Swimming with Allocators
Swimming with Allocators dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. In each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. Follow along and subscribe at swimmingwithallocators.com. See you later, Allocator!
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 44 minutes
- Episodes
- 73
- Years Active
- 2023 - 2025
Investment Strategies Through Cycles with Samir Kaji of Allocate
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Samir’s Background and Journey (0:31)
- Founding Allocate (1:09)
- Emerging Managers Focus (4:26)
- Market Cycles and Investment Strategies (8:11)
- Current Mar…
Building Europe’s First Tech-Focused Fund of Funds with Ertan Can of Multiple Capital
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Insider Segment: SVB’s Role in the Innovation Economy (1:14)
- Challenges for Emerging Managers (4:31)
- Global Innovation and Connectivity (6:15)
- SVB's Offe…
DDQ: OCIO Acquisitions, Family Office Co-Investments, and 2025 Predictions
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Reflections on Season 2 (0:45)
- Discussion on Industry Changes (2:18)
- Concerns Over Capital Allocation (6:05)
- Emerging Trends in Allocator Careers (8:18)
- C…
The Water Is Fine: Debunking Common Investment Fears
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Bob’s Background and the Best and Worst of Running a Coffee Shop (0:11)
- Transition to Nonprofit Work (1:59)
- Formative Experiences in Finance (3:47) …
Your Investor Path to Greatness
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- The Story of the Ford Foundation (1:05)
- Development of Mission Investment Criteria (4:08)
- Results of the Investment Strategy (7:21)
- Complexity of Impact …
The CIO Mindset Every VC Needs
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Sarah's Background and Career Journey (0:18)
- Importance of Capital Allocation (5:09)
- Investment Philosophy (8:30)
- Manager Selection Framework (9:41)
- Frame…
Adopting Marketing and Client Services Best Practices in Venture
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Christina's Accidental Career Path (0:51)
- Entry Into Hedge Funds (2:43)
- Storytelling in Venture Capital (3:22)
- Market Research Importance (5:54)
- Lessons f…
Do Most LPs Like Their Job? Featuring Grady Buchanan
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Grady Becoming a Limited Partner (0:52)
- Networking and Mentorship (3:14)
- Understanding LP Dynamics (5:29)
- Job Satisfaction Among LPs (9:03)
- Understanding …
Capitalizing on Counter-Cyclical Valuations in Venture
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Darren's Background and Career Journey (1:09)
- Thesis on Private Markets (5:11)
- History and Focus of Provenio Capital (6:42)
- Investment Structuring for Cl…
The “Approachable LP” Investing on Behalf of 120 Families
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Sean’s Background and Journey in VC (1:07)
- First Deal Learning Experience (3:22)
- Conviction in Allocating (5:08)
- User-Friendly LP Approach (7:35)
- Openness…
Turning Around a Pension Fund with a Modern Venture Strategy
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Anurag’s Background and Experiences in VC (1:05)
- Understanding Venture Capital Dynamics (2:26)
- The Importance of Transparency (5:33)
- Expectations of Retu…
The Remaining Massive Opportunities in Fintech with PayPal’s Lisha Bell
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Lisha's Background and Journey in VC (1:44)
- Inspiration for Equity Charge (2:38)
- Angel Investing Data (4:36)
- Access to Venture Capital (6:02)
- Role of LP I…
Election 2024: What Tech Investors Are Missing When It Comes to Regulatory Risks and Rewards
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Bradley's Background and Journey in Politics and VC (1:08)
- Regulatory Challenges in VC (3:18)
- Understanding Political Dynamics (4:18)
- Investment Strategi…
Fundraising from Family Offices and Maximizing Those Relationships with Malcolm Robinson
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Malcolm’s Background and Experience (0:10)
- Experience as an Allocator (2:43)
- LP Perspective on Investment Risks (4:07)
- Advantages of Smaller Check Writer…
30 Years of Lessons Learned Investing in Emerging Managers with Aakar Vachhani
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Aakar's Career Journey (1:27)
- Evolution of Fairview's Investment Strategy (2:56)
- Impact of the Great Recession (3:06)
- Fairview's Investment Activities (5…
How MetLife Won Allocation in Top GPs with Matt Curtolo
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Matt’s Background and Experience in VC (0:10)
- Challenges in Venture Capital Allocations (2:20)
- Understanding the Allocator's Perspective (4:32)
- Technolog…
How Screendoor Underwrites First-Time Fund Managers with Lisa Cawley
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Lisa's LP Career Journey (1:05)
- Changes in the Venture Capital Landscape (4:21)
- Introduction to Screendoor (6:16)
- GP Advisory Services Explained (8:47)
- Po…
Foundry's Approach to Investing in Early-Stage VC Funds with Jaclyn Freeman Hester
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Jaclyn’s Background and Journey in VC (0:50)
- Early Experiences in Venture Capital (1:55)
- Finding Edge in Venture Investing (5:16)
- Decision to Institution…
A Novel Solution for LPs to Access Emerging GPs Biggest Winners with Sunil Pai
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Sunil’s background in venture capital (0:11)
- First Contact with DFG (2:07)
- Transition to AngelList (5:02)
- Insights Leading to the Collective (6:57)
- Shifts…
Today’s Opportunities and Landscape in Canadian Venture Capital
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- John’s journey from operator to allocator (0:49)
- Misalignment in the Market (3:30)
- RBCx’s Venture Capital Approach (5:40)
- Key Insights on Fund Investing …