How I Invest with David Weisburd

What happens when one investor sits at the intersection of venture capital, natural resources, AI, space infrastructure, and geopolitics?

In this episode, I sit down with Rob Stephens, Director of Investments at Spider Management, to discuss how institutional investors are adapting to a world where private markets are capturing more value, AI is reshaping capital allocation, and the boundaries between asset classes are disappearing. Rob shares lessons from both the GP and LP sides of the table, explains why traditional portfolio construction frameworks may be outdated, and explores how themes like power generation, data centers, space infrastructure, and venture capital are becoming increasingly interconnected. We also discuss emerging managers, co-investments, continuation vehicles, concentration versus diversification, and the future of private markets.

What if the biggest edge in investing today isn't having more information—but knowing how to turn information into conviction?

In this episode, I sit down with Matt Wells to discuss how AI is reshaping the investment process, why investors are drowning in data but starving for conviction, and where information alpha still exists in increasingly efficient markets. Matt explains the evolution of expert networks, how the best investors use expert calls and channel checks to build differentiated insights, and why qualitative information often drives quantitative outcomes. We also explore decision-grade AI, conviction building, private market diligence, and how the role of the analyst is changing in an AI-driven world.

What if the best private equity opportunities are hiding inside businesses that everyone else thinks are too complicated to touch?

In this episode, I sit down with Josh Adams, Partner at OpenGate Capital, to discuss why complexity has become one of the firm's greatest competitive advantages. Josh explains how OpenGate built a specialization around corporate carve-outs, why Europe offers more inefficiency than North America, and how operational improvements drive value creation in today's market. We also discuss sourcing, specialization, alignment, decision-making, and why focus has become increasingly important as private equity continues to evolve.

What separates the venture investors who generate extraordinary returns from those who simply participate in the asset class?

In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Diehl, Managing Partner and Head of Investments at Adams Street Partners, one of the world's largest private markets investors with more than $70 billion in assets under management. Jeff shares lessons from over four decades of venture investing, including why access to top managers matters more than almost anything else, what 14,000 realized venture exits have taught Adams Street about return generation, and why portfolio construction often matters more than stock picking.

What if the biggest opportunity in private markets isn’t finding the next startup—but owning the next public company years before it ever rings the bell?

In this episode, I sit down with Matt Witheiler, Head of Late-Stage Growth at Wellington Management, to discuss how the line between public and private markets continues to blur. Matt explains why companies are staying private longer, why public investors are starved for growth, and how late-stage investing differs from both venture capital and public equities. We also explore IPO markets, valuation discipline, liquidity dynamics, and why the best companies often justify paying up for quality.