Swimming with Allocators
Episodes
The Allocator’s Checklist: How LPs Size Up Managers
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Charlotte Zhang, Senior Portfolio Manager at Inatai Foundation. Charlotte shares her ...
Power Laws, Secondaries, and Staying Consistent: StepStone’s VC Framework
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa chat with Anthony Giambrone, Partner at StepStone Group. Anthony shares his unconventional pa...
DDQ: Founders, Fraud & ‘Fake It Till You Make It’
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, it’s time for another discuss, debate, and question (DDQ) episode as Earnest and Alexa riff on founders behav...
How to Separate Yourself When Everyone Has the Same Deck
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Zach Ruchman, Shareholder & Managing Director, Private Investments at HB Wealth. Zach...
Built for Venture: Problem-Solving Meets People Work
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Marcia Mitchell joins Earnest and Alexa to trace her path from FF Venture Capital to New York Ventures and now ...
The New Rules of Venture: What Next-Gen LPs Should Know First
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Iliana Oris Valiente, a F500 corporate executive, independent LP, and founder of t...
Inside VenCap’s Data-Driven Playbook for Venture Returns
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome David Clark, CIO at Vencap, who unpacks the realities of venture capital, emphasizing...
SWA’s Best of 2025 (Part 2)
31 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest wraps up the “Best of” moments of the year for the podcast. These moments feature insightful conver...
SWA’s Best of 2025 (Part 1)
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, it’s a bonus episode as Earnest talks about the "Best of Season Three" on the show, highlighting memorable mo...
From Consumer Insights to AI Upside: How LPs Win in the Next Decade
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Elizabeth Egan of TIFF Investment Management shares her journey through the investment industry, offering insig...
Rethinking Fundraising: What LPs Really Value
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Apurva Mehta, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Summit Peak Investments, joins Earnest and Alexa to share his ...
The Venture Compass: Authenticity, AI, and the Power of Congruence
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Jay Rongjie Wang, Founder and CEO of Primitiva Global, shares her journey from her pioneering upbringing shaped...
DDQ: Due Diligence, Debate, and Differentiation: A Deep Dive into Today’s Venture Landscape with Earnest Sweat and Alexa Binns
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, it’s time for another discuss, debate, and question episode as Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat dive into the ev...
Compounding Capital Across Cycles: A Masterclass in Venture Allocation
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Vivek Jindal, CIO at Caprock, shares his journey from risk manager to leading allocator, offering valuable insi...
Simple, Not Easy: The Mindset Behind Sustainable Wealth
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Peter Lazaroff, Chief Investment Officer at PlanCorp, joins Earnest and Alexa to discuss his cautious approach ...
Navigating the Supercluster: Finding Signal in Venture’s Noise
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, David Zhou, Founder of the Superclusters podcast and seasoned investor, joins Alexa and Earnest to discuss the ...
The Human Side of Venture: Lessons from a Pastor-Turned-LP
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Benedikt Langer, pastor turned family office investor and creator of “Embracing Emergence,” shares his jour...
The Future Starts Small: Why Emerging Managers Drive Venture Returns
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Michael Downing, serial entrepreneur and venture investor, shares his journey from founding startups to buildin...
Patient Capital, Bold Bets: Constructing a Venture Book That Works
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Joshua Berkowitz of Berkocorp joins Earnest and Alexa to share his journey transitioning his family office from...
Profit With Purpose: Capricorn’s Playbook for GP Stakes & Impact
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Michaela’s Career Journey and Entry into Impact Investing (1:06) Lessons from Early Impact Exp...
Access, Conviction, Returns: Inside A Top Level Venture Playbook
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Aram Verdiyan, partner at Accolade Partners. Aram shares his journey into venture cap...
Allocating in an AI Era: The Endowment Model Explained
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Lara Banks, Managing Director at Makena Capital Management. Lara shares her journey f...
DDQ: Is Trying to Differentiate Just Dumb?
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, it’s time for another debate, discuss, and question episode as Earnest and Alexa dive into the complexities o...
Cycles, Convergence, and Capital: Investing Wisdom from Six Continents
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Vishnu Amble, Founding Director, Trustee, and Investment Committee Member at GreenBea...
Backing the Next Generation: GP Seeding and Co-Investment Insights
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Jason Howard, Founder and Managing Partner of New Catalyst Strategic Partners. Jason ...
