Funds that Won
Fund Launch
Welcome to Funds that Won. Where we dive deep into some of the world's most renowned investment funds. We talk to investment managers across the alternatives landscape and learn how they built their million and billion dollar asset management empires. We're talking teams, structures, portfolio management, Investment philosophy & best practices in launching and running alternative investment funds.
ABOUT LINCOLN ARCHIBALD
Lincoln helps entrepreneurs & investors start funds. Lincoln is Chief Financial Officer of Fund Launch and Managing Partner & CIO of Black Card Capital Partners
He is an expert in alternative assets and works in real estate, private equity, venture capital, and hedge funds
Lincoln has consulted on more than $2 Billion AUM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lincolnarchibald
To learn more about launching and scaling your own fund, visit www.fundlaunch.com
DISCLAIMER:
All information shared are the sole thoughts and opinions of the author. Do not take any information as legal or financial advice. You should seek a certified accountant and a professional legal team for taking any further action. We are not selling or soliciting a security in any way, shape or form. This content is for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as financial or legal advice. Clients of Fund launch or Black Card Capital Partners may maintain positions and securities discussed on this podcast.
ABOUT LINCOLN ARCHIBALD
Lincoln helps entrepreneurs & investors start funds. Lincoln is Chief Financial Officer of Fund Launch and Managing Partner & CIO of Black Card Capital Partners
He is an expert in alternative assets and works in real estate, private equity, venture capital, and hedge funds
Lincoln has consulted on more than $2 Billion AUM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lincolnarchibald
To learn more about launching and scaling your own fund, visit www.fundlaunch.com
DISCLAIMER:
All information shared are the sole thoughts and opinions of the author. Do not take any information as legal or financial advice. You should seek a certified accountant and a professional legal team for taking any further action. We are not selling or soliciting a security in any way, shape or form. This content is for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as financial or legal advice. Clients of Fund launch or Black Card Capital Partners may maintain positions and securities discussed on this podcast.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 17, 2026 • 42min
The $200 Billion Secondary Market | Chris Lawrence | Ep 63
In this episode of Funds That Won, Rylan Olson sits down with Chris Lawrence, founder of Labyrinth Capital, to break down the rapidly growing secondary market in private equity.With over $13 trillion now sitting in private markets, liquidity has become one of the most important topics for both GPs and LPs. Chris explains how the secondary market evolved, the difference between LP-led and GP-led transactions, and how emerging fund managers can use secondaries to create liquidity for their investors.The conversation also dives into the realities of launching and scaling an investment firm, the importance of relationship capital, and why emerging managers should stay disciplined in their niche instead of chasing scale.If you’re building a fund or investing in private markets, this episode gives a practical look at how the $200B+ secondary market is reshaping liquidity and opportunity across the industry.
Feb 17, 2026 • 55min
How Emerging Fund Managers Should Build Operations to Scale | Scott MacDonald | Ep 62
In this episode of Funds That Won, we sit down with Scott MacDonald to break down what actually makes investment firms scale—and why operations are often the deciding factor. Scott shares hard-earned lessons from building and advising funds, covering third-party administrator selection, early hires, operational alpha, tech stacks, and where AI is starting to matter (and where it doesn’t). This conversation is especially relevant for emerging and micro fund managers looking to build durable infrastructure without over-hiring, over-buying tech, or breaking under growth.
Feb 3, 2026 • 48min
Why Private Markets Are Entering the Wealth Channel | Franklin Templeton | Tony Davidow | Ep 61
In this episode of Funds That Won, we sit down with Tony Davidow of Franklin Templeton to break down how private markets are moving beyond institutions and into the wealth channel. We unpack why the traditional 60/40 portfolio broke down, how evergreen and tender offer funds are changing access to private equity and private credit, and which asset classes have the strongest tailwinds today. Tony also shares insights from decades working with family offices, institutions, and advisors—and explains why private markets are still in the early innings for individual investors.
