Digerati Investments has achieved tremendous wins in the venture capital space by focusing on one single approach: execute, execute, execute. Scott Kelly sits down with their Managing General Partner Paul Anthony Claxton to discuss the importance of proper business execution to achieve the right level of sales. He explains why founders should prioritize customer acquisition over product ideas, particularly among AI-focused venture firms and early-stage technology companies. Paul also discusses how he applies his military background in his VC career and why he is more excited about what happens behind the scenes of AI instead of the automation itself.

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Nymbl Ventures, a venture capital firm focusing on built technology, has a unique hybrid model that brings corporations and financial investors together towards success. Scott Kelly is joined by Daniel Laboe and Prabhakar “KP” Karri to share how this approach allows corporations to invest in a venture capital fund while maintaining the flexibility of their own corporate venture capital arm. They also explain how this hybrid model works best in the construction industry, which results in a good mix of entrepreneurs who get not only great investment capital but also great opportunities to grow and scale.

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One of the most important business metrics to keep an eye on is the speed at which your products are getting out and being bought by customers. Jason Sherman of Top Shelf Ventures shares how they guide early-stage alcohol and vice brands to success by monitoring their velocity or rate of sale. Joining Scott Kelly, he breaks down how to achieve significant growth in one of the toughest and most competitive industries right now and explores the true impact of getting celebrities as product endorsers. Jason also talks about the rise of THC beverages and why it could become the fourth pillar of the alcohol industry alongside wine, spirits, and beer.

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In a pre-exit secondary market, the money is not going directly into the company but rather to the venture capital firm, with early-stage investors themselves selling the shares. Salman Azhar, a General Partner of Azimuth Opportunity Fund, joins Scott Kelly to discuss how to take advantage of this space. He shares how he helps growing companies get greater revenue while facing fewer risks along the way. Salman also emphasizes his industry-agnostic approach, how he values diversification, and how they identify opportunities through investor reports and board information from companies they previously backed.

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When doing business in multiple countries, you must implement a unique approach to cater to people of diverse cultures, races, languages, and lifestyles. Wally Wang is here to present how Scale Asia Ventures connects its portfolio companies across the globe through their cross-border strategy. He joins Scott Kelly to share how they guide folks from the United States to Asia from the beginning of the investment, all the way to a successful business exit. Wally also talks about his productive and proactive M&A approach to help companies unlock growth and get to liquidity as soon as possible.

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Real estate is now rapidly adopting new technologies to keep up with the fast-paced economic pressures and make their processes more cost-efficient. Alon Gorbonos joins Scott Kelly to discuss how RE Angels is focusing exclusively on early-stage real estate tech startups. He shares their experiences and insights as an angel fund at the intersection of real estate and technology, particularly as they navigate the rise of cutting-edge innovations such as automation and AI. Alon also talks about their team composed of seasoned real estate professionals who bring deep industry expertise and knowledge about one of the most exciting spaces to invest in right now.

Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com

A mathematical model may be the key to bringing clarity and predictability to venture capital. Justin Cohen, founder and managing partner of Collinear Capital, shares how his physics background shaped a data-driven framework that uses Monte Carlo simulations and networked LP insights to forecast fund performance. Focused on Enterprise B2B SaaS companies, Collinear Capital applies analytical rigor to accelerate growth and reduce risk. Justin breaks down how logic, alignment, and measurable outcomes can replace instinct with strategy—and redefine what smart investing looks like in today’s venture landscape.

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No Sleep Beverage is redefining what it means to invest in and build the next generation of premium spirits brands. Founder Nick Papanicolaou shares how his experience in global finance and the beverage industry shaped a hands-on venture model that blends smart capital with mentorship and strategic discipline. Through No Sleep Beverage, Nick is betting on long-term value over quick exits, focusing on brand authenticity, cultural relevance, and operational excellence. In this conversation, he unpacks what investors often get wrong about timing and risk, how the right partners can amplify impact, and why conviction—and a clear vision—still win in a volatile market.

Learn from the world's best VC Fund Managers at the Emerging Managers Podcast. Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com