Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• The Story of the Ford Foundation (1:05)
• Development of Mission Investment Criteria (4:08)
• Results of the Investment Strategy (7:21)
• Complexity of Impact Investing (10:16)
• Importance of Long-Term Perspective (12:57)
• Learning and Adapting in Impact Investing (17:08)
• Quality Jobs Impact Investing (21:41)
• Insider Segment: AI-Driven Solutions for VC Funds and Portfolios (24:09)
• Successful Engagements and Outcomes (27:55)
• AI Integration in Business Strategies (29:53)
• Public Recognition of AI Efforts (33:29)
• Capital Access Imbalance (35:14)
• Impact of Diversity on Economic Growth (37:02)
• Portfolio Diversity Challenges (40:39)
• The Weaponization of Quotas (42:52)
• The Role of Behavioral Insights (48:43)
• Strategies to Reduce Bias (52:02)
• Advice for Diverse Fund Managers (57:55)
• Mergers and Consolidation Opportunities (1:00:14)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (1:04:46)

The Ford Foundation is an independent organization working to address inequality and build a future grounded in justice. For more than 85 years, it has supported visionaries on the frontlines of social change worldwide, guided by its mission to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. Today, with an endowment of $16 billion, the foundation has headquarters in New York and 10 regional offices across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Bottega8 offers secure and cost-efficient AI Model Training and Fine-Tuning tailored for financial institutions. If you're concerned about the expense and complexity of building in-house AI teams, or worried about the privacy and security risks inherent in Big Tech AI APIs, we provide the ideal solution for your proprietary data.Bottega8's solution is specifically designed for institutional financial clients, including PE/VC funds, hedge funds, broker-dealers, traders, investment banks, and fintechs. By partnering with us, you eliminate the need for expensive AI engineers, hefty API fees, and complex technical roadmaps—reducing your AI development costs by up to 85%. If you're seeking AI Model Training and Fine-Tuning services that prioritize security and cost-efficiency without sacrificing Big Tech fidelity, we'd love to talk to you. Learn more at bottega8.com/swimming.

Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies.

The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Sarah's Background and Career Journey (0:18)
• Importance of Capital Allocation (5:09)
• Investment Philosophy (8:30)
• Manager Selection Framework (9:41)
• Framework Adaptability (12:54)
• Team-Based Decision Making (15:51)
• Investment Edge and Sustainability (16:43)
• Insider Segment: Enhancing Fund Thesis Through Custom AI Solutions (18:14)
• Impact of AI on VC Firms (21:03)
• The Role of Discipline in Fund Management (23:10)
• Importance of Mentorship in the Industry (27:38)
• Supporting Emerging Fund Managers (30:33)
• Explorer Rating Platform (32:45)
• Community Foundations' Impact (33:49)
• Braving Our Savings (35:05)
• Advice for Emerging Allocators (37:24)

NEPC, LLC is one of the industry’s largest independent, full-service investment consulting firms, serving more than 400 clients with over $1.7T assets under advisement. Our mission is to help governments, institutions, families, and individuals preserve and grow their capital across different asset classes and market cycles. Our research-driven investment solutions are tailored to support your unique financial goals, constraints, beliefs and time horizons. As trusted and thoughtful stewards of capital, we measure our accomplishments by the success of our clients. As an employee-owned company, we know our greatest strength is our people, an exceptional and diverse group of professionals united in their commitment to fulfilling your long-term financial objectives. Our goal is to deliver objective investment advice and the highest level of service. We invite you to experience the NEPC difference. Visit nepc.com to learn more.

Bottega8 offers secure and cost-efficient AI Model Training and Fine-Tuning tailored for financial institutions. If you're concerned about the expense and complexity of building in-house AI teams, or worried about the privacy and security risks inherent in Big Tech AI APIs, we provide the ideal solution for your proprietary data.Bottega8's solution is specifically designed for institutional financial clients, including PE/VC funds, hedge funds, broker-dealers, traders, investment banks, and fintechs. By partnering with us, you eliminate the need for expensive AI engineers, hefty API fees, and complex technical roadmaps—reducing your AI development costs by up to 85%. If you're seeking AI Model Training and Fine-Tuning services that prioritize security and cost-efficiency without sacrificing Big Tech fidelity, we'd love to talk to you. Learn more at bottega8.com/swimming.

Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies.

The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Christina's Accidental Career Path (0:51)
• Entry Into Hedge Funds (2:43)
• Storytelling in Venture Capital (3:22)
• Market Research Importance (5:54)
• Lessons from Bridgewater (7:55)
• Consulting at FBG (11:28)
• Education's Role in Consulting (13:03)
• Client Needs for Reliable Data (15:32)
• Understanding Venture Goals (17:39)
• DPI vs. IRR Narrative (18:43)
• Insider Segment: Custom AI Model Training (21:10)
• Data Security Risks (26:11)
• Cost-Effectiveness of Custom Solutions (28:14)
• Renaissance Venture Capital Overview (30:36)
• Overview of Startup Event Success (35:07)
• Investment Culture in Michigan (37:45)
• Criteria for Fund Selection (39:11)
• Importance of Risk Management (41:24)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (44:15)

The Renaissance Venture Capital Fund was formed with the philosophy that venture capital is important for economic growth and that many major industrial and business regions such as the State of Michigan are underserved in the amount of venture capital available to fund exciting new ideas and technologies. Success is often built by a combination of innovation, capital and strong working relationships. Our belief is that by providing much needed capital to top tier venture capital firms that are active in Michigan and by building bridges between young innovation companies and Michigan's established business community, we can achieve regional success in the form of strong investment returns and economic growth.

Bottega8 offers secure and cost-efficient AI Model Training and Fine-Tuning tailored for financial institutions. If you're concerned about the expense and complexity of building in-house AI teams, or worried about the privacy and security risks inherent in Big Tech AI APIs, we provide the ideal solution for your proprietary data.Bottega8's solution is specifically designed for institutional financial clients, including PE/VC funds, hedge funds, broker-dealers, traders, investment banks, and fintechs. By partnering with us, you eliminate the need for expensive AI engineers, hefty API fees, and complex technical roadmaps—reducing your AI development costs by up to 85%. If you're seeking AI Model Training and Fine-Tuning services that prioritize security and cost-efficiency without sacrificing Big Tech fidelity, we'd love to talk to you. Learn more at bottega8.com/swimming.

Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies.

The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Grady Becoming a Limited Partner (0:52)
• Networking and Mentorship (3:14)
• Understanding LP Dynamics (5:29)
• Job Satisfaction Among LPs (9:03)
• Understanding Corporate Innovation Needs (13:57)
• Connecting Startups with Limited Partners (15:22)
• Value Addition in Fund Manager Selection (18:30)
• Local Corporate LPs vs. State Money (20:22)
• Outside-In Investment Approach (22:51)
• Insider Segment: Implementing AI in VC and Portfolio Companies (24:14)
• The Importance of Data and Culture (28:35)
• Misuse of AI Terminology (30:54)
• AI Playbook for Executives (32:59)
• Key Qualities for GPs (34:51)
• The Role of Co-Investment (37:04)
• Avoiding Shiny Objects (38:58)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways for Allocators (40:38)

Grady Buchanan is an institutional and risk-based asset allocation professional. His focuses include venture capital fund investments as well connecting startup ecosystems across the globe. NVNG is focused on establishing stronger venture capital presences in regions throughout the US - managing a venture capital fund of funds tailored to meet the needs of local corporations and institutional limited partners. As a Founding Partner, Grady is responsible for the fund of funds portfolio, venture capital fund sourcing and diligence, and for investment allocation decisions.Grady is also the founder and CEO of OmniValley, an online social community exclusively for those looking to establish the right connections within entrepreneurial ecosystems. He’s built a strong and growing platform housing institutional investors, venture capital firms, accelerators, and individuals in efforts to connect under-ventured communities to sophisticated, strategic, and engaged investors, sponsors, and mentors.

Bottega8 offers secure and cost-efficient AI Model Training and Fine-Tuning tailored for financial institutions. If you're concerned about the expense and complexity of building in-house AI teams, or worried about the privacy and security risks inherent in Big Tech AI APIs, we provide the ideal solution for your proprietary data.Bottega8's solution is specifically designed for institutional financial clients, including PE/VC funds, hedge funds, broker-dealers, traders, investment banks, and fintechs. By partnering with us, you eliminate the need for expensive AI engineers, hefty API fees, and complex technical roadmaps—reducing your AI development costs by up to 85%. If you're seeking AI Model Training and Fine-Tuning services that prioritize security and cost-efficiency without sacrificing Big Tech fidelity, we'd love to talk to you. http://www.bottega8.com.

Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies.

The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Darren's Background and Career Journey (1:09)
• Thesis on Private Markets (5:11)
• History and Focus of Provenio Capital (6:42)
• Investment Structuring for Clients (10:22)
• Investment Process for New Managers (13:44)
• Current Interests in VC Managers (15:08)
• Building Relationships with VC Fund Managers (16:28)
• Understanding Venture in Portfolio Context (18:26)
• Insider Segment: Setting Institutional-Grade Back Offices (19:13)
• Operational Diligence in Fund Management (24:10)
• Minimum Investment Criteria for Clients (28:09)
• Trends for Allocators to Watch (30:12)
• Lessons Learned in Venture Investing (31:40)
• Parting Thoughts on Venture Portfolio (33:01)
• Current Opportunities in Early Stage Investments (34:34)

Provenio Capital: Our specialization and expertise is the sourcing and diligence of alternative investment strategies across hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, real estate and direct deals. Our focus is to build portfolios that are less correlated to the broader markets, and our aim is to generate outperformance during periods of dislocation in order to produce excellent risk-adjusted returns for our clients with significantly less volatility. As part of the overall investment process, we will aim to incorporate the appropriate planning and structure to maximize after-tax returns.

Aduro Advisors is a trusted partner for venture capital fund managers, offering comprehensive and expert fund administration services. Known for being agile, responsive, and focused on making fund operations seamless, Aduro enables fund managers to concentrate on investing. With deep expertise across a variety of fund sizes and strategies, Aduro provides a full suite of services, including fund accounting and compliance. The firm understands the fast-paced nature of venture capital and prides itself on being as innovative and driven as the funds it supports. Aduro doesn’t just manage operations—they help funds scale. https://www.aduroadvisors.com.

Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies.

The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Sean’s Background and Journey in VC (1:07)
• First Deal Learning Experience (3:22)
• Conviction in Allocating (5:08)
• User-Friendly LP Approach (7:35)
• Openness to Manager Relationships (11:19)
• Overview of Gresham Partners (12:14)
• Strategy on Smaller Investments (14:10)
• Macro Trends Influencing Venture Strategy (15:57)
• Influence of Families on Investment Strategy (19:52)
• Capital Pool Structure (22:00)
• Insider Segment: Best Practices for Emerging Managers (25:24)
• Identifying Client Needs (27:34)
• Distribution Trends (29:45)
• Investment Process Transparency (31:55)
• Adapting to Market Changes (33:48)
• Miscommunication in LP-GP Relations (37:05)
• Understanding GP-LP Dynamics (40:15)
• Building Relationships in the LP Community (42:06)
• Changes in Fund Strategies (45:28)
• AI's Impact on Investments (48:17)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (49:22)

Sean Warrington is the Head of Private Investments at Gresham Partners where he seeks to build portfolios of world-class private equity and real asset managers. His primary responsibilities include developing, sourcing and executing private investments around the world. Prior to joining Gresham, Sean served as co-head of private markets for the Alfred I. duPont Charitable Trust, a $6.5 billion foundation based in Jacksonville, FL. He previously held positions in corporate finance at Lockheed Martin as well. Sean’s personal interests include watching sports (including esports!), reading science fiction and regular workouts.

Aduro Advisors is a trusted partner for venture capital fund managers, offering comprehensive and expert fund administration services. Known for being agile, responsive, and focused on making fund operations seamless, Aduro enables fund managers to concentrate on investing. With deep expertise across a variety of fund sizes and strategies, Aduro provides a full suite of services, including fund accounting and compliance. The firm understands the fast-paced nature of venture capital and prides itself on being as innovative and driven as the funds it supports. Aduro doesn’t just manage operations—they help funds scale. https://www.aduroadvisors.com.

Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies.

