The Best (and Worst) Funds to Start in 2026 : Ep 385

In this mindset and strategy episode, Bridger Pennington breaks down why momentum—not capital, talent, or even resources—is the real driver behind successful businesses and funds. Drawing from his own journey building multiple companies and funds, Bridger explores:Why most businesses don’t fail because they run out of money—they fail because the entrepreneur runs out of energy.The inertia problem: why the early stages of building a fund feel like pushing a massive ball uphill.The power of decisive commitment: how making a true “go or no-go” decision creates immediate momentum in a business.Sales as a catalyst: why getting money in the door or early commitments can force action and accelerate progress.Momentum begets momentum: how closing one investor or one deal statistically increases your chances of closing the next.Product-led growth: the moment when a great product or fund strategy begins generating referrals and opportunities on its own.The role of vision: how a compelling long-term mission attracts top talent and energizes teams to build something bigger.This episode is a practical and motivational framework for entrepreneurs and fund managers who feel stuck at the starting line—and want to understand how to push through inertia and build lasting momentum.

In this tactical episode, Bridger Pennington breaks down one of the most important—and most overlooked—advantages in fund management: proprietary deal flow. Beyond capital and strategy, Bridger explains why the deals you see ultimately determine the deals you do. He dives into:Why deal flow is the true edge: how top fund managers build pipelines that consistently surface better opportunities.Building a sourcing engine: how education platforms, ads, and online communities can generate thousands of inbound deal opportunities.Relationship-driven deals: why attorneys, brokers, property managers, and founder networks are some of the most powerful sources of proprietary opportunities.Reputation as leverage: how closing deals consistently compounds into more referrals, more trust, and better future opportunities.Technology and information advantages: how specialized software, data platforms, and research tools can create an informational edge.The deal funnel: from hundreds of inbound opportunities down to a handful of serious due diligence processes—and ultimately one closed deal.Whether you're launching your first fund or scaling an existing investment firm, this episode outlines how to build a repeatable system for sourcing, filtering, and closing high-quality deals.

In this forward-looking episode, Bridger Pennington breaks down which types of funds he would start in 2026, which ones he would avoid, and which ones fall somewhere in the middle. Drawing from real conversations with fund managers and insights from reviewing hundreds of funds, Bridger covers:Why secondary funds may benefit from a wave of long-delayed IPOs and renewed liquidity in private markets.The headwinds facing hedge funds, from AI-driven competition to volatile, news-driven markets and historically high valuations.Why crypto funds sit in a neutral category—attractive entry prices, but extreme volatility and leverage risk.The real estate opportunity: three years of rate-driven pain potentially setting up a multi-year recovery cycle.Why private credit may face increasing competition and margin compression as interest rates decline.The nuanced case for early-stage venture capital: better entry valuations and AI-driven efficiency gains—but intensified competitive disruption.This episode is a macro-informed framework for thinking about fund strategy selection in 2026—grounded in market cycles, capital flows, and evolving technology trends.

In this tactical deep dive, Bridger Pennington breaks down how professional fund managers think about portfolio construction—beyond just “picking good deals.” Drawing directly from a live investment committee discussion, Bridger unpacks:Strategy vs. mandate: how your buy box defines what you invest in—and what you must turn down.Diversification vs. “de-worsification”: why spreading too thin can destroy alpha and how conviction drives outperformance.Portfolio size by asset class: the real differences between private equity, venture capital, real estate, private credit, and hedge fund models.Power law and loss ratios: how venture portfolios are built around fund returners—and why private equity plays a different curve.Position sizing and ownership targets: setting exposure limits that protect the fund without diluting upside.Pacing and vintage timing: why deploying capital across multiple years can dramatically impact long-term returns.Modeling before deploying: how to stress-test your fund structure before writing your first check.Whether you’re launching your first fund or refining an existing strategy, this episode gives you a practical framework for designing a portfolio that aligns with your risk profile, mandate, and long-term return goals.Want to launch a fund? Click to watch a free training:https://fundlaunch.click/how-to-leadSign up to watch the free training and discover how to launch a fund. Stop leaving carry on the table doing one-off deals. Your track record deserves a fund.All Information Shared Are The Sole Thoughts and Opinions Of The Author. Do Not Take Any Information As Legal Or Financial Advice. You Should Seek A Certified Accountant And A Professional Legal Team Before Taking Any Further Action.‍*Results may vary depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to market conditions, investor demand, and investment strategy. While our courses are designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools necessary to launch a fund, we cannot guarantee any specific results or outcomes. Your success will depend on your own efforts, diligence, and ability to execute on the strategies and techniques that you decide to pursue. We make no representation or warranty that you will achieve any particular level of success or earnings, and you accept the risk that the results may differ from those described in our materials.****We are not selling or soliciting a security in any way, shape, or form. This content is for educational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice.fundlaunch.com

