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Emerging Managers

Author: Scott Kelly

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Does Silicon Valley and Wall Street have a lock on the deal flow of capital into new innovative ventures? Is there a market for emerging fund managers to make a difference and a high return on investment with alternative capital fund models? Meet the venture capital market movers shifting exposure and funding to promising and refreshing innovative founders all over the globe right here on the Emerging Managers Podcast - the show exploring why new-to-you VC funds might be your next great investment. 


With a venture market of 3200 funds and 1800 raising their first round, there are plenty of emerging fund managers just waiting for the right investment LP to hear them and explore growing together. Each week, discover actionable tips and valuable advice from up-and-coming fund managers looking for better opportunities and ways to compete in the venture capital market. Hear about their investment thesis and their process for finding right-fit founders and deals to unlock growth like never before.


Listen to VCs across the country and abroad with their different niche perspectives as they break down their origin stories, career experiences, and investment preferences. Learn how they got through their biggest struggles in life, how they mastered the ropes of VC funding, and how they continuously improve their strategies to get the best return on their buck.


Most importantly, they reveal exactly what they are looking for in a founder to invest in and investment partners to grow with, providing that much-needed roadmap to high returns. As these venture investors pull back the curtain to their business priorities and desires, you can see how to strategically refine and review their endeavor to find the best VC funding match.


Your host and guide to this fund manager exploration is Scott Kelly, CEO of business accelerator Black Dog Venture Partners and founder of VC Fast Pitch. He has been working on both sides, with entrepreneurs and investors alike, for more than three decades. Harnessing his innovative skills, vast experience training thousands of salespeople, and tapping into his vast network of investors, Scott helps founders and investors sustain and scale innovation. He is well-known as the organizer and MC of monthly investor-founder matchmaking events.


Scott is occasionally joined by co-host Tracy Hazzard, founder of the podcast production technology company, Podetize.  Tracy’s experience as a speaker, podcaster, and Inc. Innovation columnist, as well as a successful female AI tech founder adds valuable insights to the show. Listen all the way through for Tracy and Scott to combine their unique perspectives and experiences with a post-analysis of their emerging fund manager guests.


Business owners, company managers, and start-up founders listen in as these Emerging Fund Managers highlight the strengths that will make you more attractive to highly sought-after venture capital.


Emerging Managers, investors and LPs… check out how your capital competitors are building trust with investors, rising above digital white noise in the market and emphasizing the strengths and differentiators in their funds. Get inspired to build a name for yourself so you can grab a piece or all the venture capital money flowing right now too. 


Join Scott and Tracy in their pursuit to bridge the gap between managers and investors building a market rich with rewarding investment partnerships that will create innovative opportunities for years to come.


Be part of a movement that is shaping the future of venture capital and entrepreneurship. Join a community of innovators and visionaries who are redefining the investment landscape and driving positive change. Together, we can create a more equitable and impactful venture ecosystem.


Want to learn more about VC Fast Pitch, our Guests (or be our next guest) on the Emerging Managers Podcast? Go to https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com/ for more details.