Concentration Over Diversification: A New Era for Crypto Fund-of-Funds
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Diego De Colombres, founding general partner of Dissent Capital. Diego shares his jou...
How to Think Like a CIO: Strategy, Structure, and Staying Power
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Brian O'Neil, a veteran CIO with over four decades of investment experience, who prov...
How Institutional Investors Think and What Emerging Managers Must Know
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Wendy’s Origin Story and Entry into Allocator World (1:17) Early Lessons as an Allocator (3:59...
Finding the North Star: The Balance Between Strategy and Returns
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Jon Wolkin, Managing Director of Deloitte Ventures. Jon shares his journey from inves...
You Can Do Both: Investing for Mission and Performance
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Quincy Brown, Managing Director at FEG Investment Advisors. With 29 years of experien...
Inside LTV Capital’s Playbook for Backing Atypical Venture Managers
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Farhan Lalji and Dario de Wet, Co-Founders of LTV Capital. During the conversation, F...
The Creative Investor: Navigating Tech, Defense, and Deep Tech Investments
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa sit down with Clare McLaughlin, Partner at TLI Bedrock. Clare shares her unexpected path from...
Investing Beyond the Coastal Elites
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Brian Brackeen, Managing Partner at Lightship Capital. Brian shares his unconventiona...
Venture Capital's Next Wave: Strategies for Emerging Fund Managers
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Evan Finkel and Charlotte Palmer from Integra Global Advisors. Evan and Charlotte dis...
DDQ: IPOs, AGMs and Hamilton Lane’s New Venture Fund
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Current IPO Drought Discussion (1:12) Assessing Venture Capital Allocations (4:01) AGM Season I...
Investing Against the Grain
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Introduction of Guests (0:13) Raudline’s Journey to Allocator (1:18) Kevin's Non-Traditional ...
Beyond the Game: Leading Family Offices of Professional Athletes
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Justin's Journey into Finance (1:11) Changes in Investment Management (4:59) Institutionalizati...
The Untapped Potential of Corporate Venture Capital in Canada with Paula Cruickshank of BDC Capital
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Differences Between Canada and the US (1:17) Canadian Ecosystem Growth (3:32) LP Network Compos...
Is the Future of Venture Capital in the Hands of Emerging Managers? Featuring Laura Thompson of Sapphire Partners and OpenLP
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Laura's Journey to Allocator (1:05) Differentiators of Sapphire Partners (6:35) Advice for New ...
The Secret Sauce of Allocating: Endurance is Key with Lockwood Holmes of Vincimus Capital
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Lockwood's Background and Journey (0:46) Vincimus Capital Overview (2:09) Democratization of Pr...
Investing for Justice: How Capital Drives Change with Ian Fuller of Westfuller Advisors
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Ian’s Journey in Wealth Management (0:41) Founding Westfuller Advisors (5:05) Challenges in E...
Capital Formation Secrets: Unlocking the Power Law in Venture Capital with Meghan Reynolds of Altimeter Capital
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Meghan's Background and Journey (1:18) Capital Formation Insights (7:39) Lessons from Goldman S...
Investment Strategies Through Cycles with Samir Kaji of Allocate
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Samir’s Background and Journey (0:31) Founding Allocate (1:09) Emerging Managers Focus ...
Building Europe’s First Tech-Focused Fund of Funds with Ertan Can of Multiple Capital
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Insider Segment: SVB’s Role in the Innovation Economy (1:14) Challenges for Emerging Managers ...
DDQ: OCIO Acquisitions, Family Office Co-Investments, and 2025 Predictions
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Reflections on Season 2 (0:45) Discussion on Industry Changes (2:18) Concerns Over Capital Allo...
The Water Is Fine: Debunking Common Investment Fears
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Bob’s Background and the Best and Worst of Running a Coffee Shop (0:11) Transition to Nonp...
Your Investor Path to Greatness
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: The Story of the Ford Foundation (1:05) Development of Mission Investment Criteria (4:08) Resul...
The CIO Mindset Every VC Needs
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Sarah's Background and Career Journey (0:18) Importance of Capital Allocation (5:09) Investment...
Adopting Marketing and Client Services Best Practices in Venture
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Christina's Accidental Career Path (0:51) Entry Into Hedge Funds (2:43) Storytelling in Venture...
Do Most LPs Like Their Job? Featuring Grady Buchanan
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Grady Becoming a Limited Partner (0:52) Networking and Mentorship (3:14) Understanding LP Dynam...
