Investment Insights and Trends - Alumni Ventures

All blogs tagged Investment Insights and Trends

April 17, 20258 min read
The Next Frontier in Healthcare Innovation – From Weight Loss to Whole-Body Transformation
“The Zepbound trade” is shorthand for the GLP-1 seismic shift. What started as a targeted diabetes treatment has evolved into a profound therapeutic breakthrough. GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound aren’t just changing waistlines — they’re reshaping healthcare and creating a universe of opportunities for visionary investors.
by Michael Collins
April 10, 202510 min read
A VC's Playbook: An Investor's Guide to Seed Investing
Seed-stage investing involves high risk and high reward, where bold ideas evolve into products with the potential for significant growth. Investors at this stage focus on assessing key factors such as founder expertise, market potential, product differentiation, and scalability. A diversified approach, thorough due diligence, and strategic involvement with founders can enhance the chances of success in this high-stakes investment space, despite challenges like high failure rates and unproven business models.
by Jason Bird
April 10, 20257 min read
AI Is Coming: Meet the Startups Building Cyber Defenses for the Age of AI
There’s a dark side to AI that’s underreported. It’s not deepfakes, mass surveillance, job displacement, or AI takeovers but rather every CISO’s (Chief Information Security Officer’s) worst nightmare. Since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, employees have been feeding code, emails, and sensitive documents into generative AI tools, opening the floodgates to data leaks and security risks.
by Shivani Singh
March 20, 202512 min read
How Parenting Technology Can Help Families Navigate Their Busy Lives
As a relatively new father (the oldest of my three being six years old), I’ve come to appreciate the African proverb that says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” I’m fortunate to have a strong support system, including a remarkable spouse who somehow holds “dual PhDs” in organic chemistry and parenting. But even with these advantages, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges parents face to keep a household running smoothly and provide the care and attention our children need to thrive.
by Ron Levin
March 20, 2025
A VC's Playbook: How Time Arbitrage Is an Investing Superpower
The best investments share one key trait: patience. The longer your time horizon, the fewer competitors — and potentially the greater the rewards.
by Michael Collins
March 19, 2025
Small Language Models: Why Smaller Can Mean Smarter for Tech Investors
The landscape of artificial intelligence is changing. For years, the industry has been captivated by Large Language Models (LLMs) — behemoth AI systems with massive datasets and billions of parameters. But there’s a seismic shift underway: Small Language Models (SLMs) are emerging as a smarter, more efficient alternative for businesses, and savvy investors are taking notice.
by Alim Giga
March 18, 202515 min read
Where Blockchain Is Heading
“The best venture investors can see things before they are consensus. They can imagine how the world will be different in 5-10 years.”
by Jack Statza
March 18, 20256 min read
Sea Power and Silicon Valley: Entrepreneurs & VCs Driving America's Maritime Resurgence
Today, Americans heavily depend on maritime transport, responsible for 80% of global trade. We rarely consider maritime logistics until disruptions — like the 2021 Suez Canal blockage or Covid-era delays — remind us of its critical role. America’s naval dominance has historically safeguarded global trade, underpinning our economy and security. Yet, despite its significance, maritime innovation has lagged behind sectors like aerospace or quantum computing in attracting venture capital.
by Ryan Musto
March 13, 20256 min read
Space Race 2.0: The Strategic Investment Opportunity of the Decade
The new space race, driven by both government and private sector investments, is reshaping industries from telecommunications to national defense, with space projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2040. Key areas of focus include satellite constellations, GPS superiority, and lunar exploration, which have strategic and commercial implications, particularly in defense and technological innovation. As private companies like SpaceX, HawkEye 360, and Varda Space push the boundaries of space technology, investors see vast potential for growth in a rapidly expanding space economy.
by Drew Wandzilak
March 12, 2025
Beyond Touch
The world is moving beyond touch. The human-computer interface, once dominated by keyboards, mice, and touchscreens, is now entering a new era. Voice recognition, eye-tracking, and gesture-controlled devices are redefining how we interact with technology. This shift, often referred to as the “Beyond Touch” movement, signals a transformation in how we live, work, and engage with the digital world. By understanding these advancements, you can appreciate the profound impact they will have on industries and everyday life.
by Michael Collins
March 3, 202512 min read
Everyone Watches Women’s Sports
The tide is turning in sports, and a new champion is stepping into the spotlight: women’s sports. Once considered a niche, women’s sports are now commanding mainstream attention, and the numbers tell a compelling story. With viewership, sponsorships, and revenue skyrocketing, this sector presents an opportunity for equity and a chance to capitalize on a thriving, yet still underappreciated market well positioned for exponential growth.
by Clare Brandfonbrener
February 28, 2025
Episode #99 - Three Breakthroughs: Big AI vs Little AI
In this Three Breakthroughs episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Mike Collins and Lucas Pasch explore three major shifts shaping the future of technology. First, they discuss the rise of “OpenAI Mafia” startups, as top AI talent breaks away to launch competing ventures, driving innovation beyond the tech giants. Next, they examine the evolution of e-commerce, where interactive, social-driven shopping platforms like Whatnot are thriving while major players struggle to adapt. Finally, they dive into AI-driven online safety, highlighting Google’s new age estimation tools designed to protect younger users on digital platforms. Tune in for a deep dive into how these breakthroughs are redefining the tech landscape.
by Alumni Ventures

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