In this tactical solo episode, Bridger Pennington breaks down why single asset funds are one of the most practical ways to enter the fund space—and why many emerging managers overlook them. Bridger walks through:Simplicity as strategy: how focusing on one deal reduces complexity, speeds up execution, and builds early credibility.Lowering the LP barrier: why investors often prefer understanding a single, clear opportunity over a broad blind-pool mandate.Operational clarity: how underwriting, reporting, and governance become more streamlined when the scope is narrow.From one deal to many: how successful managers use single asset funds as stepping stones toward multi-asset or blind pool funds.Risk and responsibility: what to watch for when your entire fund performance hinges on one asset.Whether you’re launching your first fund or evaluating your structure, this episode lays out the advantages, trade-offs, and long-term strategy behind building with single asset funds.Want to launch a fund? Click to watch a free training:https://fundlaunch.click/how-to-leadSign up to watch the free training and discover how to launch a fund. Stop leaving carry on the table doing one-off deals. Your track record deserves a fund.All Information Shared Are The Sole Thoughts and Opinions Of The Author. Do Not Take Any Information As Legal Or Financial Advice. You Should Seek A Certified Accountant And A Professional Legal Team Before Taking Any Further Action.‍*Results may vary depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to market conditions, investor demand, and investment strategy. While our courses are designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools necessary to launch a fund, we cannot guarantee any specific results or outcomes. Your success will depend on your own efforts, diligence, and ability to execute on the strategies and techniques that you decide to pursue. We make no representation or warranty that you will achieve any particular level of success or earnings, and you accept the risk that the results may differ from those described in our materials.****We are not selling or soliciting a security in any way, shape, or form. This content is for educational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice.fundlaunch.com

In this fundamentals-focused solo episode, Bridger Pennington breaks down capital raising as a skill—not a personality trait or a lucky break—and explains why mastering it changes the trajectory of every fund and business. Bridger covers:Capital vs. confidence: why most people struggle to raise money not because of their strategy, but because of how they communicate it.Raising before you need it: how timing, momentum, and preparation determine success long before the first ask.The trust equation: what LPs and investors are really evaluating when they decide to commit—or pass.Process over pressure: building a repeatable capital-raising system instead of relying on one-off conversations.Long-term leverage: how strong capital relationships compound into faster raises, better terms, and optionality over time.This episode reframes capital raising as a learnable, scalable discipline—and lays out the mindset and mechanics needed to do it consistently and professionally.Want to launch a fund? Click to watch a free training:https://fundlaunch.click/how-to-leadSign up to watch the free training and discover how to launch a fund. Stop leaving carry on the table doing one-off deals. Your track record deserves a fund.All Information Shared Are The Sole Thoughts and Opinions Of The Author. Do Not Take Any Information As Legal Or Financial Advice. You Should Seek A Certified Accountant And A Professional Legal Team Before Taking Any Further Action.‍*Results may vary depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to market conditions, investor demand, and investment strategy. While our courses are designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools necessary to launch a fund, we cannot guarantee any specific results or outcomes. Your success will depend on your own efforts, diligence, and ability to execute on the strategies and techniques that you decide to pursue. We make no representation or warranty that you will achieve any particular level of success or earnings, and you accept the risk that the results may differ from those described in our materials.****We are not selling or soliciting a security in any way, shape, or form. This content is for educational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice.fundlaunch.com

In this step-by-step solo episode, Bridger Pennington walks through exactly how he would rebuild a business from zero in 2026—no audience, no capital, and no shortcuts. Drawing from hard-earned experience, Bridger breaks down:The first 30 days: what to focus on immediately when starting with nothing—and what to ignore.Choosing the right vehicle: how to pick a business model that creates leverage, cash flow, and long-term upside from day one.Building credibility fast: the specific actions that replace years of track record when you’re starting from scratch.Distribution before perfection: why attention, audience, and positioning come before systems and scale.Compounding correctly: how small, disciplined wins stack into momentum that most people never reach.This episode is a practical blueprint for rebuilding with clarity and confidence—designed for anyone who wants to shortcut years of trial and error by starting the right way in 2026.Want to launch a fund? Click to watch a free training:https://fundlaunch.click/how-to-leadSign up to watch the free training and discover how to launch a fund. Stop leaving carry on the table doing one-off deals. Your track record deserves a fund.All Information Shared Are The Sole Thoughts and Opinions Of The Author. Do Not Take Any Information As Legal Or Financial Advice. You Should Seek A Certified Accountant And A Professional Legal Team Before Taking Any Further Action.‍*Results may vary depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to market conditions, investor demand, and investment strategy. While our courses are designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools necessary to launch a fund, we cannot guarantee any specific results or outcomes. Your success will depend on your own efforts, diligence, and ability to execute on the strategies and techniques that you decide to pursue. We make no representation or warranty that you will achieve any particular level of success or earnings, and you accept the risk that the results may differ from those described in our materials.****We are not selling or soliciting a security in any way, shape, or form. This content is for educational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice.fundlaunch.com

