The Investor With Joel Palathinkal

Matthew N. Bobrow: Partner at Fox Rothschild

In this real-time conversation, Joel and Fox Rothschild partner Matthew Bobrow go beyond the boilerplate to explore what it really takes to build, launch, and scale a first-time investment fund. Drawing on his unique experience advising both the world’s largest institutional investors and emerging managers, Matthew breaks down the psychological shift founders must make when moving from operator to asset manager, the structural decisions tied to underlying strategy, and the practical, low-cost steps for market sounding before ever drafting an LPA. They unpack the rise of GP staking, the complexities of crossover and hedge fund strategies, the growing role of secondaries in private markets, and critical red flags in late-stage SPV deals—including the due diligence gaps exposed by high-profile names like Anthropic. Whether you’re raising a first fund or refining an established platform, this conversation delivers candid, actionable insights on fund structure, investor alignment, and the fiduciary mindset that separates enduring managers from the rest.#VentureCapital #PrivateEquity #FundFormation #GPStaking #SECCompliance #EmergingManagers #Secondaries #InvestmentFunds

Adrian Balfour: Founder and Chairman at Envorso, Empwr.AI,

In this episode, we sit down with Adrian Balfour, founder and chairman at Envorso, Empwr.AI, a seasoned entrepreneur and investor who has built and sold a global consultancy, launched a major professional sports league, and created a sustainable wool brand from his own regenerative farms. Adrian shares invaluable insights from his journey of growing PCubed to thousands of employees with zero outside capital, his strategic approach to angel investing as an active operator, and his philosophy on navigating exits and timing. We dive deep into the practicalities of selling to enterprise clients, the art of portfolio construction for fund managers, and his unique perspective on incubating AI-driven companies like Empwr.Ai. Adrian also reveals how he manages the context shifts between his ventures in tech, sports, and agriculture, offering a masterclass in passion-driven entrepreneurship and relentless execution.#Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #AIInvesting #StartupFounder #BusinessGrowth #SportsTech #SustainableBusiness #AngelInvesting

Joe Gelet: Investment Representative at RF Lafferty

In this episode, we dive deep with Joe Gelet, Investment Representative at RF Lafferty and a veteran in both the private markets and algorithmic trading space. Joe unpacks his journey from forex trading to specializing in secondary market transactions for unicorns like SpaceX, sharing his unique perspective on the convergence of technology, finance, and the future of private markets. We explore the critical shift from "taker" to "maker" investment models, the evolving role of automation and AI in deal execution, and the essential strategies for emerging fund managers navigating the complexities of SPVs and capital formation. Joe offers candid advice on developing a disciplined, personalized investment philosophy, the importance of providing tangible value to portfolio companies, and why "doing nothing" is a powerful, often overlooked, strategic choice in a volatile market.#PrivateMarkets #SecondaryMarket #VentureCapital #SPV #InvestmentStrategy #AIinFinance #StartupInvesting #FundManagement

Donna Letier: Founder and CEO of Gardenuity

In this episode, we dive deep with Donna Letier, founder and CEO of Gardenuity, a purpose-driven company transforming gardening into a modern wellness tool for mental health and human connection. Donna shares her journey from retail and brand strategy to entrepreneurship, detailing how data-driven insights and resilience have shaped her company's evolution from a simple idea to a nationwide force supporting over five million harvests. We explore the unique intersections of B2B and DTC strategies, the power of corporate wellness programs, and the critical role of strategic partnerships. Donna offers invaluable advice for founders on fundraising, choosing investors who align with your vision, and the importance of persistence, while also providing a thoughtful perspective for investors on building authentic, long-term relationships with the entrepreneurs they back.#GardeningTech #WellnessEntrepreneur #FounderJourney #StartupFunding #ImpactInvesting #B2BStrategy #ConsumerBrand #Entrepreneurship

Balaji Krishnan: Venture Studio

In this episode, we sit down with Balaji Krishnan, a serial entrepreneur and venture studio founder whose consumer hardware and software companies have achieved multiple successful exits, including acquisitions by TiVo and a public company. Balaji shares his journey from a systems engineer at Sun Microsystems, HP, and Oracle to becoming a prolific founder, driven by a passion for building products he would personally use. We dive deep into the venture studio model of his current venture, Keeja Lab, where he bootstraps ideas to the seed stage before bringing in external capital—a unique approach that de-risks investments and retains significant ownership. Balaji offers invaluable advice on fundraising, valuation strategy, lean operations, and the art of the exit, emphasizing the importance of building inbound acquisition interest rather than actively seeking a sale. Whether you're an aspiring founder, an investor interested in consumer tech, or curious about alternative venture-building models, this conversation is packed with hard-won insights on product creation, founder resilience, and building a portfolio of profitable, scalable businesses.#VentureStudio #SerialEntrepreneur #ConsumerTech #HardwareStartups #StartupExit #Bootstrapping #VentureCapital #ProductDevelopment #FounderAdvice