Funds that Won

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Funds that Won. Where we dive deep into some of the world's most renowned investment funds. We talk to investment managers across the alternatives landscape and learn how they built their million and billion dollar asset management empires. We're talking teams, structures, portfolio management, Investment philosophy & best practices in launching and running alternative investment funds. ABOUT LINCOLN ARCHIBALD Lincoln helps entrepreneurs & investors start funds. Lincoln is Chief Financial Officer of Fund Launch and Managing Partner & CIO of Black Card Capital Partners He is an expert in alternative assets and works in real estate, private equity, venture capital, and hedge funds Lincoln has consulted on more than $2 Billion AUM Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lincolnarchibald To learn more about launching and scaling your own fund, visit www.fundlaunch.com DISCLAIMER: All information shared are the sole thoughts and opinions of the author. Do not take any information as legal or financial advice. You should seek a certified accountant and a professional legal team for taking any further action. We are not selling or soliciting a security in any way, shape or form. This content is for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as financial or legal advice. Clients of Fund launch or Black Card Capital Partners may maintain positions and securities discussed on this podcast.

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June 10, 202640 min

The Mindset Emerging Fund Managers Need to Win | Matt Spielman | Ep 64

In this episode of Funds That Won, Rylan Olson sits down with Matt Spielman, founder and head coach at Inflection Point Partners.After nearly 6,000 coaching sessions with hundreds of elite fund managers, Matt shares what separates successful emerging managers from the ones who struggle to scale.They discuss the mindset required to raise capital, how to build a long-term vision, why your “why” matters, when to bring on team members, and how fund managers can push through rejection, uncertainty, and the loneliness that comes with leadership.Topics Covered: • The mindset of elite fund managers • How to build a long-term vision for your firm • Why capital raising requires resilience • When solo GPs should start building a team • How to hire the right people • Why fundraising is more than just having a great strategy • How emerging managers can navigate rejection and stay focusedLearn more about Matt Spielman and Inflection Point Partners in the links below.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattspielman/

March 17, 202642 min

The $200 Billion Secondary Market | Chris Lawrence | Ep 63

In this episode of Funds That Won, Rylan Olson sits down with Chris Lawrence, founder of Labyrinth Capital, to break down the rapidly growing secondary market in private equity.With over $13 trillion now sitting in private markets, liquidity has become one of the most important topics for both GPs and LPs. Chris explains how the secondary market evolved, the difference between LP-led and GP-led transactions, and how emerging fund managers can use secondaries to create liquidity for their investors.The conversation also dives into the realities of launching and scaling an investment firm, the importance of relationship capital, and why emerging managers should stay disciplined in their niche instead of chasing scale.If you’re building a fund or investing in private markets, this episode gives a practical look at how the $200B+ secondary market is reshaping liquidity and opportunity across the industry.

February 17, 202654 min

How Emerging Fund Managers Should Build Operations to Scale | Scott MacDonald | Ep 62

In this episode of Funds That Won, we sit down with Scott MacDonald to break down what actually makes investment firms scale—and why operations are often the deciding factor. Scott shares hard-earned lessons from building and advising funds, covering third-party administrator selection, early hires, operational alpha, tech stacks, and where AI is starting to matter (and where it doesn’t). This conversation is especially relevant for emerging and micro fund managers looking to build durable infrastructure without over-hiring, over-buying tech, or breaking under growth.

February 3, 202647 min

Why Private Markets Are Entering the Wealth Channel | Franklin Templeton | Tony Davidow | Ep 61

In this episode of Funds That Won, we sit down with Tony Davidow of Franklin Templeton to break down how private markets are moving beyond institutions and into the wealth channel. We unpack why the traditional 60/40 portfolio broke down, how evergreen and tender offer funds are changing access to private equity and private credit, and which asset classes have the strongest tailwinds today. Tony also shares insights from decades working with family offices, institutions, and advisors—and explains why private markets are still in the early innings for individual investors.

August 20, 202522 min

Southview Timberland: Scaling a Fund from Dirt, Trees, and Vision: Ep 60

In this episode of Funds That Won, we sit down with John Bernard of Southview Timberland Investments to uncover how a fund manager turned entrepreneur built a timberland fund in one of the most overlooked asset classes. John shares his journey from Wall Street to launching Southview, the unique economics of timber investing, and how biological growth provides consistent returns regardless of market conditions. We explore land appreciation, harvesting strategies, and the challenges of scaling a fund in such a relationship-driven industry. John also opens up about fundraising lessons, managing risk, and what it really takes to grow a billion-dollar fund in a niche market.

September 4, 202438 min

Alt St: Making High Finance Accessible To All | Ep 59

You can sign up for free at www.altst.org/?sl=podcast

August 21, 202433 min

The Future of Private Equity Seeding | Peter Birk | Catalyst Partners | Ep 58

In this episode of "Funds That Won," I sit down with Peter Birk from Catalyst Partners, a subsidiary of Moelis Asset Management, focused on seeding new and emerging private equity managers. Peter discusses the strategy behind Catalyst Partners, which includes backing debut private equity funds with sizable checks ranging from $50 to $100 million. He shares insights into how they support managers through first-close capital and revenue share arrangements, and the importance of talent and grit in building a successful asset management firm. The conversation offers a deep dive into the world of private equity seeding and the challenges and opportunities it presents.

August 14, 202447 min

A Venture Fund That Invests In Arizona Based Entrepreneurs | AZ-VC | Jack Selby | Ep 57

In this episode of "Funds That Won," Lincoln interviews Jack Selby from AZ-VC, a venture fund focused on supporting Arizona-based entrepreneurs. Jack shares the challenges Arizona startups face in securing Series A funding locally and how AZ-VC aims to fill that gap by leveraging his extensive network from his PayPal days. They discuss the current state of the venture capital market, the importance of timing, and how Jack's deep commitment to Arizona's tech ecosystem drives the fund's strategy. Jack also reflects on the personal motivations and experiences that led him to launch AZ-VC.

August 7, 202459 min

A $750 Million Fund That Invests In Emerging Food Brands | Andrew Smith | Savory Fund | Ep 56

In this episode of "Funds That Won," I sit down with Andrew Smith from the Savory Fund to discuss their unique investment strategy in the food and beverage industry. Andrew shares how the Savory Fund targets emerging food brands with 5 to 15 units and supports their growth with a robust operating team and dedicated capital. He delves into the fund's success, raising and deploying substantial funds to scale promising brands, and the importance of disciplined investment and active management. Tune in to hear insightful stories and practical advice on navigating and thriving in the dynamic world of food and beverage investments.

July 31, 202439 min

Investing In Industrial Real Estate | Smart Asset Capital | Brock Mogensen | Episode 55

In this episode of "Funds That Won," I sit down with Brock Mogensen from Smart Asset Capital to discuss the inception and growth of their company. Brock shares how Smart Asset Capital evolved from a property management and brokerage firm into a syndication and private equity business, leveraging existing infrastructure to scale quickly. He delves into their strategic focus on industrial real estate, highlighting the opportunities and returns in this sector. Brock also explains their decision to shift from syndication deals to launching their first fund, aiming to diversify investor risk and capitalize on multiple deals simultaneously.