E400: Anthony Pompliano on Power Laws, Conviction, and Compounding
Most investors spend their lives searching for more ideas. Anthony Pompliano thinks the real money comes from finding the rare idea and refusing to let go. Across public markets, private markets, Bitcoin, startups, and careers, Anthony argues that value follows power laws: a tiny number of companies, people, and decisions drive almost everything. The hard part is not effort. It is recognizing durable asymmetry early, pressing your winners harder, and resisting the temptation to sell simply because liquidity is available. The deeper lesson is scarcity. Great companies are scarce. Great investors are scarce. Great people are scarce. And when you find one, the job is not to constantly rotate into something new. The job is to understand what you own, build conviction, and let compounding do the work.
The Numbers Behind This Episode
- 46 companies have created 50% of the $90T of stock market value since 1925.
- The NASDAQ has historically been viewed as a 13% return vehicle, while venture funds average around 17% to 18%.
- Antonio Gracias reportedly invested in SpaceX 30 times.
- Anthony describes one company with 11 employees serving $50B in assets on its software platform.
Highlights:
- Why 5% of ideas can drive 95% of outcomes
- How durability, asymmetry, and volatility create exceptional investments
- Why selling may be harder than buying
- Why liquidity can become a behavioral disadvantage
- How SpaceX became the ultimate example of pressing a winner
- Why concentration is often a sign of conviction
- Why “luck” may be more psychological than real
- How winning cultures are built through standards, exposure, and mission
Guest Bio:
Anthony Pompliano is an entrepreneur, investor, and one of the most widely followed voices at the intersection of business, finance, and technology. He is the founder and CEO of Professional Capital Management, author of the daily Pomp Letter newsletter, and host of The Pomp Podcast, where he interviews many of the world's leading investors, entrepreneurs, and executives.
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 Anthony Pompliano:
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonypompliano/
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.
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Transcript
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