How I Invest with David Weisburd

Ron Biscardi shares insights on transforming a charitable initiative into a $50M platform in just five years. He reveals how technology and community trust play key roles in capital formation. Discover the secrets behind organizing 800+ LP meetings with crypto managers and why LP behavior signals trends better than investment mandates. Biscardi emphasizes the importance of effective follow-up post-conference and discusses iConnections' innovative use of AI for fund allocation. Plus, he predicts that Asia may soon lead in alternative investments.

Tyler Sosin, a Board Partner at Menlo Ventures and now the founder of Villain Capital, shares his insights on investing in tech-driven businesses. He discusses the importance of durable customer relationships and misconceptions around Total Addressable Market (TAM). A strong advocate for vertical software, Tyler emphasizes the value of niche markets and the balance between aggressive growth and sensible compounding. He reflects on past investments like Flywire and Carta, drawing lessons on founder resilience and strategic growth approaches.

T.C. Wilson, CIO of The Doctors Company, shares insights from over 35 years in investment management. He discusses the unique investment strategies for insurance firms, especially how surplus is treated like an endowment portfolio. T.C. emphasizes the importance of portfolio construction over manager selection, innovative asset management techniques, and the value of evergreen structures. He also highlights his cautious stance on large-cap private equity and the lessons of extreme ownership in leadership, providing a compelling guide for both seasoned and aspiring investors.

Patrick Miller, Executive Director at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, shares his journey into venture capital, ignited by a pivotal meeting with a Florida VC. He discusses how LPs can add value beyond just capital, the significance of fund size, and why emerging managers are key differentiators. With a barbell investment strategy, Patrick highlights how AI is reshaping capital dynamics. He reveals insights on what makes small funds outperform their larger counterparts and offers valuable advice he'd give his younger self, making this a must-listen for aspiring investors.

Michael Marvelli, Deputy CIO of the UCLA Investment Company, leads their private markets strategy. In a fascinating discussion, he reveals insights on building investment teams from scratch and UCLA's focus on lesser-known private equity managers. Marvelli shares his unique perspective from previous roles, highlighting the importance of downside protection and strategic pacing. He also explores what makes a successful allocator and offers advice for aspiring private equity professionals eyeing the lower middle market.

David Berry, a powerhouse in biotech and co-founder of Averin, dives into his journey from scientist to investor. He shares insights on scaling health companies, emphasizing the importance of culture and perseverance. Berry explains how to spot the potential for unicorns in their early stages and what makes a great founding team. He delves into the transformative promise of AI in healthcare and the future of personalized medicine, particularly in tackling Alzheimer's. Discover the secrets behind his success and the role of innovation in healthcare.

Rip Reeves, CEO of Institutional Investor and former CIO of AEGIS, shares valuable insights from his 40-year career in investment management. He discusses his unconventional journey from Salomon Brothers to leading a major investment platform. Rip emphasizes the importance of building genuine relationships in finance, the flexible nature of endowment portfolio allocation, and the resurgence of fixed income. He also reveals how casual conversations can influence managerial evaluations and the evolving dynamics between investors and fund managers.

John Trammell, a seasoned institutional investor leading investments for the Episcopal Diocese of New York, dives into the changing landscape of endowment investing. He discusses why top universities are offloading assets in secondary markets and how this helps manage underperforming investments. Trammell argues that a concentration strategy has fueled great fortunes, while highlighting the critical role of liquidity today. He also examines Bitcoin's emerging role in portfolios and the importance of building conviction to navigate market challenges.

Aaron Jacobson, a partner at NEA with a rich background in AI, robotics, and cybersecurity, dives into the feasibility of Elon Musk's prediction of 10 billion humanoid robots by 2040. He discusses the significant technological hurdles that need to be overcome and contrasts the potential of consumer versus industrial robots. Jacobson also sheds light on the escalating cyber threats expected in the next five years, the importance of penetration testing, and how AI can revolutionize cybersecurity, making this conversation a treasure trove for tech enthusiasts and investors.

In this engaging discussion, Arjun Sethi, Co-Founder and Chairman of Tribe Capital and Co-CEO of Kraken, delves into the future of venture capital and crypto. He shares insights on investing in "N-of-1" companies and the critical differences that set them apart from market leaders. Arjun also discusses how traditional funding stages are evolving, the impact of tokenized equities on capital markets, and his bold predictions for humanoid robotics in defense. His unique perspective on using data-driven strategies reshapes the investment landscape.