How I Invest with David Weisburd

Latest Episodes:

E423: Castelion CEO on Elon Musk, Hypersonic Missiles & the Future of Defense Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

David sits down with Bryon Hargis, co-founder of Castelion, to unpack why rebuilding America’s defense manufacturing capacity has become a national security imperative. Bryon explains why decades of consolidation and outsourcing weakened the defense industrial base, why America could struggle against an adversary with significantly greater manufacturing capacity, and why Castelion is betting that deterrence ultimately requires weapons that can be produced affordably by the thousands.

Highlights:

Why America’s defense problem is increasingly a manufacturing problem.
How the defense industry’s “Last Supper” reshaped the industrial base.
What Bryon learned about speed and iteration at SpaceX.
Why “the best part is no part” is more than an Elon Musk catchphrase.
Why Castelion combines product and sales instead of separating them.
How mission-driven hiring helps protect culture as a startup scales.
Why Bryon left SpaceX even when defense hardware was considered nearly uninvestable.
How Castelion survived almost 100 VC rejections.
Why one major investor can completely change a startup’s access to capital.
Inside Castelion’s plan to manufacture hypersonic weapons at massive scale.

Guest Bio:

Bryon Hargis is the co-founder of Castelion, a defense technology company focused on developing and manufacturing advanced hypersonic weapon systems in the United States. Before founding Castelion, Bryon worked at SpaceX, including on the Starshield program and in government satellite sales. His work focused on applying SpaceX capabilities to national security problems, an experience that helped shape Castelion’s hardware-first and customer-driven approach.

Are you interested in sponsoring the How I Invest Podcast? Please email David Weisburd at david@weisburdcapital.com.

We’d like to thank AlphaSense for sponsoring this episode!

Sponsor:

AlphaSense is the AI-powered market intelligence platform trusted by 85% of the S&P 100, helping investment professionals make faster, more confident, data-driven decisions. Built for hedge funds, asset allocators, private venture capital firms, and investment bankers, AlphaSense uses advanced AI and powerful search across premium proprietary content to surface the insights that matter most—before the market moves. Elevate your research and stay ahead of the competition. Visit https://www.alpha-sense.com/howiinvest/ to learn more.

Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

X/Twitter: @dweisburd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd/ Weisburd Pierce: https://www.weisburdpierce.com/

Stay Connected with Bryon Hargis:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hargsb/

Questions or topics you want us to discuss on How I Invest? Email us at david@weisburdcapital.com.

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. Nothing in this episode should be interpreted as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to participate in any investment strategy. All opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the views of Weisburd Pierce. Participants may hold positions or have financial interests in the companies, funds, or investments discussed. Any references to specific investments are for illustrative purposes only. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of capital. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Any third-party data or opinions have not been independently verified. Listeners should conduct their own research and consult their own advisors before making any investment decisions.

(0:00) Why America Needs Hypersonic Missiles (3:00) How Defense Manufacturing Lost Its Edge (5:30) What SpaceX Taught Bryon About Building Hardware (10:00) Why Product and Sales Should Be the Same Team (15:30) The Traits Bryon Looks for When Hiring (20:00) SpaceX’s Responsible Engineer Culture (25:00) Why Aerospace Became Too Risk-Averse (30:00) The Danger of Too Much Process (37:00) Nearly 100 VC Rejections to $1B (44:00) Building Hypersonic Missiles at Massive Scale

E422: Founding CIO of Berkeley Endowment on Track Records, Contrarian Investing & First-Time Funds Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Why do so many GPs misunderstand what institutional LPs actually care about? David sits down with John-Austin Saviano, an Backing & Building Challenger Investment Firms and Former Endowment CIO, argues that one of the biggest mistakes GPs make is overemphasizing track record. Great LPs care less about the headline returns than how those returns were generated. They want to understand the investment process, whether it is repeatable, and whether the people and market conditions that produced past performance still exist today.

Highlights:

Why track record is less predictive than most GPs believe.
What LPs actually want to understand about an investment firm.
How great allocators separate good decisions from good outcomes.
Why being different is necessary to generate differentiated returns.
What investors misunderstood about David Swensen’s endowment model.
Why Fund I may actually be more knowable than Fund XIV.
How challenger firms become the R&D of an institutional portfolio.
The hunt, farm, and fish framework for raising institutional capital.

