How do billionaires get access to deal flow?
Short answer: David Rubenstein says his immediate, helpful replies get him access to deal flow. At a baseball game, he replies instantly to institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, and a group email to 10 private equity executives.
Richard C. Wilson speaks about how wealthy people gain access through fast replies, proximity to peers, and stacked advantages.
David Rubenstein's fast replies
At a baseball game, David Rubenstein replies instantly to emails from institutional investors and sovereign wealth funds. He also answers a group email to 10 private equity executives, each managing tens of billions. Richard C. Wilson says Rubenstein's quick, helpful replies give him access to deal flow and relationships. (at 9:44)
Richard C. Wilson on proximity to peers
Richard C. Wilson says being around people raising tens of millions can affect what you notice and act on. He says reading books by billionaires can bring their ideas into your thinking. (at 11:08)
Richard C. Wilson on stacked advantages
Richard C. Wilson says wealthy people may have access to capital, a strong reputation, and earlier access to deals. He describes those advantages as multiplying when stacked together. (at 12:27)
"he says his ability to get back immediately and be super helpful in real time to people is what gets him access to deal flow"
From Richard's exclusive Billionaires.com interviews
Lessons from Richard C. Wilson's one-on-one interviews, as published on each interview page.
- Binod K. Chaudhary: Never chase a deal out of desperation. Stay cool and look at every part of the deal. Have your advisers and your finance team review it critically. Your counsel should review it too.
- Serg Bell: Success comes from many decisions. He does not see business as one winning bet. He sees it as a long game, like poker or bridge, built on many smart choices over time.
- Tim Draper: Make your customers your sales force. Hotmail put a message at the bottom of the screen inviting people to get free email. It spread to 11 million users.
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Frequently asked questions
How do billionaires get access to deal flow?
David Rubenstein says his immediate, helpful replies get him access to deal flow. At a baseball game, he replies instantly to institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, and a group email to 10 private equity executives.
Sources
Quotes are copied from the video captions and checked against the transcript. Timestamps link to the moment in the video. General information only, not legal, tax or investment advice.