Bob Ackerman saw the future of cybersecurity before the market did. As the founder of AllegisCyber Capital, the first venture firm dedicated 100% to cybersecurity, and the co-founder of DataTribe, he’s been at the forefront of investing in cyber defense. With a 20+ year track record, Bob has backed some of the most cutting-edge cybersecurity companies, navigating the intersection of venture capital, AI, and national security. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 00:43 Introduction to Driving Alpha 01:00 Meet Bob Ackerman: Cybersecurity Visionary 02:15 The Birth of AllegisCyber 06:00 The Importance of Domain Mastery in Cybersecurity 07:17 Collaboration Between DataTribe and AllegisCyber 12:49 AI's Impact on Cybersecurity 19:23 The Future of Network Security 23:46 Investment Opportunities in Cybersecurity 30:35 Challenges and Advice for Cybersecurity Founders 40:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   In this episode Bob Ackerman sits down with host Sam Silversheen to discuss the evolution of cybersecurity investing and the role of AI in both offensive and defensive strategies. He shares the early insights that led him to focus exclusively on cybersecurity, why domain mastery is essential for both entrepreneurs and investors, and how he identifies non-consensus bets that others miss. Bob also explores the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, from AI-driven attacks to vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. He explains why cybersecurity is an ever-evolving challenge, how startups can stay ahead of the curve, and what the future holds for cybersecurity investments. If you're in venture capital, tech, or cybersecurity, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

David Hornik, founding partner at Lobby Capital, brings over 25 years of venture capital experience to the table. He discusses his surprising transition from law to VC and the serendipity behind early successes, including Splunk’s massive acquisition. David emphasizes the art of networking through his Lobby Conference, cultivating meaningful connections. He reflects on his biggest wins and missed opportunities—like Facebook and Uber—while revealing how psychological insights and emotional intelligence play vital roles in assessing startup founders.

Laura Chau is a Partner at Canaan, where she leads investments in consumer technology and commerce tech. With over a decade of experience in venture capital, Laura has backed companies like Clutch, Ollie, Mischief, Solvely, and Nagish.   Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 00:43 Introduction to Driving Alpha 01:07 Guest Introduction: Laura Cho 02:58 Laura's Background and Career Path 05:35 Investment Strategies and Notable Companies 09:26 The Role of AI in Venture Capital 20:20 Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs 22:44 Geographical Trends and Future Outlook 32:10 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts   In this episode... In this episode, Laura shares her journey into venture capital, from her early career at Deloitte and Kabam to becoming a key player in consumer tech investing. She discusses the role of AI in shaping new opportunities, the power of storytelling in fundraising and hiring, and how successful founders build communities around their vision. Laura also provides insights into emerging trends in AI-driven consumer tech, strategies for differentiation in a crowded market, and the importance of go-to-market expertise. Whether you're an investor or an entrepreneur, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways on navigating the fast-evolving consumer landscape.  

Dave Lambert, co-founder and managing director at Right Side Capital Management, has built one of the most active pre-VC investment firms in the U.S. With a portfolio of over 2,000 companies, Dave and his team take a data-driven approach to ultra-diversified early-stage investing, making quick decisions and challenging traditional VC norms.   In this episode... In this episode, Dave shares how Right Side Capital identifies high-potential startups before they reach traditional VC rounds. He explains how his experience as both an entrepreneur and an investor led him to see inefficiencies in early-stage fundraising—and how data and systematic portfolio construction can optimize returns. Dave also discusses the evolution of venture capital, the impact of AI on startup scaling, and why ownership percentage is irrelevant when evaluating investment opportunities. His unique approach reveals how ultra-diversification and a power-law mindset can uncover the next billion-dollar companies.   Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 00:43 Introduction to Driving Alpha 00:48 Meet Dave Lambert: Entrepreneur and Investor 01:48 Challenges in Early Stage Investing 04:11 The Data-Driven Approach of Rightside Capital 06:42 Evolution of Investment Strategies 13:47 The Impact of AI on Startups 17:01 Fundraising and Portfolio Management 19:50 Sourcing and Evaluating Investments 31:18 Advice for Aspiring Investors 34:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts  

Charles Hudson, Managing Partner and Founder of Precursor Ventures, joins Steve Brotman to share his journey through venture capital. With over 15 years of experience, Charles has made more than 400 investments and raised over $200 million, making him a leading voice in the seed-stage community. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 00:43 - Introduction to Driving Alpha Podcast 00:53 - Meet Charles Hudson: Venture Capitalist Extraordinaire 03:41 - Charles Hudson's Early Career and Entrepreneurial Journey  06:12 - The In-Q-Tel Experience 08:15 - Transition to Business School and IronPort Systems 09:50 - Founding Precursor Ventures 13:03 - Challenges and Strategies in Venture Capital 14:31 - Portfolio Construction and LP Resistance 19:52 - Reflections on Early Fundraising and Success Stories 22:34 - Investment Beginnings: From Ideas to Tangible Plans 24:40 - Evaluating Founders: The Checklist Approach 26:27 - Geographical Influence on Startups 27:55 - Diversity and Inclusion in Venture Capital 33:36 - Navigating the AI Investment Landscape 41:51 - The Role of Seed and Pre-Seed Funding 45:16 - Connecting with Precursor Ventures   In this episode... In this episode, Charles dives into his journey from aspiring public equities manager to leading one of the most successful pre-seed venture capital firms. He shares invaluable insights into his career path, including his work at In-Q-Tel, founding Precursor Ventures, and his investment philosophy. Charles opens up about the challenges of building a venture firm, including navigating LP skepticism, constructing diverse portfolios, and maintaining a founder-first approach. Charles also shares his thoughts on the current state of AI, its potential, and the challenges of finding sustainable, defensible models. From portfolio construction to diversity and inclusion in venture capital, his strategies offer invaluable lessons for VCs and entrepreneurs alike.  