Guest Bio:

John-Austin Saviano is Backing & Building Challenger Investment Firms and Former Endowment CIO. Over more than 20 years as an institutional allocator, he helped launch two ten-figure endowments, served as the founding CIO of UC Berkeley’s endowment, was part of the founding investment team at the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation, and worked on the private capital team at Cambridge Associates. Today, he draws on his experience backing dozens of challenger firms and reviewing billions of dollars of fund commitments to help investment firm founders navigate fundraising, firm building, and the transition from talented investor to enduring investment organization.

Are you interested in sponsoring the How I Invest Podcast? Please email David Weisburd at david@weisburdcapital.com.

We’d like to thank AlphaSense for sponsoring this episode!

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-austin-saviano/

Questions or topics you want us to discuss on How I Invest? Email us at david@weisburdcapital.com.

Disclaimer:

(0:00) Why Track Record Is Overrated (8:20) Why Private Markets Got So Much Harder (18:22) What the Best Fund Managers Have in Common (25:08) The Danger of a Great Track Record (29:51) What Everyone Got Wrong About the Yale Model (36:34) Why First-Time Funds May Be Less Risky (43:18) How a Former CIO Would Build an Endowment Today (47:50) The Mistake That Kills Most GP Pitches (56:27) The Fundraising Strategy Most GPs Ignore

E421: Jack Purcell — Building an $11B Private Equity Firm Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

What if the biggest edge in private equity isn’t finding better deals, but designing better incentives? In this episode, I sit down with Jack Purcell, Managing Partner at Ridgemont Equity Partners, to unpack how alignment helped turn a Bank of America spinout with fewer than 15 people into a private equity firm managing more than $11 billion. Jack explains why Ridgemont invests significant GP capital alongside its LPs, why more than two-thirds of the team participates economically in its funds, and how a nine-person unanimous investment committee uses a proprietary 40-point scorecard to evaluate deals.

Highlights:

Why traditional GP economics can create the wrong incentives.
How Ridgemont grew from fewer than 15 people to nearly 70.
Why more than two-thirds of the team invests in the funds and participates in carry.
The nine-person investment committee where every member has a veto.
Why Ridgemont spends an average of three years with companies before investing.
How one founder relationship took 10.5 years before becoming an investment.
Why Ridgemont generated more than $2 of DPI for every $1 generated by the industry in recent years.
How a $4 billion Fund V stays focused on three core sectors instead of chasing novelty.
Why Jack personally visits every institutional investor partner each year.
The lesson Jack learned from being too conservative after the Global Financial Crisis.

Guest Bio:

Jack Purcell is Managing Partner at Ridgemont Equity Partners, where he helps lead the firm and focuses on investments across business and technology services and industrial growth. Ridgemont traces its history to 1993 and has managed third-party institutional capital since its 2010 spinout from Bank of America.

Are you interested in sponsoring the How I Invest Podcast? Please email David Weisburd at david@weisburdcapital.com.

We’d like to thank AlphaSense for sponsoring this episode!

Sponsor:

Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

X/Twitter: @dweisburd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd/ Weisburd Pierce: https://www.weisburdcapital.com/

Stay Connected with Jack Purcell:

Website: https://www.ridgemontep.com/team/jack-purcell/

Questions or topics you want us to discuss on How I Invest? Email us at david@weisburdcapital.com.

Disclaimer:

(0:00) Why Incentives Matter More Than Great Investments (3:25) How Ridgemont Built an $11B Private Equity Firm (7:57) Why Most Firms Get Succession Wrong (12:29) The Incentive Model Most PE Firms Won’t Copy (17:50) Why Ridgemont Waits Years Before Investing (24:22) The Hidden Advantage That Wins Competitive Deals (30:58) The Communication Mistake GPs Make in a Crisis (34:21) Why Chasing the Hottest Sector Usually Backfires (38:48) Inside a Nine-Person Investment Committee With Veto Power (45:43) The Investing Mistake Jack Would Fix From 2010

E420: Why Infrastructure Is a $40 Trillion Opportunity Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

What if the biggest AI investment opportunity isn’t AI companies, but the infrastructure required to make AI possible? David sits down with Stuart Waugh, Managing Partner of Northleaf Capital Partners, to explore why the AI boom is creating massive demand for power, data centers, communications networks, and other essential infrastructure. Stuart explains why Northleaf estimates roughly $40 trillion of infrastructure investment will be needed across its addressable markets over the next decade, and why governments increasingly need private capital to help fund it.

