Emerging Manager Spotlight: Jai Malik of Countdown Capital

Talking near monkhood, the Midwest & the Wild West of private market investing

Key Takeaways:

1. Don’t follow in anybody’s footsteps. Build a thesis and firm that is authentic to you, your passions, and your experience, not just what you see in the market
2. As a VC fund manager, provide support for your portfolio companies. Push your founders to grow outside their comfort zone as a mission-aligned partner for your investments as opposed to a passive investor.
3. When building a 506(c) or rolling fund, use your network to publicly advertise to potential LP investors. This will create momentum and transparency around your raise, but be sure to quickly verify investor accreditation.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jai Malik of Countdown Capital to learn about his journey in venture capital, the critical importance of the American industrial base and building a 506(c) VC fund.

Jai Malik of Countdown Capital

Jai, a product manager turned investor, wasn’t always on the VC path. In university, Jai started out majoring in business and…