This week on Swimming with Allocators, Peter Lazaroff, Chief Investment Officer at PlanCorp, joins Earnest and Alexa to discuss his cautious approach to investing, emphasizing minimizing mistakes, favoring rules-based strategies, and the importance of aligning investment decisions with individual client goals. The conversation covers reasons for skepticism about venture capital and alternatives, the significance of customization in wealth management, and evolving relationships between LPs and GPs. Listeners will gain insights into managing risk, the importance of purpose in portfolios, key strategies for long-term wealth-building, and so much more. Also, don’t miss Sidley’s Shane Goudey reflects on the shift from adversarial to collaborative LP-GP relationships, describes Sidley’s direct investment vehicles, and emphasizes the importance of strategic alignment and strong partnerships between law firms and their fund clients.

This week on Swimming with Allocators, David Zhou, Founder of the Superclusters podcast and seasoned investor, joins Alexa and Earnest to discuss the art of venture capital from the LP perspective. Topics include how allocators differentiate true signal from noise, the value of qualitative insights vs. quantitative data, strategies for evaluating fund managers, and the importance of founder relationships. The conversation also touches on best practices for standing out in VC, the evolution of the industry, and actionable advice on track records and building a lasting reputation. Listeners will gain practical wisdom and fresh perspectives on navigating today’s venture landscape. You won’t want to miss it.

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Benedikt Langer, pastor turned family office investor and creator of “Embracing Emergence,” shares his journey and investment philosophy focused on backing exceptional people rather than just deals. He discusses the challenges and lessons of transitioning from direct investing to supporting emerging managers, the value of qualitative insights and reputation, and the importance of building trust and community within venture capital. Listeners will gain actionable perspectives on selecting partners, developing authentic investment approaches, the evolving landscape for LPs in the years ahead, and so much more.

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Michael Downing, serial entrepreneur and venture investor, shares his journey from founding startups to building MDSV Capital, while diving into the essential role of emerging manager funds in today’s venture landscape. The discussion covers the evolution of venture capital, key strategies for both LPs and GPs, the importance of innovative sourcing and community-building, and how the Promontory platform fosters stronger connections and investment outcomes. Listeners will take away insights on industry shifts, the value of supporting innovative early-stage funds, practical guidance for thriving amid changing venture dynamics, and so much more.

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Joshua Berkowitz of Berkocorp joins Earnest and Alexa to share his journey transitioning his family office from real estate to venture capital, offering candid insights on building relationships with top VC and PE managers, the importance of patience and long-term thinking, and the realities of portfolio construction. The discussion covers how to underwrite exceptional managers, the value of GP and LP recommendations, and the evolving landscape of venture, especially the rise of young founders and AI-driven startups. Listeners will also hear from Shane Goudey from Sidley on trends in fund formation and the current state of the venture market. Key takeaways include the need for genuine interest and commitment in venture investing, the benefits of a diversified yet opportunistic portfolio, practical advice for family offices considering this asset class, and so much more.

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Michaela Edwards and Marie-Celine Damnon of Capricorn Investment Group join Earnest and Alexa to discuss the evolution and impact of purposeful investing, sharing their experiences in building portfolios that align with both financial returns and client values. The conversation explores Capricorn’s approach to GP staking, supporting emerging fund managers, and debunking common myths about impact investing—especially the misconception that it requires sacrificing returns. Listeners will gain insights into ecosystem building, the importance of intentionality, and practical advice for fund managers seeking to thrive in a changing market. Key takeaways include the value of collaboration, the need for authentic impact strategies, opportunities for growth in sustainable finance, and so much more.

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Aram Verdiyan, partner at Accolade Partners. Aram shares his journey into venture capital and the principles behind Accolade’s top-performing fund-of-funds strategy. The discussion also covers the importance of access to elite managers, the value of portfolio concentration over diversification, and how disciplined, conviction-driven investing leads to superior returns. Aram delves into Accolade’s early and significant commitment to blockchain, the evolving landscape of liquidity and secondaries, and the firm’s hands-on approach to supporting GPs. Key takeaways include the need for LPs and VCs to focus on long-term relationships, maintain discipline in strategy, and recognize the outsized impact of a few exceptional investments in venture capital.