Highlights:

Why AI’s biggest bottleneck may be infrastructure, not computing.
The investment opportunity behind AI’s enormous demand for power.
Why Northleaf sees roughly $40 trillion of addressable infrastructure investment.
How infrastructure can provide long-term cash flows, inflation protection, and lower correlation.
Why the middle market becomes more attractive as mega-funds get bigger.
How secondaries became a mainstream portfolio management tool.
Why relationships and proprietary information still create an edge in secondaries.
How institutional investors are approaching today’s private credit uncertainty.
Why Stuart believes “boring” can be an investing advantage.
The lessons behind scaling Northleaf from five people to more than 300.

Guest Bio:

Stuart Waugh is the Managing Partner of Northleaf Capital Partners and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. He oversees the direction and development of Northleaf’s private markets investment strategies and fund management capabilities and chairs its Investment Committees. Stuart joined Northleaf’s predecessor, TD Capital, in 2002. Earlier in his career, he worked at McKinsey & Company, BPI Financial Corporation, and McCarthy Tétrault. He holds a B.A. from Trinity College at the University of Toronto and an LL.B. from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law.

Are you interested in sponsoring the How I Invest Podcast? Please email David Weisburd at david@weisburdcapital.com.

We’d like to thank AlphaSense for sponsoring this episode!

Sponsor:

Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

X/Twitter: @dweisburd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd/ Weisburd Pierce: https://www.weisburdpierce.com/

Stay Connected with Stuart Waugh:

Website:https://www.northleafcapital.com/person/stuart-waugh

Questions or topics you want us to discuss on How I Invest? Email us at david@weisburdcapital.com.

Disclaimer:

(0:00) Why AI’s Biggest Opportunity Isn’t AI (8:56) The $40 Trillion Infrastructure Opportunity (15:36) Why Deglobalization Could Make Infrastructure More Valuable (23:18) Why the Traditional 60/40 Portfolio Is Disappearing (27:54) The Private Markets Liquidity Engine Most Investors Miss (33:14) The Hidden Advantage in Buying Secondaries (42:47) Is the Private Credit Fear Creating a Buying Opportunity? (50:08) What Most GPs Get Wrong About Their LPs (56:14) Why “Boring” May Be the Best Investment Strategy

E419: Venture Capital Has a Liquidity Crisis Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

Venture capital was designed around a relatively simple model: invest in a startup, help it grow, and eventually exit through an acquisition or IPO. David sits down with Benjamin Black Powerlaw Corp. (Nasdaq: PWRL), Akkadian Ventures, Ben invests in growth-stage technology companies while providing alternative liquidity to founders, employees, angel investors, and venture funds. In this episode, Ben and David unpack the evolution of the venture secondary market, why great companies staying private longer creates an entirely different opportunity set, how sophisticated investors price illiquid private-company shares, and why liquidity itself is becoming a critical piece of venture capital infrastructure. The result is a different way to think about private markets: the investment opportunity doesn't end after the primary financing round.

Highlights:

Why venture secondaries have become a major private-market opportunity
What happens when great companies stay private for much longer
How Akkadian approaches growth-stage technology investing
Why founders and employees increasingly need pre-IPO liquidity
How investors price private-company secondary transactions
The difference between primary and secondary venture investing
Why venture funds themselves can become secondary sellers
How liquidity can strengthen rather than weaken a cap table

Guest Bio:

Benjamin Black Powerlaw Corp. (Nasdaq: PWRL), Akkadian Ventures, an investment firm focused on growth-stage technology companies and private-company secondary transactions.

Akkadian provides alternative liquidity solutions for entrepreneurs, employees, angel investors, and venture capital funds, giving Ben a distinctive perspective at the intersection of venture capital, growth investing, and the rapidly evolving private secondary market.

Are you interested in sponsoring the How I Invest Podcast? Please email David Weisburd at david@weisburdcapital.com.

We’d like to thank AlphaSense for sponsoring this episode!

Sponsor:

Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

X/Twitter: @dweisburd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd/ Weisburd Pierce: https://www.weisburdcapital.com/

Stay Connected with Ben Black:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benblack/

Questions or topics you want us to discuss on How I Invest? Email us at david@weisburdcapital.com.

