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
134episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Rob Eloff: Lateral Capital
Oct 600:50:03Summary readyWhat does it take to identify and back the next generation of world-changing companies in the world's most dynamic emerging markets? This episode, we sit down with Rob, a co-founder of Lateral Capital, whose entire career has been dedicated to living and investing in developing economies.Rob takes us from the trading floors of JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs in Johannesburg and Moscow to the front lines of venture capital in sub-Saharan Africa. He shares the lessons learned from a decade of navigating complex markets across Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, and how that global perspective shapes his investment thesis today.We dive deep into the unique challenges and monumental opportunities of building a venture ecosystem in emerging markets, the philosophy behind his evergreen fund, Frontier Dawn Partners, and why a background in philosophy and economics is the ultimate foundation for a life in frontier finance.Key Takeaways:The Emerging Market Edge: An on-the-ground perspective on the unique risks, opportunities, and growth potential of investing in sub-Saharan Africa and other frontier markets.From Wall Street to Venture Capital: How experience in global capital markets and private equity provides a distinct advantage in structuring deals in emerging economies.Building an Evergreen Future: The philosophy behind Frontier Dawn Partners and the case for patient, flexible capital in early-stage tech ecosystems.The Founder's Mindset: What Rob looks for in the pioneering tech teams brave enough to build companies in complex environments.The Unlikely Toolkit: Why a degree in philosophy is a secret weapon for analyzing market dynamics and building a successful, long-term career in finance.
Summary
Troy Rosales: Connexa Capital
Oct 301:00:00Summary readyHow do you go from community college to the pinnacle of high finance? This episode, we sit down with Troy Rosales of Connexa Capital, who shares his incredible journey from a non-traditional academic path to roles at elite firms like Houlihan Lokey and Platinum Equity.Troy pulls back the curtain on the critical differences between venture capital and private equity, offering a masterclass in how to break into these competitive fields. He provides a tactical guide on everything from transferring to top-tier universities and acing finance interviews to developing the analytical skills that firms truly value.For investors and operators alike, Troy dives deep into his framework for early-stage investing, revealing the key metrics he tracks, how to balance market hype with fundamental value, and his strategies for minimizing losses in a volatile market. This is an inspiring conversation about calculated risk-taking and building a career on your own terms.Key Takeaways:The Non-Traditional Path to Finance: Troy's blueprint for leveraging community college, transferring to an Ivy League school, and breaking into top-tier finance roles.VC vs. PE Demystified: A clear-eyed comparison of the strategies, mindsets, and career paths in venture capital and private equity.The Interview Playbook: Actionable advice for standing out in finance sector interviews and the essential skills to develop now.The Early-Stage Investment Framework: The key metrics for evaluating startups and a disciplined approach to balancing hype with durable fundamentals.The Risk-Taker's Mindset: Why calculated risks are essential for career growth and how to build a portfolio designed for resilience.
Summary
John Lunn: Ex Paypal Ventures
Oct 201:01:41Summary readyHow does a marine biologist end up as a key figure in the world of venture capital and payments? This episode, we sit down with the incredible John Lunn, whose journey weaves through PayPal, founding his own startup (Gravy), and investing with PayPal Ventures.John pulls back the curtain on his unique career path, revealing how skills from seemingly unrelated fields can become a superpower in tech. He shares invaluable, hard-earned wisdom on the art of networking, the rigorous process of due diligence, and the non-negotiable traits he looks for in successful founders.We also dive into the practicalities of building in the payments space with Gravy, compare the vibrant tech ecosystems of Canada, the UK, and the US, and tackle big questions from the audience on bootstrapping and the future of super apps. This is a masterclass in building a dynamic career at the intersection of operations, entrepreneurship, and investing.Key Takeaways:The Unconventional Path: How a background in marine biology provides a unique problem-solving lens for tech and venture capital.The Operator-Investor Mindset: John's firsthand perspective on the journey from founding a startup (Gravy) to becoming an investor at PayPal Ventures.The VC Tool Kit: The essential skills for breaking into venture capital, from building a powerful network to mastering due diligence.Inside the Founder's Mind: The key traits of successful founders and a fresh look at early-stage job titles and work-life balance.Global Tech Landscapes: A comparative look at the opportunities and challenges within the Canadian, UK, and US tech and VC ecosystems.
