Funds on Fire

Devin Robinson

Welcome to Funds on Fire, hosted by Devin Robinson—a seasoned fund manager with years of experience launching, managing, and scaling multiple successful investment funds. Devin has also helped numerous entrepreneurs ignite their own fund ventures. This podcast is your go-to guide for mastering the world of investment funds and capital raising. In each episode, Devin dives deep into the essential aspects of fund management, SEC compliance, and strategic capital raising, sharing the insights that have powered his own success. Alongside solo episodes filled with practical advice, you’ll hear from top fund managers whose funds are truly on fire. These industry leaders reveal the strategies, tactics, and stories behind their remarkable success. Whether you’re an emerging fund manager or a seasoned professional aiming for greater heights, Funds on Fire delivers the knowledge and inspiration you need to take your funds to the next level. Subscribe today and turn your financial ambitions into a blazing success!

  1. APR 9

    The Invest Act And The New Playbook For Fund Managers | Ep. 27

    Send us Fan Mail We come back after a break with a real-time reset on capital raising, breaking down the biggest regulatory shifts in years and what they mean for funds, syndications, and real estate operators. We also map out how AI agents are replacing entire workflows and share a practical action plan to stay compliant while moving faster.  • why the last 90 days reshape the capital raising game  • podcast stats, what we learned from the audience, and our cadence going forward  • the Invest Act and why it could be the biggest shift since the JOBS Act  • how the accredited investor definition may expand through inflation updates, credentials, and an SEC exam  • what changes to Reg D could mean for events, universities, and sponsored pitching  • VC fund limit increases and why they matter for emerging managers  • the finders problem and what regulatory clarity could unlock  • how to prepare now: pipeline building, document updates, stronger verification, better recordkeeping  • why AI agents now take actions across investor relations, content, compliance research, and deal analysis  • how we use Fundflow to automate follow-ups with guardrails and monitor relationships  • what a fractional Chief AI Officer does and when it beats hiring full time  • shadow AI risks and how governance protects investor data  • a simple AI action plan: audit tasks, automate one workflow, lock down data rules  If you want to talk about bringing in a fractional CAIO to into your fund or your syndication or your operation, DM me.  Go to my Instagram, DM me the word skills.  If this episode gave you any value, share it with one person who's raising capital or building a fund.  Get the Free Capital Raising Course Get Fund Flow Os Join the Free Capital Raising Community Apply to the Founder's Circle Follow me on instagram Connect with me on Linkedin

    17 min
  2. 11/19/2025

    $30M VC Fund Explains His Y Combinator-Only Strategy w/ Gabriel Jarrosson | Ep. 23

    Send us Fan Mail 💻 Start your 30-day free trial of Fund Flow OS 🚀 FREE Fund Foundations 101 Course What happens when an “outsider” refuses the rules and builds his own lane inside Silicon Valley’s most competitive ecosystem? We sit down with Gabriel Jorison, founder of Lobster Capital, to trace the leap from Paris to San Francisco, the years of founder grind, and the playbook that turned a small fund into one of the most trusted names around Y Combinator. Gabe pulls back the curtain on why he focused exclusively on YC, how he earned access without alumni status, and why a traction-first thesis beats pedigree and hype. We explore his decision to launch the largest independent media brand covering YC, the way consistent storytelling compounds into founder trust, and how that trust converts into allocations at the top of each batch. He also shares the art of saying no—declining buzzy deals when retention, acquisition quality, or revenue momentum don’t hold up—even when FOMO is loud. We get candid about AI. Gabe explains why he initially avoided “wrapper” plays, what changed his mind, and why not using AI today is a red flag. Expect a sharp view on moats: models are engines you can swap, but the real defensibility sits in brand, distribution, UX, and proprietary data. For operators and emerging managers, he details fund mechanics, standard 2-and-20 structure, timelines, and real paths to liquidity through secondaries. For founders, he lays out the practical help Lobster brings beyond capital, from pattern-matching across 100+ YC startups to hands-on media and distribution support. You’ll come away with a clear set of principles: go where the density of talent is highest, measure teams by traction, build a media flywheel, and stay humble enough to change your mind fast. If that sparks your next move, subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review so we can keep bringing you the most actionable conversations in venture. Get the Free Capital Raising Course Get Fund Flow Os Join the Free Capital Raising Community Apply to the Founder's Circle Follow me on instagram Connect with me on Linkedin

    1h 1m
  3. 10/27/2025

    Stephen Schwarzman’s Grit, Rejections, And The Birth Of Blackstone | Ep. 22

    Send us Fan Mail A tuna sandwich, a casual “Put me down for 100,” and the dam finally breaks. We follow Stephen Schwarzman from 488 rejections to the $100M anchor commitment that unlocked Blackstone’s first fund and set the stage for one of the most dominant investing platforms on earth. This is a story about grit, but it’s also a playbook: secure social proof, solve LP problems, and build processes that turn momentum into durable scale. We dive into the early Wall Street lessons that shaped his philosophy—own the upside, don’t just earn the fee—and the Transtar deal that proved the power of creative financing and operational improvement. Then we pivot to real estate, where bidding to win (and improving post-close) beat the false comfort of the cheapest price. The EOP megadeal becomes a masterclass in de-risking: buy big, sell fast, and use scale as your moat. Along the way we unpack culture—information obsession, rigorous debate, and downside protection—and how diversification across private equity, real estate, credit, and hedge strategies created a resilient earnings engine. We don’t dodge the hard parts: outsized pay optics, political backlash, and the scrutiny that comes with influence. But the enduring takeaway is trust. Anchor investors create momentum; consistent delivery cements it. If you’re raising a first or next fund, you’ll hear practical tactics on sequencing anchors, aligning with LP strategy, and building systems that automate outreach and reporting so you can focus on judgment. Aim big, recruit tens, and play for decades, not quarters. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s fundraising right now, and leave a quick review—it helps more builders find these stories and turn hard-won lessons into action. Get the Free Capital Raising Course Get Fund Flow Os Join the Free Capital Raising Community Apply to the Founder's Circle Follow me on instagram Connect with me on Linkedin