Disclaimer:

(0:00) Why Venture Capital Is Finally Going Public (7:51) Why the 10-Year VC Fund Model Is Broken (11:41) Why Late-Stage Secondaries Are Getting Overcrowded (14:47) The Information Advantage in Private Markets (17:01) Why Ben Black Built a Public Venture Fund (22:38) What He Learned After Taking Venture Capital Public (26:52) Who Is Actually Investing in Public Venture Funds? (31:49) Why Startups Are Warming Up to Public VC Funds (38:17) How to Get Access to the Hottest Private Companies

E418: AI, Venture Capital & the Future of Investing Aug 19, 2026

Show notes

Most venture firms think AI is another productivity tool. David sits down with John Melas-Kyriazi co-founder and CEO of Standard Metrics—the AI-native portfolio management platform used by leading venture capital and private equity firms—to discuss how AI is transforming every stage of investing, from sourcing and diligence to portfolio management, follow-on decisions, and firm operations. John explains why the best venture firms are becoming AI-native organizations, how investors are using large language models today, why every investment memo should be "red teamed" by AI, the rise of MCPs, when firms should build software versus buy it, what Standard Metrics is seeing across more than 12,000 portfolio companies, and why human judgment will become even more valuable as AI automates everything else.

Highlights:

How AI is changing every stage of venture investing.
The AI workflows top VC firms already use every day.
Why every investment memo should be "red teamed."
MCPs explained and why they'll reshape enterprise software.
Build vs. buy: what VC firms should develop internally.
The surprising data behind today's fastest-growing AI companies.
Why judgment—not research—becomes the scarce resource.
How Standard Metrics analyzes thousands of private companies.
Hiring lessons from building an AI-native company.
Why culture matters more than tools in the AI era.

Guest Bio:

John Melas-Kyriazi is the co-founder and CEO of Standard Metrics, an AI-powered portfolio management platform trusted by many of the world's leading venture capital and private equity firms. Before founding Standard Metrics, he was an investor at Spark Capital and previously worked as a research scientist at Stanford University. Today, he works with thousands of investors and portfolio companies, giving him a unique perspective on how AI is transforming the future of venture capital.

Are you interested in sponsoring the How I Invest Podcast? Please email David Weisburd at david@weisburdcapital.com.

We’d like to thank AlphaSense for sponsoring this episode!

Sponsor:

Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

X/Twitter: @dweisburd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd/ Weisburd Pierce: https://www.weisburdcapital.com/

Stay Connected with John Melas-Kyriazi:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmk/

Questions or topics you want us to discuss on How I Invest? Email us at david@weisburdcapital.com.

Disclaimer:

(0:00) Why AI Will Transform Venture Capital (8:04) The AI Workflows Top VC Firms Use Today (18:31) Build vs. Buy: Where AI Should Replace Software (30:15) What Actually Creates Alpha in the AI Era (43:11) Why the Best Investors Double Down on Winners (53:02) The Future of AI-Native Services Businesses

E417: $20B Investor on Risk, Uncertainty & Adaptability Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

Most investors spend their careers trying to eliminate risk. David sits down with Alec Litowitz the founder of Qstar Capital, founder and former CEO of Magnetar Capital, and one of Citadel's earliest partners to explore the difference between risk and uncertainty, why adaptability is becoming the world's most valuable skill, how elite investors make decisions when there is no model to follow, and the cultural principles behind building one of the world's leading hedge funds. Alec also shares lessons from building Magnetar, working alongside Ken Griffin during Citadel's early years, hiring exceptional talent, creating organizations that continuously learn, why ego destroys great investing, and the core ideas behind his upcoming book The Adaptability Quotient.

Highlights:

Why uncertainty creates bigger opportunities than risk.
The investing framework that built Magnetar Capital.
Lessons from working with Ken Griffin during Citadel's early years.
Why adaptability matters more than IQ in the AI era.
How elite investors update their beliefs without ego.
Building organizations that learn faster than competitors.
Why the best decision-makers embrace feedback loops.
How to identify uncertainty that can actually be resolved.
The hidden cost of certainty in investing and business.
Why great investors think in systems, not predictions.

Guest Bio:

Alec Litowitz is the founder of Qstar Capital and founder and former CEO of Magnetar Capital, one of the world's leading alternative asset managers. Previously, he was one of the four original partners at Citadel Investment Group, where he led Global Equities. He is the author of the forthcoming book The Adaptability Quotient, which argues that adaptability—not IQ or EQ—will become the defining competitive advantage in an increasingly uncertain world. He also founded Magnetar Academy, serves on multiple educational initiatives, and holds degrees from MIT and the University of Chicago.

Are you interested in sponsoring the How I Invest Podcast? Please email David Weisburd at david@weisburdcapital.com.