43 Episodes
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Real estate is now rapidly adopting new technologies to keep up with the fast-paced economic pressures and make their processes more cost-efficient. Alon Gorbonos joins Scott Kelly to discuss how RE Angels is focusing exclusively on early-stage real estate tech startups. He shares their experiences and insights as an angel fund at the intersection of real estate and technology, particularly as they navigate the rise of cutting-edge innovations such as automation and AI. Alon also talks about their team composed of seasoned real estate professionals who bring deep industry expertise and knowledge about one of the most exciting spaces to invest in right now.Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com
A mathematical model may be the key to bringing clarity and predictability to venture capital. Justin Cohen, founder and managing partner of Collinear Capital, shares how his physics background shaped a data-driven framework that uses Monte Carlo simulations and networked LP insights to forecast fund performance. Focused on Enterprise B2B SaaS companies, Collinear Capital applies analytical rigor to accelerate growth and reduce risk. Justin breaks down how logic, alignment, and measurable outcomes can replace instinct with strategy—and redefine what smart investing looks like in today’s venture landscape.Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com
No Sleep Beverage is redefining what it means to invest in and build the next generation of premium spirits brands. Founder Nick Papanicolaou shares how his experience in global finance and the beverage industry shaped a hands-on venture model that blends smart capital with mentorship and strategic discipline. Through No Sleep Beverage, Nick is betting on long-term value over quick exits, focusing on brand authenticity, cultural relevance, and operational excellence. In this conversation, he unpacks what investors often get wrong about timing and risk, how the right partners can amplify impact, and why conviction—and a clear vision—still win in a volatile market.Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com
A corporate venture capital allows investors to directly put corporate funds into external startup companies. Will Fung explains how they do it by sharing his experiences as a Principal at Woven Capital, the growth-stage venture capital fund of Toyota. Together with Scott Kelly, he discusses how they mainly invest on mobility of people, robotics, automation, and AI. Will also explains how a corporate venture capital also comes with the company’s industry influence and network, giving startup founders a bigger chance to achieve significant business success.Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com
Israeli founders have a particular fondness for frontier tech product-market fit and go-to-market strategy. However, they often fail to address the gap between the market and the customers. Scott Kelly sits down with Aaron Zucker of Sapir Venture Partners, who discusses his journey from being a bridge between the US and Israel in the innovation world to becoming a venture capitalist himself. He talks about his work on helping Israeli founders commercialize deep tech to create positive global impact and build viable businesses. Aaron also emphasizes the importance of creating a strong team and the willingness to accept feedback in the world of venture capital.Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com
With AI being one of the hottest topics right now, investing in the disruptors in this space is a good decision indeed. Scott Kelly is joined by Jacob Phillips of Tides Ventures, who shares their focus on later-stage technology companies making waves in the current AI landscape. From generative AI to robotics, Jacob talks about their biggest investments and how they navigate the rapid innovation in the tech industry. He also breaks down their investment thesis, how they use Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), and why being resistant to change hinders companies from unlocking growth.Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com
Special Purpose Vehicles or SPVs allow direct investing into portfolio companies, unlike other venture capital structures. This is the specialization of Pablo Grodnitzky, who focuses on late seed and Series A constructing SPVs at Plus Ultra Capital. Joining Scott Kelly, he breaks down their SPV strategy with a hands-on approach on accelerating revenue growth, managing portfolios efficiently, and improving product-market fit. Pablo also shares how they use an AI-powered metric framework to maximize the accuracy of their due diligence rather than solely relying on unicorns.Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com
Sports is becoming one of the best places to invest in right now. Find out how to secure huge wins through sports investing with De Anna Guerreiro of Athlon Family Office. She joins Scott Kelly to share her mission to provide the right financial literacy to professional athletes and how to invest in high-growth sports-related companies. De Anna also discusses why sports investment must always be approached with utmost caution and stresses why joining bandwagon assets is not always a good idea.Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com
India is one of the hotspots of entrepreneurship. Their diverse community, growing economy, and hardworking mindset serve as the foundations of a promising market. Ashutosh Kumar, the new CEO of Expert Dojo, joins Scott Kelly to share how he leads their new Indian fund and unlocks promising global investments through strong entrepreneurial spirit. He details their plans for a decentralized fund structure with offices across various Indian states while tapping into a broader pool of talent. Ashutosh also underscores Expert Dojo’s commitment to continuous portfolio support and highlights some success stories they have encountered in this Asian nation.Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com
Venture capital is evolving fast, and Andrew Romans of 7BC Venture Capital reveals how his global “seven continents” approach is reshaping the game. From his roots in telecom and enterprise software to founding companies and raising capital, Andrew shares the journey that led him to building 7BC’s unique dual strategy: investing both directly in startups and in other high-performing VC funds. He unpacks what makes a disruptive founder, why emerging managers matter, and how cherry-picking direct investments from fund portfolios creates outsized returns. With insights on AI-native companies, the Superhuman-to-Grammarly success story, and the power of curated demo days, this conversation is packed with lessons for entrepreneurs and investors navigating today’s VC landscape.Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com
