Origins - Inside Venture Capital, Hosted by a GP and an LP

Will Manidis, SVP of AI at Veradigm and former founder of Science.io, shares his insights on the transformative power of AI in healthcare, emphasizing its potential to enhance patient outcomes. He discusses the shift from traditional venture capital to merchant banking structures, advocating for better alignment of incentives and innovative financial models. The conversation also explores the evolving landscape of healthcare services and the impact of AI on media, showcasing the challenges and opportunities ahead for both sectors.

Explore the driving force of innovation energy in biotech with insights from industry expert Zach Weinberg. Discover how Sapphire Partners navigates the competitive landscape of venture capital, focusing on supporting groundbreaking ideas. The discussion also uncovers the intricacies of investing in pre-seed and seed stage biotech, highlighting the balance between creativity and funding. Tune in for a glimpse into the evolving biopharmaceutical market, including trends in mergers, acquisitions, and revolutionary therapies!

Zach Weinberg, the co-founder and CEO of Curie.Bio, is reshaping early-stage biotech investing with a focus on operational support and a founder-first philosophy. He discusses the massive risks tied to traditional therapeutics startups and how pairing drug discovery partners with seed investors can enhance success rates. The conversation also explores the connection between biotech, the global economy, and politics, plus the transformative effects of AI in drug discovery. Zach's insights will leave you inspired about the future of healthcare innovation.

Explore how unique venture strategies evolve into industry standards, as hosts dissect the journey from pre-seed investing to mainstream practices. Discover the importance of counter-positioning and its impact on maintaining relevance in a competitive market. The conversation also highlights the challenges of fundraising, emphasizing the significance of timing, trust, and communication with investors. Plus, gain insights into the strategic choices that emerging managers face in expanding their market reach.

Tomasz Tunguz, Founder of Theory Ventures, is known for his data-driven approach to venture investing. He discusses the challenges facing venture capital today, including talent mobility and the need for high-risk experiments. Tomasz emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions to leverage AI in decision-making and predicts a shifting landscape for investors. The conversation also touches on building concentrated portfolios and navigating the evolving dynamics of the industry.

Delve into the intriguing world of franchise funds as experts discuss Index Ventures’ journey to success. They reveal the formula for identifying winning companies early and the importance of maintaining core principles amid market fluctuations. The conversation touches on the need for innovation, particularly in the booming AI sector. Plus, the significance of supporting mission-driven founders and their potential to disrupt markets is emphasized. The challenges and opportunities in venture capital as the industry braces for 2025 are thoroughly explored.

Nina Achadjian, a Partner at Index Ventures and founder of Hive Ventures, shares her insights on the dynamic IPO landscape, particularly focusing on the ServiceTitan journey. She discusses the challenges and key metrics that signal readiness for an IPO in a tough market. Nina also shares predictions for M&A trends in 2025, highlighting AI's evolving role in business strategies. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of product-market fit and what qualities she seeks in potential hires to strengthen investment success.

A deep dive into whether the venture capital landscape is faltering, especially with the sluggish exit market projected for 2025. The discussion highlights the critical need for adaptation among all partners amidst liquidity challenges and evolving market dynamics. Emerging managers may gain an edge through strong founder connections, despite the difficulties of building trust with cautious investors. The hosts emphasize the importance of staying current and creatively navigating the complexities of venture capital.

Thomas Kristensen, a seasoned partner at LGT Capital Partners, shares his insights on the venture capital landscape with Bezer Clarkson. They challenge the notion of 'franchise funds' and discuss how GPs must continuously innovate instead of resting on past successes. The duo dives into what genuinely constitutes a successful fund and the importance of recognizing performance metrics. Additionally, they speculate on the evolving expectations for IPOs and the reasons why many founders shy away from becoming public company CEOs.

In a deep dive with David Clark, an Investment Director at VenCap International plc, listeners gain insights from his nearly 40 years in global venture capital. He uncovers that 50% of VC investments fail to return capital, sparking a vital discussion on how LPs can identify top-performing managers. David emphasizes the significance of a data-driven approach, revealing findings from 30 years of data which can reshape LP strategies. The talk also highlights the importance of mentorship and building lasting relationships in the complex VC landscape.