How do you balance risk in your VC portfolio?

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Miles Dieffenbach

Managing Director of Investments · Carnegie Mellon University

Non‑Consensus Early Picks

Miles Dieffenbach says his approach is true early-stage venture: finding non-consensus, against-the-grain ideas and investing before everyone else, because he thinks that business has a protected moat since it’s unnatural.

Jeff Morris Jr.

Founder & General Partner · Chapter One

Many Small Checks

Jeff Morris Jr. says he built a diversified fund with many smaller checks, following David Lee's advice to take many shots on goal so that the ones that work aren't sunk by the ones that don't.

The answer starts at 1:19:27.

MF

Morgan Flager

Managing Partner · Silverton Partners

Focus on Self-Sustaining Upside

Morgan Flager says to focus on what could go right on its own—without him or Silverton fixing things—as the right lens, while still weighing what could go wrong.

Brian Singerman

Partner · Founders Fund

Two Buckets

Brian Singerman says he puts venture capital into two buckets, beginning with tier one, when advising LPs like endowments or pension funds.

Mark Peter Davis

Managing Partner · Interplay

Balance Idea, Team, KPIs

Mark Peter Davis says he constructs his venture portfolio by balancing three things—idea, team and KPIs—since betting on all three together can take risk out of a deal, and playing those odds can be lucrative for LPs.

David Weisburd

Founder · Weisburd Capital

Diversify with Persistent Managers

David Weisburd says the best risk-return experience comes from focusing on diversification—without being overly diversified—and concentrating capital with managers who have shown persistence and performance.