How I Invest with David Weisburd

In this enlightening discussion, Jonathan Lacoste, Founder and General Partner of Space VC, dives into the nuances of frontier tech investing. He highlights the crucial difference between deep tech and frontier tech, emphasizing the importance of founder migration as a key signal for early investment opportunities. Jonathan shares his insights on why grit and mission often outweigh IQ in predicting success. The conversation also covers the rising significance of hardware startups and the advantages of concentrated portfolios over diversification in early-stage investing.

In this engaging discussion, Thomas Monroe, Founder and President of Blue Sky Trust, delves into the vital role of trustees in wealth planning. He emphasizes that choosing the right trustee is key to navigating complex family and tax dynamics. Thomas reveals how independence enhances decision-making and why it’s crucial in avoiding 'trust fund baby' pitfalls. The conversation also highlights innovative strategies for pre-liquidity planning and the importance of structuring to foster independence while preserving family values.

Brent Beshore, Founder and CEO of Permanent Equity, shares his innovative approach to investing that defies traditional private equity norms. He reveals how using permanent capital fosters long-term growth without management fees or planned exits. Brent emphasizes the importance of cash flow over short-term metrics, advocating for a focus on culture and legacy in acquisitions. His philosophy encourages reinvestment and aligns incentives with operators, arguing that patience and steady compounding yield far better outcomes for both businesses and investors.

In this engaging discussion, Alexander Russ, Senior Managing Director at Evercore, delves into the intricacies of fundraising in private markets. He highlights why a strong first close can set the tone for success and shares the three essential rules: preparation, control, and narrative. Alexander explains how LPs are motivated by excitement rather than discounts and emphasizes the importance of relevance and tailored outreach. He cautions against weak first closes, suggesting that a well-engineered momentum strategy can make or break fundraising efforts.

In this conversation, Dr. Gregory W. Brown, a finance professor and director of the Institute for Private Capital, dives into the complexities of measuring private market returns. He highlights the challenges of risk-adjusted evaluations and why alternative investments remain under-researched. Brown explains the Kaplan–Schoar PME method for better comparisons and reveals that buyouts often outperform public markets, while venture capital struggles with alpha. He also discusses the importance of fund size, geography, and individual partner skills in driving returns.

Hamilton Reiner, CIO of J.P. Morgan's U.S. Core Equity Team, shares his insights from over 30 years in finance. He explains how using options can instill discipline and manage risks rather than being mere speculation. Hamilton highlights the behavioral mistakes investors make, the importance of staying invested, and how rebalancing can significantly enhance long-term results. He emphasizes that understanding volatility and having a risk-based approach is key to navigating market cycles effectively, offering wisdom on compounding and patience in investing.

In a compelling discussion, Patrick Ewers, founder of Mindmaven and an early LinkedIn employee, reveals why relationships are the cornerstone of professional success. He highlights how urgent tasks often overshadow building meaningful connections, leading to missed opportunities. Patrick shares practical strategies like delegation for effective relationship management, empowering leaders to save time and enhance their authenticity. He emphasizes the importance of follow-ups and provides insights on how thoughtful interactions can strengthen bonds over time.

Jamie Lee, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Tamarack Global, dives into the secrets of spotting unicorn founders. He reveals how founder referrals are the most reliable indicators of success. Jamie discusses the importance of hedge-fund-level research and the role of intuition in investment decisions. He highlights the booming humanoid robotics market and how preempting rounds can lead to bigger wins. With insights from his experience at Coatue, he emphasizes that taking risks and trusting your gut are crucial for aspiring investors.

Brian Neider, Managing Partner at Lead Edge Capital, shares his experience scaling a growth equity firm from $52M to $5B. He discusses the competitive advantage of having 700 high-net-worth LPs who actively support portfolio companies. Brian emphasizes the importance of disciplined metrics in decision-making and highlights the challenge of managing underperforming 'walking dead' companies. He also underscores the necessity of exit planning from day one, ensuring that transparency and education compound trust with LPs for long-term success.

In this discussion, Alfred Lee, Deputy Chief Investment Officer at Q Wealth Partners and former portfolio manager at BMO, shares insights on modern portfolio strategies. He explains why alpha generation is more challenging than ever and the need for alternatives in investment frameworks. Alfred also delves into the significance of inflation and its impact on real assets, and introduces his innovative 50-30-20 portfolio model. Through his experiences, he outlines the importance of liquidity planning and emphasizes diversifying across private investments for better crisis resilience.