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Planet MicroCap Podcast | MicroCap Investing Strategies
Planet MicroCap Podcast | MicroCap Investing Strategies
Author: Planet MicroCap
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Educating the Next Generation of Investors in MicroCap and Emerging Growth Companies with Host Robert Kraft, CEO of Planet MicroCap, The Official MicroCap News Source
513 Episodes
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In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I’m joined by Andrew Pogue, Founder of the Underlying Value Substack, to break down his differentiated approach to microcap investing that blends deep fundamental work with an operator’s mindset and the use of AI. Andrew walks us through how he evaluates businesses with a sharp focus on management quality and capital allocation, why he sees massive opportunity outside the U.S. in the Nordics, South Africa, Canada and Australia, and how he leverages AI as a high-powered research assistant to uncover overlooked ideas globally.
We also dive into his disciplined approach to position sizing, identifying real catalysts, spotting red flags like “consulting-speak,” and why the ability to talk yourself out of an investment may be one of the most important skills for long-term success in microcaps. We mention several companies and sectors during this conversation, and I’m not a shareholder in any of them.
For more information about the Underlying Value Substack, please visit: https://underlyingvalue.substack.com/
Chapters:
00:00 Diving into Micro Cap Investments
02:50 Understanding the Micro Cap Ecosystem
05:35 Investment Discovery Process
08:44 Catalysts for Investment Opportunities
11:37 Exploring International Markets: Focus on South Africa
16:45 Exploring South Africa's Investment Landscape
17:58 Navigating Investor Psychology and Promotional Cycles
20:28 Understanding Value and Catalysts in Investing
23:28 Lessons from Microcap Investing Experiences
26:41 Evaluating Management and Company Insights
30:41 Strategies for Selling and Position Management
35:14 Key Lessons from Business Ownership
37:58 Advice for New Investors in Microcaps
Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events.
This presentation is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security referenced herein. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC (collectively, “we” or “our”) are not licensed brokers nor registered investment advisors. We, our partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, or affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned in this presentation and may trade in such securities at any time. We may have received cash compensation from one or more participants for presenting at past, present, or future events. We recommend you consult a licensed investment adviser, broker, or legal counsel before purchasing or selling any securities referenced in this presentation.
In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I spoke with John Petrides, Portfolio Manager at Tocqueville Asset Management. We take a step back and examine the broader market landscape—from record concentration in mega-cap tech to the evolving AI investment thesis and the growing geopolitical and fiscal risks shaping today’s capital markets. We discuss why the S&P 500’s historic concentration may be creating hidden risks for passive investors, how the AI story is shifting from infrastructure providers to real-world adopters across industries, and why geopolitical flashpoints like Taiwan could represent the market’s most significant systemic risk.
We also explore the implications of rising U.S. deficits and higher interest rates for fixed income investors, and why the growing valuation gap between large-cap tech and the rest of the market may be setting the stage for renewed opportunity in small and micro-cap stocks—particularly those with strong balance sheets and exposure to hard assets like energy and critical minerals. We mention several companies and sectors during this conversation, and I’m not a shareholder in any of them.
For more information about Tocqueville Asset Management, please visit: https://tocqueville.com/
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Market Landscape Overview
01:00 Market Surprises Since Spring 2023
02:09 Impact of AI Spending and Geopolitical Risks
03:10 Market Concentration and Sector Valuations
04:07 Opportunities in Healthcare and Small Caps
05:08 Portfolio Construction Amid Macro Uncertainty
06:05 International Diversification and Valuation Dispersion
07:02 Market Narrative Cycles and Signal Filtering
07:59 Long-Term Investing Principles and Market History
09:03 Market Structure and Price Discovery Risks
10:07 Key Market Mispricings and Sector Disconnects
11:06 Government Involvement and Sector Evaluation
12:04 Opportunities in Undervalued Sectors and Small Caps
13:02 Discipline and Focus in Rapid Information Environments
13:56 Fundamental Signals for Microcap Investment
15:07 Institutional Ownership and Market Movements
16:05 Impact of Government Actions on Market Sectors
17:04 Risks in Geopolitics and Long-Term Bonds
18:00 Microcap Market Inefficiencies and Opportunities
18:59 Market Disconnects and Investor Attention
19:57 AI Spending and Geopolitical Risks Revisited
20:53 Valuation Opportunities in Low-Margin Businesses
21:54 Underappreciated Risks: Taiwan and Capital Flows
23:06 Macro Trends and CapEx Quality Concerns
24:04 Microchip Supply Chain and Geopolitical Tensions
25:02 Interest Rates, Deficits, and Fiscal Risks
26:03 Active Bond Strategies and Long-Term Risks
26:59 Underestimated Geopolitical and Market Risks
27:46 AI CapEx and Cost Structure Risks
29:05 Microcap Liquidity and Institutional Flows
30:06 Signals of Institutional Interest in Microcaps
31:03 Fundamental Analysis for Microcap Selection
31:59 Emerging Themes in Microcap Space
32:49 Building Resilient Portfolios in Volatile Markets
34:10 Sector Opportunities in Rare Earths and Energy
34:52 Market Discipline and Investor Focus
35:52 Staying True to Investment Principles
37:04 Lessons from Market Crises and Capital Preservation
38:04 Aligning Portfolio with Investor Goals
39:00 Key Principles for Navigating Market Uncertainty
40:05 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events.