We’d like to thank AlphaSense for sponsoring this episode!

Sponsor:

Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

X/Twitter: @dweisburd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd/ Weisburd Pierce: https://www.weisburdpierce.com/

Stay Connected with Alec Litowitz:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleclitowitz/ Book: https://www.theaqbook.com/

Questions or topics you want us to discuss on How I Invest? Email us at david@weisburdcapital.com.

Disclaimer:

(0:00) Why Most Investors Misunderstand Risk (6:58) How to Profit From Uncertainty Before Everyone Else (15:04) The Adaptability Mindset That Built Magnetar (24:36) Why Great Investors Change Their Minds Faster (34:02) Building a Culture of Excellence Without Ego (44:21) The Hiring Traits That Matter More Than IQ (54:47) Can You Teach Drive or Is It Innate?

E416: Ares Investor on Data Centers, Investing Moats & Lessons Learned Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

Why do the largest investment firms keep getting bigger? David sits down with Joel Holsinger, Co-Head of Ares Alternative Credit, to discuss why scale has become one of the biggest competitive advantages in investing, how Ares evaluates multi-billion-dollar opportunities, why data centers and AI infrastructure are reshaping private credit, and how great investors think about downside protection. Joel also shares the leadership principles behind building world-class investment teams, why reputation compounds like capital, the power of Kaizen, and how Ares' Pathfinder funds have connected institutional investing with large-scale philanthropy through Promote Giving.

Highlights:

Why scale has become the biggest moat in private markets.
How Ares thinks about AI infrastructure and data centers.
The hidden advantage of having a trusted reputation.
Why great investors obsess over downside protection.
Joel's "Kaizen" framework for building elite investment teams.
How Ares combines investing with large-scale philanthropy.
Why visualization improves investment decisions.
The biggest career mistake young investors make.
Why intellectual property matters more than salary.
The timeless investing advice Joel would give his younger self.

Guest Bio:

Joel Holsinger is Co-Head of Ares Alternative Credit and a member of the Ares Operating Committee. He oversees one of the world's leading asset-based finance platforms and serves as Portfolio Manager for the Pathfinder fund family, which pioneered a model of donating a portion of carried interest to global health and education initiatives through Promote Giving. Before joining Ares, Joel was a Partner at Fortress Investment Group and previously a Founding Partner of Atalaya Capital Management. He also serves on several nonprofit and educational boards, including PATH Global Health and the Ares Charitable Foundation.

Are you interested in sponsoring the How I Invest Podcast? Please email David Weisburd at david@weisburdcapital.com.

We’d like to thank AlphaSense for sponsoring this episode!

Sponsor:

Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

X/Twitter: @dweisburd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd/ Weisburd Pierce: https://www.weisburdpierce.com/

Stay Connected with Joel Holsinger:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-holsinger-0739a74/

Questions or topics you want us to discuss on How I Invest? Email us at david@weisburdcapital.com.

Disclaimer:

(0:00) Why the Biggest Investment Firms Keep Winning (4:56) The Moat That Most Investors Overlook (10:41) Why Reputation Beats Price in Finance (16:35) The Hidden Art of Great Dealmaking (22:08) How Elite Investors Build Trust (28:44) The Leadership Secret Behind Ares (34:51) Why Winning Teams Think Long Term (40:18) The Framework That Builds Better Investors (46:09) Build Your Intellectual Property, Not Your Salary (50:07) The Career Advice Every Young Investor Needs

E415: Why Every VC Is Suddenly Investing in Defense Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

For years, defense investing was considered off limits for most venture capital firms. Today, billions of dollars are flowing into defense startups as AI, drones, autonomy, advanced manufacturing, and national security become some of the biggest investment themes of the decade. David sits down with Jake Chapman, Managing Director at Marque Ventures, to discuss why defense became mainstream, how government procurement is changing, why Anduril and SpaceX transformed venture investing, where the biggest opportunities still exist, and why the next generation of iconic venture-backed companies may be built around national security rather than consumer software.

Highlights:

Why Silicon Valley suddenly embraced defense investing.
The Anduril playbook that changed venture capital.
How SpaceX created an entirely new venture category.
Why AI is accelerating defense innovation.
The hidden challenges of selling to the U.S. government.
Why manufacturing may be the biggest overlooked investment.
How defense startups compete against Lockheed and Raytheon.
The future of autonomous warfare.
Why venture firms are changing their view on defense.
Jake's optimistic vision for technology, humanity, and the future.

