How I Invest with David Weisburd

Jonathan Roosevelt, Managing Director at Industry Ventures, shares insights on navigating the $8B venture landscape. He discusses the evolution of Industry Ventures into co-investing and the significance of seed relationships in sourcing deals. The conversation explores the distinction between evaluating early-stage vs. mid-stage investments, emphasizing the power of customer diligence over traditional metrics. Jonathan also highlights the value of asymmetric information and inflection points in decision-making and advises emerging managers to offer unique, unscalable value to compete.

Balaji Srinivasan, an influential entrepreneur, investor, and former CTO of Coinbase, dives into provocative predictions about the U.S. dollar's decline and the advent of digital economies. He discusses how online communities may evolve into sovereign states and explains why autonomy in governance is essential. Balaji also explores how crypto can fund real nations, the lessons from China's rapid growth, and the potential for India to become a tech powerhouse. His views offer a blueprint for a decentralized future built on innovation and community-driven solutions.

Ryan Hoover, founder of Product Hunt and investor at Weekend Fund, dives into the realm of early-stage investing. He reveals how he’s productizing venture capital, sharing insights on managing 360+ LPs and the risks of a large investor base. Hoover discusses the power of ‘earned secrets’ in founders and why unconventional ideas often yield success. He emphasizes building valuable, low-pressure introductions and the importance of community in investment strategies, promising a treasure trove of wisdom for both investors and founders.

John Ivanac, Head of U.S. Institutional Alternatives at Franklin Templeton, shares insights from over 20 years in private markets. He discusses the monumental shift towards private credit and how institutions are consolidating partnerships for deeper engagement. Ivanac highlights the importance of liquidity and governance in private markets post-GFC. He also explores Franklin's strategic acquisitions, such as Lexington Partners, and why proactive investment in digital assets is crucial for future growth. Tune in for valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of alternatives!

In this engaging discussion, Robert Picard, the Head of Alternative Investments at Hightower Advisors and seasoned expert with over 35 years in the industry, reveals how Hightower is redefining wealth management by enhancing access to private markets. He shares insights on the NEPC acquisition, the importance of bridging institutional research with individual portfolios, and why illiquidity can favor patient investors. Robert also discusses the transformative role of AI in asset management and offers guidance on effectively allocating assets to private investments.

Thomas E. Swaney II, former Chief Investment Officer of Global Fixed Income at Northern Trust, shares his insights on the future of bond investing. He argues that traditional bond allocations fail to diversify during equity downturns. Swaney discusses the importance of managing correlation through duration and credit, and how notional leverage can enhance portfolio efficiency. He emphasizes the need for bonds to provide liquidity and negative correlation to support rebalancing after drawdowns, making a compelling case for bonds in the coming decade.

In this discussion, Payton Brooks, Managing Director on Future Standard’s Primary Investments team, shares insights from overseeing an $86 billion asset platform. He emphasizes the importance of mid-market private equity for yielding superior returns compared to large-cap firms. Payton dives into the intricacies of sourcing emerging managers, maintaining trust through partnership behaviors, and the benefits of evergreen fund structures in reducing cash drag. His expertise provides a compelling look into capital allocation strategies and building long-term relationships in investment.

Conrad Shang, Founder and Managing Partner at Ensemble VC, shares insights from his extensive investment background at firms like UTIMCO and Bain Capital Ventures. They discuss why succeeding as a fund manager requires more than just being a great investor, emphasizing the importance of firm-building and strategic patience. Conrad reveals how enduring LP relationships and transparent communication build trust. He also highlights the shift of defense tech into the mainstream and the value of a strong team over a solo founder in predicting success.

Sid Malhotra, Chief Investment Officer at Cactus Capital, shares insights from his extensive experience in family offices, contrasting their unique investment approach with traditional institutions. He discusses how aligning incentives fosters long-term performance, the strategic role family offices play in backing innovative opportunities, and the importance of an absolute-return mindset. Sid also highlights lessons from his time at Citadel and the Pritzker Group, emphasizing flexible capital structures and the significance of maintaining liquidity during market fluctuations.

In this discussion, David Sawyer, CEO of Unlimited.ai, dives into the seismic shift of capital migrating from public to private markets. He highlights that up to $150 trillion is poised to move, primarily due to operational complexities hindering alternatives adoption among family offices and RIAs. Sawyer outlines four key barriers: access, legal/regulatory, reporting, and liquidity. He also explores how AI can revolutionize LP workflows, level the information asymmetry between GPs and smaller investors, and streamline due diligence processes.