How I Invest with David Weisburd

Latest Episodes:

E363: How Nigel Morris Built QED into a Fintech Powerhouse May 06, 2026

Show notes

What if the real edge in venture capital isn’t picking companies—but helping them survive long enough to matter? In this episode, I sit down with Nigel Morris, Managing Partner at QED Investors and Co-Founder of Capital One, to discuss how fintech innovation actually happens and why most investors misunderstand the role of venture capital. Nigel explains why incumbents struggle to innovate despite massive advantages, how QED built one of the most successful fintech franchises by combining operating experience with investing, and why venture is not stock picking but hands-on company building. We also explore founder psychology, power laws, and how culture and talent ultimately determine outcomes more than strategy or capital.

Highlights:

Why venture capital is “day-to-day combat,” not passive investing
The difference between fintech founders and traditional operators
Why incumbents fail despite scale, data, and distribution
How QED finds and avoids “mercenary” founders
Why most venture outcomes are driven by a few extreme winners
The concept of “threshold scale” in venture firms
How geo-arbitrage creates repeatable fintech opportunities
Why culture and people are the only true long-term advantage

Guest Bio:

Nigel Morris is the Managing Partner at QED Investors and Co-Founder of Capital One, where he helped pioneer data-driven financial services and scale the company into one of the largest credit card issuers in the world. At QED, he has led investments in over 200 fintech companies globally, building one of the leading venture platforms in the sector. With decades of experience as both an operator and investor, Nigel focuses on supporting founders in building transformative financial businesses at scale.

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 Capital: https://www.weisburdcapital.com/

Stay Connected with Nigel Morris:

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

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 Capital. 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) How Capital One Started as a “Crazy” Idea No One Believed (1:22) Why Incumbents Always Underestimate New Entrants (3:49) The Real Trait That Separates Entrepreneurs From Everyone Else (6:00) Why Big Institutions Are Designed Not to Innovate (8:55) The Hidden Advantage FinTechs Have Over Banks (10:48) Why Most Banks Don’t Understand Customer Lifetime Value (13:05) The Decision That Changed QED Forever (18:01) The Tradeoff No One Talks About When Scaling a Fund (20:43) Why Bigger Funds Usually Kill Returns (But Not Always) (23:01) The Strategy That Let QED Spot Winners Globally (53:53) How to Tell If a Founder Is a Missionary or a Mercenary

E362: Why Jensen Huang Believes Physical AI will be a $50 Trillion Market May 05, 2026

Show notes

What if the biggest opportunity in AI isn’t intelligence—but the missing data layer for the physical world? In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Jacker, CEO and Co-Founder of ZaiNar, to discuss why physical AI could become a $50 trillion market and the infrastructure required to make it work. Daniel explains how turning wireless networks into a real-time sensing layer unlocks entirely new capabilities across industries, why the absence of physical-world data is the biggest bottleneck in AI today, and how his company spent nearly a decade in stealth building a foundational technology before scaling. We also explore swarm intelligence, robotics, and where value will accrue as AI moves from digital to physical environments.

Highlights:

Why physical AI lacks the equivalent of the internet’s data layer
How wireless networks can become a global sensing system
What most people misunderstand about robotics and automation
Why swarm intelligence matters more than individual robots
How ZaiNar stayed in stealth for nine years while building a moat
Where value accrues in AI beyond applications and models
The real bottleneck preventing AI from entering the physical world
Why data, not robots, may be the biggest investment opportunity

Guest Bio:

Daniel Jacker is the CEO and Co-Founder of ZaiNar, a 5G positioning technology company focused on real-time, high-precision location intelligence for physical AI applications. He earned his MBA from Stanford GSB and is a General Partner at Magic City, a seed fund backing Stanford founders, as well as an active mentor at StartX and other leading accelerators. Prior to ZaiNar, he worked at Accenture on emerging technology strategy and founded The 3D Printing Company.

