Earnest Sweat
Podcast Host at Swimming with Allocators
San Francisco, California
Overview
Work Experience
Podcast Host
2023 - Current
Created and co-hosts a podcast focused on the capital behind the capital. In under 17 months, released 50+ episodes featuring top allocators from institutions like NEPC, Ford Foundation, Sapphire Partners, and Top Tier Capital. The show serves as a platform for honest conversations about venture capital from the LP perspective—bridging operators, fund managers, and capital allocators. Secured sponsorships from Silicon Valley Bank and Sidley.
Managing Partner
2023
Lead a syndicate of 1,100+ operators, investors, and allocators investing in early-stage B2B companies. Started with $100K–$200K SPVs into startups, and now execute $5M–$9M investments into Series A companies in partnership with institutional LPs. PSV also serves as a proving ground for emerging GPs and underwritten conviction-led capital strategies.
Founder
2023
Launched a boutique advisory firm to help clients navigate the venture capital asset class and the broader innovation economy. Started by supporting emerging managers, and now advise fund of funds, Fortune 50 corporations, and family offices. Services include strategy development, capital deployment support, innovation program design, and LP/GP relationship building. Clients have included a venture capital-only Fund of Funds with $8B AUM, a large telecom's corporate venture team, a venture capital nonprofit organization, and small economic development foundations. Known for high-context, high-conviction counsel that moves initiatives forward.
Expert
2023
Intro is an application that connects users over a short video call and gets personalized advice.
Raised $10,000,000.00 from Michael Ovitz, Tiffany Haddish, Firsthand.vc, Andreessen Horowitz, Pure Imagination Brands, David M. Solomon, Seven Seven Six, Nomad Ventures, Rachel Zoe Ventures and TGM ventures.
Class 26
2021 - 2023
I graduated from the Kauffman Fellowship, a two-year executive education program that identifies and develops global leaders in VC.
Co-investment VC firm supporting the mission of the Kauffman Fellows
Venture Partner
2022 - 2023
Partner
2019 - 2022
Built GreatPoint’s enterprise SaaS investment strategy within a firm known for deep tech and digital health. Led investments in and served as a board observer for KlearNow, Bit.io, and BookOutdoors. Contributed to deals including Ananda Networks, Cooler Screens, and more. Developed investment theses around B2B marketplaces, developer tools, and vertical software. Continued to source, support CEOs, and contribute to Investment Committee decisions.
GreatPoint Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm investing between $250k and $20m into Seed, A, and B rounds.
Board Director
2017 - 2022
Helped grow a national nonprofit to connect, empower, and advance Black venture investors through programming, research, and community-building.
Principal, Prologis Ventures
2016 - 2019
First external hire to the corporate venture arm of a Fortune 500 real estate company. Led investments from Seed to Series B in startups modernizing logistics, industrial IoT, and supply chain infrastructure. Board observer for Flexe, Platform Science, Airspace, Sendoso, and Wise Systems. Supported Flexport and ClearMetal. Developed Prologis Ventures' “informed perspective” strategy, bridging corporate and startup ecosystems.
Prologis Ventures invests in Series A through Growth stage companies focused on innovating in the logistics sector.
Consultant
2013 - 2014
Advised nonprofits and philanthropic organizations on strategy and operational scale. Conducted quantitative research that contributed to national education funding decisions.
The Bridgespan Group is a global nonprofit organization that collaborates with mission-driven leaders, organizations, and philanthropists
Founder & CEO
2010 - 2013
Built and led a future-of-work social enterprise connecting underrepresented students with college mentors through a tech-enabled platform. Led to the acquisition of assets by a nonprofit.