Summary
Matt Snow: Mass Ventures
Oct 100:54:56Summary readyHow is the world of venture capital evolving to fund the most complex, world-changing technologies? In this episode, we sit down with Matt Snow to trace his unique journey from education to entrepreneurship and into his role at Mass Ventures, where he tackles the unique challenges of deep tech and quantum computing.We dive into the future of fund structures and how new rules are democratizing access for a new class of accredited investors. Matt breaks down the specific criteria for betting on high-risk, high-reward sectors and shares invaluable strategies for startups navigating the very different worlds of selling to governments versus businesses.Packed with practical advice—from maintaining deal flow momentum during the holidays to essential networking tips for aspiring VCs—this episode is a masterclass in understanding the next frontier of technology investing.Key Takeaways:The Deep Tech Dive: An inside look at the risks, trends, and massive opportunities in sectors like quantum computing from an investor on the front lines.Democratizing Venture Capital: How new fund vehicles and crowdfunding are changing who can invest and where capital is flowing.The GovTech & B2B Sales Playbook: Key strategies for startups looking to sell to government entities versus traditional enterprise businesses.The Unconventional Path: How a background in education and entrepreneurship provides a unique lens for evaluating founders and technologies.Career Crossroads: Practical advice on breaking into VC, the pros and cons versus an industry role, and how to build a powerful network.
Summary
Atin Batra: Twenty Seven VC
Sep 3000:53:19Summary readyHow can a foundation of curiosity and operational experience make you a better investor? In this episode, we explore a remarkable career shift into venture capital, driven by a desire to understand what makes transformative companies tick. Our guest breaks down how they navigated family expectations, why hands-on operational experience is an investor's secret weapon, and the art of building trust with limited partners.Then, we pivot to one of the most critical sectors being reshaped by technology: education. We dive deep into the future of EdTech, from innovative content delivery and financial solutions for student debt to the role of virtual reality in the classroom. We'll also explore the urgent need for emotional intelligence and work-readiness skills in modern curricula, and how the pandemic permanently altered the learning landscape.This is a compelling conversation for anyone interested in the intersection of investing, technology, and building a more effective future for education.Key Takeaways:The Curious Investor: How intellectual curiosity and operational experience create a powerful foundation for a career in venture capital.Building the Fund: Insights into VC trends and the nuanced process of building strong, lasting relationships with Limited Partners (LPs).The Future of Learning: An exploration of cutting-edge EdTech, from AI and VR to new models for tackling student debt and improving peer learning.Educating the Whole Person: Why the next wave of educational innovation must include financial literacy and emotional intelligence.The Pandemic's Lasting Impact: How global regulations and remote learning have permanently reshaped content delivery and the definition of a classroom.
Summary
Andrew Ackerman : Dreamit VC
Sep 2900:58:28Summary readyWhat happens when a founder becomes a venture capitalist? In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Ackerman, who brings his unique founder's perspective to his role at Dreamit Ventures. We trace the evolution of Dreamit's focused strategy on prop tech and urban tech, and unpack how empathy—forged in the trenches of startup building—creates a powerful advantage in the investor-founder relationship.Andrew shares incredible stories from the front lines, from navigating the funding landscape post-9/11 to the unexpected revenue pivots that save startups. He provides a masterclass on the nuances of working with corporate venture capital, managing complex board dynamics, and the art of the term sheet.This is a must-listen for any founder or aspiring VC, packed with tactical advice on everything from Dreamit's famed sprint process to how to properly research and align with the right investors for your journey.Key Takeaways:The Founder's Edge: How Andrew's experience as a founder shapes his empathetic and effective approach to venture capital at Dreamit.Inside Urban Tech & PropTech: Why these sectors are ripe for disruption and how Dreamit identifies the most promising startups.The Corporate VC Playbook: Strategies for successfully engaging with corporate venture capital funds and navigating investor board dynamics.The Dreamit Sprint: A behind-the-scenes look at their intensive process for preparing, matching, and supporting startups long after the sprint ends.Tactical Deal Advice: Actionable tips on valuation, term sheets, and how founders can intelligently research and choose their VC partners.
Summary
Steven Saltzstein: FORCE Wealth
Sep 2800:54:12Summary readyHow does a modern family office build a resilient and impactful portfolio in a world of constant change? This episode, we sit down with Steven Saltzstein, founder of Force Wealth, for a comprehensive look at the strategies shaping the future of private wealth.Steven pulls back the curtain on the core pillars of his investment philosophy, from navigating the classic debate between generalist and specialist approaches to harnessing the power of co-investments. We explore the pressing trends of today, including the rise of ESG, the integration of charitable goals into investment theses, and how generational shifts are reshaping client expectations.This conversation is packed with actionable insights on everything from fundraising and investor relations to coaching founders and building a powerful professional network. Steven also tackles listener questions on emerging markets and shares his outlook for the future.Key Takeaways:The Modern Family Office Blueprint: Key investment strategies, the importance of diversity, and how to select the right deals.Generalist vs. Specialist: The pros and cons of each approach and how market volatility influences this critical choice.The Impact Imperative: How ESG trends and charity-driven investments are becoming central to portfolio construction.The Art of Relationships: Expert advice on client management, investor relations, and effective pitch coaching.Building Your Network: Proven strategies for networking, selecting service providers, and maintaining discretion in a connected world.
