Invest Like The Best
Episode 85 A Value Investor Lost in the Valley
Invest Like The Best

Episode 85: A Value Investor Lost in the Valley

A Value Investor Lost in the Valley

Chris Douvos is Founder of AHOY Capital. We cover the venture capital landscape, where things might be going, and portfolio construction in VC.

This episode is brought to you by:

The CFA Institute. The CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals, whose mission is to lead the investment profession by promoting the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence for the ultimate benefit of society. CFA Institute serves a global community of investment professionals working to build an investment industry where investors' interests come first, financial markets function at their best, and economies grow. The Chartered Financial Analyst credential is the most respected and recognized investment management designation in the world.

[00:02:18] – Four factors that Chris thinks are important for future success of venture firms; portfolio concentration; repeatability; being early; size discipline

[00:07:40] – What the venture landscape looks like today from Chris’s viewpoint

[00:14:07] – Is there a glut of startups making it difficult for investors

[00:17:33] – How does Chris think about the investments that are a bit different from what everyone else is investing in in Silicon Valley

[00:19:17] – Why he focuses on college campuses for innovation

[00:20:54] – The role that geography plays in venture

[00:25:06] – The Four M’s; money, momentum, mentorship, entrepreneurial management

[00:27:13] – Chris’s perspective on cryptocurrency as a threat to venture capital

[00:31:44] – The idea of venture capitalists as service providers to the companies they are investing in

[00:35:15] – Views on investing in hyper-focused VC’s vs those that are generalists and just go after the best opportunities in any sector

[00:39:00] – What hot button areas are of most interest to Chris and why, from an investment standpoint

[00:42:22] – What can a public market investor learn from a value venture investor who mostly has to rely on qualitative metrics

[00:44:38] – Portfolio construction in the world of venture

[00:48:00] – What are the characteristics that Chris looks for in managers, as an allocator

[00:53:52] – What type of investors should and should not be in venture

[00:59:15] – What type of allocator would Chris give all of his money to

[01:01:40] – Kindest thing anyone has done for Chris

A Value Investor Lost in the Valley

Introduction

Patrick
My guest this week is Chris Douvos, a managing partner at Venture Investment Associates, which allocates $1.6 billion on behalf of investors. Chris is the first professional allocator I've spoken with who focuses specifically on venture capital funds, so I had a ton of questions for him on how to build a portfolio in an asset class known for uncertain but often enormous outcomes.

We discuss the major recent changes in the asset class and where things might be going. I sought Chris out because while this is an investment style that is full of creativity and hope, I've always felt it could use a healthy dose of skepticism and a value investor's mindset. He delivers in spades as we try to separate the real from the ideal. We didn't record it, but Chris's tour of Palo Alto was one of the most interesting and entertaining hours I've spent. He's a student of markets and of history, and I look forward to learning more from him in the future. Please enjoy our conversation on venture capital investing.

Access the full transcript
Sign in or register to view episode transcripts.

Contact

Get in touch at help@joincollossus.com