How do you turn Texas into a global innovation hub? For Joshua Baer, founder and CEO of Capital Factory, the answer lies in empowering unstoppable founders, fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial community, and leveraging Texas’s unique advantages. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 00:43 Introduction to the Driving Alpha Podcast 00:54 Meet Josh Baer: Texas Startup Powerhouse 01:37 The Impact of Capital Factory 03:44 Josh Baer's Entrepreneurial Journey 07:07 Early Ventures and Lessons Learned 11:06 The Birth of Capital Factory 13:58 Investment Strategies and Focus 17:22 The Future of Robotics and AI 18:02 AI's Impact on Humanoid Robotics 18:22 The Inflection Point of GPS in Smartphones 19:31 Capital Factory's Open-Door Policy 20:21 Texas: A Hub for Startups and VCs 21:12 The Path to Becoming a VC in Texas 26:46 Government and Dual-Use Technology 31:15 The Booming Tech Scene in Texas 34:34 Conclusion: Reflections and Future Prospects In this episode... On this episode of Driving Alpha, host Steve Brotman explores Joshua’s journey from launching a startup in his dorm room at Carnegie Mellon to building Capital Factory into the most active early-stage investor in Texas. With nearly 1,000 investments, the firm isn’t just funding startups—it’s creating an ecosystem. Capital Factory focuses on “dual-use” startups that serve both commercial and government markets, with Texas positioned as a leader in AI, robotics, and national security. Companies like Aptronic, a pioneer in humanoid robotics, showcase Texas’s growing role in transformative industries. “Texas is our nexus,” says Joshua. “It’s where we have a unique advantage—a center of gravity for innovation.” By combining talent-driven investing with a collaborative model that partners with VCs, Capital Factory is redefining what’s possible in venture capital.  

Chris Farmer, the founder and CEO of SignalFire, is transforming the venture capital landscape through a pioneering, AI-native approach. Leading a $2.1 billion early-stage venture firm, Chris has integrated cutting-edge data analytics to revolutionize how investments are sourced and scaled. His journey began with operational and entrepreneurial roles, including spearheading the turnaround of Skybitz and building early investment sourcing technology at Bessemer Venture Partners. Later, at General Catalyst, Chris led seed investments in groundbreaking companies such as Coinbase, Discord, and Stripe. Now at SignalFire, his AI-driven platform, Beacon, analyzes over 650 million people in the tech ecosystem, empowering founders and redefining the future of venture capital.   Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 00:00 Introduction to Chris Farmer 00:18 Chris Farmer's Early Career and Education 01:21 Journey Through Venture Capital 02:43 Founding SignalFire 04:13 Data-Driven Approach in Venture Capital 06:19 Challenges and Strategies in VC 08:59 Building and Supporting Startups 19:54 Market Dynamics and Valuations 25:07 AI-Driven Paradigm and Sector Selection 25:57 Technology Product Building and AI Applications 26:55 Healthcare and Vertical Specialization 27:44 Underdog Companies with Huge Potential 31:59 AI's Generational Opportunity and Labor Market Impact 39:35 Navigating Labor Displacement and Societal Impact 41:28 Valuation Models and Market Opportunities 44:29 Capital Return and Long-Term Investment Challenges 49:27 Regulatory Impediments and Government Efficiency 51:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts In this episode... We dive deep into Chris’s journey, from his early career at General Catalyst to founding SignalFire. He shares the inspiration behind leveraging data in venture capital, the challenges of gaining LP buy-in, and how SignalFire was built to solve structural inefficiencies in the VC ecosystem. Learn about Beacon, SignalFire’s proprietary AI platform, and its game-changing impact on startup discovery, founder evaluation, and portfolio company growth. Chris also discusses why he believes AI represents one of humanity’s greatest opportunities, providing unprecedented efficiency gains and reshaping industries. He touches on how AI-native firms have a competitive edge, the role of data in early-stage investing, and SignalFire’s focus on vertical AI SaaS, health tech, and more.  

