Thematic Investors: Analog Century Management a Billion Dollar Perspective on Hard Technology

Thematic Investors: Analog Century Management a Billion Dollar Perspective on Hard Technology
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How are investors focusing on hard tech investments and AI trends today? Will China play a deeper role in terms of this type of technology and cutting-edge semiconductor investment? In our latest Thematic Investors podcast, Val Zlatev contributes his insight and what has made Analog Century Management a success in this sector. 

Kieran Cavanna, Host of Thematic Investors Podcast Series 

 

In the world of institutional investing, many trailblazers didn't start in finance. This field boasts talents from backgrounds, including musicians, philosophers, and even physicists. Take Val Zlatev, for instance. Originally a physicist, his journey took a thrilling turn during a Chicago event when he visited the commodities exchange. Upon looking down at the trading floor he saw enthusiasm and energy that he imagined could be larger and more exciting than the amount of energy in physics for the last 500 years. He was hooked.

In this latest episode of the Thematic Investors podcast, Val Zlatev, Portfolio Manager and Partner, Analog Century Management sits down with host Kieran Cavanna to discuss hard technology and agentic AI investing. This discussion focuses on the core belief that as a thematic investor, you develop a conviction and ultimately decide whether you can create capital from your thesis.

Key discussion points include:

- How to recognize, and formulate a solid investing strategy on what you know and understand about the markets.

-What exactly is the true potential of AI, how are chain-of-thought models evolving, and how likely is it that we will experience a terminator moment in the future.

- What makes models like DeepSeek so unique, what Val sees in their evolution, and how Elon Musk and Meta might be involved.

- Is the investment industry right to panic in their assessment of scaling laws being broken and AI reaching a peak?

- What does Val believe about broad cyclical trends and what may or may not be coming from Silicon Valley.

- What is the state of play in China as it relates to hard technology and cutting-edge semiconductors.

- And more.

Connect with Val Zlatev

Analog Century Management

Val Zlatev has focused on hard tech sectors for two decades and believe these businesses underpin our our technology future. Hard tech and semiconductors enable AI, EVs, IoT, and 5G communications.

Val Zlatev founded Analog in 2018 after being a partner at Quentec Asset Management, focusing on technology, media, and telecommunications, and serving as a senior analyst at Kingdon Capital. Since its inception, Analog Century Master Fund has delivered mostly double-digit returns each year.

Connect with Kieran Cavanna

Old Farm Partners

Kieran Cavanna is the Co-Founder and CIO of Old Farm Partners. Old Farm is a hedge fund allocation firm focusing on small and mid-sized hedge funds, as well as co-investment opportunities with $600m under management.  Prior to Old Farm, Mr. Cavanna worked at Soros Fund Management where he served as the Head of the External Manager Selection team. Mr. Cavanna and his team performed due diligence on and allocated to a select group of hedge funds that deployed a wide variety of hedge fund strategies.  Prior to Soros, Kieran was a Partner and the Head of Research at Titan Advisors, a $5b fund-of-hedge funds. In total Mr. Cavanna has been allocating to hedge funds for 18 years. Mr. Cavanna started his financial career at KPMG Consulting as Senior Analyst. Mr. Cavanna graduated from the University of Richmond with a BA and received an MBA from Vanderbilt University.

Please note, the information covered and posted represents the views and opinions of the guest, and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Vidrio Financial and or our host, Kieran Cavanna. The content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional investing advice. Always seek the advice of your financial advisor or other qualified financial service provider with any questions you may have regarding investment planning.

Kieran Cavanna
Written by

Kieran Cavanna

Kieran Cavanna is the Co-Founder and CIO of Old Farm Partners. Old Farm is a hedge fund allocation firm with $600m under management.

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