Joel Palathinkal chats with Rex Salisbury of Cambrian VC, about evolving venture capital strategies, focusing on fintech community building and Cambrian VC. They discuss family reactions to career shifts, fintech trends, portfolio successes, and assessing risk at the pre-seed stage. The episode highlights the role of community in VC, access in venture capital, and how multi-stage firms affect seed valuations. Co-founder matching, content creation, and platform optimization are explored. The guest shares insights on starting a venture fund, networking, and career growth. The episode wraps up with closing remarks and a summit announcement.

(0:00) The evolution of venture capital strategies and podcast introduction

(1:28) Guest's background, fintech community building, and Cambrian VC

(5:40) Family reactions to career shift and fintech ecosystem overview

(11:00) Trends in fintech and portfolio success stories

(14:52) Assessing risk and founder quality at pre-seed stage

(18:18) Comparing investment stages and the importance of community in VC

(20:42) The role and impact of access in venture capital

(24:12) Multi-stage firm influence on seed valuations and community building for managers

(29:16) Co-founder matching and advice for content creators

(33:15) Content platform optimization and working with videographers

(37:30) Starting a venture fund and the value of mid-sized company experience

(44:01) Networking and choosing the right venture firm

(45:14) Storytelling, building a track record, and starting a fund

(46:04) Career progression and adopting established firm processes

(46:55) Closing remarks and upcoming summit announcement

Joel Palathinkal chats with Matt Roberts about his journey from technical roles to venture capital, starting from his Ottawa roots. They discuss how engineers can thrive as investors, the evolution of family offices, and Canada's tech ecosystem. Matt shares advice for new fund managers on differentiation, storytelling, and investment structuring. They explore liquidity strategies, fund management, founder evaluation, and 2023 market trends. The episode also covers investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and the Middle East, highlighting post-oil investments and the importance of international networks.

(0:00) Transitioning from technical roles to venture capital

(0:31) Introduction to the podcast and guest Matt Roberts

(1:17) Matt Roberts' background, growing up in Ottawa, and early influences

(4:26) Traits of engineers that contribute to their success as investors

(9:38) Evolution of family offices and investment strategies

(15:41) Overview of the Canadian tech and venture capital ecosystem

(20:12) Regional economic focuses and family office goals in Canada

(25:10) Advice for new fund managers on differentiating and building a lasting firm

(29:01) The importance of transparency in storytelling and structuring investments

(34:01) Liquidity strategies and managing fund cycles

(37:12) Methods for sourcing and evaluating founders

(41:21) Negotiating with founders and market trends in 2023

(47:35) Insights on investment in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and Middle Eastern market relations

(49:28) Focus on post-oil and gas investments and the importance of international networks

(50:23) Conclusion, future plans, and final thanks

Joel Palathinkal chats with Mary D'Souza about her journey from education to investment banking, her move to Emirates, and managing a family office. Mary shares her career success pillars: dreaming, focus, manifesting, perseverance, and pivoting. They discuss relationship-building in investment, private credit trends, and entrepreneurship's link with expertise. Insights on Indian investing trends, Southeast Asian media, and distribution channels are shared. Mary also comments on Will Smith's PR challenges and personal branding. She stresses quality in the pharmaceutical industry and offers advice for professionals and entrepreneurs, concluding with gratitude.

(0:00) Introduction and guest Mary D'Souza's career overview

(4:48) Mary's early life, education, and initial career steps

(9:00) Career transition to Emirates, New York, and investment banking

(14:14) Shift to family office, pharmaceutical business, and mentorship

(17:31) Five pillars of career success: Dreaming, focus, manifest, persevere, pivot

(28:28) Building relationships in the investment industry

(30:13) Private credit investing trends and strategies

(37:06) Entrepreneurship, domain expertise, and movie production investing

(45:27) Travel insights and maintaining a balanced life

(49:05) Investing trends in India and Southeast Asian media impact

(51:29) Distribution channels and the Martha Stewart documentary

(54:05) Will Smith's PR challenges and personal branding insights

(57:48) Maintaining quality and fulfilling market needs in pharma

(59:40) Final advice for professionals and entrepreneurs

(1:00:48) Closing thoughts and gratitude

Joel Palathinkal converses with Devon Melotra from Valhalla Ventures, emphasizing the significance of identifying enduring moats in venture deals. Devon recounts his career journey and Valhalla Ventures' mission, detailing their investment strategy and first fund. The discussion touches on how his New York upbringing influenced his approach to business and investing. Devon shares valuable advice for launching a venture fund and crafting effective differentiation strategies. They explore emerging trends in space investments, autonomous vehicles, biotech, and the rise of Canva-like platforms. Insights into gaming sector investments and the Los Angeles tech scene round out the conversation, concluding with key takeaways.

