1. I will not forfeit. You might beat me, but I’m gonna make you work for it. I am fiercely competitive and driven - you don’t go from homelessness and prison, to MIT and running a VC fund without a clear vision, crazy determination, and unyielding grit. That’s why, I’m literally the first to ever do it - there was no one for me to see ahead of me, I had to make my own way, and you can too. 2. Authenticity is your greatest currency, don’t try to be everything to everyone. Just be yourself, and find your believers. I know I’m not for everyone, but also, everyone is not for me either. I don’t want the fakes, frauds, and funnies. Find your tribe. 3. My goal everyday is to put myself in as many situations to achieve asymmetric upside as possible. I’m not here to be good, I’M HERE TO BE THE BEST. If I can get 1% more upside than my contemporaries every single day, in the long run it’s huge. Michael Jordan mentality, I want to win! And I hope everyone else can experience the joy of having such a deep purpose and goal. These were some of the key topics I covered this week during my keynote at the flagship global CREtech Conference in NYC. It was an honor and a pleasure to have the chance to share a bit of my journey and what I’m building with some of the best real estate technology folks in the world. Thank you, Michael Beckerman for having me. And for your unwavering support and friendship. It means the world.

Calling all emerging managers in NEW YORK. We're back with another Rock Yard Roundtable dinner in the Big Apple, co-hosting with our good friends Benjamin Birnbaum from Keyframe and Rita Astoor from Carta. If you're a founding GP on fund 1-3 in VC or PE, we'd love to have you join us for an evening of good conversation, good people, and good eats (my fave spot in NYC!) If we can't accommodate you on this one, we will prioritize you on future ones.

This a real-life bucket list moment. I am excited to announce that I'll be speaking at #GlobalAlts25 at the Miami Beach Convention Center on January 27-30, 2025. If you were to ask me what the center of the universe is for alternative investments, my answer would emphatically be the annual GlobalAlts conference presented by iConnections in Miami. There is nothing like it anywhere else in the world. It brings together the greatest investors on the planet on both the LP and GP sides - truly the best in the world. When I am there, I feel like I'm experiencing history being made just through the individuals present. I get to spend quality time not only with my peers but also with so many of my heroes and folks whose steps I aspire to follow. I can't wait to get back, and as always, you know I'll bring some hot takes and let my heroes know we're coming for them at Rock Yard Ventures! To join me at Global Alts 2025, register here: https://lnkd.in/e3PHmfka 

Last week, we had the immense pleasure of hosting our 1st annual Rock Yard Roundup in Austin, TX. Rather than a traditional AGM, I have chosen to host something different each year—a gathering of not only my LPs but also culture shifters, changemakers, and disruptors. In total, we had over $100B of AUM and $100B of C-level market cap value in attendance. So honored by the amazing people we got to share space with. When I look at the firms and leaders I admire the most, they strongly center around a community they've built. They are magnets that pull others into their orbit. Through the Rock Yard Roundup, I'm intentionally building this for Rock Yard Ventures. It is one of the many continuing steps I'm taking to lay the foundation of an institution built to last, one whose value is significantly greater than the sum of its parts. I want this gathering to be a pilgrimage where people of immense ability and ambition can come together yearly to learn, collaborate, and inspire transformational ideas. It will be more than just investors and founders. It will be leaders across journalism, art, sport, culture, and academia. As I shared with the attendees at this year's inaugural event, 'I hope the Roundup becomes one of your most anticipated yearly events and that Rock Yard and I can be your most valued partner — both in business and in life.' I am building something special at Rock Yard Ventures. Equally exciting is that I am building it alongside amazing people I admire and respect. Thank you for showing up for me and Rock Yard; it means the world. And lastly, I want to extend a special thank you to Stacey Gerber for your amazing insight, expertise, and mentorship - including the many texts on Saturdays! Thank you, I appreciate it more than you know.

