In this episode, Alex Rawlings speaks with Amias Gerety , Partner at QED Investors , a leading fintech-focused VC firm managing nearly $1B in assets . Amias shares insights on venture capital strategy, staying disciplined during market hype, sourcing deals, and how lessons from his time at the U.S. Treasury shape his investment decisions today. ⏱ Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Intro & QED Overview QED’s structure, fintech focus, and global reach. 01:20 – VC Mistakes & Market Hype The danger of "paying ahead of growth," especially in AI. 03:12 – Staying Disciplined Simple metrics and historical heuristics that guide better investment decisions. 04:39 – Deal Dynamics in VC vs PE Why proprietary deal flow in VC means getting in early — before companies start raising. 07:26 – Hunting vs. Gathering How QED targets specific companies instead of waiting for inbound deals. 08:51 – Building Relationships Top-heavy structure means founders speak directly with partners on the first call. 14:43 – Using Senior Talent Early Deploying high-value advisors like Capital One co-founder Nigel Morris from the start. 16:09 – Biggest Mistake in Venture Ignoring founder misalignment — “If it’s a maybe, it’s a no.” 18:25 – CEO Ownership in Startups Why QED avoids deals where founders don’t have control — unlike PE’s model. 20:43 – Operating Partners in VC VC success comes from entrepreneurial operators who aim to join portfolio companies. 24:31 – Honest Career Advice Be clear about whether you want to be an operator or an investor — ambiguity causes misalignment. 25:59 – Treasury Lessons Decision-making under pressure during the financial crisis informs his bold, data-light approach in VC. 30:12 – What He Reads Only old books — for timeless thinking and unexpected insights. 31:46 – Connect with Amias Reach out via LinkedIn. Amias offers a rare perspective bridging government, fintech, and venture capital — a must-listen for anyone navigating today’s competitive investing landscape. Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success. 🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/ 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.