(0:00) Introduction and the importance of finding enduring moats in venture deals

(0:48) Guest introduction: Devon Melotra of Valhalla Ventures

(1:50) Valhalla Ventures' mission and Devon's career journey

(8:06) Valhalla Ventures' investment strategy and first fund overview

(9:01) Influence of New York upbringing on business and investing

(16:10) Tips for launching a venture fund and strategic focus

(22:27) Effective differentiation strategies for fund managers

(29:27) Exploring trends and opportunities in space investments

(34:07) Innovations in autonomous vehicles and biotech

(37:13) The emergence of Canva-like platforms across sectors

(41:43) Gaming sector investment insights

(46:52) The Los Angeles tech and venture capital scene

(50:24) Episode conclusion and key takeaways

Joel Palathinkal welcomes Samir Kumar, who shares his journey from Microsoft and ROTC to Palm, webOS, and Samsung, highlighting mobile tech evolution and work-life balance. They delve into Samir's AI and deep learning focus at Qualcomm and his role in m12's deep tech investments. The discussion covers Turing's origins, trust with LPs, investment strategies, and venture capital professionalism. They also explore revenue to valuation multiples, board contributions, and offer advice for emerging managers and founders. The episode wraps up with insights on fund size, growth strategies, talent development, and transitioning to capital formation.

(0:00) Introduction to Sameer Kumar and career beginnings

(3:22) Career start at Microsoft and ROTC experience

(6:18) Shift to Palm, webOS, and joining Samsung

(10:11) Mobile technology evolution insights

(13:30) Work-life harmony in tech

(17:22) Qualcomm, AI, and deep learning focus

(19:53) m12 role and deep tech investments

(23:03) Turing's origin and culture

(32:38) Trust-building with LPs and investment strategy

(39:45) Examining revenue to valuation multiples

(40:52) Venture capital professionalism and board contributions

(44:13) Founders as LPs in Turing and advice for emerging managers

(48:16) Fund size, growth strategy, and talent development

(53:02) Transitioning to capital formation and closing remarks

Joel Palathinkal welcomes Russ Krivor to discuss the impact of interest rates on real estate and Russ's early career. They explore multifamily units, community building, and cost management in development, contrasting development and acquisition strategies. The episode covers fundraising, market trends, manufacturing investments, water availability, and coastal real estate risks. Emerging markets, strategic policy mistakes, and technological advancements like robotic 3D printing and modular housing are also discussed. Russ shares insights on investment opportunities in elderly care and tiny homes, offering advice on building a successful investment firm and valuing integrity in business.

(0:00) Introduction to the podcast and guest Ross Crevore

(1:24) Impact of interest rates on real estate and Ross's early career

(3:44) Transition to multifamily units and building a real estate community

(7:00) Managing costs and change orders in real estate development

(10:06) Development vs. Acquisition strategies and fundraising

(12:21) Selling properties and analyzing market trends

(15:16) Manufacturing investments and water availability concerns

(17:44) Natural disasters and risks in coastal real estate investing

(21:29) Emerging markets and strategic mistakes in real estate policies

(26:13) Technological advancements: Robotic 3D printing and modular housing

(29:10) Investment opportunities in elderly care and tiny homes

(32:02) Key advice for building a successful investment firm

(36:38) Fostering employee growth and the value of integrity in business

Joel Palathinkal engages with Mary Wheeler, exploring her career journey and the founding of BioRock Ventures. They discuss investing in serious diseases and the significance of in-person interactions in the business realm. Mary shares insights into the investment criteria and evaluation of drug efficacy in the biopharma sector. The conversation highlights identifying successful biopharma founders and startups, along with the impact of simulation and modeling on innovation. They delve into the relevance of a PhD in venture capital and offer traits and advice for biopharma founders and venture managers. The episode concludes with effective fundraising strategies and closing thoughts.

