We talk to another amazing LP this week, Aakar Vachhani, Partner at Fairview Capital. Fairview has over $3.5B in AUM that focuses on fund investing, co-investments, and direct investment. They have built a reputation for finding and backing emerging managers with diverse backgrounds.
About Aakar Vachhani:
Aakar Vachhani is a Partner and a member of Fairview Capital’s investment committee. He is involved in research, due diligence, investment monitoring, and business development for Fairview's venture capital and private equity partnership and direct co-investment portfolios.
Prior to joining Fairview, Aakar was with Cambridge Associates, a leading investment advisor to foundations, endowments and corporate and government entities. He was responsible for analyzing private equity and venture capital investments in support of the firm's clients and consultants. In addition, he led research and data analytics projects on the firm’s private equity and venture capital database. Aakar also spent time with MK Capital, a multi-stage venture capital firm with a sector focus on software and cloud services.
He holds a B.S. in Economics-Finance from Bentley University and an MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurship & Innovation from the Kellogg School of Management.
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In this episode we discuss
(02:35) Aakar’s journey to becoming an investor
(05:36) Learning about data and analysis of investing at Cambridge Associates
(07:37) Investments in underrepresented, emerging managers he’s most proud of at Fairview
(11:05) Why Fairview began looking for underrepresented managers when it started 30 years ago
(11:56) How Fairview’s investing thesis has evolved over the years
(18:19) Common mistakes and red flags that emerging managers make
(20:17) What Aakar does to add-value to GPs
(22:30) Advice he’s giving to his GPs right now on how to adjust to the market
(24:15) How the FTX reflects on the entire venture industry
(27:30) What Aakar is doing ot navigate the current seed and early-stage market
(29:57) Using secondary funds to make way in the current market
(31:57) Adjusting their return expectations in the market
(32:40) Investment sectors Fairview is excited about
(34:04) How new investors and family offices should think about the current market
(35:35) Best career advice he’s received
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📚- Favorite Book: The Big Picture
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