E183: How to Raise Institutional Capital w/iConnections CEO Ron Biscardi

Ron Biscardi is the Co‑Founder & CEO of iConnections, a fintech platform reshaping global capital introduction. With 25+ years in the alternative investment space, Ron has facilitated 36,000+ LP/GP meetings since launching iConnections in April 2020. He previously co-founded a boutique seeding firm, deploying over $600M in capital via 20+ deals. From a philanthropic start—with Funds4Food raising $1.9M in 2020 targeting pandemic relief—to anchoring flagship “Global Alts Miami” events, Ron discusses the strategy of building trust, technology, and community in capital formation. Highlights: From charity event to $50M+ platform in five years How 17 crypto managers booked 800+ LP meetings The one thing top fundraisers do that others don’t Why LP behavior is a better signal than mandates The GP playbook for getting 50+ meetings at Miami Building a capital platform without raising VC What GPs get wrong about post-conference follow-up How iConnections is using AI to match funds to allocators Why Asia may soon outpace the U.S. in alternatives The surprising ROI of dinners, concerts, and long games -- Guest Bio: Ron Biscardi is the Co-Founder and CEO of iConnections, the leading capital introduction platform for the alternative investment industry. Since launching the company in 2020, Ron has helped scale iConnections from a philanthropic idea during COVID into a global platform facilitating over 36,000 LP/GP meetings and powering flagship events like Global Alts Miami, New York, and Singapore. Under his leadership, iConnections has grown to over $50 million in annual revenue—all without venture funding—and is now used by major industry partners including SALT, CNBC, Forbes, and AIMA. Prior to iConnections, Ron co-founded a boutique seeding firm that deployed over $600 million across more than 20 deals. He’s also the driving force behind iConnections’ charitable initiatives, which have raised over $2.5 million for causes including food insecurity, mental health, and support for Ukraine. Ron holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University and has spent over 25 years in the alternative investment industry. Our Podcast now receives more than 300,000 downloads a month. Are you interested in sponsoring an episode? Please email David Weisburd at david@weisburdcapital.com . We’d like to thank @NordVPN and @Incogni for sponsoring this episode! #VentureCapital #VC #Startups #OpenLP #assetmanagement -- Sponsor: NordVPN is one of the fastest and most reliable VPN services available, helping users protect their personal data, block malware, and stay secure on any network. With over 7,000 servers in 125 countries, NordVPN allows investors, travelers, and remote professionals to change their virtual location, access region-locked services, and maintain privacy while working from anywhere. NordVPN believes that strong encryption and seamless connectivity are essential to a secure digital life. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/invest . Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Sponsor: Incogni, developed by the makers of NordVPN, is a data privacy tool that helps individuals remove their personal information from the internet. By automatically reaching out to data brokers on the user's behalf, Incogni helps reduce unwanted data exposure, limit spam, and enhance overall digital privacy. Incogni believes that everyone should have control over their personal information in a world where data is constantly being bought and sold. Use code [INVEST] at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/invest . -- Stay Connected: X / Twitter: David Weisburd: @dweisburd LinkedIn: David Weisburd: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd/ Ron Biscardi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-biscardi-79063/ Links iConnections: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iconnections-llc/ -- Questions or topics you want us to discuss on How I Invest? Email us at david@weisburdcapital.com . (0:00) Episode preview (1:21) Rahul's approach to adding value to LPs and marketing strategies (7:14) Evolutionary biology, human behavior, and the mission of iConnections (10:35) Founding iConnections and community building (14:22) Compounding benefits of long-term strategies in investing (20:38) Customer feedback, product extensions, and content creation at events (25:24) Leveraging podcast studios for educational value at iConnections events (28:01) Enhancing LP education through meetings (32:41) Relationship building with significant investors (34:31) Effective strategies for GPs to maximize conference opportunities (39:39) Maintaining relationships after conferences (42:45) Impact of AI on manager selection and event planning (47:20) Data partnerships and opportunities (49:16) Addressing misconceptions about iConnections (53:27) Preview of upcoming iConnections events (56:49) Strategies for raising capital across different geographies (59:01) Commitment to expanding into new markets (1:00:44) The role of personal interactions in successful networking (1:02:42) Cultivating friendships to enhance business growth (1:02:58) Closing remarks