How I Invest with David Weisburd

Alifia Doriwala, Co-CIO and Managing Director at RockCreek, shares insights on managing $16 billion in assets and the importance of tailored investment solutions. She discusses the potential surge in IPOs and M&A activity in 2025, emphasizing opportunities in biotech and healthcare. Alifia highlights a shift toward active management in public markets and the strategic allocation in private equity and venture capital for institutional investors. Tune in for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of investment strategies!

Join David Clark, CIO of Vencap, as he shares insights from his data-driven venture capital firm. He challenges the myth that small funds always outperform large ones, exposing survivorship bias in performance data. Discover how Vencap identifies top managers—over 90% of their capital goes to just a handful. Clark dives into the power law dynamics of early-stage and growth funds, revealing that only a small percentage drive returns. He also discusses how political and economic shifts impact investment strategies in the venture landscape.

Gregor von dem Knesebeck, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Blue Future Partners, shares insights into building a successful fund-of-funds that specializes in venture capital. He discusses the importance of brand building and establishing effective LP relationships. Topics include ideal allocation strategies for family offices, including a striking contrast between European and U.S. markets. Gregor also explains the power law of returns in venture investing, emphasizing how a few key investments can drive overall success.

In this engaging discussion, Elizabeth Browne, Managing Director at GCM Grosvenor, shares her insights on GP seeding, a critical area in private equity. She highlights the importance of reaching the $300 million capital threshold to attract institutional LPs and the challenges in balancing investment expertise with operational talent. Elizabeth also emphasizes the core attributes of great firm founders—hustle, grit, and sector knowledge—while outlining common pitfalls in structuring seed deals. A must-listen for aspiring asset managers!

In this discussion, Ron Diamond, founder of Diamond Wealth and expert in family offices, dives into the upcoming $84 trillion wealth transfer and its implications for investment. He emphasizes the urgent need for family offices to professionalize to match top firms' expertise. Topics include using innovative structures like private placement life insurance for better tax efficiency and nurturing grounded values in wealthy families to combat entitlement. With family offices transforming the landscape, Ron's insights offer a fresh perspective on investing for the future.

Teddy Gold, the Founder and CEO of 3i, a platform for elite investors, shares insightful perspectives on navigating the private equity and venture capital landscapes. He discusses the challenges of scaling asset management and how smaller, specialized funds can outshine larger institutions by prioritizing innovative strategies. Teddy highlights niche opportunities like aircraft engine investments and the significance of cultivating strong relationships within membership networks to enhance deal sourcing. His experiences illustrate that in investing, bigger isn't always better.

Najada Kumbuli, Vice President and Head of Investments at Visa Foundation, shares her expertise in impact investing and fundraising. She discusses the challenges faced by first-time fund managers and the essential role of storytelling in engaging investors. Najada sheds light on navigating new markets, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, and the evolving dynamics of venture fundraising. Her insights reveal how strategic communication and understanding investor motivations can lead to successful fundraising in today's complex environment.

Michael Kakenmaster, the Director of Investments at Loyola University Chicago, shares his expertise in managing university endowments, focusing on private markets and hedge fund strategies. He dives into the intricacies of helicopter leasing as a unique investment opportunity and discusses the changing landscape of venture capital. Kakenmaster emphasizes the traits of effective investment committee members and strategic fund allocation, while highlighting the importance of due diligence in navigating today's complex investment environment.

Hansen Ringer, Managing Director at Sepio Capital, shares his expertise in alternative investments. He discusses how family offices are refining their investment strategies in light of recent market trends. Ringer delves into the unique dynamics between stocks and bonds, especially after the shifts caused by inflation. He also highlights the importance of diversifying beyond traditional portfolios, the current landscape of hedge funds, and the critical role of benchmarking in asset allocation. Tune in for insights on navigating the complex world of investing in the coming years.

Victor Mayer, Managing Director at Pantheon, shares insights from a firm managing nearly $70 billion in assets. He discusses the surge of evergreen funds and their advantages over traditional structures, emphasizing improved access for smaller investors. Victor also delves into the strategic balance between small and large-cap investments, highlights the benefits of no-cost co-investment deals, and examines the complexities of navigating fee structures and adverse selection in capital-raising efforts.