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 Capital: https://www.weisburdcapital.com/

Stay Connected with Daniel Jacker:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-jacker/

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

Disclaimer:

(0:00) The $50 Trillion Market Most Investors Still Don’t Understand (1:28) Why Physical AI Isn’t Just About Robots (3:07) The $120M Mistake Happening on Construction Sites Today (5:40) How They Turn Wireless Signals Into a “God View” of Reality (9:00) The Physics Breakthrough That Makes This Possible (12:38) How They Recruited World-Class Talent While in Stealth (17:09) Why They Stayed Quiet for 9 Years (And Why It Worked) (23:10) The Missing Dataset Blocking the Future of AI (31:48) Why Robots Will Work in Swarms, Not Alone (40:41) Where Smart Investors Should Actually Bet in Physical AI

E361: Why Venture Capital is Not an Asset Class May 04, 2026

Show notes

What if venture capital isn’t really an asset class—but a game where only a handful of managers actually matter? In this episode, I sit down with Ian Sigalow, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Greycroft, to discuss why venture returns are driven by a small group of firms with consistent access to the best companies. Ian explains why diversification often hurts venture outcomes, how the industry splits between “access” and “craft” investing, and why conviction, not consensus, drives results. We also explore what defines great founders in the AI era, how venture firms build brand and culture over decades, and why the intersection of multiple skill sets is becoming the foundation for generational companies.

Highlights:

Why venture is “manager selection masquerading as an asset class”
The difference between access investing and craft investing
Why diversification can actually reduce venture returns
What makes a founder a “master of two domains”
How top firms consistently access the same small set of winners
Why conviction beats consensus in investment decisions
The role of brand in winning competitive venture deals
How AI is changing both company building and venture workflows

Guest Bio:

Ian Sigalow is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Greycroft, a $4B+ venture capital firm investing from seed through growth stages. He has over two decades of experience backing companies across fintech, enterprise software, consumer, and healthcare, and has built Greycroft into a leading platform spanning both early-stage “craft” investing and later-stage access investing. Ian focuses on partnering closely with founders to help scale businesses, combining deep operating insight with long-term venture experience.

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 Capital: https://www.weisburdcapital.com/

Stay Connected with Ian Sigalow:

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

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 Not Really an Asset Class (2:50) The Two Businesses Hidden Inside Venture Capital (4:10) Why Seed Investing Has Structural Alpha (9:44) The Builder vs Investor Split That Defines Every VC (12:38) How Greycroft Competes Against Sequoia and A16Z (16:25) Why Venture Firms Need Both Craft and Access (21:59) The Moment You Know a Startup Is Actually Working (24:15) The Rare Founder Trait AI Makes More Valuable (31:32) Why AI Could Make Companies Hire More, Not Less (37:57) How Greycroft Uses AI to Find Frontier Founders

E360: The Hardest Lessons I Learned from Building 4 Unicorns May 01, 2026

Show notes

What if the biggest breakthroughs in biotech don’t come from more capital—but from building better systems for innovation? In this episode, I sit down with Errik Anderson, biotech entrepreneur and founder behind multiple billion-dollar companies, to discuss how building infrastructure, not just drugs, is reshaping the future of healthcare. Errik explains why most biotech companies fail the same way, how reducing the cost and time of experimentation unlocks more innovation, and why staying private longer enables better long-term decision making. We also explore compounding in biotech, the limits of scaling creativity, and how conviction, mission, and talent ultimately determine which companies change the world.

Highlights:

Why most biotech companies fail the same way
How lowering experiment costs increases innovation
The difference between building drugs vs building infrastructure
Why great companies stay private longer than expected
How compounding works in biotech beyond capital
Why you can’t scale creativity by adding more money
The real bottleneck in drug discovery today
Why mission-driven teams outperform over long time horizons

Guest Bio:

Errik Anderson is a biotech and technology entrepreneur, investor, and founder of multiple billion-dollar companies, including Alloy Therapeutics. He focuses on building platforms that accelerate drug discovery and innovation across the healthcare ecosystem. In addition to founding and scaling companies, he is an active mentor and investor, driven by a long-term mission to create transformative solutions in health and science for future generations.

