20VC: Will LPs Replace GPs with Chris Douvos, Managing Director @ VIA

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The Twenty Minute VC

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4.4 • 637 Ratings

🗓️ 15 June 2016

⏱️ 30 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Chris Douvos is Managing Director @ Venture Investment Associates (VIA) where he is a member of the Firm’s Investment Committee and has responsibility for the management of relationships with the funds’ managers and its limited partners, as well as the identification and development of new relationships for the Firm. Prior to joining VIA, he spent time at The Investment Fund For Foundations (TIFF). where he was responsible for over $1 billion. Prior to that, Chris worked on Princeton University’s endowment team. One of Chris’ most notable investments is his pre-first fund investment in First Round Capital. Chris is also the author of the fantastic blog, www.SuperLP.com, definitely check that out if you have not had the chance yet.

In Today’s Episode You Will Learn:

1.) How did Chris make his way into the world of limited partners?

2.) How does Chris respond to FOMO as an LP? Does it affect his decision making process? How does he look to avoid it?

3.) What patterns and processes has Chris developed to asses the ability of potential GPs?

4.) Is Chris concerned by the increasing time it is taking for startups to exit? How does this affect his think as an LP and cash on cash relationship to this asset class?

5.) In 2013, Chris aid micro VC was the most exciting space in VC, where is he most excited for now? Where will we see innovation in the VC market?

Items Mentioned In Today’s Episode:

Chris' Fave Blog: RedEye VC, Tomasz Tunguz

Chris' Fave Book: The Great Gatsby

Chris' Most Recent Investment: Other Lab

As always you can follow The Twenty Minute VC, Harry and Chris on Twitter here!

If you would like to see a more colourful side to Harry with many a mojito session, you can follow him on Instagram here!

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome back to the 20-minute VC with your host Harry Stebbings at H. Stebbings on Snapchat,
0:05.8	and we are back in the world of limited partners today following our incredible episode with Beezer Clarkson
0:10.8	at Sapphire Ventures. And for those of you who do not know, they are the money behind the money.
0:16.0	Ever wonder where VCs get their money from? That's where LPs come in.
0:19.7	So for today's show, I'm delighted to welcome
0:21.8	Chris DuVos at Venture Investment Associates, where he's a member of the firm's investment
0:26.5	committee and has responsibility for the management of relationships with the funds managers
0:31.1	and its limited partners, as well as the identification and development of new relationships
0:36.2	for the firm. Prior to joining
0:38.1	venture investment associates, he spent time at the Investment Fund for Foundations, or TIF, where he
0:44.1	was responsible for over a billion dollars, and prior to that, Chris worked on Princeton University's
0:49.2	endowment team, and one of Chris's most notable investments is his pre-first fund investment in the incredible
0:55.4	first round capital of whom we've had Rob Hayes on the show. I also have to say Chris authors an
1:01.5	insane blog at www.com. Definitely check that out if you haven't. It's absolutely fantastic. But before we
1:10.1	meet Chris, did you know
1:11.3	the mattress was invented in the Neolithic period as a mechanism raised off the ground to avoid
1:17.0	drafts, dirt and pests? Well, things have suddenly moved on since then. So much so that now we have
1:22.6	Lisa, who scientifically engineered mattress allows for the perfect night's sleep. Not only do they allow you to sleep better, but leases also incredibly good value.
1:31.3	With no retail stores, they can pass on those savings to you, the consumer,
1:35.3	making the pricing reasonable and transparent.
1:38.3	And if that's not enough to convince you, then how about when you order a leased mattress
1:42.3	it will be delivered to your door in only a few
	...

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