(0:00) Introduction and investing in serious diseases

(2:02) Mary Wheeler's career and BioRock Ventures origin story

(8:42) The value of in-person interactions in business

(12:07) Investment criteria and evaluating drug efficacy in biopharma

(20:01) Identifying successful biopharma founders and startups

(25:01) The impact of simulation and modeling on biopharma innovation

(27:38) Navigating a PhD and its role in venture capital

(34:51) Traits and advice for biopharma founders and venture capital managers

(39:20) Fundraising strategies and closing thoughts

Joel Palathinkal introduces Mike Ma, delving into his entrepreneurial journey and the balance between parenthood and business. They explore Mike's early life, education, and tech experiences, highlighting his venture capital insights with Next Cubed. The conversation covers investment focus, growth strategies for startups, and insight-driven marketing approaches. Joel and Mike discuss the importance of organic versus paid marketing, effective tactics in sales and fundraising, and the significance of client education. They touch on startup fundamentals, client-centric solutions, and connecting with Limited Partners. The episode concludes with insights on navigating fundraising challenges, best practices, and achieving work-life balance.

(0:00) Introduction to the podcast and guest Mike Ma

(1:13) Mike Ma's background and entrepreneurial journey

(2:48) Parenthood and business: Finding the balance

(3:20) Mike Ma's early life, education, and tech experiences

(7:40) Venture capital insights with Next Cubed

(9:41) Investment focus and growth strategies for startups

(13:09) Insight-driven approaches and marketing strategies

(17:01) Organic vs. paid marketing and audience building

(22:42) Effective marketing, sales, and fundraising tactics

(28:14) Sales process and client education importance

(30:19) Startup fundamentals and client-centric solutions

(32:10) Understanding and connecting with Limited Partners (LPs)

(35:03) Navigating fundraising challenges in the current market

(38:25) Fundraising dos and don'ts

(45:02) Work-life balance in a professional setting

Joel Palathinkal introduces Ryan Else, discussing their journey and connection. They explore teaching entrepreneurship to kids and Ryan's role at Roadster Capital, emphasizing diverse backgrounds in venture capital. Key topics include fund modeling, portfolio construction, sticking to an investment thesis, and LP communication. Ryan shares insights on network support, confidence in fund models, and follow-on strategies. They also cover best practices for fund audits, challenges with fund admin solutions, and macro trends affecting consumer behavior. The episode concludes with insights on inflation, opportunities in AI, and the importance of proprietary technology.

(0:00) Introduction to the podcast and guest Ryan Els

(1:13) Background and personal connection with Ryan Els

(3:04) Teaching entrepreneurship to kids

(4:10) Overview of Roadster Capital and Ryan's career

(7:24) Diverse backgrounds in venture capital

(8:40) Fund modeling and portfolio construction considerations

(19:19) Sticking to investment thesis and LP communication

(26:21) Fund modeling and network support

(30:27) Confidence in fund model and LP relationships

(34:32) Follow-on strategy and decision-making

(36:00) Best practices for fund audits and back office

(39:04) Challenges with fund admin solutions

(40:56) Macro trends impacting consumer behavior

(42:19) Maintaining a positive focus in venture capital

(44:50) Impact of inflation on consumer brands

(48:25) Opportunities in AI and niche agents

(52:29) Importance of proprietary technology and closing remarks

Joel Palathinkal converses with Kevin Jiang, exploring his journey from Silicon Valley upbringing to academic pursuits at Harvard and Goldman Sachs. Kevin shares valuable insights from his experience at Apollo and SoftBank's Vision Fund, highlighting the formation of Mangusta Capital and its strategic focus on early-stage AI investments. The discussion delves into lessons learned from Masa and SoftBank, identifying successful founder patterns, and differentiating VC firm performance. Kevin offers career advice for aspiring investors, tips on launching new funds, and emphasizes the importance of community in venture capital. The episode wraps up with Kevin's closing thoughts and appreciation.

(0:00) Introduction and Kevin Jiang's background

(4:01) Kevin's upbringing in Silicon Valley and academic journey

(8:34) Venture capital insights from Harvard to Goldman Sachs

(11:10) Apollo experience and career realizations

(13:20) Growth equity and SoftBank's Vision Fund

(16:46) Formation of Mangusta Capital and investment strategies

(23:12) Focus on early-stage AI investments

(25:14) Key lessons from Masa and SoftBank

(28:42) Identifying successful founder patterns

(33:05) VC firm differentiation and performance

(35:31) Career advice for aspiring investors and students

(37:31) Tips for launching a new fund

(40:27) The importance of community in venture capital

(45:46) Closing thoughts and appreciation