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Lara Banks, Managing Director at Makena Capital Management. Lara shares her journey from real assets to venture capital and offers an inside look at Makena’s approach to manager selection, portfolio construction, and the evolving role of LPs. The discussion also covers the endowment model, the impact of AI and market shifts on venture and private equity, and the growing importance of grit, adaptability, and unique value for emerging managers. Listeners will gain insights into current challenges like illiquidity, the rise of secondaries, and the need for cross-pollination between venture and PE, as well as practical advice for building durable firms and navigating today’s dynamic investment landscape. Don’t miss this great conversation!

This week on Swimming with Allocators, it’s time for another debate, discuss, and question episode as Earnest and Alexa dive into the complexities of venture capital from both LP and GP perspectives, focusing on how fund managers can differentiate themselves and the art of due diligence. They also discuss the realities of fund and startup failure rates, the evolving importance of marketing and narrative in VC, and the challenges smaller LPs face in achieving true diversification. Listeners will gain insights into what LPs look for when selecting funds, the significance of relationships and track record, and practical advice for navigating the ever-changing VC landscape. Recommended podcasts and resources round out the episode, offering further learning for aspiring allocators and fund managers. You won’t want to miss this one!

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Vishnu Amble, Founding Director, Trustee, and Investment Committee Member at GreenBear Group. Vishnu shares insights from his global investment career, discussing his transition from traditional finance to leading a mission-driven family office. The conversation explores the importance of building strong networks, lessons from backing both startups and fund managers, and the critical role of alignment and long-term relationships between LPs and GPs. Vishnu also highlights the impact of technology and outsourcing on investment efficiency, offers perspectives on energy and infrastructure trends, and emphasizes the need for persistence, clear objectives, and risk management. Key takeaways include the value of genuine partnerships, adapting to market cycles, the continued opportunities within the US innovation landscape, and more.

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Jason Howard, Founder and Managing Partner of New Catalyst Strategic Partners. Jason shares his journey from finance and entertainment to launching a firm focused on GP seeding and supporting emerging managers in private markets. The discussion covers New Catalyst’s innovative approach to providing seed capital, operational support, and strategic partnerships, as well as insights into co-investment, secondary markets, and the challenges facing new fund managers. Key takeaways include the importance of alignment, scalable capital, and cross-industry lessons in building sustainable investment firms, along with practical advice for both GPs and LPs navigating today’s complex private market landscape. Don’t miss this great conversation.

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Diego De Colombres, founding general partner of Dissent Capital. Diego shares his journey from equity research to launching a specialized crypto fund of funds. The discussion also explores the importance of backing emerging managers, building concentrated portfolios in a volatile market, and the evolving strategies required for success in crypto venture capital. Key takeaways include the value of specialization over generalization, the risks of over-engineered fund structures, and the growing significance of trends like stablecoins and the intersection of crypto and AI. Listeners will gain insights into how disciplined selection and a long-term perspective can drive outperformance in the rapidly changing world of crypto investing. Don’t miss this great conversation!

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Brian O'Neil, a veteran CIO with over four decades of investment experience, who provides a candid overview of the current venture capital landscape. Brian discusses the challenges facing venture capital, including excessive funding, prolonged private company lifecycles, and the shift from growth-at-all-costs to profitability. He also emphasizes the importance of diversification, understanding investment portfolios, and the need for patience when approaching venture investments. Key insights include the difficulty of finding top-quartile venture funds, the potential of AI and personalized medicine, and the critical role of relationship-building for emerging managers. Brian advises allocators to be selective, learn across asset classes, and recognize that venture capital requires a long-term perspective with an acceptance that many investments may not succeed. Don’t miss this great conversation.

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Wendy Li, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer at Ivy Invest. Wendy shares her journey from institutional investing to creating a platform that bridges the gap between institutional and individual investment strategies. She discusses the unique dynamics of early-stage venture capital, emphasizing the importance of deal flow, differentiated viewpoints, and the potential for alpha in smaller, earlier-stage funds. She also highlights the challenges emerging managers face when approaching institutional investors, stressing the need for a clear narrative and understanding of institutional decision-making processes. The conversation explores how technology can democratize access to alternative investments, the evolving landscape of venture capital, and the critical role of education in helping individual investors understand the long-term nature of venture investing. Key takeaways include the importance of network connectivity, the potential of early-stage ventures, the need for managers to demonstrate unique value in a competitive investment environment, and so much more.