Capitalizing on Counter-Cyclical Valuations in Venture
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Darren's Background and Career Journey (1:09) Thesis on Private Markets (5:11) History and Focu...
The “Approachable LP” Investing on Behalf of 120 Families
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Sean’s Background and Journey in VC (1:07) First Deal Learning Experience (3:22) Conviction i...
Turning Around a Pension Fund with a Modern Venture Strategy
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Anurag’s Background and Experiences in VC (1:05) Understanding Venture Capital Dynamics (2:26)...
The Remaining Massive Opportunities in Fintech with PayPal’s Lisha Bell
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Lisha's Background and Journey in VC (1:44) Inspiration for Equity Charge (2:38) Angel Investin...
Election 2024: What Tech Investors Are Missing When It Comes to Regulatory Risks and Rewards
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Bradley's Background and Journey in Politics and VC (1:08) Regulatory Challenges in VC (3:18) U...
Fundraising from Family Offices and Maximizing Those Relationships with Malcolm Robinson
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Malcolm’s Background and Experience (0:10) Experience as an Allocator (2:43) LP Perspective o...
30 Years of Lessons Learned Investing in Emerging Managers with Aakar Vachhani
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Aakar's Career Journey (1:27) Evolution of Fairview's Investment Strategy (2:56) Impact of the ...
How MetLife Won Allocation in Top GPs with Matt Curtolo
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Matt’s Background and Experience in VC (0:10) Challenges in Venture Capital Allocations (2:20)...
How Screendoor Underwrites First-Time Fund Managers with Lisa Cawley
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Lisa's LP Career Journey (1:05) Changes in the Venture Capital Landscape (4:21) Introduction to...
Foundry's Approach to Investing in Early-Stage VC Funds with Jaclyn Freeman Hester
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Jaclyn’s Background and Journey in VC (0:50) Early Experiences in Venture Capital (1:55) Find...
A Novel Solution for LPs to Access Emerging GPs Biggest Winners with Sunil Pai
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Sunil’s background in venture capital (0:11) First Contact with DFG (2:07) Transition to Ange...
Today’s Opportunities and Landscape in Canadian Venture Capital
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: John’s journey from operator to allocator (0:49) Misalignment in the Market (3:30) RBCx’s V...
Building Relationships with Asian Limited Partners with Chris Shen of Revere VC
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Chris Shen's Background and LP Career Journey (0:52) US-China Geopolitics, History, and MacroEco...
Opportunities in Today’s Secondary Market with Christopher Johnson of Knightsbridge Advisers
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Christopher’s Background and Journey in Venture (0:13) Venture Capital as a Place of Hope (4:3...
DDQ: Megafunds Are Back; Adjusting Your LP and VC Strategy Accordingly with Earnest Sweat and Alexa Binns
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: The Series A Crunch (0:59) Concentration of LP Capital in Mega Funds (4:22) Partnership Questio...
Venture Capital for the State of California with Derrick Tang of IBank California
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Derrick’s background in venture capital (0:19) Transition to public sector (2:27) The Governm...
Starting a Public Venture Program from Scratch with Peter Teneriello
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Peter’s background and journey Into finance (0:58) Strategy of Institutional LPs (2:30) Bandw...
Impact Investing: Past, Present, and Future with Margot Kane of Spring Point Partners
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: The Growth and Evolution of Impact Investing (0:47) Misconceptions about Impact Investing (3:34)...
QED Chronicles: Lessons Learned from a Top VC for Selecting New Managers with Alex Edelson
29 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Alex's experience as a VC turned LP (0:51) Insights into evaluating smaller funds (2:20) Charac...
Expanding Your Investment Strategy to Include Venture Capital with Kate Nevin
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: The Origin Story of TSWII (1:04) Kate entering the finance industry (6:07) Family dynamics and ...
The Strategy for Selecting Top Co-Investments as a Limited Partner with Josh Porter
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: The LA venture ecosystem (0:43) Unique investment opportunities in LA (3:54) Leveraging enterta...
How Should Fund Managers Approach Pension Plans in Private Market Investing? Featuring Edward Comerford
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Edward and Earnest’s Basketball Memories (0:47) The importance of pension investments (5:42) ...
Private Detective to Private Investments: Life Lessons from Caprock’s Chris Schelling
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Chris’ background and expertise in private market investments (0:12) Challenges of Venture C...