The purpose of this conversation is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC are not registered investment advisors. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC, MicroCapClub LLC, its partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, and affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned on this program and may trade in such securities at any time. Do your own due diligence and seek counsel from a registered investment advisor before trading in any security.
In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I’m joined by Artem Fokin, Founder and Portfolio Manager of Caro-Kann Capital, to reflect on more than a decade of running a concentrated small- and micro-cap strategy focused on finding multibagger opportunities. Artem shares how his bottoms-up approach centers on deeply understanding a handful of businesses, engaging thoughtfully with management teams while maintaining the discipline to stay objective—what he calls being “friendly, but not friends.”
We also discuss why due diligence should extend beyond the CEO to the entire leadership bench, why microcaps remain one of the best training grounds for investors despite structural market changes, and how avoiding intellectual rigidity—while embracing tools like AI for research—can help investors continuously adapt and improve their decision-making. We mention several companies and sectors during this conversation, and I’m not a shareholder in any of them.
For more information about Caro-Kann Capital, please visit: https://caro-kann-capital.com/
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:06 Investment Philosophy and Strategy
06:19 Engaging with Management Teams
09:06 Reflections on 2025
12:09 Building Relationships with Management
14:04 Best Practices for Engaging Management
16:58 Evaluating Management Teams
17:59 Diligence and Fair Game Questions
24:26 Leveraging LinkedIn for Management Insights
25:43 Understanding Investment Edge
31:11 The Importance of Execution in Investing
32:31 The Value of Microcaps in Investment Training
40:07 Fears of Intellectual Rigidity in Investing
46:53 Lessons Learned Over 11 Years
48:45 Looking Ahead: The Future of Investing
Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events.
The purpose of this conversation is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC are not registered investment advisors. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC, MicroCapClub LLC, its partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, and affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned on this program and may trade in such securities at any time. Do your own due diligence and seek counsel from a registered investment advisor before trading in any security.
In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I’m joined by Jim Zimmerman, Founder & Fund Manager, and Abby Zimmerman, Research Analyst, of Lowell Capital Management to talk about their disciplined small-cap strategy built around what they call the “Fort Knox” balance sheet. At its core, it’s about owning resilient, cash-generative businesses with little to no debt—companies that can not only survive volatility but use it to their advantage.
We dive into why they focus on operating cash flow over EBITDA, how they hunt for overlooked “boring” niche leaders trading at value prices, what they look for in management teams, and why constant re-underwriting—“buy and homework,” not just buy and hold—is critical to long-term compounding in microcaps. We mention several companies and sectors during this conversation, and I’m not a shareholder in any of them.
For more information about Lowell Capital Management, please visit: https://www.lowellcapitalmgmt.com/
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Lowell Capital Management
04:45 Jim Zimmerman's Investment Journey
09:52 Abby Zimmerman's Perspective on Investing
14:54 Core Investment Philosophy and Strategy
19:39 Engaging with Management and Assessing Companies
22:42 Evaluating Company Fundamentals
26:51 Avoiding Value Traps
29:37 Idea Generation and Networking
33:49 Learning from Investment Experiences
39:38 Evolving Investment Strategies
Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events.
The purpose of this conversation is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC are not registered investment advisors. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC, MicroCapClub LLC, its partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, and affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned on this program and may trade in such securities at any time. Do your own due diligence and seek counsel from a registered investment advisor before trading in any security.
In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I’m joined by Luis Sanchez, Founder of LVS Advisory, to discuss his firm’s differentiated event-driven and global growth strategies, and why he sees compelling opportunities emerging outside the crowded large-cap tech trade. Luis walks us through his high-conviction “Power Thesis,” which identifies a massive structural shortage in U.S. electricity driven by AI and data center demand, and highlights key beneficiaries across nuclear, LNG, and energy infrastructure.
