Podcast
The Investor With Joel Palathinkal
Hosted by Dr. Joel Palathinkal · EN
The Investor with Joel Palathinkal is a global omni channel show which highlights institutional investors from all walks of life and supports the continuing education for the next generation of allocators
132episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Noah Sanborn Friedman: Co-Founder of Top Shelf Ventures
Jan 1600:54:31Summary readyIn this episode, we sit down with Noah Sanborn Friedman, Co-Founder of Top Shelf Ventures and head of the Uncharted founder community. Noah shares his unique journey from a hands-on role as a young CEO in the beverage-tech space to launching a specialized fund focused on the high-growth yet underserved beverage alcohol sector. He unpacks the critical data-driven metrics—like velocity and reorder rate—that signal a winning brand, breaks down the complex regulatory landscape of the alcohol industry, and explains why storytelling and brand-building are just as important as the liquid in the bottle. We also explore emerging trends, from the potential of THC-infused beverages to the realities of the "sober curious" movement, and Noah offers invaluable advice for emerging fund managers on building conviction, crafting a compelling narrative, and securing that crucial first close.#VentureCapital #BeverageIndustry #CPG #AlcoholInvesting #StartupFunding #FundManager #TopShelfVentures #UnchartedCommunity
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Ishan Sachdev: General Partner at Deciens Capital
Jan 1400:44:22Summary readyIn this episode, we sit down with Ishan Sachdev, General Partner at Deciens Capital, to delve deep into his journey from MIT engineer to FinTech-focused investor and firm builder. Ishan shares invaluable insights on transitioning from a technical background into investing, the lessons learned from managing the sale of a portfolio company like iPay, and his unique experience as a policy advisor in the U.S. Treasury during the aftermath of the financial crisis. We also explore the strategic blueprint behind building and scaling an institutional venture capital firm, including the critical transitions from Fund One to Fund Three, how to cultivate LP relationships, and the high-conviction, concentrated approach Deciens takes in pre-seed and seed-stage FinTech investing. Whether you're an aspiring VC, a founder navigating a fundraise, or an LP evaluating emerging managers, this conversation is packed with actionable wisdom on navigating market cycles, building durable partnerships, and spotting transformative early-stage opportunities.#VentureCapital #FinTech #StartupInvesting #Fundraising #FounderAdvice #LPInsights #DeciensCapital #InvestingStrategy
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Paul Palmieri: Managing Partner of Grit Capital Partners
Jan 1300:55:44Summary readyPaul Palmieri, Managing Partner of Grit Capital Partners and a seasoned unicorn founder, delves into the intersection of operator experience and institutional investing in this episode. Drawing from his journey as a three-time founder, former public company CEO, and early pioneer in mobile (including launching the first U.S. app store), Paul shares invaluable lessons on sales, leadership, and navigating company growth from startup to IPO. He explains why founder-led venture firms have a unique edge, especially in applied AI, and outlines Grit Capital's focused thesis on martech, commerce, fintech, and media tech. Paul also unveils key insights from his recent white paper on "Specialist Direct" investing, revealing how today's family offices—80% of which are first- or second-generation wealth—can leverage specialist VC managers for outsized returns. This conversation is packed with wisdom for founders, investors, and anyone looking to build lasting impact in technology and venture capital.#VentureCapital #FounderLedVC #AppliedAI #FamilyOffice #InvestingStrategy #StartupGrowth #MobileEconomy #GritCapital
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Henry Ferguson: Pattern Ventures
Jan 1200:48:44Summary readyHenry Ferguson of Pattern Ventures shares his journey from consulting at EY to becoming an institutional LP at a fund-of-funds focused on emerging managers. He delves into the critical skills needed to break into venture capital, the importance of building genuine networks, and how he leveraged his MBA and hands-on experience to land his role. Henry outlines Pattern Ventures' investment thesis, explaining what they look for in fund managers—including a clear "GP-thesis fit," resilience, and a deep understanding of their unique edge. He also offers tactical advice for emerging managers on fundraising, team building, and navigating a challenging market. This episode is packed with insights for aspiring investors, fund managers, and anyone looking to understand the LP perspective in early-stage venture.#VentureCapital #FundofFunds #EmergingManagers #LPPerspective #PrivateEquity #CareerAdvice #StartupInvesting #PatternVentures
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Evan Schlossman: SuRo Capital
Jan 1000:49:45Summary readyIn this episode, Evan Schlossman, a venture investor at SuRo Capital, provides a detailed look into the world of late-stage venture investing through the unique lens of a publicly traded investment vehicle. Evan discusses his journey from a pre-med student and Deloitte consultant to a VC focused on AI infrastructure, highlighting the critical skills of curiosity and adaptability that bridge these fields. He breaks down how SuRo Capital operates, offering retail investors access to innovative private companies like CoreWeave and OpenAI, and explains the firm's investment criteria for market-leading, high-growth companies typically valued over $1 billion. Evan also shares invaluable advice for those seeking to enter venture capital, emphasizing the power of taking a point of view, thoughtful networking, and the importance of understanding broader market trends while executing with speed. This conversation is packed with insights for aspiring investors, operators, and anyone interested in the mechanics of late-stage tech investing and portfolio construction.#VentureCapital #AIInvesting #LateStageVC #SuRoCapital #PortfolioConstruction #CareerAdvice #TechnologyInvesting #PublicMarkets