Summary
Neil Datta: Forbes Family Trust
Sep 2700:48:54Summary readyWhat does it take to build a resilient investment strategy that withstands market crises—and then use that knowledge to become an entrepreneur? This episode, we sit down with Neil Datta, who shares his incredible journey from joining Ardn Asset Management during the heart of the financial crisis to launching his own venture, the Maritas platform.Neil provides a masterclass in portfolio construction and manager selection, breaking down the critical differences between direct and fund investments. He then reveals how this deep investment expertise inspired him to build Maritas, detailing the platform's unique features and its benefits for the investment community.This is a conversation about the powerful synergy between investing and entrepreneurship, the adoption of new asset classes like SPACs, and how to navigate a successful career through periods of extreme volatility. Neil also shares invaluable life advice gleaned from his journey.Key Takeaways:Crisis-Tested Strategies: How starting his career during the 2008 financial crisis shaped Neil's approach to resilient portfolio construction and risk management.The Art of Allocation: A deep dive into manager selection and the strategic balance between direct investments and fund commitments.From Investor to Innovator: The story behind building the Maritas platform—its inspiration, features, and future enhancements.Career Navigation: Insights into progressing through the complex worlds of multifamily offices and specialized healthcare funds.Life and Investment Wisdom: Key lessons on adapting to market changes, embracing entrepreneurship, and building a meaningful career.
Summary
Harshad Lalit: Rockefeller Capital
Sep 2600:53:35Summary readyWhat does a journey from engineering to finance reveal about the future of investing? In this episode, Joel Palathinkal engages with Harshad Lalit for a deep dive into the evolving world of impact investing and the powerful intersection of technology and finance.Harshad brings a unique perspective, shaped by his engineering roots, a PhD, and his role at Rockefeller Capital Management. He shares how a technical mindset applies to developing sophisticated investment strategies and unpacks the complex world of ESG. We cut through the jargon to explore the real role of data, accounting standards, and indices in measuring corporate responsibility.This is a forward-looking conversation on the trends shaping impact investing, the parallels between a PhD and the startup grind, and how algorithms can be tuned for both profit and purpose. If you're curious about how finance is being redefined, this episode is for you.Key Takeaways:From Code to Capital: How an engineering and PhD background provides a unique, analytical edge in the world of high finance.Demystifying ESG: A clear-eyed look at the data, metrics, and standards behind impact investing and corporate social responsibility.The Rockefeller Strategy: Insights into how a legendary name in finance is adapting its investment approach for a values-driven future.The PhD vs. Startup Mindset: Exploring the surprising parallels between academic research and the challenges of building a business.Algorithms with a Conscience: How quantitative strategies are being applied to navigate social issues and generate sustainable returns.
Summary
Trish Spurlin: Investments Director: Babson College
Sep 2500:54:57Summary readyHow do you build a thriving career by betting on yourself? This episode, Joel Palathinkal sits down with Trish Spurlin, a seasoned capital allocator with a fascinating journey from institutional investing at Babson College to launching her own fractional CFO consulting business.Trish opens up about the mindset shifts required for major career pivots, sharing why calculated risk-taking and building unwavering trust are the bedrocks of success in both finance and entrepreneurship. We dive into the practicalities of launching and managing an investment business, the unspoken rules of breaking into the competitive worlds of private equity and venture capital, and why empathy is a superpower in client relationships.Packed with actionable advice on networking, handling tough conversations, and leveraging problem-solving skills, this conversation is a masterclass in building a career with purpose and resilience.Key Takeaways:The Career Pivot Playbook: How to successfully transition from a secure institutional role to the uncertainty and reward of entrepreneurship.The Human Side of Finance: Why empathy, relationship-building, and trust are the true currencies of a successful fractional CFO and investor.Breaking into PE & VC: The essential skills and networking strategies you need to land a role in competitive capital allocation.The Fractional CFO Blueprint: Key insights on building a consulting business centered on solving clients' biggest financial challenges.Navigating Difficult Conversations: Practical advice for managing high-stakes discussions with clients, partners, and investors with confidence.
Summary