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.

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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