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 Capital: https://www.weisburdcapital.com/

Stay Connected with Errik Anderson:

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

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

Disclaimer:

(0:00) How He Built His Fourth Unicorn (And Why This One Is Different) (1:20) The Strategy Behind Building a “Biotech Infrastructure” Giant (3:30) Why You Should Build the Company You’d Never Want to Leave (6:00) The Real Test of Conviction: Would You Ever Sell? (10:00) Why Most Great Companies Should Stay Private Much Longer (15:00) The Hidden Advantage Private Companies Have Over Public Markets (20:00) Why Innovation Can’t Be Scaled Just by Adding Money (25:00) The Brutal Truth: Every Company Fails the Same Way (30:00) Why So Few People Actually Do the Hard Things (34:00) The Counterintuitive Rule: Quantity Creates Quality

E359: What Charlie Munger Taught Me About Venture Capital Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

What if the real edge in venture isn’t price—but who you choose to partner with for a decade? In this episode, I sit down with Jamie Montgomery, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of March Capital, to discuss how long-term relationships, not transactions, drive venture outcomes. Jamie explains why asymmetric upside matters more than negotiating the last percentage point, how conviction and discipline shape follow-on decisions, and why understanding your own biases is critical when doubling down. We also explore capital cycles, liquidity dynamics, and how AI is forcing every company to either reinvent itself or fall behind.

Highlights:

Why relationships outperform transactions in venture over time
The “turkey sandwich test” for choosing founders
How to actually decide when to double down on a company
Why most investors misunderstand capital cycles and liquidity
The hidden biases that distort follow-on investment decisions
How AI is forcing a full reset across portfolio companies
Why venture returns come from asymmetric outcomes, not pricing
The real competition for capital most VCs ignore

Guest Bio:

Jamie Montgomery is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of March Capital, a leading technology investment firm focused on growth-stage companies. He previously founded Montgomery & Co., where he advised and financed hundreds of companies and took dozens public, building deep experience across capital markets and entrepreneurship. At March Capital, he has led investments in category-defining companies such as CrowdStrike and ThoughtSpot, and continues to focus on backing disruptive technologies with long-term compounding potential.

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 Capital: https://www.weisburdcapital.com/

Stay Connected with Jamie Montgomery:

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

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

Disclaimer:

(0:00) What Weekly Meetings With Charlie Munger Actually Taught Him (1:24) The One Investing Rule Most People Quietly Break (3:20) Why Transactional Thinking Never Builds Real Wealth (5:53) The “Turkey Sandwich Test” That Filters Great Founders (9:09) The Dangerous Bias Behind Doubling Down on Investments (11:15) How a Small Conference Became a Global Power Network (16:07) Why One Great Asset Eliminates the Need for Fundraising (17:05) The $200B Opportunity Most Investors Are Ignoring (20:55) Why Doubling the Economy Still Doesn’t Fix Inequality (27:03) The Surprising Way AI Is Saving Venture Capital (31:29) Why Venture Liquidity Might Be About to Disappear

E358: The Woman Behind the World's Top GP Brands | Jen Prosek Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

What if the biggest edge in investing isn’t capital or strategy—but how clearly the world understands you? In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Prosek, Founder and Managing Partner of Prosek Partners, to discuss how branding, narrative, and communication have become core drivers of success in financial services. Jennifer explains why firms went from ignoring marketing to depending on it, how “efficiency and preference” directly impact fundraising and deal flow, and why owned media and the “digital blink” now shape first impressions. We also explore how founders should think about storytelling, differentiation, and building long-term trust in an increasingly competitive capital landscape.

