Fintech Leaders Podcast - Live interview of 2 VC Titans at the 2025 Newport Global Summit
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50 Years Of VC: Lessons From Howard Morgan and Alan Patricof
Miguel Armaza interviews Alan Patricof and Howard Morgan at the Newport Global Summit.
Alan Patricof and Howard Morgan represent over a century of venture capital experience. Alan, an early investor in Apple, co-founded Apax Partners ($80B AUM), Greycroft, and Primetime Partners. Howard co-founded Renaissance Technologies and First Round Capital, backing Uber and Roblox. They've witnessed VC transform from begging entrepreneurs to accept checks to evaluating 10,000 deals a year.
Sep 18, 2025
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In 1970, when Alan Patricof launched his first $2.5 million venture fund, he had to beg entrepreneurs to take his money. His first investment was a lead smelting company that today wouldn't make it past the lobby. Meanwhile, Howard Morgan was beginning a journey that would lead him to co-found Renaissance Technologies, the world's most successful quantitative hedge fund, before diving into venture capital. Together, they've witnessed the complete transformation of an industry. From Alan's early bet on Apple during the PC revolution to Howard's backing of Uber and Roblox, they represent over a century of pattern recognition across every major tech cycle.
In our conversation recorded live at the Newport Global Summit (special thanks to Kitty Cushing!), they share what half a century of backing world-class entrepreneurs has taught them. We discuss how AI is reshaping everything from their own investment process to entire professions, and offer predictions that range from measured to revolutionary, including Howard's forecast of a billion humanoid robots within 15 years transforming how we work and live.
