Our guest this week is Chris Douvos, the Founder and Managing Director of Ahoy Capital. We explore why Chris is focused on emerging managers, what led him to a concentrated strategy, what he has changed his mind on over the years, and what keeps him up at night. Please enjoy this fun conversation.
The episode is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and YouTube Music.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Startup Investing
02:02 Understanding Ahoy Capital
06:13 The Role of Fund of Funds
09:57 Concentration vs. Diversification in Investing
14:08 Navigating Valuations and Market Perceptions
17:53 The Importance of Sustainable Value
21:46 Managing Relationships with Fund Managers
26:02 Evolving Perspectives on Investment Strategies
29:48 Innovative Fee Structures in Venture Capital
34:04 The Value of Quality References
38:12 Shoutouts to Successful Managers
Takeaways
Ahoy Capital focuses on investing in smaller, emerging managers.
Fund of funds act as intermediaries, aggregating capital for investors.
Concentration in investing is driven by conviction and belief in opportunities.
Investing is about optimizing discomfort and taking calculated risks.
Venture capital often leads to heartbreak due to high failure rates.
Quality references are more valuable than quantity in due diligence.
Sustainable competitive advantage is crucial for long-term success.
Market perceptions can distort true value in venture capital.
Pessimism may seem smart, but optimism drives financial success.
The importance of maintaining relationships with fund managers is paramount.
The content here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, legal or tax advice. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the views of Seaplane Ventures. Our host, guests and clients may hold investments discussed in this podcast. Please invest responsibly.