Highlights:

Why branding went from irrelevant to essential in finance
The concept of “efficiency and preference” in fundraising
Why most first meetings are actually second meetings
How the “digital blink” shapes investor perception instantly
Why owned media is the highest ROI strategy today
The biggest mistake GPs make when going on podcasts
How to compete for retail capital without massive budgets
Why narrative clarity is the foundation of all marketing

Guest Bio:

Jennifer Prosek is the Founder and Managing Partner of Prosek Partners, a leading global marketing and communications firm specializing in financial services. She has built the firm into one of the most influential platforms in the industry, advising top asset managers, private equity firms, and financial institutions worldwide. Jennifer is also a published author, board member, and active investor in communications technology, with deep expertise at the intersection of brand, capital markets, and reputation.

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 Capital: https://www.weisburdcapital.com/

Stay Connected with Jen Prosek:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-prosek/

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

Disclaimer:

(0:00) Why the Financial Crisis Created a Marketing Boom No One Expected (1:50) How Branding Went From Useless to Mandatory Overnight (3:49) The Real Reason Private Markets Are Chasing Retail Investors (5:29) How Smaller Firms Compete Against Blackstone and KKR (8:01) Why Getting on a Platform Means Nothing Without Demand (9:27) The Hidden ROI of Brand: Efficiency and Preference (12:03) Why Podcasts Are the Most Powerful Asset in Finance Today (14:50) The Biggest Mistake GPs Make Before Doing Media (16:23) The Lowest-Cost Strategy That Actually Builds a Brand (18:30) Why Your Reputation Is Now Controlled by AI

E357: CalSTRS CIO: Where Do You Invest $390 Billion Today? Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

What if the biggest edge in managing $390 billion isn’t picking assets—but controlling risk and liquidity when markets break? In this episode, I sit down with Scott Chan, Chief Investment Officer of CalSTRS, to discuss how one of the largest institutional investors in the world is positioning for a period of massive structural change. Scott breaks down how AI, deglobalization, and the energy transition are driving a multi-decade investment cycle, why traditional diversification is breaking down, and how liquidity and dynamic allocation become critical in volatile markets. We also explore structural alpha, co-investing at scale, and how governance and partnerships enable CalSTRS to generate returns without taking incremental market risk.

Highlights:

Why stocks and bonds may no longer provide true diversification
How liquidity becomes the biggest advantage during market dislocations
What “structural alpha” looks like at a $390B portfolio
Why infrastructure is a multi-decade opportunity
How CalSTRS scaled co-investments from 2% to 30%+ of the portfolio
The real edge of governance and delegated decision-making
Why AI is driving a fixed asset investment boom
The mistake most investors make during market recoveries

Guest Bio:

Scott Chan is the Chief Investment Officer of CalSTRS, one of the largest pension funds in the world with approximately $390 billion in assets under management. He previously served as Deputy CIO and now oversees a team of more than 200 investment professionals across public and private markets. Scott is a board member of the Toigo Foundation, co-chair of the Institutional Investors Roundtable, and serves on multiple advisory boards including the Milken Institute, AIMA, and CAIA, with a focus on advancing diversity and innovation in asset management.

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 Capital: https://www.weisburdcapital.com/

Stay Connected with Scott Chan:

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

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

Disclaimer:

(0:00) How CalSTRS Is Positioning for an Era of Extreme Uncertainty (1:40) Why the Old 60/40 Portfolio May Be Quietly Breaking (4:00) The New Assets Scott Believes Can Actually Diversify Risk (6:30) Why Regional Investing Could Matter More Than Ever (8:10) How CalSTRS Built Structural Alpha at Massive Scale (12:00) The Hidden Edge of Owning More Control in Private Markets (16:40) Why Co-Investments Became One of CalSTRS’ Biggest Advantages (21:00) Why Venture Capital Has Become Strategic for the Entire Portfolio (25:00) The Asset Class Scott Thinks Could Win the Next Decade (28:40) The Mistake CalSTRS Made When Markets Rebounded

E356: Why Co-Investments Are Taking Over Private Equity Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

What if the next source of alpha in private equity isn’t funds—but individual deals? In this episode, I sit down with Rohan Parikh, Vice President at Houlihan Lokey, to discuss the rapid rise of co-investments and why they are becoming a core part of institutional portfolios. Rohan explains how extended fundraising cycles, larger deal sizes, and slower distributions have created a “perfect storm” for deal-by-deal capital, why LPs are increasingly treating co-investments as a standalone asset class, and how independent sponsors are reshaping the market. We also explore underwriting frameworks, alignment, and how relationships, not just returns, drive long-term success in this segment of private markets.

