How I Invest with David Weisburd

In a captivating discussion, Peter Madsen, Director and CIO of Utah's sovereign wealth fund, shares his journey from London hedge funds to building SITFO from scratch. He emphasizes the importance of mean reversion in tough markets and how factor-based strategies can balance public and private investments. Peter explains the shift away from small caps, the appeal of micro-VC funds, and the innovative use of AI in manager selection. With a focus on purpose-driven investing, he reveals how SITFO adapts to changing market dynamics while prioritizing long-term stewardship.

Philip Benjamin, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Colzen Capital, dives into innovative pre-IPO liquidity strategies influenced by his fourth-generation real estate background. He reveals how the 2008 financial crisis reshaped his perspective on investing. Philip discusses how Colzen helps founders gain liquidity without selling, tackle executives' exercise challenges, and achieve downside protection. He also touches on the emerging asset class's growth, the concept of structural alpha, and the importance of aligning incentives with founders for mutual success.

In this engaging discussion, Rennick Palley, the founder of Stratos and a former research associate at Sanders Capital, shares insights on building top-decile crypto funds. He dives into the shift from momentum to fundamental investing in crypto and emphasizes the importance of fund size and position sizing to avoid portfolio disasters. Rennick also explores Bitcoin’s role as digital gold, the implications of gold outpacing Bitcoin, and the necessity of decisive action in investing. His expertise combines mathematical rigor with practical insights for navigating the volatile crypto landscape.

Ryan Serhant, founder and CEO of SERHANT., shares his journey transforming real estate by leveraging media and authenticity. He recounts closing a $13M sale via a viral YouTube video and explains why he bet everything on social media before it became a norm. Ryan emphasizes the power of vulnerability in business, revealing that raw moments drove more engagement than perfection. He discusses the challenges of scaling his organization, leading a large team, and his predictions for AI-powered, screenless transactions in the future.

Julia Rees Toader, a Founding Partner at PrinCap and ex-Global Head of Portfolio Strategy at Goldman Sachs, shares wisdom gained from advising top CIOs. She reveals that emotions often guide investment choices more than data. Julia discusses the pitfalls of home-country bias and why ultra-wealthy families thrive by leveraging their business strengths. She also emphasizes the importance of avoiding losers, the flaws of the traditional 60/40 portfolio, and the need for innovative hedging strategies. Expect insights on behavioral biases and the transformative role of AI in investment decision-making.

In a fascinating conversation, Steve McLaughlin, Founder and CEO of FT Partners, shares his journey from leaving Goldman Sachs during the dot-com crash to creating a fintech powerhouse. He discusses the importance of a 'never die' philosophy and FT Partners' unique approach to deep research and client relationships. Steve also delves into AI's transformative potential in fintech, the significance of real asset tokenization, and how to build defensibility in an increasingly competitive landscape. His insights on incentive structures are eye-opening!

Chris Vasquez, Founder & CEO of Quantum Talent, discusses the fierce competition for elite engineers in AI. He highlights why talent density is more crucial than headcount for startup success. Companies must tell compelling stories to attract top hires, as capital is abundant but talent is scarce. Chris redefines S-tier talent, emphasizing spiky achievements and proven capabilities. He advises founder strategies for hiring, including overpaying for crucial roles and seeking candidates with experience in greatness, to build high-performing teams.

Mark Peter Davis, Managing Partner of Interplay and seasoned venture capital investor, shares his insights from 20+ years in the industry. He explores the balance between chasing power-law returns and maintaining portfolio consistency. Mark discusses the pitfalls of optimism in venture, the role of liquidity options beyond IPOs, and why understanding founder behavior matters more than storytelling. He emphasizes the importance of grit and operational support in building lasting relationships and successful ventures.

William "Bill" Brown, Chief Investment Officer of Terrace Tower Group, shares insights from his tenure under billionaire Leonard Stern. He emphasizes avoiding "fake busy" work and finding true progress, while detailing how early signals shaped the Big Short trade. Bill discusses the importance of collecting insights across networks and recognizing patterns in diverse investments like crypto. He emphasizes energy management for productivity and staying engaged in fruitful environments to capture future opportunities.

Eva Shang, Co-founder of Legalist, shares her remarkable journey from Harvard dropout to leading a billion-dollar asset management firm. She discusses pivoting from legal analytics to litigation finance and the challenges of raising their first $10M fund without a track record. Eva explains why Legalist uses a fund model instead of a venture-backed approach and dives into the niche world of litigation finance. She highlights how technology and algorithms help identify investment opportunities and why talent and culture are vital for long-term success.