We also explore why LVS is optimistic about merger arbitrage and corporate restructurings in 2026, how he’s positioning around global dislocations and misunderstood compounders, and why today’s concentrated market environment may be creating one of the most attractive opportunity sets for disciplined, catalyst-driven investors. We mention a number of companies and sectors during this conversation, and I’m not a shareholder in any of them.
For more information about LVS Advisory, please visit: https://lvsadvisory.com/
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:45 Investment Strategies Overview
06:01 Event-Driven Investing Insights
09:10 Merger Arbitrage Opportunities
11:50 Market Outlook for 2026
15:11 Catalysts vs. Quality Businesses
18:02 Case Study: Talon Energy
20:54 Power Thesis and Macro Insights
24:08 Characteristics of Quality Investments
30:47 The Role of LNG in Global Energy Markets
39:05 Investing in Microcap Energy Companies
47:44 Exploring Nuclear Energy Opportunities
50:42 Future Trends in Housing and Media Investments
Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events.
The purpose of this conversation is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC are not registered investment advisors. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC, MicroCapClub LLC, its partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, and affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned on this program and may trade in such securities at any time. Do your own due diligence and seek counsel from a registered investment advisor before trading in any security.
In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I spoke with Ryan Telford, Head of Evidence-Based Research at MicroCapClub, where he breaks down why headline profitability and earnings beats can be misleading, and how investors should instead focus on quality of earnings—cash flow support, reinvestment discipline, and earnings stability—along with dilution risk as the true predictors of performance. We discuss the data showing how high-quality earners significantly outperform low-quality peers globally, why many profitable microcaps still underperform after strong quarters, and how looming equity raises can act as a hidden “tax” on shareholder returns. We mention a number of companies and sectors during this conversation, and I’m not a shareholder in any of them.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Microcap Investing and Research
03:46 Understanding Quality of Earnings in Microcaps
08:49 The Quality of Earnings Scorecard Explained
13:43 Analyzing Low vs. High Quality Earnings
18:34 Modernizing the Quality of Earnings Framework
23:38 Transitioning to Dilution Risk in Microcaps
27:39 Market Reactions and Equity-Debt Ratios
31:02 Dilution Trends in Micro Caps
32:14 Understanding Dilution Risk Scorecard
38:09 Correlation Between Earnings Quality and Dilution Risk
46:40 Returns Based on Dilution Risk
50:23 Indicators of Potential Dilution Risk
For more information about MicroCapClub, please visit: https://microcapclub.com/
Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events.
The purpose of this conversation is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC are not registered investment advisors. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC, MicroCapClub LLC, its partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, and affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned on this program and may trade in such securities at any time. Do your own due diligence and seek counsel from a registered investment advisor before trading in any security.
In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I'm joined by Chris Marlett, Co-Founder and CEO of MDB Capital Holdings (NASDAQ: MDBH), to unpack the firm’s differentiated “public venture” model and why he believes the traditional venture capital and private equity ecosystem is breaking down. Chris explains how MDB operates as a hands-on merchant bank—building and taking early-stage, big-idea companies public as an alternative to VC—while addressing the shrinking U.S. microcap universe, the misperceptions around the cost of being public, and the opportunity created by a severe shortage of high-quality public companies.
We also discuss MDB’s focus on category leaders with billion-dollar potential, its equity-aligned business model, and why public markets can offer founders a more attractive path to scale, liquidity, and long-term value creation. We mention a number of companies and sectors during this conversation, and I’m not a shareholder in any of them.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to MDB Capital Holdings
01:40 Chris Marlett's Journey in Microcap Financing
03:19 Founding MDB Capital Holdings
08:22 Understanding Public Venture vs. Big Ideas
10:55 The Cost of Going Public
15:31 The Shift in Private Equity and Venture Capital
20:26 Why Now is the Time for MDB Capital
26:42 Identifying the Sweet Spot for IPOs
27:18 The Importance of Unique IP in Deep Tech
28:34 Navigating the Public Venture Ecosystem
29:51 Differentiating in a Competitive Market
30:50 The Challenges of Investment Banking
33:16 The Future of Microcap Investment
36:28 Sourcing Profitable Companies
39:19 Expanding Focus Beyond Deep Tech
41:09 Engaging with Institutional Investors
43:24 The Need for Follow-On Financing
46:02 Upcoming Opportunities in the Pipeline
50:11 Determining Ideal IPO Sizes
For more information about MDB Capital Holdings, please visit: https://www.mdb.com/
Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events.
