In this episode, Joel sits down with Matt Krna, Managing Partner at Two Meter Capital, to explore the shifting landscape of venture capital and the growing need for specialized portfolio management. Drawing on two decades of experience—from his early days at DLJ and Canaan Partners to his time at SoftBank—Matt shares candid insights on what it takes to build a sustainable investing career. The conversation delves into the rise of "venture portfolio risk management," a model Two Meter has pioneered to help funds and family offices manage legacy assets, optimize follow-on decisions, and free up GPs to focus on new deals. Matt offers a thoughtful critique of the industry's cognitive biases, the importance of intellectual honesty in partnerships, and why most predictions about the future are inherently uncertain. For anyone navigating the complexities of venture capital—whether as a GP, LP, or emerging manager—this episode provides a clear-eyed look at how the industry is evolving and where new opportunities for value creation are emerging.

#VentureCapital #PortfolioManagement #Secondaries #TwoMeterCapital #VentureCapitalInvesting #FamilyOffice #FundManagement #LiquiditySolutions

In this episode, Joel sits down with Joe Zuk, Operating Partner at Altamont Capital, to explore the critical intersection of investment strategy and operational execution in the middle market. Joe shares his unique journey from the reinsurance world to becoming a key builder of Altamont’s insurance and financial services ecosystem, now encompassing nine portfolio companies. The conversation dives deep into the realities of private equity-backed growth: the "pace of play" required of CEOs, the evolution of management teams as companies scale, and the operating partner’s role as a force multiplier between investors and leadership. They tackle the integration of AI in legacy industries like insurance, the art of identifying value beyond the spreadsheet, and the unglamorous work of building durable businesses. For anyone navigating the private equity landscape—whether as an investor, operator, or founder—this conversation offers a candid look at what it takes to move from scorekeeping to true value creation.

#PrivateEquity #OperatingPartner #AltamontCapital #InsuranceTech #ValueCreation #GrowthEquity #AIPrivateEquity #MiddleMarket

In this real-time conversation, Joel and Fox Rothschild partner Matthew Bobrow go beyond the boilerplate to explore what it really takes to build, launch, and scale a first-time investment fund. Drawing on his unique experience advising both the world’s largest institutional investors and emerging managers, Matthew breaks down the psychological shift founders must make when moving from operator to asset manager, the structural decisions tied to underlying strategy, and the practical, low-cost steps for market sounding before ever drafting an LPA. They unpack the rise of GP staking, the complexities of crossover and hedge fund strategies, the growing role of secondaries in private markets, and critical red flags in late-stage SPV deals—including the due diligence gaps exposed by high-profile names like Anthropic. Whether you’re raising a first fund or refining an established platform, this conversation delivers candid, actionable insights on fund structure, investor alignment, and the fiduciary mindset that separates enduring managers from the rest.

#VentureCapital #PrivateEquity #FundFormation #GPStaking #SECCompliance #EmergingManagers #Secondaries #InvestmentFunds

In this episode, we sit down with Adrian Balfour, founder and chairman at Envorso, Empwr.AI, a seasoned entrepreneur and investor who has built and sold a global consultancy, launched a major professional sports league, and created a sustainable wool brand from his own regenerative farms. Adrian shares invaluable insights from his journey of growing PCubed to thousands of employees with zero outside capital, his strategic approach to angel investing as an active operator, and his philosophy on navigating exits and timing. We dive deep into the practicalities of selling to enterprise clients, the art of portfolio construction for fund managers, and his unique perspective on incubating AI-driven companies like Empwr.Ai. Adrian also reveals how he manages the context shifts between his ventures in tech, sports, and agriculture, offering a masterclass in passion-driven entrepreneurship and relentless execution.

#Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #AIInvesting #StartupFounder #BusinessGrowth #SportsTech #SustainableBusiness #AngelInvesting

In this episode, we dive deep with Joe Gelet, Investment Representative at RF Lafferty and a veteran in both the private markets and algorithmic trading space. Joe unpacks his journey from forex trading to specializing in secondary market transactions for unicorns like SpaceX, sharing his unique perspective on the convergence of technology, finance, and the future of private markets. We explore the critical shift from "taker" to "maker" investment models, the evolving role of automation and AI in deal execution, and the essential strategies for emerging fund managers navigating the complexities of SPVs and capital formation. Joe offers candid advice on developing a disciplined, personalized investment philosophy, the importance of providing tangible value to portfolio companies, and why "doing nothing" is a powerful, often overlooked, strategic choice in a volatile market.

