Webinar
How to Invest in Waterman Ventures
Rob Adams, Executive Partner of Waterman Ventures, led a practical walkthrough of how to invest in Alumni Ventures’ Brown alumni-affiliated venture fund — covering the thesis, the portfolio, the mechanics, and what accredited investors needed to know before committing capital.
See video policy below.
In this session, Rob walked through the Waterman Ventures investment thesis, how the fund leveraged its connection to the Brown alumni ecosystem to source and back exceptional founders, and the practical mechanics of investing. He explained how the fund was constructed, how capital was deployed across the portfolio, what the investment process looked like from commitment through capital call, and how the fund fit alongside other Alumni Ventures options. Rob also shared recent portfolio activity and where the team was sharpening its conviction.
Whether you were a Brown alum, a current Alumni Ventures investor, or evaluating university-connected venture for the first time, this session provided a clear view of the fund’s thesis, structure, and path forward — along with the practical steps required to participate. Watch the recording to hear directly from Rob and learn from his responses to investor questions during the live Q&A.
Want to access our Waterman Ventures startup deals to see, evaluate, and optionally invest? No cost, no commitment.
Key Takeaway
- HomeDiscover how Waterman Ventures translates privileged access to the Brown alumni ecosystem into a differentiated venture portfolio
- HomeUnderstand the practical mechanics of investing — how the fund is constructed, how capital is deployed, and what the investment process looks like from commitment through capital call
- HomeHear Rob's thesis, recent portfolio activity, and where conviction is sharpening today — and get your questions answered before making a decision
Rated a Top 20 VC Firm by both TIME and CB Insights.
Alumni Ventures is America’s largest venture capital firm for individual investors.
About your presenter
Rob is a former entrepreneur, institutional fund manager, and software executive. He has served on many corporate boards and has founded or financed more than 40 companies, raising capital in both public and private markets. He is an internationally recognized expert and speaker on innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship. Most recently, Rob was on the faculty of The University of Texas at Austin, where he taught entrepreneurship in the MBA program and was the Founder and Director of Texas Venture Labs. He was CEO and Founder of Business Matters, a venture-backed developer of financial modeling products that was acquired. He was also an executive with Pervasive Software, a company he helped take public. Rob holds a BS in Industrial Engineering from Purdue, an MBA from Babson’s Olin School of Management, and a PhD in Management from Capella University.