global venture capital ecosystem. The firm’s clear-cut focus and well-honed technical skill enables an accelerated pace and unmatched efficiency, delivering best-in-class value at each phase of a client’s business. Learn more: www.gunder.com. Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.