Highlights:

Why co-investments have doubled to a $300B+ market in just a few years
The “perfect storm” driving deal-by-deal fundraising
Why LPs now treat co-investments as a standalone asset class
How independent sponsors are competing with traditional PE firms
What separates a fund track record from a co-invest track record
Why alignment is often stronger in co-investments than funds
How deal vs sponsor underwriting shifts based on control
The real risk of adverse selection—and how to avoid it

Guest Bio:

Rohan Parikh is a Vice President at Houlihan Lokey, where he focuses on direct placements and co-investment fundraising within the firm’s Equity Capital Solutions business. He previously worked at PJT Park Hill in co-investment fundraising and began his career at Citi in leveraged finance. Rohan specializes in structuring and raising capital for sponsor-backed single-asset transactions and works closely with GPs and LPs across private markets.

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 Capital: https://www.weisburdcapital.com/

Stay Connected with Rohan Parikh:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohan-parikh-214818109/

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

Disclaimer:

(0:00) Why Co-Investments Are Exploding in Private Equity (2:04) The New Asset Class LPs Can’t Ignore (4:55) Why Blue-Chip Investors Are Becoming Independent Sponsors (6:30) The Alignment Signal LPs Care About Most (7:27) What Makes a Co-Investment Worth Taking Seriously (10:56) How Independent Sponsors Pull Off $500M Deals (16:41) Why the Best Currency Between GPs and LPs Is a Deal (21:05) How LPs Avoid Getting the Worst Co-Investments (25:15) Why Co-Investments May Be More Aligned Than Funds (31:29) Why Blind Pool Funds Are Losing Their Grip

E355: From Deal-by-Deal to a $6.5B Platform: Building a Real Estate Investment Empire Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

What if the best investments aren’t found in chaos—but in having the discipline to act when others can’t? In this episode, I sit down with Darren Fisk, Founder of Forum Investment Group, to discuss how he scaled from early syndication deals to a fully integrated multifamily investment platform managing billions. Darren breaks down how he leaned in during the 2008 financial crisis to acquire 9,000 units, why focusing on distressed capital structures rather than distressed assets created asymmetric opportunities, and how flexibility across the capital stack allows investors to generate returns in any market.

Highlights:

How buying distressed capital stacks created outsized returns in 2008
Why conviction matters more than timing in volatile markets
The difference between allocating capital and truly investing
How flexibility across debt and equity drives consistent returns
Why the best opportunities are often “below the headline”
The hidden advantage of operating assets, not just owning them
Why doing nothing can be the highest returning decision
How market cycles create obvious opportunities most investors miss

Guest Bio:

Darren Fisk is the Founder of Forum Investment Group, a multifamily-focused investment platform with over two decades of experience across real estate equity, debt, and structured finance. He built the firm from early syndication deals into a fully integrated asset manager investing up and down the capital stack.

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 Capital: https://www.weisburdcapital.com/

Stay Connected with Darren Fisk:

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

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

Disclaimer:

Forum is an SEC-registered investment adviser; however, such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The views expressed are for general informational purposes only, do not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation, or needs of any individual, and may not be representative of any specific investment, strategy, or client experience. This communication is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or part of any offering materials. Any investment will be made solely through formal offering materials provided by Forum or its affiliates. Investing involves a high degree of risk, including possible loss of entire investment. Investors must rely on their own examination of any transaction and its terms, including all merits and risks involved. These securities have not been recommended or approved by any federal or state securities authority, nor have such authorities passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this communication. This communication contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations, not prior operating history. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes may differ materially from any forward-looking statements made herein. Investment should only be made by individuals who understand the nature of these transactions and can bear the associated risks.