The purpose of this conversation is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC are not registered investment advisors. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC, MicroCapClub LLC, its partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, and affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned on this program and may trade in such securities at any time. Do your own due diligence and seek counsel from a registered investment advisor before trading in any security.
In this episode of the Planet MicroCap podcast, I spoke with Tobias Carlisle, a seasoned investor and co-host of Value After Hours. We delve into the 2025 value investing playbook, discussing key themes such as the importance of valuation metrics, the cyclical versus structural decline in businesses, and the significance of buying with a margin of safety. Tobias emphasizes the need for investors to focus on financial statements rather than narratives, especially in a market driven by growth stocks. The conversation also touches on the current state of energy investments, the challenges of identifying value traps, and the potential for mean reversion in 2026, particularly in small and micro-cap stocks. Throughout the discussion, Tobias shares insights on navigating the complexities of the market and the importance of patience in value investing.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
02:36 2025 Value Investing Playbook
09:07 Cyclical Pain vs. Structural Decline
12:57 The Role of Narratives in Investing
13:37 Margin of Safety and Business Quality
20:04 Mean Reversion and Small Cap Opportunities
22:32 Using Balance Sheets for Downside Protection
24:27 Going Where Others Won't: Global Opportunities
27:19 Learning from Mistakes in Investing
29:33 Value Investing Themes for 2026
35:10 The Importance of Balance Sheets in 2026
40:51 Behavioral Advantages in Value Investing
42:10 Final Thoughts and Future Outlook
For more information about the Acquirers Funds, Value After Hours, and Tobias' latest book, "Soldier of Fortune", please visit: https://acquirersmultiple.com/
Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events.
The purpose of this conversation is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC are not registered investment advisors. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC, MicroCapClub LLC, its partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, and affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned on this program and may trade in such securities at any time. Do your own due diligence and seek counsel from a registered investment advisor before trading in any security.
My guest on the show today is Christian Schmidt, a private investor and co-founder of Tracktacle, a financial data and alerts platform that provides real-time alerts on filings and news, plus full-text search across U.S. and Canadian market documents.
In this episode, Christian walks us through his unconventional path from banking and e-commerce to becoming a full-time private investor, and how a series of market experiences reshaped his approach to risk, valuation, and opportunity selection. We discuss why he believes private investors have a real edge in microcaps, how he builds positions around clearly defined catalysts, and why doing the valuation work before the news hits is critical to acting with conviction.
Christian also shares how painful lessons from turnarounds and management missteps led him to re-prioritize assets and competitive advantage over management narratives — and how those experiences directly inspired the creation of Tracktackle. We dive into how the platform helps investors cut through noise in SEC and SEDAR filings, identify meaningful catalysts faster, and stay on top of microcap developments in real time.
We mention a few names on the show today and I'm not a shareholder in any of them.
For more information about Tracktacle, please visit: https://www.tracktacle.com/
We just announced our full slate of investor conferences for 2026, powered by MicroCapClub. Our next major event is Planet MicroCap: LAS VEGAS, happening June 16–18, 2026, at the Bellagio. Registration is now open for that. And, later in the year, we'll be heading back to Toronto, October 27-29, 2026 at the Arcadian Loft. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors and companies together to gather, connect, and grow. This includes your participation.
We know you are putting your 2026 investor conference calendars together, and we'd like to humbly invite you to join us for one or both of them. Please visit www.planetmicrocapshowcase.com for more information. See you in Vegas and Toronto!
Planet MicroCap Podcast is on YouTube! All archived episodes and each new episode will be posted on the Planet MicroCap YouTube channel. I’ve provided the link in the description if you’d like to subscribe. You’ll also get the chance to watch all our Video Interviews with management teams, educational panels from the conference, as well as expert commentary from some familiar guests on the podcast.
Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1Q5Yfym
Click here to rate and review the Planet MicroCap Podcast
You can Follow the Planet MicroCap Podcast on Twitter @BobbyKKraft
My guest today is Robert Gardiner, Chairman and Co-Founder of Grandeur Peak Global Advisors. Robert has over four decades of experience investing in small and micro-cap companies across global markets, and in this conversation, he shares how his core investment philosophy has remained remarkably consistent over that entire period. His approach is rooted in bottom-up research — identifying high-quality growth businesses early in their lifecycle, partnering with strong management teams, and maintaining strict valuation discipline.