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Maxwell Nee: Chairman, Family Office Insiders
Jan 700:54:39Summary readyMaxwell Nee, Chairman of Family Office Insiders, provides an exclusive deep dive into the unique dynamics of Asia's family office ecosystem from his base in Singapore. In this candid conversation, Maxwell shares his journey from a traditional real estate and private credit background to building one of Singapore's largest unmonetized family office networks, which now includes over 200 families. He reveals the critical differences between 'new money' and established local families, discusses why Singapore attracts ultra-high-net-worth individuals beyond just tax benefits, and breaks down the sectors—like climate tech and deep tech—garnering real attention. Maxwell also offers invaluable advice on cultivating a high-trust, value-driven community, the pitfalls of transactional event models, and the profound importance of patience and impeccable team selection when deploying patient capital. This episode is essential listening for allocators, fund managers, and anyone seeking to understand the authentic flow of capital and relationships in Asian markets.#FamilyOffice #AsiaInvesting #Singapore #WealthManagement #VentureCapital #PrivateEquity #HighNetWorth #CapitalAllocation
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Benjamin Ehrlich: Founder of First Momentum Capital
Jan 600:48:28Summary readyBenjamin Ehrlich, founder of First Momentum Capital and an experienced Limited Partner (LP), joins the show to unpack the strategy and insights behind building a successful fund of funds. He shares his unique journey from a serendipitous introduction to startups at the University of Michigan to his pivotal work with Eric Ries at the Long-Term Stock Exchange, which ultimately led him to discover his passion for investing in emerging VC managers. Benjamin breaks down the core of his investment philosophy, discussing portfolio construction, the evolving role of AI in venture capital, and the critical differences between seed and Series A investing. He also offers pragmatic advice for aspiring fund managers on defining a "minimum viable fund," the importance of adaptability, and how to leverage content to build a high-quality network. This episode is packed with actionable wisdom for asset allocators, fund managers, and anyone interested in the mechanics of early-stage venture capital.#VentureCapital #FundofFunds #LP #StartupInvesting #EmergingManagers #AI #PortfolioConstruction #FirstMomentumCapital
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Chee-We Ng: Partner at Oakseed Ventures
Jan 300:48:52Summary readyIn this episode, Joel sits down with Chee-We Ng, Partner at Oakseed Ventures, to explore his remarkable transition from a cybersecurity prodigy and MIT engineer to a leading seed-stage investor in AI and cybersecurity. Chee-We shares his journey from creating a “good” computer virus as a teenager to building classified encryption systems for the Singapore government, before pivoting through an MBA, McKinsey, and corporate venture at Cisco. He delves into the complexities of the cybersecurity landscape, detailing how Oakseed identifies stealth founders tackling massive unmet needs with deep technical expertise and strong business acumen. Listeners will gain valuable insights into thematic investing, founder evaluation, and the nuanced challenges of launching and differentiating a venture fund in today’s competitive market.#VentureCapital #Cybersecurity #AI #SeedStage #Investing #Startups #MIT #OakseedVentures
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Teppei Tsutsui: General Partner of the GFR Fund
Jan 200:49:04Summary readyIn this episode, Joel sits down with Teppei Tsutsui, General Partner of the GFR Fund, to explore his unique journey from an international relations student to a leading investor in the global gaming ecosystem. Teppei shares his path through Mitsubishi and Morgan Stanley, detailing how he leveraged his experience in cross-border corporate strategy and investment banking to co-found a venture fund dedicated to consumer tech and gaming. He breaks down GFR's investment philosophy, focusing on founders who build organic communities over paid user acquisition, and dives into the evolving landscape of PC and mobile gaming, AI's transformative role in content creation, and emerging trends in personalized entertainment. Listeners will gain valuable insights into deal sourcing, the dynamics of corporate venture capital, and the macro forces shaping the next generation of interactive experiences.
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Justin Brodie-Kommit: General Partner at Lichen Ventures
Jan 100:48:10Summary readyIn this episode, Joel engages with Justin Brodie-Kommit, General Partner at Lichen Ventures, to unpack his journey from a Johns Hopkins PhD in molecular biology to a dedicated climate hard tech investor. Justin discusses the pivotal transition from academia and biotech at Genentech to building an angel portfolio of 86 companies and launching his own venture fund. The conversation delves into the critical importance of unit economics and capital efficiency in deep tech, the process of sourcing and vetting breakthrough climate solutions, and the power of community building—from growing a local meetup to over 600 members to co-founding DC Climate Week. Justin also shares his investment thesis focused on high-impact sectors like industrial decarbonization, biomanufacturing, and climate adaptation, offering key insights for founders and investors navigating the climate tech landscape.
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