
Olympian insights: Leadership meets elite sports
Oliver Zeidler shares his journey from swimmer to World Champion rower, balancing sport, business, and a beginner’s mindset....
March 26, 2024 • by Raphaël Grieco, Karl Schmedders in Capital Conversations • Podcast available
The founder of Ahoy Capital talks concentrated portfolios and the value of right-sized investments...
Apple Google SpotifyIn this new episode of Capital Conversations, we speak with Chris Douvos about how the emerging managers segment in venture capital has evolved since 2010.
Chris Douvos founded Ahoy Capital in 2018, focusing on backing emerging venture capital fund managers. With nearly two decades in venture capital, he pioneered the micro-VC movement. The firm is focused on finding intentionally right-sized investment vehicles, believing that size can hinder performance. It prioritizes concentrated portfolios, anchored by top-performing VC managers, alongside dynamic emerging managers and co-investments.
With experience catalyzing leading managers since the early micro-VC days, Ahoy pursues a conviction-based strategy, backing dynamic nascent managers and companies with sustainable competitive advantages or leveraging innovation ecosystems.
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Through our research, thought leadership, and annual program, IMD’s Venture Asset Management Initiative aims to demystify venture asset management in Switzerland and across Europe.
For more information about our Venture Asset Management Initiative, click here

Research Associate at the IMD Venture Asset Management Initiative
Raphaël Grieco is a former Research Associate at IMD for the Venture Asset Management Initiative, drawing on over 15 years of leadership experience at the intersection of cross-asset wealth management and technology. Raphael specializes in early-stage venture investing, multi-support educational content creation spanning written and audio formats, as well as building entrepreneurial ecosystems focusing on technology (including crypto and web3).

Professor of Finance at IMD
Karl Schmedders is a Professor of Finance, with research and teaching centered on sustainability and the economics of climate change. He is Director of IMD’s online certification course for structured investment and also teaches in the Executive MBA programs and serves as an advisor for International Consulting Projects within the MBA program. Passionate about sustainable finance, Schmedders believes that more attention needs to be paid to on the social (S) and governance (G) aspects of ESG to ensure a fair transition and tackle inequality.

3 hours ago • by Susan Goldsworthy in Podcasts
Oliver Zeidler shares his journey from swimmer to World Champion rower, balancing sport, business, and a beginner’s mindset....

October 23, 2025 • by David Bach, Felix Zeltner in Podcasts
Gideon Rachman on Trump, China, and Europe’s resilience – and why liberal democracy, though under pressure, still has a future....

October 20, 2025 • by Omar Toulan in Podcasts
At OWP Singapore, IMD’s Omar Toulan speaks with business leader Dan Luo on driving growth and profitability at global brands like Heinz, Lego, and Fonterra....

October 13, 2025 • by Jean-François Manzoni in Podcasts
Novonesis CEO Ester Baiget explains how advanced tech and a unique ‘library of strengths’ are reshaping food production and laundry solutions worldwide....
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