Richard Seewald, founder and managing partner of Evolution Equity Partners, joins Driving Alpha to share his incredible journey from scaling AVG Technologies to $400 million in revenue to leading one of the world’s largest cybersecurity-focused VC funds. With over 30 years of experience and $2 billion raised to invest in category-defining software companies, Richard offers invaluable insights into the cybersecurity and venture capital landscapes. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 00:00 Introduction to Driving Alpha 00:20 Guest Introduction: Richard Seewald 01:55 Richard's Journey in Tech and Cybersecurity 03:42 Investment Strategies in Cybersecurity 06:23 The Importance of People in Investments 07:47 Cybersecurity Landscape in Israel 09:52 Impact of AI on Cybersecurity 16:30 Future Trends in Cybersecurity 24:23 Personal Insights and Advice 28:07 Conclusion and Farewell In this episode... Richard discusses how AI-driven automation is transforming cybersecurity, with companies like Torque and Protect AI leading the charge. He also highlights the unmatched innovation coming out of Israel’s cybersecurity ecosystem and explains why his firm continues to double down on the region despite geopolitical challenges. The conversation delves into the traits that define great founders, the importance of high-conviction investments, and the future of the cybersecurity industry. Whether you’re an entrepreneur building the next big thing or an investor seeking your next opportunity, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.  

Amit Patel and Brian Smiga discuss the origin story of Owl Ventures, founded in 2014 in response to major shifts in education technology infrastructure and consumer behavior. They cover key trends that enabled the rise of edtech, including the expansion of broadband in U.S. schools and the availability of affordable devices like Chromebooks. Amit shares his unique career journey, starting in film and theatre before pivoting to a career in venture capital. In this episode of Driving Alpha, host Brian Smiga interviews Amit Patel, Managing Director at Owl Ventures, the world's largest venture capital firm focused on education technology. Amit has been instrumental in shaping Owl Ventures' strategy and has led investments in top edtech companies like Codecademy, RaiseMe, and Amira Learning. With deep experience across operations, strategic partnerships, and firm building, Amit shares his insights on the growth and evolution of the edtech sector.   Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:  00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:16 Amit Patel's New York Journey 01:25 The Origin Story of Owl Ventures 02:47 Education Technology Evolution 06:33 Global Expansion and Investments 13:29 Focus on Outcomes and Efficacy 16:19 Key Ingredients for Successful Startups 22:21 AI in Education 27:01 Emotional Impact and Success Stories 28:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   In this episode…  Host Brian Smiga interviews Amit Patel, Managing Director at Owl Ventures, the world's largest venture capital firm focused on education technology. Amit has been instrumental in shaping Owl Ventures' strategy and has led investments in top edtech companies like Codecademy, RaiseMe, and Amira Learning. With deep experience across operations, strategic partnerships, and firm building, Amit shares his insights on the growth and evolution of the edtech sector. The conversation highlights Owl Ventures' global investment strategy and the firm's emphasis on building an international portfolio. Amit talks about how the need for high-quality education worldwide has driven their global expansion, with recent investments in Asia and Europe. He explains their approach to assessing startups, focusing on business fundamentals, team strength, and measurable learning outcomes. They delve into the role of AI in education, exploring how generative AI is transforming personalized learning experiences. Amit emphasizes the importance of leveraging AI to assist teachers, freeing them up for more impactful one-on-one interactions with students.  

Chip Hazard is a General Partner at Flybridge Capital Partners, where he has been investing in early-stage technology companies since 2002. He co-founded Flybridge, focusing on ambitious founders building the AI-powered future. With a background in Greylock and a proven track record in venture capital, Chip has been a key investor in successful companies such as MongoDB. He also co-founded XFactor Ventures, a fund supporting female founders. Chip’s expertise spans enterprise infrastructure, financial technology, digital health, and AI.   Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 00:00 Introduction to Steve Brotman and Alpha Partners 00:18 Meet Chip Hazard: Early Stage Technology Investor 01:44 Chip's Journey into Venture Capital 02:48 Founding Flybridge Capital Partners 03:59 Flybridge's Investment Strategy and AI Focus 05:21 Key Investments and AI Applications 08:23 The Future of AI and Market Opportunities 09:06 Traits of Successful Founders 19:33 Investment Decision-Making Process 27:48 Advice for Entrepreneurs and Board Members 29:30 X Factor Ventures and Supporting Female Founders 32:05 Conclusion and Fundraising for Flybridge In this episode... In this episode of the "Driving Alpha" podcast, host Steve Brotman dives into an engaging conversation with Chip Hazard. Chip shares his journey from joining Greylock straight out of Harvard Business School to founding Flybridge Capital Partners. The discussion covers Flybridge’s investment strategy, which is focused entirely on AI, and highlights their approach of backing founders at the pre-seed and seed stages. Chip offers deep insights into the evolving landscape of AI, likening the current surge in AI innovation to a "Netscape moment," signaling a monumental shift in technology. The conversation also explores key investments made by Flybridge, including notable AI application and infrastructure companies like Melody Arc, Prime Security, Church AI, and Mako. Chip provides a nuanced analysis of the importance of the human-AI interface and how successful AI startups need to rethink traditional SaaS models. The discussion wraps up with valuable advice for entrepreneurs, insights into Flybridge’s unique decision-making process, and an overview of XFactor Ventures, a fund aimed at supporting female-led startups.