Continuous Improvement: How to 10x Your LP and VC Processes with Jason Calacanis
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Jason’s background as an LP (0:27) Learning as an LP (3:00) Deal Flow and Decision Making (4:...
Start, Bench, or Cut: Which Emerging Manager Archetype Do You Want on Your Team?
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Themes from Allocators (1:29) Opportunities and Market Trends (5:49) Debate on Venture Returns ...
Eric Sippel the Emerging Manager Mentor: Guidance from the Family Office Investor on Twelve LPACs
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Eric’s background in venture and investing (0:02) Lessons from a Bottom Decile Experience (2:2...
The Deck Deluge: Boris Wertz’s Journey Through 200 Decks from Emerging Managers Raising Today
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Boris’ Reasoning for Investing in Emerging Managers (0:57) Wrong Reasons for VC Investment in ...
Why Invest in Early-Stage Key-Node VCs with Frank Tanner
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: The Venture Landscape (0:23) Investing in Venture (3:18) The Evolution of Venture (5:16) Rise ...
How Company Creation Funds Outperform Traditional Venture Capital with Sarah Anderson
28 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Sarah's background in innovation and corporate partnerships (1:02) Challenges with Corporate Par...
From the Other Side: What Sapphire Partners Wishes More VC Managers Knew Featuring Nate Leung
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Nate’s background and journey in VC (0:46) Sapphire’s Approach (1:36) Emerging Managers Pro...
Translating Silicon Valley Venture for Brazilian Multifamily Offices with Avanish Sahai
14 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Avanish’s background and experience in venture (1:16) Diligence and Relationship Building (3:2...
Venture Capital: Build a Profitable VC Position through a Correction Featuring David York of Top Tier Capital Partners
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: David’s background and journey to founding Top Tier (1:38) Confidence in Fund to Fund Strategy...
The Case for LP Allocation and GP Conviction in Venture with Sam Sadowsky
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Sam’s journey into VC (1:33) Underwriting for financials and human beings (4:04) Value add an...
Strategies for Overcoming Bias in Asset Management with Daryn Dodson of Illumen Capital
24 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Illumen Capital's Approach (0:48) Research on Biases in Investment Process (1:23) Influence of ...
The Future of Funding: Outlining the Female VC Advantage with Renata Aráuz-DeStefano of Pivotal Ventures
17 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Renata’s journey into investing (1:21) Impact of Previous Experiences on Renata's Role (4:22) ...
DDQ: Discuss, Debate & Question VC Predictions for 2024 with Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat
10 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Discussing the Changes in 2023 and Lessons Learned (0:02) Mapping LP Slots and Strategic Time Sp...
Beyond the Hype: Inside the Realities and Opportunities in Venture with Chris Douvos
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Chris’ Journey to VC (1:49) The Vision for Micro VC (4:50) Perspective on Finding Good Firms ...
Investing Ahead of the Curve: Wisdom from a Futurist with Roxane Googin
27 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: The Ten Year Treasury and its Role in Booms (1:51) The End of an Era and the Impact of COVID-19 ...
Mastering Venture Capital in Public Pensions with Tony Meadows
20 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Tony's background and entry into institutional investing (1:26) Approaching co-investments and t...
Three Key Criteria for Evaluating Venture Capital Managers: Decision-Making, Specialization, and Operations with Michael Ashley Schulman of Running Point Capital
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: The origin story of Running Point Capital (1:11) Transition from public stocks to venture (4:30)...
How Nomad's Thinking Has Changed in Manager Selection with Jordan Nel of Hummingbird Ventures
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: The background for Hummingbird and Nomad (1:10) How to identify outlier venture funds (3:30) Th...
The Overlooked Alpha in This Next Decade of Venture with Claude Grunitzky and Adrienne Rees of The Equity Alliance
29 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: The Equity Alliance Origin Story (2:22) Starting with a Proof of Concept Fund (4:41) Investment...
How 2023 Has Reshaped the Landscape for VC Firms with Winter Mead of Coolwater Capital
22 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: The journey in institutional investments (2:04) Perspectives on Venture Captial (3:50) Becoming...
Investing in Change: Making the Case for Investing in Venture Capital Featuring Alifia Doriwala of RockCreek
15 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from this week’s conversation include: The importance of outsourced CIO services (0:24) Common mistakes fund managers make when fundrai...
Welcome to Swimming with Allocators!
23 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Swimming with Allocators dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sw...