(0:00) How He Bought 9,000 Units While Everyone Else Was Panicking (1:18) The Reputation Edge That Let Him Move in a Crisis (2:27) Why Conviction Matters More Than Confidence in a Downturn (4:32) Why Great Investors Refuse to Be “Allocators” (6:14) The Hidden Opportunity Most People Miss in Bad Markets (9:34) Why He Abandoned Deal-by-Deal Investing for Good (12:13) The Mistake He Made Building the Wrong Fund Structure (15:20) How He Built a Team That Could Scale Beyond Him (22:22) Why Doing Nothing for 6 Years Was the Right Move (27:08) The One Thing He Wishes He Built Much Earlier

E354: Why Most VCs Misunderstand Peter Thiel’s Power Law Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

What if venture capital isn’t about finding unicorns—but about consistently making good investments? In this episode, I sit down with Eric Scott, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Overlook Capital, to discuss how his approach to venture evolved from chasing power laws to focusing on fundamentals. Eric explains why most venture frameworks only make sense in hindsight, how thinking like a value investor can improve early-stage decision-making, and why founder quality is ultimately revealed through execution, not narratives. We also explore concentrated markets, late-stage venture dynamics, and how reputation, conviction, and timing shape outcomes across cycles.

Highlights:

Why venture “power laws” don’t help you pick winners in real time
How value investing principles apply to early-stage companies
What most investors misunderstand about founder selection
Why great companies don’t come from A/B testing alone
How venture markets became structurally concentrated
Why smaller funds can outperform in overlooked segments
The hidden role of reputation and signal in fundraising
Why being wrong—and correcting it—is a core investing skill

Guest Bio:

Eric Scott is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Overlook Capital, where he focuses on investing in category-leading growth companies. He previously worked at Founders Fund and 8VC, gaining experience across early and growth-stage investing, and has also held roles in healthcare and technology startups. Eric began his career after founding a company out of college and brings a cross-functional perspective shaped by both operating and investing experience.

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 Capital: https://www.weisburdcapital.com/

Stay Connected with Eric Scott:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-scott-bio/

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

Disclaimer:

(0:00) The One Sentence From Peter Thiel That Changed How He Invests (2:28) Why Venture Capital Might Be Built on a Flawed Idea (4:59) Are Startups Built on Movements or Real Businesses? (8:31) Why Every Great VC Invests Completely Differently (10:40) The Rule That Changed How Founders Fund Picks Winners (12:03) If You’re Firing Founders, You Already Made a Mistake (16:43) What Actually Makes a “Great” Founder (It’s Not What You Think) (22:58) The Story That Redefines What Conviction Really Looks Like (30:14) Why Chasing Billion-Dollar Ideas Is the Wrong Strategy (40:41) The Hidden Game Behind Who Gets on the Cap Table

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

How I Invest with David Weisburd

Highlights:

Guest Bio:

Sponsor:

Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

Stay Connected with Nigel Morris:

Disclaimer:

Highlights:

Guest Bio:

Sponsor:

Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

Stay Connected with Daniel Jacker:

Disclaimer:

Highlights:

Guest Bio:

Sponsor:

Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

Stay Connected with Ian Sigalow:

Disclaimer:

Highlights:

Guest Bio:

Sponsor:

Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

Stay Connected with Errik Anderson:

Disclaimer:

Highlights:

Guest Bio:

Sponsor:

Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

Stay Connected with Jamie Montgomery:

Disclaimer:

Highlights:

Guest Bio:

Sponsor:

Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

Stay Connected with Jen Prosek:

Disclaimer:

Highlights:

Guest Bio:

Sponsor:

Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

Stay Connected with Scott Chan:

Disclaimer:

Highlights:

Guest Bio:

Sponsor:

Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

Stay Connected with Rohan Parikh:

Disclaimer:

Highlights:

Guest Bio:

Sponsor:

Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

Stay Connected with Darren Fisk:

Disclaimer:

Highlights:

Guest Bio:

Sponsor:

Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

Stay Connected with Eric Scott:

Disclaimer:

Related Podcasts

1

2

3

4

5

6