Episode 8: Alan Patricof - Founder of APAX Partners and Greycroft

Today, we had the honor of sitting down with Alan Patricof, a true pioneer in the world of venture capital. Widely credited as one of the first VCs in history, Alan has played a pivotal role in shaping the industry over the past five decades.

Alan began his career after earning degrees from Ohio State University and Columbia Business School, and in 1969, he founded Alan Patricof Associates, one of the first venture capital firms in the U.S. That firm later evolved into APAX Partners, which became one of the largest private equity funds in the world. Through APAX, Alan was an early investor in game-changing companies like Apple, AOL, and Office Depot.

In 2006, he co-founded Greycroft alongside Dana Settle and Ian Sigalow, focusing on early-stage media investments in companies such as Huffington Post and Venmo. Then, at age 85, he launched Primetime Partners with Abby Levy, a fund dedicated to investing in businesses that serve the aging population.

Now, at 90 years old, Alan remains incredibly sharp and engaged, continuing to push boundaries in both business and life. In this episode, we dive deep into his remarkable career, his insights on venture capital, advice for entrepreneurs, and his perspectives on longevity. Thanks for listenings.