Nathan Lian: Pareto VC

Joel Palathinkal explores the intersection of AI and biotech with Nathan Lian from Pareto VC. Nathan discusses his career journey and investment strategies in deep tech and biotech. They delve into AI's role in drug discovery, lab experiments, and the PH fellowship's goals and selection process. The conversation highlights opportunities in synthetic biology, longevity, health tech, and behavioral psychology. They also address challenges in real-time health data and continuous monitoring, emphasizing user experience in health predictive analytics. This episode offers a comprehensive look at the future of biotech investments.

Josh Payne: Opensky Ventures

Joel Palathinkal chats with Josh Payne about his journey from entrepreneur to venture capitalist. They delve into earn-outs in acquisitions, Josh's role as an angel investor, and strategies for building an LP pipeline. The episode explores brand building for funds, deal sourcing for emerging managers, and Nashville's tech and VC scene. They discuss OpenSky's pre-seed investment strategy, comparing KPIs for pre-seed versus seed investments, and evaluate DTC brands and marketing strategies. Concluding with quarterly learnings, this episode offers valuable insights for aspiring investors.

Vishal Tripathi: Olive Partners Management

Joel Palathinkal welcomes Vishal to explore his venture capital journey and the founding of Next Legacy. They discuss the unique roles athletes and celebrities play in venture capital, highlighting Next Play University and community-building initiatives. Vishal elaborates on successful athlete investors and the leadership skills they bring, including asset allocation strategies for LPs. The conversation delves into patterns and challenges in fundraising for venture funds, with insights on emerging managers and celebrities transitioning into corporate roles. Vishal shares advice on transferable skills and sector curiosity for fund managers. The episode concludes with closing remarks and expressions of appreciation.

Vishal Harishchandra: Single Family Office

Joel Palathinkal chats with Vishal Harishchandra about his entrepreneurial journey from Vulcan Group to Ocean AI. They discuss investment strategies, the importance of integrity, and Vishal's unique start from winning a raffle car. The episode highlights AI's transformative role in supply chains, business operations, and code development, including conversational AI and its sector-wide implications. Vishal also shares insights on AI in podcast production, robo-taxis, and emerging job roles, along with trends in manufacturing and venture capital. They wrap up with challenges for fund managers and the enduring value of integrity and continuous learning.

Chris Cunningham: Insights from c2 Ventures

Joel Palathinkal sits down with Chris Cunningham to discuss his journey in venture capital, beginning with the founding of AppSavvy and leading to the establishment of c2 Ventures. Chris shares insights on crafting recession-proof investment strategies and the importance of geographic diversity in venture capital valuations. They explore the art of deal sourcing, screening, and the dynamics of brand building within the VC landscape. The conversation also covers content strategy, comparing short-form and long-form approaches, and the challenges faced by emerging fund managers. Chris emphasizes the importance of cultivating relationships with LPs and building trust, wrapping up with closing thoughts on the episode's themes.

Matthew Bobrow: Nixon Peabody LLP

Joel Palathinkal delves into negotiation power for fund managers with Matthew Bobrow of Nixon Peabody LLP who shares his journey into private funds and experiences with major asset managers. They discuss trends in fund structures, capital allocation, and the intersection of private equity and venture capital. Key topics include liquidity demands, global diversification, and sector specialization. The guest offers advice on raising funds, stressing transparency, investor alignment, and LP feedback. They also explore industry focuses like cloud computing, biogenetics, and healthcare, concluding with insights on exit strategies, insurance, and the risks of using social media for fundraising.

Balaji Krishnan: Displace

Joel Palathinkal chats with Balaji about his journey from founding Snapstick to its acquisition by TiVo. Balaji delves into career transitions, CEO roles, and tech industry compensation, sharing lessons from Vinod Khosla and Larry Ellison. They discuss Snapstick's scaling, CES success, and investor relations. Balaji offers book recommendations, discusses valuations, and the value of advisory boards and mentorship. He shares insights on starting a new venture, overcoming challenges, and transitioning to a venture studio model. The episode wraps up with thoughts on future tech, wearables, and the venture studio approach.

Noah Friedman: Top Shelf Ventures

Joel Palathinkal chats with Noah Friedman about storytelling's influence on marketing and consumer behavior. Noah shares insights from his career and founding Top Shelf Ventures, focusing on people dynamics in business. They discuss whiskey trends, celebrity partnerships, and local craft beer appeal. Key topics include KPIs for beverage investments, health trends, and Ryan Reynolds' success with Aviation Gin. The episode also explores non-alcoholic beverages, THC, psychedelics, food science innovations, AI in healthcare, and alcohol industry regulations. Noah offers advice for emerging fund managers and shares final thoughts.

Ishaan Sachdev: Deciens Capital

Joel Palathinkal chats with Ishaan Sachdev about his journey from engineering to investing. Ishaan discusses his educational background, the role of technology in trading, and his experience with iPay's sale. They explore his time as a summer policy advisor, his move to PSG for growth equity, and founding Dessian's Capital. Ishaan offers advice on scaling a fund, including KPIs, strategies for subsequent funds, and building an institutional firm. The episode covers fund four strategies, nurturing LP relationships, and high conviction sourcing. They also discuss founder perseverance, pre-seed investment, and year-end fundraising strategies.

David Baeckelandt: Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management Americas, Inc

Joel Palathinkal chats with David Baeckelandt from Sumi Trust about Japan's investment scene, highlighting record-sized buyout funds. David shares his career insights and Sumi Trust's role, discussing Japanese investment trends and private market evolution. They explore entrepreneurial growth, legislative shifts, and leadership challenges in small firms. The conversation touches on the changing business approaches of Japan's next generation and their investment interests, especially in North America. The episode also covers hostile takeovers, US-Japan LPGP dynamics, and offers advice on market fit, engagement strategies, and cultural nuances for US managers entering Japan.

Bibash Mukhopadhai: Sound Bio Ventures

Joel Palathinkal welcomes Bibash Mukhopadhai to discuss the significance of market cycles in venture capital. Bibash shares his journey, highlighting the role of mentorship and the impact of his upbringing and education on his success. They delve into his early entrepreneurial experiences and transition to academia and venture investing. Bibash offers advice for PhD students, drawing parallels with venture capital, and shares insights from his time at NEA on raising capital. The conversation includes tips for new analysts and associates, fund differentiation strategies, and engaging LPs. They also discuss succession planning, compensation dynamics, GP stakes, and decision-making in venture capital. The episode concludes with closing remarks and appreciation.

Ananya Vasagiri - Schematic Ventures

Joel Palathinkal sits down with Ananya Vasagiri to discuss her journey into venture capital, beginning with her early exposure and experiences at UChicago. Ananya shares insights on skillsets vital for success in the field, drawing from her roles at Adams Street Partners and Schematic Ventures. The conversation covers the importance of emotional intelligence and niche focus in LP interactions, alongside strategies for diligence processes. Ananya offers advice for LPs and emerging fund managers, emphasizing the role of personal background in investment decisions. They explore trends in deep tech, industrial tech, and supply chain modernization, addressing user engagement, data privacy, and cybersecurity. The episode concludes with remarks on future plans.

Rex Salisbury: Cambrian VC

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.

Matt Roberts: CMD Capital

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.

Mary D'Souza: Family Office (Misha Investments)

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.

Devan Malhotra: Valhalla Ventures

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.

Samir Kumar: Touring Capital

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.

Russ Krivor: Sovereign Properties

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.

Mary Wheeler: BioRock Ventures

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.

Mike Ma: Sidecut Ventures

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.