Welcome to the Allocate Podcast, an interview and educational content series to help investors learn and navigate investing in alternatives. Join us to hear from leading founders, fund managers, and allocators on the latest trends and the keys to successfully participating in the private markets.
To kick off 2024, we’re delighted to have Nic Millikan, Allocate’s Managing Director and Head of Client Solutions, host Allocate’s Co-Founder and CEO, Samir Kaji.
Together, they deliver an insightful conversation covering:
the founding of Allocate and why its value proposition is meaningful for the industry
the evolution of investing in venture capital toward a contemporary, frameworks-based approach
the importance of education to enable responsible participation in private markets investing
About Samir Kaji:
Prior to Allocate, Samir spent nearly 22 years in venture banking between SVB and First Republic Bank and closely worked with and advised over 700 venture capital and private equity firms. During this time, he completed over $12B in structured debt transactions and invested personally in over 60 funds and companies, including early-stage investments into Carta (seed), Side (seed), PolicyGenius (Series A), and FanDuel (Series B) as well as Growth investments into Reddit, Alto Pharmacy, and Carbon Health.
Samir completed a finance undergraduate degree at San Jose State University, an MBA from Santa Clara University, and completed the prestigious Kauffman Fellows venture program.
He is also an active writer on venture capital and is the host of a top venture podcast called Venture Unlocked.
In this episode, we discuss:
(01:19) Samir’s transition from selling vacuums at retail to engaging with pioneering companies like Google and YouTube
(08:00) The importance of personalizing investor experiences within Allocate, aiming to match venture capital opportunities with individual investor needs
(09:00) Leveraging AI and data to scale personalization in venture capital
(11:44) Samir’s learning curve as an entrepreneur and the lessons learned from interacting with seasoned entrepreneurs
(14:04) The evolution of the venture capital industry from a generalist approach to a more specialized and segmented ecosystem
(19:02) Samir’s nuanced approach to venture capital investment, and the importance of understanding the diverse risk-return profiles across different venture fund types
(24:30) The critical role of education in venture capital and demystifying the asset class for investors through workshops, webinars, and events
(30:46) How low-interest rates and fiscal policies drove the venture cycle, and why AI may drive a new super cycle
(37:18) Advice to new investors in the venture space
DISCLOSURE
The information on this page constitutes market commentary and is provided by Allocate Management Company, LLC, any of its affiliates or any of its or their affiliates, directors, officers, employees or advisers (collectively referred to herein as “Allocate”) for informational purposes only.
Any opinions, assumptions, assessments, statements or the like (collectively, “Statements”) regarding market condition, future events or which are forward-looking, including Statements about investment processes, investment objectives, goals, risk management techniques, views of possible future outcomes in any investment asset class or market, or of possible future economic developments, constitute only market commentary based on the subjective views, beliefs, outlooks, forecasts, projections, estimations or intentions of Allocate, should not be relied on, are subject to change. Although Allocate believes that the expectations reflected in the Statements are reasonable, no representation is made or assurance given that such Statements are correct or that the objectives of an investment product or service will be achieved or that investors will receive a return of their capital or will not sustain losses. All investments involve risks and uncertainties, as disclosed in the applicable offering documents. Allocate undertakes no responsibility or obligation to revise or update any Statements. Statements expressed herein may not be shared by all personnel of Allocate. This page and the Statements are not intended as investment advice or recommendations by Allocate. It is Allocate’s policy that investment recommendations to its clients must be based on the investment objectives and risk tolerances of each individual client.
This page and Statements may contain or are based on third-party sources that, although believed to be reliable, have not been independently verified. Market and investment views of third parties presented herein do not necessarily reflect the views of Allocate. All such information is as of the date indicated, if indicated, may not be complete, is subject to change. All rights to the trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property listed herein belong to their respective owners and the use of such logos hereof does not imply an affiliation with, or endorsement by, the owners of such trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property.
Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Samir Kaji, Allocate's Co-Founder and CEO, on the founding of Allocate