Five Things I Took Away From December
December is an interesting month to take the pulse of what’s actually happening across finance, technology, and investing. The calendar thins out, the noise drops, and the people still showing up tend to be the ones actively building and allocating capital. I spent December moving between a family office event in Laguna Beach and an AI startup pitch day at the University of San Diego, speaking with investors, founders, and operators across real estate, sports, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Below are five things that stood out from the month and where I see momentum continuing into the new year.
1. Family offices are shifting from opportunistic to intentional
At the Opal Group event, it was clear that family offices are becoming far more deliberate about how they invest. The focus is moving beyond isolated deals toward structured portfolios, with clearer frameworks around venture, real estate, and community-aligned investments.
2. Sports investing is increasingly about real estate and infrastructure
Team ownership and league exposure still matter, but the real value creation is happening around stadiums and facilities. Real estate development tied to sports — including women’s sports — is driving meaningful appreciation and long-term optionality for owners and investors.
3. AI startups are being pushed toward operational realism
At the USD AI Pitch Day, the most valuable feedback centered on execution: customer acquisition, proof of traction, and disciplined go-to-market strategy. The strongest founders weren’t chasing hype — they were breaking complex problems into clear, executable steps.
4. AI is quietly becoming infrastructure, not just software
The most compelling companies weren’t flashy. They were solving foundational problems — HR compliance, clinical documentation, security, data center cooling, water loss, and defense logistics. AI is embedding itself into mission-critical systems, where efficiency gains and risk reduction matter most.
5. December events attract the most serious builders and investors
December filters for commitment. The people still showing up are not there to be seen — they’re there to build, allocate, and collaborate. For anyone looking for higher-quality conversations, December remains one of the best months to engage.
AI Startup Pitch Day LinkedIn Write-up
Opal Family Office Event Write-up
