EP 36: Proof's Thanasis Delistathis Reveals Strategies to $350M in Venture Capital Investments

In this episode, we are joined by Thanasis Delistathis, managing partner and co-founder of Proof, to talk about their groundbreaking insider access strategy in venture capital. Proof partners with early-stage funds to invest in high-potential breakout companies, boasting a track record of success, including the recent acquisition of Jackpocket. With investments totaling approximately $350 million on behalf of Limited Partners (LPs) through managed entities, Proof leads the way in innovative fund management. Thanasis discusses the origin of the opportunity fund and how it evolved into the Proof strategy. He emphasizes building relationships with early-stage funds and Proof's role in facilitating co-investments, while explaining the strategy's economic incentives and addressing fundraising challenges and opportunities. Venture capitalists and fund managers won't want to miss these insights into navigating the competitive landscape and unlocking investment opportunities. Here's what you're in for: 00:00 - Intro 03:11 - Evolution of Proof from early-stage investing to insider access strategy 04:06 - How opportunity funds started 05:09 - Founding New Atlantic Ventures and innovations in fund structures 12:18 - Launching Proof and building relationships with early-stage funds 14:33 - Evaluation criteria for selecting high-growth startups 16:31 - How funds share profits and incentives align 36:45 - Acquisition of Jackpocket and investment strategy 37:04 - Advice for emerging fund managers 42:59 - Outro This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders. Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders  Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc ABOUT THANASIS Thanasis Delistathis, Managing Partner and Co-founder of Proof, began his career with a passion for engineering but discovered his knack for finance at Princeton University. After gaining experience at Draper Atlantic and co-founding New Atlantic Ventures, he pioneered Proof insider access strategy, revolutionizing venture capital by challenging traditional funding norms. With a focus on innovation and emerging opportunities, Thanasis continues to empower entrepreneurs and investors, reshaping the startup landscape with forward-thinking approaches to investing. Connect with Thanasis on: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tdelistathis/ Website: https://www.proof.vc/ Email: [email protected] ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape. Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders. ABOUT JASON Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development. You can reach out to Jason through: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/