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Jon Wolkin, Managing Director of Deloitte Ventures. Jon shares his journey from investment banking to corporate venture, highlighting Deloitte's $150 million fund strategy that balances direct and fund investments across key technology verticals like AI, future of work, and health tech. The discussion reveals critical insights into corporate venture capital, emphasizing the importance of having a clear "North Star" strategy, understanding long-term value creation, and navigating the complex ecosystem of innovation. Key takeaways include the need for corporations to move quickly, provide strategic value beyond capital, and remain adaptable in a rapidly changing technological landscape. Jon also provides unique perspectives on the Canadian venture ecosystem, noting its potential in emerging technologies and the relatively low corporate venture participation compared to the US market. Don’t miss this in-depth discussion.

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Quincy Brown, Managing Director at FEG Investment Advisors. With 29 years of experience, Quincy discusses how his firm serves mission-driven organizations by integrating responsive investing strategies, focusing on diverse and emerging managers, and balancing financial performance with social impact. Key topics include the evolution of ESG investing, technology's role in creating new investment opportunities, and the importance of understanding client missions. Quincy also emphasizes that organizations can achieve both financial returns and social objectives by taking a long-term, strategic approach to investing, particularly in venture and private equity sectors. The conversation provides a nuanced look at how investment consultants are navigating changing landscapes of mission-aligned investing. Don’t miss it!

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Farhan Lalji and Dario de Wet, Co-Founders of LTV Capital. During the conversation, Farhan and Dario discuss their unique approach to investing in emerging fund managers. They share insights into evaluating new venture capital funds, emphasizing the importance of understanding a manager's "why," network strength, and hustle factor. The conversation also explores the challenges of venture capital scaling, the potential of managers with atypical backgrounds, and the evolving landscape of startup exits. Key takeaways include the value of investing in smaller, innovative funds, the need for differentiation in a competitive market, and the potential of legacy industries for venture investment. Also, don’t miss our insider segment as Idan Netser and Jason Kropp from Sidley Law Firm discuss critical regulatory considerations for venture capital and startups, focusing on tax implications of carried interest, Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) benefits, and evolving FDA regulations in the medical and biotech sectors.

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa sit down with Clare McLaughlin, Partner at TLI Bedrock. Clare shares her unexpected path from art history and professional harpist to VC, along with her distinctive lens on early-stage investing in sectors like material science, defense, and deep tech. She highlights the importance of founder execution, financial storytelling, and aligning investments with personal values. The episode also explores the evolving role of family offices and the need for transparency and long-term thinking. Also, don’t miss our insider segment with Jason Kropp of Sidley on tax optimization strategies and smart structuring for global VC investments.

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Brian Brackeen, Managing Partner at Lightship Capital. Brian shares his unconventional journey from tech founder to venture capital allocator. He discusses his vision for democratizing venture capital by investing in overlooked regions like the Midwest and challenging traditional investment biases, and emphasizes the importance of founder-focused investing, leveraging AI in fund management, and creating opportunities beyond coastal tech hubs. Key insights include his critique of performative DEI efforts, the potential transformative impact of AI across industries, and his belief that smaller funds in underserved regions can generate significant returns. Also, don’t miss our insider segment as Idan Netser from Sidley law firm discusses how legal firms can serve as valuable connectors and advisors in the venture capital ecosystem, helping GPs and LPs network, make introductions, facilitate deal opportunities, and provide strategic guidance beyond traditional legal services.

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Evan Finkel and Charlotte Palmer from Integra Global Advisors. Evan and Charlotte discuss their approach to venture capital investing, focusing on emerging managers while also sharing insights into evaluating new fund managers, emphasizing the importance of transparency, unique investment theses, and consistent communication. The conversation also covers challenges in the current VC landscape, including the competitive fundraising environment and the need for succession planning. Key takeaways include the value of building strong LP-GP relationships, the potential of smaller funds to generate alpha, and the critical role of motivation and differentiation for emerging managers. Also, don’t miss our insider segment as Jason Kropp from Sidley discusses the complexities of cross-border venture capital investments, highlighting the importance of tax optimization, international investment structures, and navigating regulatory uncertainties in the current global investment landscape.