Hey Houston! It's time for another Rock Yard event--this time we're all about industrial energy and climate tech! If you're an investor, founder, operator or involved in the Houston startup ecosystem, you should come hang with the Rock Yard Ventures and TiE Houston gang (shout out to Amir Eskafyan and TiE for co-hosting!) on Wednesday, November 6th at Axelrad. Please spread the word and share the invite--we just ask that everyone registers so we (aka me) know how many tables to grab 🤠 https://lu.ma/wgqsry8z

Big thanks to Daniel Dart for sending over this awesome gift—definitely the coolest package I’ve received in a while! Daniel’s doing incredible work over at RockYard Ventures. If you're building in Construction, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, or related sectors, he’s someone you’ll want in your corner.

some people you can instantly recognize are special special people do special things Daniel Dart is one of those people. A true 1 of 1. I will rock these Air Force 1s proudly. It’s an honor to be a yard dog if you haven’t met Rock Yard Ventures yet, why not?

AUSTIN - the kick off Austin Tech Week we’re hosting a small emerging manager dinner on Monday, Oct 28th to talk about all things ‘building a fund.’ If you or anyone you know might be interested, the link to register interest is below.

🏆 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 (𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗔𝘀)! 🎉 We are thrilled to unveil the winners and finalists of the 11th Annual 𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗔𝘀, celebrating innovation in real estate tech. 🏅 Category Winners - Emerging Startups: Azure Printed Homes - Mid-Market Growth: EliseAI - Mature Growth: Lessen - Impact Entrepreneur of the Year: Daniel Dart, General Partner, Rock Yard Ventures - Founder of the Year: L.D. Salmanson, CEO & Co-Founder, Cherre Read the FULL press release here ➡ https://lnkd.in/ezbWvqXV 🎤 Live Pitch Competition Alert! Join us on November 14 at 3:00 PM on the Main Stage at CREtech New York as our category winners pitch their groundbreaking innovations to a panel of esteemed judges, including industry leaders from Urban Edge Properties, Alpha Property Insight, US Proptech Council, BXP, Inc., The Swig Company, Moderne Ventures, Great Wave Ventures, Bay Tech Advisors, and more! Register here 👉 https://lnkd.in/esmcrtrh This is an exciting opportunity to witness the future of real estate technology in action and determine the grand prize winner of the 2024 RETAs! Learn More ➡ https://lnkd.in/ezHpGzDR Stay tuned for more updates and details. Let’s celebrate the future of real estate together! 🚀 #CREtech #RETAs2024 #CREtechNewYork2024 #Tech #BuiltWorld #Innovation #awards #technology #realestate Michael Beckerman Lindsey Imperatore Kay Ross-Baker Lauren Leal Kyle Halls Emily Wright

🚀 Attention Startups! Schedule Your 1:1 Meeting with a VC at CREtech New York! 📅 Seize the opportunity to connect with leading real estate investors at our NEW VC Office Hours during #CREtechNewYork2024! Whether you're ready to pitch your company, seek strategic guidance, or validate your product, this is your chance to shine! 🙌 🔑 Why Join? - 1:1 meetings with leading VCs in built world tech - Strategic advice and feedback - Perfect for those raising funds, refining their pitch, or planning future growth 🤝 Participating Investors: - Andrew Peng, Senior Associate, Alpaca VC - Chris Millisits, Senior Associate, Antler - Giulia Martins, Investor, Zigg Capital - Isabelle Granahan-Field, Investor, Camber Creek - John Goettee, Analyst, Outsiders Fund - Julia L., Associate, RET Ventures - Klicia Oliveira Wilson, MSc, Investor, Rock Yard Ventures - Lucas Turner-Owens, Principal, Building Ventures - Matt Boras, Managing Director, RXR ARDEN Digital Ventures (RADV) - Matthew Ohlman, General Partner & CTO, Shadow Ventures - MORE VC'S TO BE ANNOUNCED! 📍Meetings will take place at a dedicated room at CREtech New York. 🎟️ How to Book: Register for CREtech NY, and you'll receive a confirmation email with the booking link. Availability is limited—so hurry! Already registered? Keep an eye out for booking instructions! 👉 Register now and secure your spot! https://bit.ly/3TYRYJI #CREtech #VC #Innovation #BuiltWorld #Tech #Technology #Sustainability #startup #investing #venturecapital #realestate Michael Beckerman Lindsey Imperatore Lauren Leal Kyle Halls Kay Ross-Baker Emily Wright