Ignite LP: The Rise of AI-Driven VC and the Future of Due Diligence with Damir Kopinić | Ep190

Ignite: Conversations on Startups, Venture Capital, Tech, Future, and Society

Damir Ibrahimagić Kopinić is a seasoned early-stage investor, advisor, and private asset manager who has spent decades at the intersection of high finance and early-stage tech. As co-founder and CEO of G Plus Quant, he helps bridge top startups with global venture capital, LPs, and family offices. With experience spanning asset management, trading, blockchain, and beyond, Damir offers a unique perspective on how capital markets and emerging technologies shape the future of venture.

In this episode, he shares his journey from traditional asset management to early-stage investing, the rise of AI-powered startups, and the evolving dynamics between founders, VCs, family offices, and LPs. Damir also unpacks how AI is transforming due diligence, deal flow, and even the structure of venture funds themselves.

In Today’s Episode We Discuss:

00:01 – From asset management to early-stage venture: Damir’s journey

02:20 – ICOs, blockchain, and lessons from the early crypto wave

03:06 – The #1 mistake founders make when pitching investors

05:14 – Why AI dominates investor attention in 2025

07:17 – How AI is making startups leaner and more capital efficient

08:04 – The overlooked value in non-AI deals

09:56 – The risk of AI startups becoming obsolete overnight

11:19 – Vertical vs. sub-vertical AI opportunities (e.g., legal tech)

11:59 – Startups scaling to $100M ARR with tiny teams

13:19 – Family offices vs. institutional LPs: how they differ

15:54 – Why warm intros matter and cold outreach fails

17:33 – Niche vs. generalist funds: which strategy works for emerging managers

22:22 – How LPs evaluate fund decks, deal flow, and GP presentation

24:41 – Why raising a $30–50M fund can be harder than $100M+

31:27 – The “sweet spot” for funds: $50–150M at fund three

34:40 – Shifts in management fees, carry, and LP negotiations

39:51 – The rise of algorithmic VC funds and AI-powered due diligence

43:42 – Are large VC teams obsolete in the age of AI?

46:18 – Automating deal screening and data rooms with AI agents

50:19 – Back-testing with AI: learning from startup successes and failures

53:47 – How AI accelerates both VCs and founders

54:47 – Fees vs. carry: what LPs really want

57:48 – Strategies for liquidity, secondaries, and returning capital to LPs

01:01:05 – Europe vs. U.S. venture ecosystems post-2023 reset

Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ga6v0YUsHotLhjap67uu5

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