In this episode, Ariel Segal Eck, Managing Director at Segal Ventures, takes us inside a family office direct investing practice built on relationships, representation, and a deeply personal approach to capital allocation. Drawing on her work alongside her father and cousin, Ariel shares how the family evolved from direct investments into a fund-of-funds model — and how that shift has increased both their returns and their impact.
Our conversation explores the power of connection in a family office investor context, from the family’s “bookstore protocol” they use to build connections with fund managers and entrepreneurs, to the steps they take to ensure every family member — even those not involved in the investing — feels seen and represented by the portfolio. We’re pleased to share this candid look at what it takes to use venture capital not just to generate returns, but to hold a family together.
