How I Invest with David Weisburd

Josh Porter, Co-Founder & General Partner at FirstLook Partners, sits down with David Weisburd to discuss FirstLook’s process for evaluating and selecting emerging managers. They also cover typical terms for co-invest, managing conflicts of interest, and the importance of strong personal relationships in venture capital. (0:00) Episode preview (0:11) FirstLook’s strategy (1:12) Co-investment dynamics (3:06) Typical co-invest terms (4:33) Managing conflicts of interest (6:24) Impact of personal background on investment decisions (9:10) Fostering relationships and trust in venture capital (11:28) Importance of trust and honesty in VC (12:27) Key criteria for selecting managers (15:33) 10X Capital Podcast Newsletter (15:54) Investment diligence and adding value (20:18) Insight into hiring for venture roles (21:34) Lessons learned and time management (23:26) Closing remarks

Dionne Chingkoe and Samer Yousif of Insight Partners sit down with David Weisburd to discuss Insight’s direct and fund of funds investment strategies. They cover the importance of adding value beyond capital to both founders and emerging managers, the landscape of multi-stage VCs investing in emerging managers, and check size driving fund strategy for GPs. Insight Partners’ 20/20 Vision Capital Fund supports diverse-led, top-tier, early-stage venture funds providing growth and seed capital to companies in the US and abroad. Insight believes that partnering and investing with these GPs is an effective way to drive much needed diversity in the venture capital industry. (0:00) Episode preview (0:56) Insight Partners’ strategy (2:08) Providing value-add and flexible capital (3:48) Samer Yousif's journey to Insight (6:09) Adding value to emerging managers (8:39) How emerging managers differentiate (12:09) Check size driving fund strategy (16:14) Evaluating GP performance (17:38) Closing remarks

Venus Phillips, Managing Director at Kresge Foundation, discusses mission-driven investing, risks in China & India, and building LP relationships with David Weisburd on this podcast. They explore the foundation's venture strategy, revitalizing Detroit, accessing premier VC funds, and fostering true partnerships between GPs and LPs.

John Merrill, Partner at GroveStreet sits down with David Weisburd to discuss GroveStreet’s $10.5B SMA model. In addition, they talk about the keys to building long-term SMA relationships, a highly selective set of criteria for managers and reasons why GP’s should prefer rigorous, discerning LPs vs. fast-followers. (0:00) Introduction and background of John Merrill and Grove Street (1:34) Benefits of separately managed accounts (SMAs) for institutional investors (3:39) The problem Grove Street is solving for clients (5:03) Importance of alignment in asset management (6:30) Investment process and criteria for selecting funds (10:13) Client management and characteristics Grove Street looks for in clients (13:25) Benefits of a boutique client model (16:17) Studying under David Swenson and his impact (20:14) The give and take in LP-GP relationships (22:27) Importance of landing an anchor investor for new funds (24:25) Characteristics of a good partnership between LPs and GPs (29:43) Characteristics of a top limited partner (33:17) Global investment insights and local biases (35:09) Final thoughts and closing remarks

Jamie Rhode discusses investing in emerging managers, friction points between LPs and managers, leveraging insights in manager selection, and diligence of first time funds. They explore importance of grit in founders, underwriting first time funds, expanding beyond, and portfolio construction as a venture LP.

Ben Black, Co-Founder of Akkadian Ventures, shares insights on RAISE Global Summit and venture capital fundraising strategies. Discussions include building successful partnerships, adding unique value to LPs, challenges faced by emerging managers, and the significance of operational excellence in fund entrepreneurship.

Alex Edelson, founder of Slipstream Investors, discusses the benefits of investing in VC fund of funds with David Weisburd. They cover topics like portfolio construction, due diligence process, ideal number of funds for diversification, assessing fund managers, importance of founder references, gaining access to oversubscribed funds, and value of transparency with GPs.

Former Senior Portfolio Manager Peter Teneriello discusses Texas Municipal Retirement System's $1B venture capital deployment. Topics include pacing models, aligned investment teams, and investing in median performing managers.

Jeff Smith, Managing Director of Private Investments at the Smithsonian’s endowment, discusses the Smithsonian's advantage in venture capital. They talk about capital allocation, exit strategies, evaluating new venture managers, and the importance of communicating effectively with LPs.

Muthu Muthiah, CIO of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, discusses governance, systems, deploying $2 billion, endowment style investing, asset allocation vs manager selection, and venture strategy. Topics include power of generalists, structured governance, asset allocation trust, overcoming challenges, and venture capital philosophy for healthcare portfolio.