Capital Allocators – Inside the Institutional Investment Industry

Matthew Dicks, a bestselling author and award-winning storyteller, shares his journey from amateur storyteller to storytelling consultant for Fortune 500 companies. He discusses his 'Homework for Life' technique for story generation and stresses the importance of crafting compelling openings and engaging endings. Dicks emphasizes viewing talks as performances rather than presentations, revealing how personal anecdotes can enhance business messaging. With a wealth of humor strategies and storytelling insights, he inspires listeners to find and elevate their unique stories.

Josh Wolfe, co-founder of Lux Capital and expert in AI, biotech, and defense, teams up with Brett McGurk, former U.S. national security advisor, to explore the intersection of venture capital and geopolitics. They discuss the evolving venture landscape, emphasizing the divide between small funds and mega firms. Brett shares insights from his time in public service, highlighting geopolitical risks like AI militarization and nuclear threats. Together, they delve into the future of technology, including maintenance opportunities and the potential of biology and robotics.

Josh Wolfe, co-founder of Lux Capital, shares his journey from Coney Island to venture capital. He discusses his unique approach to investing in deep technology, emphasizing finding neglected opportunities and the importance of strong teams over mere tech. Wolfe explains innovative frameworks like the half-life of tech intimacy and the dynamics of sourcing deals. He also reflects on lessons from past mistakes and offers insights on navigating the complexities of the private capital landscape, all while advocating for high expectations in both life and investing.

Robert Boucai, co-founder of Newbrook Capital Properties and hedge fund manager, joins James Broyer, head of multifamily investments, to share insights on real estate investing. They discuss the shift to multifamily properties driven by tax-efficient strategies and their robust rental growth potential. Key topics include selecting landlord-friendly markets, their renovation approach for enhancing property value, and the importance of transparent investor communication. The duo also explores their future growth plans and synergy between real estate and public equity.

In a captivating conversation, John Khoury, Founder and Managing Partner of Long Pond Capital, sheds light on his unique journey in public real estate investing. He discusses the evolution of the public REIT market and the shift from active to passive investing, revealing how these changes create opportunities. John elaborates on Long Pond's investment philosophy, focusing on exploiting valuation asymmetries. He also shares insights on various real estate sub-sectors and the recent launch of their active ETF, LPRE, designed to capitalize on high-quality investments.

Mike Kelly, Co-President and CIO of Future Standard, has a rich history in alternative asset management, having worked with industry legends like Lee Cooperman. In this conversation, he dives into his journey from hedge funds to democratizing middle-market access for investors. He highlights lessons on transparency, client expectations, and the importance of adaptability in investing. Kelly also discusses the growth of Future Standard and the potential of alternatives in 401(k)s, emphasizing the need to educate investors on private market realities.

Daniel Mahr, head of the quantitative equity investing group at Federated Hermes, shares insights from his extensive career. He discusses his journey from flipping IPOs to developing sophisticated decision tree models for stock selection. Mahr explains the balance between analytical rigor and human judgment, emphasizing a 'glass box' approach to transparency. He also explores challenges like overfitting and the impact of market changes on strategies, highlighting how quirky factors influence outcomes. Mahr's passion for evolving models fuels continuous improvement in the unpredictable world of investing.

David Lyon, Managing Director at Neuberger Berman, shares his extensive journey through finance, from being an arbitrage analyst to leading hybrid capital solutions. He emphasizes the rising need for flexible financing in private equity, detailing his insights on liquidity challenges and competitive dynamics. Lyon explores the evolution of private credit, the importance of relationship-building in sourcing deals, and his philosophy on managing risks. His candid views on investor expectations, growth versus cost-cutting appetites, and the significance of team dynamics offer a refreshing perspective on the industry.

Sydney Sweeney, an actress known for her compelling roles and public engagements, dives into the world of interviewing techniques with Ted. They explore the importance of open-ended questions and how they encourage depth in conversations. Ted critiques a viral interview featuring Sweeney, highlighting common mistakes like closed prompts and lengthy questions. He emphasizes the power of pauses in communication and redefines interview intent, revealing that sometimes, composure becomes the highlight of the moment.

Jay Ripley, Head of Investments at Global Endowment Management (GEM), shares insights from his journey in investment management. He delves into the nuances of selecting emerging managers across various fund types, highlighting the shift from GP to LP roles. Jay discusses the importance of assessing spinoff motivations, the competitive dynamics of independent sponsors, and the role of network access in venture capital. He also emphasizes the significance of disciplined fund sizing and the intersection of AI and sourcing in identifying future talents.