    1h 8m
  4. 10/23/2025

    How to Launch a Real Estate Fund

    Send us Fan Mail The ground is shifting. Operators who keep chasing checks one property at a time are getting lapped by managers who design real funds, align with the right investors, and move capital with intention. We break down a clear, repeatable path to launch a real estate fund in 2026 using a design, build, raise, and launch framework that turns scattered deals into a disciplined investment machine. We start with design: choose the right fund type and write a thesis investors can believe in. Fix and flip funds promise velocity and frequent distributions if you can keep a reliable pipeline and underwrite conservatively. Debt funds deliver steady, “mailbox money” income by lending at prudent LTVs with strong collateral and first-position protections. Multifamily builds long-term wealth through cash flow, tax benefits, and thoughtful exit planning, judged by cap rates, cash-on-cash return, and IRR over the hold period. You’ll hear how to communicate these metrics so LPs know how often they get paid, how safe their principal is, and what upside they can expect. Then we build: a professional GP–LP structure, real fund documents, and compliance choices like 506(b) versus 506(c). Fix and flip funds need language for short-term capital recycling; debt funds need fortress lender rights; multifamily needs clean waterfalls and fair splits. We also cover fund admin, banking, and distribution processes so your back office earns as much trust as your pitch deck. Finally, we raise and launch with intention. Anchor investors first. Clear targets for assets, returns, and structure. Soft commitments before final docs, immediate deployment once ready, and transparent reporting from day one. Whether you’re selling speed, safety, or long-term upside, the key is fit—three to five aligned LPs will outperform a hundred lukewarm prospects. Ready to stop chasing money and start running a fund with real systems and compliance? Subscribe, share this with a partner, and leave a review telling us which fund type you’re building next. Get the Free Capital Raising Course Get Fund Flow Os Join the Free Capital Raising Community Apply to the Founder's Circle Follow me on instagram Connect with me on Linkedin

    15 min
  5. 10/20/2025

    When Capital Follows Courage w/ Joe Rinderknecht | Ep. 20

    Send us Fan Mail A bidding war doesn’t always go to the highest number. Sometimes it goes to the strongest character. That’s the heart of our conversation with Joe of Cowboy Capital, a fund manager who grew up ranching, learned that a handshake is a contract, and used those values to win one of the best deals in Missoula without chasing last‑minute offers. We trace Joe’s path from training horses and driving semis to stabilizing tough assets and building a local edge across Idaho, Montana, and Utah. He breaks down why proximity beats out-of-state speculation, how speed solves operational risk, and the discipline required to underwrite without “hope” baked into future cap rates. The Missoula story says it all: first to tour, real nonrefundable money, and the courage to hold firm when a higher bid appeared. That stance earned the seller’s trust and the deal. Joe also lifts the curtain on investor communications that actually build loyalty: monthly KPI dashboards, full property management reports, construction budgets, and a YouTube channel for visual progress. He explains how radical transparency during a tough Utah project led to deeper relationships and larger checks, culminating in seven‑figure commitments and a streamlined LP base. We dig into his fund-of-funds strategy too—why backing elite operators accelerates learning, how he diligences monthly reports like it’s a new deal, and what he’s seeing in today’s market, from distress to special servicing opportunities. The conversation expands beyond multifamily. Joe shares the story behind Tiny’s Tribe, the nonprofit founded after he lost his brother and grandmother in a car accident. The mission: support families through financial help, food security, home modifications, and mindset coaching so they emerge stronger. Looking ahead, he’s adding alternatives—oil and gas, storage, mobile home parks, and venture—to help investors diversify with a family-office mindset while Cowboy Capital keeps executing where it has an edge. If you’re serious about raising capital with integrity, building local advantage, and communicating like a pro, this one will give you a working playbook. Subscribe, share with a friend who raises capital, and leave a quick review so we can bring more operators and more hard-won lessons to your feed. Get the Free Capital Raising Course Get Fund Flow Os Join the Free Capital Raising Community Apply to the Founder's Circle Follow me on instagram Connect with me on Linkedin

    1h 6m

About

Welcome to Funds on Fire, hosted by Devin Robinson—a seasoned fund manager with years of experience launching, managing, and scaling multiple successful investment funds. Devin has also helped numerous entrepreneurs ignite their own fund ventures. This podcast is your go-to guide for mastering the world of investment funds and capital raising. In each episode, Devin dives deep into the essential aspects of fund management, SEC compliance, and strategic capital raising, sharing the insights that have powered his own success. Alongside solo episodes filled with practical advice, you’ll hear from top fund managers whose funds are truly on fire. These industry leaders reveal the strategies, tactics, and stories behind their remarkable success. Whether you’re an emerging fund manager or a seasoned professional aiming for greater heights, Funds on Fire delivers the knowledge and inspiration you need to take your funds to the next level. Subscribe today and turn your financial ambitions into a blazing success!