Alan Patricof: Life Lessons from The Pioneer of Venture Capital

Alan Patricof is an American investor and one of the early pioneers of the venture capital and private equity industries. He is the founder of Apax Partners, Greycroft Partners, and, originally, Patricof Company Ventures. Alan started his early career managing the Gottesman pulp and paper fortune and focused his efforts on the new private companies in the portfolio.

In 1967, he invested in New York magazine, a new publication, where he served as the founding chairman of the board. Then, in 1969, he raised $2.5 million and founded one of the first venture capital firms, Patricof Company Ventures. In 1977, he founded the private equity firm Apax Partners. Finally, Greycroft was founded in 2006. You can check out more about Alan in his book “No Red Lights.” 

This Episode’s Heavy-hitter’s:

Alan’s investment strategy recently has been focused on the aging market. Through Primetime Partners, Alan supports the founders and organizations that create meaningful new products, services, and experiences in the under-served, trillion-dollar global sector of Aging.

Alan served twice in the Army, and the second time was during the crumbling of the Berlin Wall in 1987. He especially feels for other reservists that have been called back to conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan because of the unexpected toll on their pace of life.

Speaking to the longevity of VC Firms, Alan believes that culture and the degree of success within the portfolio is what dictate that success.

Alan touches on his approach to building his investment team, which he says is the exact opposite of the Manhattan Project which led to the creation of the Atomic Bomb during WWII. Where they compartmentalized operations to maintain secrecy, Alan tries to involve everyone in everything to promote inclusivity. It creates loyalty and a bond amongst the team.

Alan recently finished the New York marathon as the oldest participant to finish (possibly ever). He did this as part of his mission at Primetime Partners to motivate older people to keep goal-setting.

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