UVC: Erik Huberman from Hawke Ventures on how Hawke Media's ecosystem and network drive their VC fund's success, emphasizes self-reflection & learning from missed opportunities, and exciting commerce enablement trends
In the latest episode of the Understanding VC, I talk to Erik Huberman, Founding Partner at Hawke Ventures. Erik shares the story of his entrepreneurial journey, starting with the launch of Hawke Media in 2014. Today, Hawke Media is the fastest growing marketing consultancy agency in the United States, valued at over $150 million. But even before this success, Erik had already achieved impressive milestones by building and selling two e-commerce companies before the age of 26.
We explore Erik's strategic approach to business expansion, including the establishment of Hawke Ventures in 2018. Erik highlights the advantages of owning an ecosystem and how it benefits both portfolio companies and the overall business. Throughout the conversation, Erik delves into the challenges associated with raising a fund, particularly the emotional aspect when dealing with high net worth individuals. We also discusses the concept of dual threat CEOs and their potential for generating better returns compared to traditional VC fund managers.
Erik emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and learning from missed investment opportunities for personal and professional growth. He also shares insights into why his fund focuses less frequently on consumer brands and reveals the current trend in commerce enablement that excites him the most.
In this episode you will learn:
- Why does Erik emphasize the importance of financial literacy and understanding money management?
- What motivated Erik to establish a VC fund alongside his marketing agency, Hawke Media?
- How did Erik and his team develop a strategic approach for their VC fund, Hawke Ventures?
- How did the extensive ecosystem and network of their marketing agency benefit their VC fund's operations?
- What advantages does owning an ecosystem bring and how does it benefit portfolio companies and the overall business?
- What challenges arise when raising a fund, and how does the emotional aspect impact the fundraising process, particularly with high net worth individuals?
- What defines dual threat CEOs, and how do they potentially generate better returns compared to traditional VC fund managers?
- Why is self-reflection and learning from missed investment opportunities crucial for growth?
- Why does Erik's fund have a lower frequency of investments in consumer brands? What current trend in commerce enablement excites Erik the most?
About:
Erik Huberman, the CEO and Founder of Hawke Media, is a highly accomplished entrepreneur and marketing expert. In 2014, he launched Hawke Media, which has become the fastest growing marketing consultancy agency in the United States, now valued at over $150 million. Prior to this, Erik had already built and sold two successful e-commerce companies by the age of 26.
Erik's business portfolio has continued to expand strategically, including several company acquisitions. In 2018, he launched Hawke Ventures, which achieved a closed single fund of $5.6 million. In 2020, Erik started his own podcast called HawkeTalk, and in 2021, he introduced HawkeZ, an agency specifically designed to help brands connect with Generation Z. Most recently, he authored a book titled "The Hawke Method."
Erik's expertise and achievements have earned him recognition within the industry. He has been honored with accolades such as Forbes Magazine's 30Under30, CSQ's 40Under40, and Inc. Magazine's Top 25 Marketing Influencers, among others.
Erik Huberman
Founding Partner at Hawke Ventures
Erik Huberman, the CEO and Founder of Hawke Media, is a highly accomplished entrepreneur and marketing expert. In 2014, he launched Hawke Media, which has become the fastest growing marketing consultancy agency in the United States, now valued at over $150 million. Prior to this, Erik had already built and sold two successful e-commerce companies by the age of 26.
Erik's business portfolio has continued to expand strategically, including several company acquisitions. In 2018, he launched Hawke Ventures, which achieved a closed single fund of $5.6 million. In 2020, Erik started his own podcast called HawkeTalk, and in 2021, he introduced HawkeZ, an agency specifically designed to help brands connect with Generation Z. Most recently, he authored a book titled "The Hawke Method."
Erik's expertise and achievements have earned him recognition within the industry. He has been honoured with accolades such as Forbes Magazine's 30Under30, CSQ's 40Under40, and Inc. Magazine's Top 25 Marketing Influencers, among others.
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