🎙️ The Private Equity Podcast — Niklas James, Founder of Minds Capital Host: Alex Rawlings | Guest: Niklas James In this episode, Alex is joined by Niklas James, Founder of Minds Capital, an independent sponsor investment platform. They explore what sets successful sponsors apart, why industry specialization matters, and how media can supercharge inbound deal flow. 🕒 Episode Highlights 00:00 – Niklas’ background: Bain, VC, HBS, and independent sponsor journey 01:17 – Founding Minds Cap...

🎙️ The Private Equity Podcast — Episode with Cyril Aboujaoude, Co-Founder of TioPo Capital In this episode, Alex Rawlings is joined by Cyril Aboujaoude, Co-Founder of TioPo Capital, a hands-on private equity firm investing in SMEs across the UK and France. Cyril shares the journey of launching TioPo, their operationally driven approach to investing, and how young, entrepreneurial grit fueled their path from deal number one to a thriving portfolio. They explore the nuances of deal origination,...

Guest: Greg Nieuwenhuys – PE Operator & Founder, Generative AI Strategy Host: Alex Rawlings – CEO, Raw Selection 🔍 Episode Summary: Greg Nieuwenhuys returns to share a practical, step-by-step AI Playbook for hiring. From writing job descriptions to automating follow-ups, Greg breaks down how PE firms and portfolio companies can integrate generative AI into recruitment. Packed with tools, tactics, and workflow tips, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to hire faster, smarter,...

🎙️ The Private Equity Podcast – Mark Strauch, Founding Partner & President, Alpine Investors ⏱️ Key Takeaways & Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro Alex welcomes Mark Strauch to discuss Alpine’s unique leadership-driven approach in private equity. 01:00 – From CEO to PE Leader Mark shares his journey from operator to co-founding Alpine, now with $20B+ AUM. 02:08 – The Industry’s Problem: Lack of Differentiation Alpine avoids the “deal shop” model, focusing instead on mission-driven, talent-l...

In this episode, Alex Rawlings speaks with Amias Gerety, Partner at QED Investors, a leading fintech-focused VC firm managing nearly $1B in assets. Amias shares insights on venture capital strategy, staying disciplined during market hype, sourcing deals, and how lessons from his time at the U.S. Treasury shape his investment decisions today. ⏱ Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Intro & QED Overview QED’s structure, fintech focus, and global reach. 01:20 – VC Mistakes & Market Hype The dang...

Episode Overview In this episode, Alex Rawlings welcomes Michael Von Bevern, Co-Managing Director for Sunterra Fund Services, to discuss the evolving landscape of fund administration in private equity. Michael shares nearly two decades of experience, working with over 500 fund managers, and offers invaluable insight into common mistakes first-time managers make, the growing role of fund administration, and why outsourcing has become the gold standard for operational efficiency and investor co...

In this episode, host Alex Rawlings is joined by Joe Basrawy, Managing Director at Partners Capital, a global multi-asset investment firm serving some of the world's most sophisticated investors — including private equity founders, endowments, and family offices. Joe offers a rare and in-depth look at the Limited Partner (LP) perspective — covering common pitfalls private equity firms make, what LPs are really looking for, and how to stand out in a crowded market. He also shares a masterclass...

In this episode, Alex Rawlings is joined by Jeremiah Wanzell, a seasoned consumer brand executive with leadership roles at Hugo Boss and Calvin Klein, and now an operating partner working with private equity firms to drive growth in the consumer sector. Jeremiah shares his insights into the evolving role of the operating partner, value creation beyond financial engineering, the importance of omnichannel strategy, and how consumer-focused PE firms can win in a shifting market. ⏱️ Timestamps 00...

🔹 Episode Overview: In this episode, we’re joined by William Quartner, Partner at Prelude Growth Partners, a New York-based private equity firm dedicated to the high-growth consumer space. William shares insights from his impressive journey through investment banking and private equity at firms like Goldman Sachs and TowerBrook Capital, to now helping build Prelude Growth from its inception to the recent close of Fund III. He explores critical investment lessons, the importance of talent, co...

Guest: Greg Moran – Multi-exit founder, investor, and Managing Partner at Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners Host: Alex Rawlings, Founder of Raw Selection ⏱️ Timestamps & Topics 00:00 – Introduction to Greg Moran Alex welcomes Greg Moran, a multi-exit founder turned investor, and Managing Partner at Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners. Greg introduces his background in scaling businesses, raising $500M+ in capital, and his current focus on future-of-work technologies. 01:29 – Biggest Mis...

