
VC10X
VC10X - Why Fundraising Is Now a Numbers Game (And How to Win) - Braughm Ricke, Founder, Aduro Advisors
AI Summary
In this episode, Braughm Ricke of Aduro Advisors explains how venture capital fundraising has shifted from relationship‑driven to a volume‑based numbers game, driven by data from over 650 firms managing $131 B+. He highlights the growing polarization between well‑capitalized “haves” and smaller “have‑nots,” the rise of solo GPs, and why LPs now favor sector‑specialized, right‑sized funds that invest 100%+ of capital. Ricke also reveals common operational missteps for first‑time managers and how AI‑powered tools like FundPanel can automate administration, giving emerging managers a competitive edge.
Episode Description
Fundraising used to be a relationship business. Now, it’s a volume game.
In this episode, we sit down with the founder of Aduro Advisors to unpack the data behind the current venture capital landscape. With $131 Billion+ in assets under administration across 650+ firms, they have a bird’s-eye view of the market that few others possess.
We dive deep into the "haves vs. have-nots" dynamic in VC, why the era of the generalist firm might be ending, and the exact operational mistakes that stop emerging managers from scaling. If you are raising a fund or managing a firm in 2025, you need to hear this.
⭐ Sponsored by Podcast10x - Podcasting agency for VCs - https://podcast10x.com
Topics covered:
-
Shift to Solo GPs: The rise of individual managers over large platforms.
-
Fundraising Reality: Why raising capital is now a volume-based "numbers game."
-
Market Polarization: The widening gap between the "haves" and "have-nots."
-
Specialization Wins: Why LPs favor sector-focused funds over generalists.
-
The 100% Rule: Data showing funds that invest 100%+ of capital outperform.
-
Smaller Funds: The strategic advantage of "right-sized" funds for faster returns.
-
Individual Investors: The massive influx of High Net Worth individuals into VC.
-
AI & Operations: Using AI to automate fund administration and data reporting.
About the Guest:
Aduro Advisors is a premier fund administration firm supporting over 650 venture capital and private equity firms with more than $131 Billion in assets under administration. Their platform, FundPanel, leverages data and AI to streamline operations for the next generation of investors.
Timestamps:
(00:00) - Introduction and episode overview
(00:02:43) - Inspiration behind founding Aduro Advisors
(00:04:25) - Major shifts in fund operations and data flow
(00:05:58) - Aduro Advisors' data insights on fund performance and market recovery
(00:09:48) - Evolution of fund sizes and LP composition
(00:11:22) - Common mistakes made by first-time fund managers
(00:12:40) - The importance of sector specialization versus diversification for LPs
(00:17:24) - Surprising findings from Aduro Advisors' Q2 2025 report
(00:20:16) - Longevity of firms and the "haves and have-nots" dynamic
(00:23:09) - Characteristics of top-decile performing funds
(00:25:48) - How Fund Panel streamlines fund administration and reporting
(00:27:17) - The role of AI in fund administration
(00:30:38) - Changes in fundraising approach post-pandemic
(00:32:23) - Biggest opportunities for innovation in fund operations
(00:33:54) - Where to learn more about Aduro Advisors and Fund Panel
Learn more about Aduro Advisors:
Website: https://aduroadvisors.com/
FundPanel: https://fundpanel.io/
VC10X links:
VC10X website - https://VC10X.com
Follow Prashant on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/choubeysahab
#VentureCapital #Fundraising #PrivateEquity #EmergingManagers #StartupInvesting #AduroAdvisors
Show Notes
Fundraising used to be a relationship business. Now, it’s a volume game.
In this episode, we sit down with the founder of Aduro Advisors to unpack the data behind the current venture capital landscape. With $131 Billion+ in assets under administration across 650+ firms, they have a bird’s-eye view of the market that few others possess.
We dive deep into the "haves vs. have-nots" dynamic in VC, why the era of the generalist firm might be ending, and the exact operational mistakes that stop emerging managers from scaling. If you are raising a fund or managing a firm in 2025, you need to hear this.
⭐ Sponsored by Podcast10x - Podcasting agency for VCs - https://podcast10x.com
Topics covered:
- Shift to Solo GPs: The rise of individual managers over large platforms.
- Fundraising Reality: Why raising capital is now a volume-based "numbers game."
- Market Polarization: The widening gap between the "haves" and "have-nots."
- Specialization Wins: Why LPs favor sector-focused funds over generalists.
- The 100% Rule: Data showing funds that invest 100%+ of capital outperform.
- Smaller Funds: The strategic advantage of "right-sized" funds for faster returns.
- Individual Investors: The massive influx of High Net Worth individuals into VC.
- AI & Operations: Using AI to automate fund administration and data reporting.
About the Guest:
Aduro Advisors is a premier fund administration firm supporting over 650 venture capital and private equity firms with more than $131 Billion in assets under administration. Their platform, FundPanel, leverages data and AI to streamline operations for the next generation of investors.
Timestamps:
(00:00) - Introduction and episode overview
(00:02:43) - Inspiration behind founding Aduro Advisors
(00:04:25) - Major shifts in fund operations and data flow
(00:05:58) - Aduro Advisors' data insights on fund performance and market recovery
(00:09:48) - Evolution of fund sizes and LP composition
(00:11:22) - Common mistakes made by first-time fund managers
(00:12:40) - The importance of sector specialization versus diversification for LPs
(00:17:24) - Surprising findings from Aduro Advisors' Q2 2025 report
(00:20:16) - Longevity of firms and the "haves and have-nots" dynamic
(00:23:09) - Characteristics of top-decile performing funds
(00:25:48) - How Fund Panel streamlines fund administration and reporting
(00:27:17) - The role of AI in fund administration
(00:30:38) - Changes in fundraising approach post-pandemic
(00:32:23) - Biggest opportunities for innovation in fund operations
(00:33:54) - Where to learn more about Aduro Advisors and Fund Panel
Learn more about Aduro Advisors:
Website: https://aduroadvisors.com/
FundPanel: https://fundpanel.io/
VC10X links:
VC10X website - https://VC10X.com
Follow Prashant on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/choubeysahab
#VentureCapital #Fundraising #PrivateEquity #EmergingManagers #StartupInvesting #AduroAdvisors
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