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Disclaimer: This is not a financial promotion and must not be seen as advice, but only as an educational pieceCláudia Quintela has spent 25 years connecting early-stage hedge fund managers with institutional capital. She's worked across FX, macro, and systematic strategies at State Street, UBS, Morgan Stanley, and Blenheim Capital, one of the world's largest commodity managers at its peak.In 2017, she founded Vibe Advisors, an independent advisory boutique focused exclusively on helping emerging managers—particularly systematic, CTA, and macro funds—navigate the hardest part of launch: raising that first $50 to $200 million when you have limited track record, tight capacity constraints, and institutional investors demanding day-one infrastructure.She specialises in the messy reality of early-stage fundraising: fee pressure, seed negotiations, managed account structures, positioning for allocators who need to sell your strategy internally, and translating complex quant models into language that gets you through the door. Her client base skews heavily toward liquid macro and model-driven managers.Today, Cláudia runs a portfolio career: advising fund managers and investors, writing weekly about entrepreneurship and capital raising, hosting webinars on AI tools for investor relations and marketing automation, and speaking on panels about women in finance. She's an advocate for the sisterhood and believes the next generation of emerging managers will look different from the last.Based in London and originally from Porto, she holds an MSc in Finance from LSE and is a CFA charterholder. She's here to talk about what actually works when you're trying to raise institutional capital at the hardest stage—and how emerging managers can build smarter, leaner operations using the tools that didn't exist when she started.

Deepak Gurnani, founder of Versor Investments and former head of Investcorp's hedge fund division, shares his remarkable journey in quantitative finance. He contrasts the hedge fund industry of the 1990s with today's data-driven landscape. Deepak discusses the challenges of starting a firm, including the importance of a strong value proposition and embracing innovation early on, like adopting cloud computing. He also emphasizes the significance of hiring curious, team-oriented talent to foster a culture of idea generation and resilience in a competitive market.

David Orr, a former professional poker player and founder of Militia Capital, shares his journey from playing poker to hedge fund management. He reveals how poker informed his investment strategies, focusing on risk management and asymmetric bets. Orr discusses the impact of the Bet Against Beta paper on his investment philosophy and highlights the importance of long-term thematic investing. He offers practical advice for aspiring investors and emphasizes the value of original thinking and support roles in the finance industry.

Jesse Skaff is a recruiting director specializing in placing top talent in hedge funds, working with giants like Citadel and Millennium. He dives into the rigorous vetting processes these firms use to snatch up the best candidates. Skaff explains the rising importance of top university graduates and how tech-savvy professionals who excel at decision-making are in high demand. He also explores how compensation has surged due to heightened competition and relocation tactics like tax incentives. Learn what drives success in this high-stakes talent landscape!

Explore the intriguing world of prediction markets trading with insights from the top trader, Domer. Discover how information flow and timing shape strategies in this fast-paced realm, where short-term price movements take precedence over long-term trends. Domer reveals the advantages of focusing on less-crowded micro markets for exploiting mispriced probabilities. Delve into lessons learned from past election losses, the balance of luck and skill in big bets, and the social value prediction markets bring in enhancing public information.

Kris Abdelmessih, a former trader at Susquehanna (SIG) and now founder of Moon Tower, shares his unique insights on trading and market strategies. He discusses why SIG advised against hedging, emphasizing the importance of capturing positive expected value. Kris reveals how early experiences in options pits taught him about market-making edges. He explains the significance of centralized risk and aggressive position sizing, and offers wisdom on navigating market shifts, advocating for compounding small daily advantages in both trading and life.

Annanay Kapila, a former high-frequency trader and quant researcher, shares his insights from the fast-paced world of HFT. He discusses the relentless competition within elite firms and the strategies that set top traders apart. Annanay reveals behind-the-scenes tales from the 2022 FTX collapse, detailing the chaos that ensued. He introduces his new venture, QFEX, aiming to provide a trustworthy exchange platform using crypto-style innovations. Get ready to learn about trading culture, execution risks, and the future of fintech!

Michael Watson, former Citadel software engineer and the youngest MD in its history, shares his insider perspectives on multi-strategy hedge funds. He reveals the high-pressure environment at Citadel, highlighting Ken Griffin's exceptional recruiting strategies and talent concentration. Michael discusses the critical role engineering plays in quant trading and how understanding portfolio managers' mental models is essential. He also introduces Hedgineer, his AI-driven platform designed for hedge funds, showcasing how technology can enhance research and operations for emerging managers.

Todd Simkin, an experienced trader and head of education at Susquehanna International Group, reveals how poker strategies shape elite traders. He discusses the importance of Bayesian updating in decision-making under uncertainty and shares insights on how SIG teaches new traders through mock trading and real-time market analysis. Todd emphasizes humility and communication as vital traits for success, while outlining the collaborative, meritocratic culture at SIG. He also delves into SIG's innovative projects, like Rivers Edge, highlighting their approach to insurance and prediction markets.

John Knorring, a former Goldman Sachs natural gas trader, shares insights from his extensive trading career and his role in founding Green Tiger Markets. He discusses how the transition from pit trading to electronic markets transformed risk management and liquidity. Highlighting the importance of human judgment amidst algorithmic advancements, John explains the evolution of trading strategies and the impact of regulatory changes like Dodd-Frank. He also dives into opportunities in the Philippines’ electricity market, showcasing how transparent contracts can drive investment.