O.D. Kobo - Entrepreneur & Asset Manager | Negotiating More Than $15 Billion in High-Stakes Deals

Kobo is a highly accomplished asset manager, entrepreneur, and investment strategist with nearly 30 years of experience in finance and technology. With close to $1 billion in business exits, he’s worked with some of the world’s most influential figures, including Roman Abramovich, Carlos Slim, and HH Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani. Kobo has led capital initiatives and deals worth over $15 billion, partnering with major institutions like the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Qatar Investment Authority, Alibaba, Tencent, and China Investment Corporation, while also collaborating with notable individuals like Richard Caring, Ding Lei, and Teddy Sagi. In 2018, he made a bold move into digital assets, becoming one of the UK’s early institutional investors in Bitcoin and Ethereum. His career has been defined by building and selling companies to global giants like QIA, MetLife, Lenovo, and Tencent, and overseeing investments across tech, real estate, and digital assets. Known for his ability to navigate complex deals and drive innovation, Kobo’s work continues to shape industries and inspire success at the intersection of finance and technology.

➡️ Talking Points

00:00 — Intro

02:32 — O.D. Kobo on What He Does

04:00 — The Turning Point in O.D.’s Life

22:16 — Building with Purpose

34:04 — O.D.’s Fundraising Vision

37:10 — A Unique Approach to Networking

48:06 — Business Then vs. Now

1:13:55 — Why Traditional Startup Deals Don’t Work

1:25:25 — Private Equity: U.S. vs. China

1:32:11 — The Appeal of China for Entrepreneurs

1:33:46 — O.D.’s Deal-Making Process

1:41:07 — Global Frictions in Deal-Making

1:44:44 — The Biggest Deal-Making Mistakes

1:57:08 — Growing Up and Its Impact on O.D.’s Deals

2:01:18 — Can Retail Investing Be Manipulated?

2:09:05 — The Power of Human Connections

2:15:30 — Work Ethic of Top Performers

2:19:00 — Why Billionaires Keep Going

2:21:21 — Balancing Family and Entrepreneurship

2:33:30 — Entering the World as a Family Man

2:40:30 — Career Advice for Starters

2:53:33 — O.D.’s Legacy Lesson for His Kids