5 episodes

Fund81 is a podcast for the next generation of venture capital. Elizabeth Kraus, general partner of the MergeLane venture fund for high-potential startups with at least one woman in leadership, tackles specific questions commonly asked by VCs.

Fund 81 Fund 81

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 5 Ratings

Fund81 is a podcast for the next generation of venture capital. Elizabeth Kraus, general partner of the MergeLane venture fund for high-potential startups with at least one woman in leadership, tackles specific questions commonly asked by VCs.

    Living Off the Brink of Disaster

    Living Off the Brink of Disaster

    I tried for many years to maintain a jam-packed schedule with zero margin for error, but life never seems to fit into perfectly scheduled boxes. After a straw-that-broke-the-camel’s-back moment, I’m learning to live off of the brink of disaster.

    • 12 min
    Avoiding Venture Capital Fund Administration Headaches

    Avoiding Venture Capital Fund Administration Headaches

    I've spent more time than necessary on our fund administration and reporting, in part because of some of the easily avoidable administrative mistakes I’ve made over my 10-year journey as a startup investor. In this episode, I share some of the lessons I’ve learned to help you avoid the same headaches.

    The two templates I mention in the episode are here:

    The quarterly survey we send to our portfolio companies (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1U9TQrJSk-8vr1dJDl6l0ZDdfNJ3MKAwK2r8YWACb0is/edit)

    Our quarterly report to our LPs (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bmJj_utOufDOORIXlRCUfsLnE7FFmLzL/view)

    • 43 min
    When Anxiety Is Worse Than the Outcome

    When Anxiety Is Worse Than the Outcome

    It's hard to believe that it’s been more than two months since my last episode. I just haven't felt the inspiration to post. However, over these past two months and throughout all of 2020, I've learned something that I want to record to make sure that I remember - My anxiety about the potential outcomes is almost always worse than the actual outcome.

    For more color and a quick life update, check out this episode.

    • 13 min
    Alaffia Technology Solutions - Fund81 Startup Spotlight

    Alaffia Technology Solutions - Fund81 Startup Spotlight

    In this second episode of a new series to feature startups sourced from our Fund81 VC forum members’ portfolios, I interviewed Alaffia Technology Solutions (https://www.alaffia.io/) nominated by the Hustle Fund (https://www.hustlefund.vc/).

    Alaffia Technology Solutions automates medical claim audits to reduce and recover the billions of dollars medical insurance companies improperly pay to medical providers each year.

    If you’d like to get a sneak peek at these companies before these episodes go live, check out our Fund81 forum. Fund81 is a group of authentic investors who challenge the status quo and ask thought-provoking questions. Membership is by invitation only, but you can learn more and nominate yourself here: https://www.mergelane.com/fund81

    • 16 min
    How the Pandemic is Shifting LP Strategies with Beezer Clarkson

    How the Pandemic is Shifting LP Strategies with Beezer Clarkson

    Beezer Clarkson invests in early-stage venture funds in the US, Europe, and Israel as the managing director at Sapphire Partners (the division within Sapphire Ventures that invests in venture funds). In this episode, Beezer shares how the pandemic is affecting Sapphire Partners’ investment strategy. I also share what I’ve been seeing from investing in startups and venture capital funds through our MergeLane fund.

    The two podcast episodes Beezer mentions are:

    Samir Kaji’s Venture Unlocked with the Hustle Fund’s Elizabeth Yin: https://ventureunlocked.substack.com/p/venture-unlocked-episode-1-elizabeth

    Notation Capital’s Origins with Fika Ventures’ Eva Ho:
    https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9jRl95YXdFSg/episode/ODlmMzZjZjMtMGZmNS00MmEzLTlmY2MtYjRhYWFjZjc5MTlk?hl=en&ved=2ahUKEwjdjqbFmP3sAhVFbs0KHd9KAEAQjrkEegQIBRAF&ep=6

    Enjoy.

    • 39 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
5 Ratings

5 Ratings

obacker19 ,

Empowering, insightful and actionable! 🙌

Whether you’re already deep into your journey of authentic leadership and transformation, or just getting started catalyzing change within your ecosystem - this is a must-listen podcast for you! Elizabeth does an incredible job leading conversations that cover the entire range of mental, emotional, spiritual and physical challenges we all face learning to holistically lead and guide the organizations of tomorrow. Highly recommend listening and subscribing!

Dan_13_nella ,

Must-Listen for Emerging Managers

Elizabeth asks the questions most new fund managers want to know but are afraid to ask. These interviews go beneath the surface and result in deep, meaningful insights from some of the most influential folks in early-stage VC.

Evan92L ,

Insightful, Practical, and Constructive!

Fund81 is an excellent show for emerging managers, associates, analysts, and the next generation of VCs. Whether you are thinking of raising a fund or are already on fund I or II, this show will deliver valuable insight.

Elizabeth is a great host, and it’s awesome she is providing this resource for new managers and those looking to make the jump to venture. If that’s you, this show is worth every minute!

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