The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Anurag’s Background and Experiences in VC (1:05)
• Understanding Venture Capital Dynamics (2:26)
• The Importance of Transparency (5:33)
• Expectations of Returns (9:06)
• Emerging Manager Trends (11:30)
• Family Offices and Investment Strategies (12:49)
• Exploring Emerging Geographies (15:56)
• The Importance of Risk in Venture (17:53)
• Learning from Allocators (22:56)
• Insider Segment: Trends in Fund Structures (25:48)
• The Role of Fund Administrators (29:22)
• Benchmark Data in Fundraising (30:18)
• Investment Strategy Focus (32:17)
• Current Regulatory Landscape (35:01)
• Pension Fund's Venture Program Development (36:36)
• Investment Decision-Making Processes (40:02)
• Building Relationships with Pension Plans (42:06)
• Differentiating Fund Proposals (43:45)
• Overview of Race Global Conference (45:49)
• Trends in Fund Proposals (47:01)
• Criteria for Advising Family Offices (50:00)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (55:14)

Anurag Chandra’s background encompasses billions of dollars of institutional investing and venture capital experience. He has also held three hi-tech startup senior operating roles reporting directly to founders/CEOs (two M&A exits to public companies). He has expertise in equity and debt and early and later-stage investments and has advised dozens of funds and family offices. His experience includes structuring principal transactions, including SPVs, debtor-in-possession purchases, and asset purchases/acquisitions.

Aduro Advisors is a trusted partner for venture capital fund managers, offering comprehensive and expert fund administration services. Known for being agile, responsive, and focused on making fund operations seamless, Aduro enables fund managers to concentrate on investing. With deep expertise across a variety of fund sizes and strategies, Aduro provides a full suite of services, including fund accounting and compliance. The firm understands the fast-paced nature of venture capital and prides itself on being as innovative and driven as the funds it supports. Aduro doesn’t just manage operations—they help funds scale. https://www.aduroadvisors.com

Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies.

The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Lisha's Background and Journey in VC (1:44)
• Inspiration for Equity Charge (2:38)
• Angel Investing Data (4:36)
• Access to Venture Capital (6:02)
• Role of LP Investing (9:32)
• Advice for First-Time LPs (11:07)
• Valuing Early Backers (15:04)
• Economic Opportunity Fund at PayPal Ventures (16:14)
• Team Collaboration and Initiative (17:24)
• Advice for Other Organizations (20:00)
• Insider Segment: How Adoro Provides Scalable Solutions for VC Firms (21:09)
• Naming Adoro Advisors (23:27)
• Evolution of Fund Administration (25:37)
• Adoro's Unique Positioning (28:13)
• Synergy with Portfolio Companies (30:51)
• Building Synergistic Relationships (32:47)
• Diversity in GP Representation (33:39)
• Legacy of Racial Equity Movement (35:20)
• Investment Strategy and Portfolio Balance (37:42)
• Fintech Opportunities and Challenges (39:52)
• Adoption of Financial Technologies (42:10)
• Podcast "Sisters with Ventures" and Parting Thoughts (44:54)

Lisha Bell has over 20 years of experience in technology innovation, specializing in digital money movement. She currently leads PayPal Ventures' Economic Opportunity Fund, a $100M investment in diverse emerging fund managers. Previously at PayPal, she led Product for the Financially Underserved Segment and Pay with Venmo. Prior roles include payments-related positions at Wells Fargo, Kohl’s, and Feedzai, where she developed early digital financial products like online banking and digital wallets. Lisha is cofounder of BLXVC, an angel syndicate supporting Black and Brown founders, and host of the Sisters with Ventures podcast. She previously led deal flow at Pipeline Angels and serves as board chair for Black Girl Ventures. Lisha holds a BSc from USC and MBAs from UC Berkeley and Columbia, and enjoys traveling, cooking, and dancing, all while balancing motherhood duties with her daughter.

Aduro Advisors is a trusted partner for venture capital fund managers, offering comprehensive and expert fund administration services. Known for being agile, responsive, and focused on making fund operations seamless, Aduro enables fund managers to concentrate on investing. With deep expertise across a variety of fund sizes and strategies, Aduro provides a full suite of services, including fund accounting and compliance. The firm understands the fast-paced nature of venture capital and prides itself on being as innovative and driven as the funds it supports. Aduro doesn’t just manage operations—they help funds scale. https://www.aduroadvisors.com

Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies.

The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.