In this relationship-driven solo episode, Bridger Pennington breaks down why investor relations is one of the most overlooked—and most important—skills in fund management. Beyond performance and returns, Bridger explains what actually builds long-term trust with LPs. He dives into:Communication as strategy: why consistent, clear updates matter more than perfectly timed wins.Trust through transparency: how strong managers handle bad news, volatility, and underperformance without eroding confidence.Expectations vs. reality: setting the right tone with investors early to avoid friction later in the fund’s lifecycle.The long memory of LPs: how every interaction compounds—positively or negatively—over the life of a fund.Relationship capital: why funds that survive downturns almost always have strong investor relationships at the core.Whether you’re raising your first fund or managing an established investor base, this episode reframes investor relations as a core operating function—not an afterthought.Want to launch a fund? Click to watch a free training:https://fundlaunch.click/how-to-leadSign up to watch the free training and discover how to launch a fund. Stop leaving carry on the table doing one-off deals. Your track record deserves a fund.All Information Shared Are The Sole Thoughts and Opinions Of The Author. Do Not Take Any Information As Legal Or Financial Advice. You Should Seek A Certified Accountant And A Professional Legal Team Before Taking Any Further Action.‍*Results may vary depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to market conditions, investor demand, and investment strategy. While our courses are designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools necessary to launch a fund, we cannot guarantee any specific results or outcomes. Your success will depend on your own efforts, diligence, and ability to execute on the strategies and techniques that you decide to pursue. We make no representation or warranty that you will achieve any particular level of success or earnings, and you accept the risk that the results may differ from those described in our materials.****We are not selling or soliciting a security in any way, shape, or form. This content is for educational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice.fundlaunch.com

In this reflective solo episode, Bridger Pennington breaks down the most important business lessons he learned throughout 2025—lessons shaped by growth, pressure, mistakes, and real-world execution. Bridger shares:What scaled—and what broke: the systems, strategies, and assumptions that worked early but failed under real growth.Decision-making under pressure: how higher stakes changed the way risks were evaluated and why speed mattered more than perfection.The cost of misalignment: lessons learned from hiring, partnerships, and incentives that weren’t fully thought through.Focus as a force multiplier: why fewer priorities, clearer goals, and saying “no” more often drove better outcomes.Long-term thinking in real time: how playing the long game while navigating short-term volatility reshaped how the business is built.This episode isn’t a highlight reel—it’s a practical breakdown of the lessons that actually moved the needle, and the frameworks Bridger is carrying forward into the next phase of growth.Want to launch a fund? Click to watch a free training:https://fundlaunch.click/how-to-leadSign up to watch the free training and discover how to launch a fund. Stop leaving carry on the table doing one-off deals. Your track record deserves a fund.All Information Shared Are The Sole Thoughts and Opinions Of The Author. Do Not Take Any Information As Legal Or Financial Advice. You Should Seek A Certified Accountant And A Professional Legal Team Before Taking Any Further Action.‍*Results may vary depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to market conditions, investor demand, and investment strategy. While our courses are designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools necessary to launch a fund, we cannot guarantee any specific results or outcomes. Your success will depend on your own efforts, diligence, and ability to execute on the strategies and techniques that you decide to pursue. We make no representation or warranty that you will achieve any particular level of success or earnings, and you accept the risk that the results may differ from those described in our materials.****We are not selling or soliciting a security in any way, shape, or form. This content is for educational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice.fundlaunch.com

In this macro-focused solo episode, Bridger Pennington breaks down the global ripple effects of the recent U.S. action in Venezuela—and why events like this matter far beyond headlines and politics. Bridger unpacks:Geopolitics as a market force: how sudden state-level actions reshape risk premiums, capital flows, and investor behavior.Oil and energy implications: why Venezuela’s position in global energy markets makes this event far more consequential than it appears on the surface.Currency and inflation pressures: how geopolitical shocks transmit through FX markets, commodities, and inflation expectations.Second-order effects: why the real consequences often show up months later—in emerging markets, credit conditions, and global growth.Thinking like a macro investor: how fund managers and capital allocators should analyze geopolitical events without getting caught in emotional or political narratives.This episode is a framework for understanding how power, resources, and capital intersect—and how macro events like this can quietly reshape markets long before the average investor notices.Want to launch a fund? Click to watch a free training:https://fundlaunch.click/how-to-leadSign up to watch the free training and discover how to launch a fund. Stop leaving carry on the table doing one-off deals. Your track record deserves a fund.All Information Shared Are The Sole Thoughts and Opinions Of The Author. Do Not Take Any Information As Legal Or Financial Advice. You Should Seek A Certified Accountant And A Professional Legal Team Before Taking Any Further Action.‍*Results may vary depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to market conditions, investor demand, and investment strategy. While our courses are designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools necessary to launch a fund, we cannot guarantee any specific results or outcomes. Your success will depend on your own efforts, diligence, and ability to execute on the strategies and techniques that you decide to pursue. We make no representation or warranty that you will achieve any particular level of success or earnings, and you accept the risk that the results may differ from those described in our materials.****We are not selling or soliciting a security in any way, shape, or form. This content is for educational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice.fundlaunch.com