E397: Why Venture Capital Is a Relationship Compounding Machine | Elizabeth Weil

Highlights:

• Why venture capital is ultimately a network effects business
• How Scribble Ventures raised an oversubscribed fund in one of the toughest fundraising environments
• Why relationships compound more than almost anything else in investing
• Elizabeth's framework for identifying exceptional founders before consensus forms
• The importance of staying authentic with founders, LPs, and partners
• Why smaller venture funds can outperform larger platforms
• How Scribble approaches ownership, fund sizing, and portfolio construction differently
• The value of saying no—to both founders and LPs—when the fit isn't right
• Why breakout investing extends beyond simply finding companies at seed
• Lessons from Twitter's hypergrowth years and Andreessen Horowitz's rise
• The role of curiosity, consistency, and daily habits in long-term investing success
• Why every career ultimately compounds through relationships

Guest Bio:

Elizabeth Weil is the Founder and Managing Partner of Scribble Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm managing approximately $280 million in assets focused on partnering with exceptional founders at the pre-seed, seed, and breakout stages. Over more than two decades in venture capital and technology, she has invested in more than 60 technology companies including SpaceX, Slack, Coinbase, Whatnot, Gusto, Grab, Calm, Envoy, Hipcamp, and Daily.co.

Are you interested in sponsoring the How I Invest Podcast? Please email David Weisburd at [email protected].

We’d like to thank AlphaSense for sponsoring this episode!

Sponsor:

AlphaSense is the AI-powered market intelligence platform trusted by 85% of the S&P 100, helping investment professionals make faster, more confident, data-driven decisions. Built for hedge funds, asset allocators, private venture capital firms, and investment bankers, AlphaSense uses advanced AI and powerful search across premium proprietary content to surface the insights that matter most—before the market moves. Elevate your research and stay ahead of the competition. Visit https://www.alpha-sense.com/howiinvest/ to learn more.

Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

X/Twitter: @dweisburd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd/ Weisburd Pierce: https://www.weisburdcapital.com/

Stay Connected with Elizabeth Weil:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethweil/

Questions or topics you want us to discuss on How I Invest? Email us at [email protected].

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. Nothing in this episode should be interpreted as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to participate in any investment strategy. All opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the views of Weisburd Pierce. Participants may hold positions or have financial interests in the companies, funds, or investments discussed. Any references to specific investments are for illustrative purposes only. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of capital. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Any third-party data or opinions have not been independently verified. Listeners should conduct their own research and consult their own advisors before making any investment decisions.