Guest Bio:

Jake Chapman is the Managing Director of Marque Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on national security and defense technology. He invests across AI, robotics, aerospace, autonomy, quantum computing, semiconductors, manufacturing, biotech, defense, and energy, backing founders building technologies that strengthen American national security. Jake believes technological innovation is the path toward a future of abundance, exploration, and human progress, inspired by Gene Roddenberry's vision of humanity's future while recognizing the importance of maintaining American strength during a period of global geopolitical change.

Are you interested in sponsoring the How I Invest Podcast? Please email David Weisburd at david@weisburdcapital.com.

We’d like to thank AlphaSense for sponsoring this episode!

Sponsor:

Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

X/Twitter: @dweisburd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd/ Weisburd Pierce: https://www.weisburdcapital.com/

Stay Connected with Jake Chapman:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakechapman/

Questions or topics you want us to discuss on How I Invest? Email us at david@weisburdcapital.com.

Disclaimer:

(0:00) Why Defense Tech Became Silicon Valley's Hottest Bet (5:28) The $2 Trillion Market Most Investors Miss (11:14) How SpaceX and Anduril Changed Venture Capital (17:02) Why Selling to the Pentagon Is So Difficult (23:46) The Story Behind Defense's "Last Supper" (30:11) How the Best Defense Startups Break Into the Market (37:55) Where the Biggest Defense Opportunities Still Exist (46:20) The Ethical Case for Investing in Defense (54:08) What the Best Defense Founders Do Differently

E414: How LPs Evaluate GPs in the AI Era Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

For decades, fundraising was driven by relationships. Today, it increasingly starts with AI. David sits down with Lex Suvanto, Global CEO of Edelman Smithfield, to discuss how artificial intelligence is changing fundraising, why reputation is becoming one of the most valuable assets for investment firms, how GPs can differentiate themselves in an increasingly crowded market, and why authentic thought leadership may become the biggest competitive advantage in private markets.

Highlights:

Why AI is becoming every GP's first impression.
The surprising reason reputation now matters more than returns.
How the best investment firms differentiate themselves.
Why thought leadership compounds into fundraising success.
The role of media in building institutional trust.
How AI rewards firms with authentic expertise.
Why every GP needs a clear point of view.
The biggest communication mistake investment managers make.
How private markets are adapting to the wealth channel.
Why trust will become venture capital's most valuable asset.

Guest Bio:

Lex Suvanto is the Global CEO of Edelman Smithfield, where he advises boards, CEOs, and senior executives of leading public and private companies on strategic communications during transformative events, fundraising, shareholder activism, governance, and investor engagement. Over his career, he has advised on hundreds of domestic and cross-border transactions while helping investment firms strengthen their reputation, communicate with investors, and navigate complex situations. Before joining Edelman Smithfield, Lex was a Managing Director at Abernathy MacGregor and previously held strategy and client service leadership roles at Havas across New York, Paris, and London. He earned his MBA from Harvard Business School.

Are you interested in sponsoring the How I Invest Podcast? Please email David Weisburd at david@weisburdcapital.com.

We’d like to thank AlphaSense for sponsoring this episode!

Sponsor: AlphaSense is the AI-powered market intelligence platform trusted by 85% of the S&P 100, helping investment professionals make faster, more confident, data-driven decisions. Built for hedge funds, asset allocators, private venture capital firms, and investment bankers, AlphaSense uses advanced AI and powerful search across premium proprietary content to surface the insights that matter most—before the market moves. Elevate your research and stay ahead of the competition. Visit https://www.alpha-sense.com/howiinvest/ to learn more.

Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

X/Twitter: @dweisburd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd/ Weisburd Pierce: https://www.weisburdpierce.com/

Stay Connected with Lex Suvanto:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lex-aleksi-suvanto-40b599/

Questions or topics you want us to discuss on How I Invest? Email us at david@weisburdcapital.com.

Disclaimer:

(0:00) Why AI Became Every LP's First Impression (5:46) The Branding Mistake Most GPs Still Make (12:00) Why Most Investment Firms Sound the Same (18:34) The Secret to Building Trust Before Performance (24:52) How Smaller GPs Can Beat the Biggest Firms (31:42) The CEO Matters More Than Your Returns (38:10) How Great Firms Find Their Competitive Edge (46:18) Why Every Audience Needs a Different Message (56:07) The Hidden Cost of Playing It Safe (1:03:48) The Skill That Compounds for Decades

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