Episode 20 - Crafting Venture Excellence: Lessons from Ahoy Capital’s Founder - Chris Douvos
In this episode of The AdvancingVC Podcast, we sit down with Chris Douvos—one of venture capital’s most thoughtful LPs and the founder of Ahoy Capital—to explore what it really means to build enduring firms and support breakthrough investors in an increasingly competitive landscape. With decades of experience backing iconic names early, Chris shares a nuanced view of how the best VCs differentiate not just through access or brand, but through deep insight, discipline, and architecture.
We unpack the shift from spray-and-pray investing to high-conviction craftsmanship, what legacy firms can learn from emerging managers, and why the future of venture may hinge on those who know how to say “no” better than anyone. From the structure of great firms to the psychology of decision-making and the LP-GP relationship, this episode goes deep on the long game in venture—and what it really takes to play it well.
Whether you're an emerging manager, a curious LP, or just trying to sharpen your thinking on what makes a VC firm truly great, this episode offers rare perspective from someone who’s seen it all.
Tune in to learn:
- What separates enduring firms from transactional ones
- Why architecture and culture matter more than assets under management
- How LPs think about generational transition—and long-term alignment
- What great decision-making actually looks like inside top-performing funds
- Why nuance, depth, and originality are more important than ever in VC
Subscribe now for a candid look at how thoughtful capital is reshaping the future of venture.
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