🕒 Episode Timestamps & Show Notes 00:00 – Introduction Alex welcomes John Dwyer, Founder of The Institute of WOW, to explore how direct response marketing can drive real results for private equity firms and their portfolio companies. 00:53 – What is WOW Factor Marketing? John explains his flipped model: get prospects to try your product so they fall in love with your brand—not the other way around. 02:16 – The Power of Incentives Examples like McDonald’s Happy Meals and Kellogg’s...

Episode Summary: In this insightful episode, Alex Rawlings is joined by Brett Hickey, the CEO and founder of Star Mountain Capital. Brett shares his unique journey from humble beginnings in Northwestern Canada to leading a multi-billion-dollar asset management firm in the U.S. With deep reflections on leadership, value-based investing, building collaborative ecosystems, and what truly drives sustainable success in private markets, this is a masterclass in private equity thinking. Brett also ...

🧠 Episode Summary: In this insightful episode, Alex Rawlings is joined by Brian Reavell, Founder of R-Squared Advisors and seasoned Private Equity Operating Partner, to dive deep into the world of go-to-market (GTM) strategies. Brian shares a comprehensive GTM playbook for PE-backed portfolio companies—spanning from due diligence and customer segmentation to talent evaluation and post-investment execution. With over two decades of commercial leadership and consulting experience, Brian explai...

Guest: David Rowley, Operating Partner at Diversis Capital Host: Alex Rawlings Topic: Product Strategy, Artificial Intelligence, and the Evolving Role of the Operating Partner 🔍 Episode Overview: In this episode, Alex Rawlings is joined by David Rowley, Operating Partner at Diversis Capital, to explore how private equity can drive value creation through smarter product strategies and the integration of artificial intelligence. With a career spanning back to the 1980s in software product dev...

🎙️ The Private Equity Podcast — Episode with Graham Bachman, Hidden River Strategic Capital Guest: Graham Bachman, Managing Director & Head of Business Development at Hidden River Strategic Capital Host: Alex Rawlings In this episode of The Private Equity Podcast, Alex Rawlings is joined by Graham Bachman, who shares how Hidden River Strategic Capital is reshaping lower middle-market investing with structured capital—a hybrid approach that sits between debt and equity, allowing business ...

The Private Equity Podcast – Show Notes Guest: Otis Spencer Host: Alex Rawlings Episode Title: Lessons in Leadership: From Army Logistics to PE Operating Partner & CEO Success 🎙 Episode Overview: In this episode, Otis Spencer, a former U.S. Army logistics officer turned private equity operating partner and CEO, shares a compelling journey of leadership, operations, and transformation. From managing global fuel inventories to spearheading Six Sigma-driven improvements, Otis outlines the ...

🎙️ The Private Equity Podcast – Essentials for Investors with Matthew Kearney This episode is packed with pragmatic advice and “growth hacks for operators” – get your pen ready. ⏱️ Episode Highlights & Timestamps: 00:03 – Introduction Meet Matthew Kearney: 35 years in private equity, from 3i to operating partner and PE-backed CEO. 01:07 – From 3i to New York CEO Matthew’s early career, moving from UK PE investments into operational leadership in media and technology. 02:31 – Common PE M...

Guest: Greg Neuenhuis – Private Equity Advisor, Chairman & AI Expert Topic: Unlocking Generative AI for Private Equity & Portfolio Companies 🔹 Intro & Background (0:00 – 2:00) Greg shares his 20+ years in PE-backed consumer goods: Baver (Netherlands), Cotterdardoor (UK), Mammoth, Wattbike, and No-Door.Passion for AI began two years ago, driven by a belief that GenAI is a business and people challenge—not a tech one.🔹 What is Generative AI? (2:00 – 6:00) Difference: classic AI (re...

In this insightful episode, Nate Edgerly, CEO of Enzo Group Inc., discusses his journey from CPA at PricewaterhouseCoopers to a seasoned private equity investor and executive leader in the hospitality industry. Nate shares valuable insights on leadership, long-term investing, and what makes hospitality businesses thrive or fail. Key Takeaways: Nate’s journey from CPA to CEO, highlighting his pivotal experiences in private equity and operating roles.Lessons learned from running a business, enh...

In this episode, Alex speaks with Jeff Zwiefel, former President & COO of Life Time, about scaling the business from $139M to $2.3B in revenue and navigating multiple private equity exits and IPOs. Jeff shares how a people-first culture and rigorous training enabled long-term, sustainable growth in a competitive industry. Jeff discusses why private equity firms often miss the mark by focusing only on KPIs and financials, instead of investing in leadership, culture, and succession. He expl...