Some of the most exciting investment opportunities right now can be found in the realm of science and technology. Jenna Aronson, Partner at Two Bear Capital, joins Scott Kelly to discuss how they invest in technical founders at the forefront of today’s cutting-edge and disruptive innovations. She explains how technology, particularly AI, is driving capital efficiency and accelerating the discovery of new biotech frontiers. If you are curious about the gold to be found in the intersection of health and technology, this episode is a must-listen.Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com
Scott Kelly welcomes the first real estate investor to the podcast: Mitch Siegler, co-founder and senior managing director at Pathfinder Partners. He shares their work on multifamily properties in the western United States and explains why jumping into this particular asset could offer attractive returns for the next several years. Mitch also discusses how they mitigate risks from natural hazards and financial mismanagement through their disciplined, investor-first approach.Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com
Exploring new territory is where the biggest opportunities lie—and that’s the philosophy driving NeoTerra Capital. Scott Kelly talks with Chris Piedmonte, Managing Director at NeoTerra Capital, about their unique approach as an “Inception fund” investing at the earliest stages of company formation. Chris shares how NeoTerra seeks out passionate, pragmatic founders and ventures in cutting-edge sectors like AI, medical devices, HR tech, and real estate, as well as emerging markets across Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. He also discusses their $50 million fundraise, innovative fee structure, and the deep value-add they provide beyond capital—bringing leadership, engineering, and strategic expertise to every portfolio company. Whether you’re a founder or investor, this episode offers critical insights into spotting opportunities and building strong partnerships from day one. Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com
Investing in industries directly related to the government, such as healthcare, energy, and education, can be a tremendous opportunity. You are getting unlimited access to capital and funding. But with all the laws and regulations, it can also be a bit tricky to deal with. Scott Kelly sits down with Rob Panepinto of Govo Venture Partners, who shares how they help entrepreneurs successfully do business with the government. They explore the importance of understanding its tailwinds and headwinds that influence investment decisions, especially in a rapidly evolving tech market. Rob also talks about their most exciting investments, from a company providing hybrid multispecialty care to an organization using 3D printing to create environmentally friendly seawalls.Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com
Although it is not that easy to find hidden talents within the venture market, it is always extremely fulfilling when you discover the most promising ones. Joseph Alalou of Daring Ventures is dedicated to finding shining diamonds in the rough and connecting them with extraordinary opportunities. In this conversation with Scott Kelly, he presents their three-pronged approach in evaluating and choosing founders to work with, which goes beyond the traditional credentials. Joe also talks about Daring Ventures’ focus on software investments that could change the future of work, especially those that scale human judgment.Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com
The sports industry is one exciting and promising space not just for athletes but also for investors. Andrew Petcash shares how their venture fund Profluence focuses exclusively on this industry – with zero outside capital. Joining Scott Kelly, he discusses how he looks for people who share his fiery passion about sports, allowing him to secure big opportunities and create a huge impact on sports teams and local communities. Andrew also talks about some of their most successful investments, particularly in a world-class festival that brings racquet sport players and enthusiasts throughout the world. Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com
The world of sports is a widely impactful space whose influence spans even other industries as well. Sean Clifford is here to discuss how their venture fund Clifford Capital focuses on sports adjacent assets. Joining Scott Kelly, he talks about the brands they are investing in, particularly sport-related technologies with broader applications in healthcare, industrial, and even the military sectors. Clifford also shares how he uses his background as a professional athlete to make the right investment opportunities that not only make their fund an institutional player in today’s market but also make innovations easily accessible to professional and high-level athletes. Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com
Taking an unconventional path in your career journey is one great way to differentiate yourself from the rest – and unlock a different kind of success. Keshia Theobald-van Gent, a partner at BDev Ventures, joins Scott Kelly to share how she uses her non-traditional professional background to help manage one of the most active funds in Silicon Valley. She discusses how their founder-centric investment thesis allows them to take on international-level investments across web3, AI, media, DeFi, and tech. Keshia also talks about BDev Ventures’ status as a single LP fund with an evergreen commitment to founders and companies across the United States and Latin America. Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com
Scott Kelly is joined by one of his first guests – Erik Huberman, a GP at Hawke Ventures and co-founder/CEO of Hawke Media. He talks all about the Hawke Deal Network that connects individuals, family offices, and institutions with promising investment opportunities. Erik explains their “unfair advantage” in picking winners, as well as their venture into the tech and AI space. He also offers his optimistic outlook on the state of venture capital and the current economy, emphasizing the importance of staying disciplined and recognizing opportunities in a recovering market.Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com
The tech industry is evolving fast, and it will continue with its non-stop progress for the foreseeable future, if not forever. If you are investing in this highly innovative space, you must always be on the lookout for what’s new, what’s trending, and what’s up next. Scott Kelly chats with Felix Hartmann, an investor and founder of Hartmann Capital, a frontier tech VC firm investing in AI, Spatial Computing, and the 3D Creator Economy. Felix shares how they work with founders who take advantage of the promising world of tech, particularly in the under-allocated spaces of VR, AR, and human-AI integration. He also explains how AI will potentially shape the future, and why everyone should learn to embrace it instead of repel it.Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com
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