#PrivateMarkets #SecondaryMarket #VentureCapital #SPV #InvestmentStrategy #AIinFinance #StartupInvesting #FundManagement

In this episode, we dive deep with Donna Letier, founder and CEO of Gardenuity, a purpose-driven company transforming gardening into a modern wellness tool for mental health and human connection. Donna shares her journey from retail and brand strategy to entrepreneurship, detailing how data-driven insights and resilience have shaped her company's evolution from a simple idea to a nationwide force supporting over five million harvests. We explore the unique intersections of B2B and DTC strategies, the power of corporate wellness programs, and the critical role of strategic partnerships. Donna offers invaluable advice for founders on fundraising, choosing investors who align with your vision, and the importance of persistence, while also providing a thoughtful perspective for investors on building authentic, long-term relationships with the entrepreneurs they back.

#GardeningTech #WellnessEntrepreneur #FounderJourney #StartupFunding #ImpactInvesting #B2BStrategy #ConsumerBrand #Entrepreneurship

In this episode, we sit down with Balaji Krishnan, a serial entrepreneur and venture studio founder whose consumer hardware and software companies have achieved multiple successful exits, including acquisitions by TiVo and a public company. Balaji shares his journey from a systems engineer at Sun Microsystems, HP, and Oracle to becoming a prolific founder, driven by a passion for building products he would personally use. We dive deep into the venture studio model of his current venture, Keeja Lab, where he bootstraps ideas to the seed stage before bringing in external capital—a unique approach that de-risks investments and retains significant ownership. Balaji offers invaluable advice on fundraising, valuation strategy, lean operations, and the art of the exit, emphasizing the importance of building inbound acquisition interest rather than actively seeking a sale. Whether you're an aspiring founder, an investor interested in consumer tech, or curious about alternative venture-building models, this conversation is packed with hard-won insights on product creation, founder resilience, and building a portfolio of profitable, scalable businesses.

#VentureStudio #SerialEntrepreneur #ConsumerTech #HardwareStartups #StartupExit #Bootstrapping #VentureCapital #ProductDevelopment #FounderAdvice

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of specialized recruiting with David Hampton, founder of Hampton Strategies and a former private investigator. David brings a unique lens to executive search in the private equity, venture capital, and asset management spaces. We discuss how to effectively partner with recruiters, build long-term relationships, and navigate a career change in finance. David shares his insights on what top firms and candidates are really looking for, the critical "soft skills" that make the difference in an interview, and how to craft a compelling personal narrative. Whether you're a candidate aiming for your next role or a hiring manager looking to attract elite talent, this conversation is packed with actionable advice on the art of the search, the psychology of career transitions, and the principles of grit that drive success.

#ExecutiveSearch #PrivateEquity #VentureCapital #FinanceCareers #Recruiting #CareerAdvice #Hiring #JobSearch

Building a resilient, personalized investment portfolio is the cornerstone of achieving true financial independence. In this episode, we're joined by renowned financial strategist Cullen Roche, CIO Discipline Funds, to discuss the core principles from his essential new book, Your Perfect Portfolio. Drawing on two decades of experience, Cullen dismantles the myth of a single "best" strategy and provides a practical framework for constructing a portfolio that aligns with your unique goals, risk tolerance, and temperament. We delve into over 20 influential investment philosophies—from value and trend-following to innovative modern approaches—and break down the ten timeless principles that should guide every investor's decisions. Whether you're a hands-on stock picker or prefer a simple, automated plan, this conversation provides the tools and clarity you need to build confidence and take control of your financial future.

#Investing #PortfolioConstruction #FinancialIndependence #WealthBuilding #AssetAllocation #InvestmentStrategy #CullenRoche #YourPerfectPortfolio

In this episode, we sit down with Noah Sanborn Friedman, Co-Founder of Top Shelf Ventures and head of the Uncharted founder community. Noah shares his unique journey from a hands-on role as a young CEO in the beverage-tech space to launching a specialized fund focused on the high-growth yet underserved beverage alcohol sector. He unpacks the critical data-driven metrics—like velocity and reorder rate—that signal a winning brand, breaks down the complex regulatory landscape of the alcohol industry, and explains why storytelling and brand-building are just as important as the liquid in the bottle. We also explore emerging trends, from the potential of THC-infused beverages to the realities of the "sober curious" movement, and Noah offers invaluable advice for emerging fund managers on building conviction, crafting a compelling narrative, and securing that crucial first close.

#VentureCapital #BeverageIndustry #CPG #AlcoholInvesting #StartupFunding #FundManager #TopShelfVentures #UnchartedCommunity