Aug 20, 2025 • 22min
Southview Timberland: Scaling a Fund from Dirt, Trees, and Vision: Ep 60
In this episode of Funds That Won, we sit down with John Bernard of Southview Timberland Investments to uncover how a fund manager turned entrepreneur built a timberland fund in one of the most overlooked asset classes. John shares his journey from Wall Street to launching Southview, the unique economics of timber investing, and how biological growth provides consistent returns regardless of market conditions. We explore land appreciation, harvesting strategies, and the challenges of scaling a fund in such a relationship-driven industry. John also opens up about fundraising lessons, managing risk, and what it really takes to grow a billion-dollar fund in a niche market.
Sep 4, 2024 • 39min
Alt St: Making High Finance Accessible To All | Ep 59
You can sign up for free at www.altst.org/?sl=podcast
Aug 21, 2024 • 34min
The Future of Private Equity Seeding | Peter Birk | Catalyst Partners | Ep 58
In this episode of "Funds That Won," I sit down with Peter Birk from Catalyst Partners, a subsidiary of Moelis Asset Management, focused on seeding new and emerging private equity managers. Peter discusses the strategy behind Catalyst Partners, which includes backing debut private equity funds with sizable checks ranging from $50 to $100 million. He shares insights into how they support managers through first-close capital and revenue share arrangements, and the importance of talent and grit in building a successful asset management firm. The conversation offers a deep dive into the world of private equity seeding and the challenges and opportunities it presents.
Aug 14, 2024 • 48min
A Venture Fund That Invests In Arizona Based Entrepreneurs | AZ-VC | Jack Selby | Ep 57
In this episode of "Funds That Won," Lincoln interviews Jack Selby from AZ-VC, a venture fund focused on supporting Arizona-based entrepreneurs. Jack shares the challenges Arizona startups face in securing Series A funding locally and how AZ-VC aims to fill that gap by leveraging his extensive network from his PayPal days. They discuss the current state of the venture capital market, the importance of timing, and how Jack's deep commitment to Arizona's tech ecosystem drives the fund's strategy. Jack also reflects on the personal motivations and experiences that led him to launch AZ-VC.
Aug 7, 2024 • 60min
A $750 Million Fund That Invests In Emerging Food Brands | Andrew Smith | Savory Fund | Ep 56
Join Andrew Smith, Founder of Savory Fund, as he delves into the exciting world of food investments. With a focus on emerging brands, he discusses how Savory helps small businesses grow with both capital and operational support. Andrew reveals strategies for scaling restaurants and highlights the unique cash flow dynamics of food ventures compared to tech. Discover the fascinating journey of turning a tech entrepreneur into a restaurateur, plus the innovative rise of brands like Liquid Death that are shaking up the beverage scene.
Jul 31, 2024 • 40min
Investing In Industrial Real Estate | Smart Asset Capital | Brock Mogensen | Episode 55
In this episode of "Funds That Won," I sit down with Brock Mogensen from Smart Asset Capital to discuss the inception and growth of their company. Brock shares how Smart Asset Capital evolved from a property management and brokerage firm into a syndication and private equity business, leveraging existing infrastructure to scale quickly. He delves into their strategic focus on industrial real estate, highlighting the opportunities and returns in this sector. Brock also explains their decision to shift from syndication deals to launching their first fund, aiming to diversify investor risk and capitalize on multiple deals simultaneously.
Jul 24, 2024 • 41min
Using Both Funds and Syndications To Build a Multi-Family Empire | Bow Tie Capital | Brent Mott | Ep 54
In this episode of "Funds That Won," I sit down with Brent Mott of Bow Tie Capital, a firm specializing in commercial real estate syndications and funds. Brent shares insights into Bow Tie Capital’s unique approach, including their focus on raising funds from non-accredited investors and their diverse portfolio spanning self-storage, medical office buildings, and affordable housing developments. He also discusses the firm's ambitious goal of managing a billion dollars in assets by the end of the decade. Tune in to hear Brent's inspiring journey from leaving his corporate job to controlling nearly $200 million in assets and his vision for the future of Bow Tie Capital.