A major theme of this episode is why Robert believes the most compelling opportunity in micro-cap investing today is outside the United States. He explains how international micro-cap markets now resemble the U.S. micro-cap environment of the 1990s — a time defined by a large and growing universe of public companies, limited institutional coverage, and meaningful inefficiencies. We discuss why regulatory changes and the rise of private equity have shrunk the opportunity set in the U.S., and why regions like Japan, the UK, and the Nordics now offer what he describes as “mouthwatering” opportunities.
Robert also walks through Grandeur Peak’s two-phase investment process — starting with rigorous quantitative screening across a global universe of roughly 35,000 companies, followed by deep qualitative research that emphasizes direct engagement with management and extensive on-the-ground company visits. We talk about why “touching the company” still matters in an era of AI and data abundance, and how global “dot connecting” can make investors better decision-makers, even in domestic portfolios.
Finally, Robert shares lessons from a recent three-year sabbatical that prompted meaningful refinements to both process and culture at Grandeur Peak — including the importance of balancing breadth with depth in research, reinforcing buy and sell discipline, and building a firm culture where every team member feels true ownership.
This is a wide-ranging conversation that touches on global markets, micro-cap inefficiencies, investment process, leadership, and long-term perspective from someone who has seen multiple cycles firsthand.
For more information about Grandeur Peak Global Advisors, please visit: https://grandeurpeakglobal.com/
We just announced our full slate of investor conferences for 2026, powered by MicroCapClub. Our next major event is Planet MicroCap: LAS VEGAS, happening June 16–18, 2026, at the Bellagio. Registration is now open for that. And, later in the year, we'll be heading back to Toronto, October 27-29, 2026 at the Arcadian Loft. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors and companies together to gather, connect, and grow. This includes your participation.
We know you are putting your 2026 investor conference calendars together, and we'd like to humbly invite you to join us for one or both of them. Please visit www.planetmicrocapshowcase.com for more information. See you in Vegas and Toronto!
Planet MicroCap Podcast is on YouTube! All archived episodes and each new episode will be posted on the Planet MicroCap YouTube channel. I’ve provided the link in the description if you’d like to subscribe. You’ll also get the chance to watch all our Video Interviews with management teams, educational panels from the conference, as well as expert commentary from some familiar guests on the podcast.
Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1Q5Yfym
Click here to rate and review the Planet MicroCap Podcast
You can Follow the Planet MicroCap Podcast on Twitter @BobbyKKraft
Welcome to the Planet MicroCap Podcast’s Due Diligence series. I’m your host, Robert Kraft. My guest today is Dan Goldberger, CEO of electroCore (NASDAQ: ECOR). electroCore is a commercial-stage neuromodulation company developing a suite of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation devices—delivering a two-minute therapy session designed to rebalance the autonomic nervous system. Built around its nVNS platform, the company operates across three channels: prescription medical devices for headache and migraine, the fast-growing Truvaga direct-to-consumer wellness brand, and a specialized military and government division built around its ruggedized tac-stim product.
Founded in 2006 as a non-invasive alternative to implanted vagus nerve stimulators, electroCore has evolved into a multi-indication business with seven FDA authorizations for headache, serving major customers like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the UK’s National Health Service. I invited Dan to the show to discuss all of this, as well as:
How nVNS platform works and the science behind vagus nerve modulation
electroCore’s evolution from implanted alternatives to multi-channel neuromodulation
The prescription business model across the VA, NHS, and managed care
Truvaga’s growth in the wellness market and why awareness is the primary competitor
The tac-stim military program and its role as a meaningful revenue stream
Strategic priorities heading into 2026—profitability, capital allocation, and commercial execution
Challenges around insurance coverage and overcoming the “chicken and egg” problem
The path toward becoming a $150–200 million business and the long-term vision for the platform
For more information about electroCore, please visit: https://www.electrocore.com/
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My guest today is Dylan Marrello, Founder and Portfolio Manager at Marrello Capital. In this episode, we take a deep dive into D-BOX Technologies (TSX: DBO), a haptic technology company that's been discussed quite a bit recently.
The movie theater industry has been through a dramatic reset over the past few years — from streaming pressure and COVID shutdowns to consolidation, higher ticket prices, and a renewed focus on premium, in-theater experiences that audiences simply can’t replicate at home. As the industry recovers, exhibitors and studios alike are leaning into technologies that enhance engagement, drive higher ticket spend, and improve theater economics.
We discuss D-BOX’s shift to a high-margin theatrical royalty model, the impact of new management, strong insider alignment, and how premium experiential formats are reshaping the future of moviegoing.
For more information about Marrello Capital, please visit: https://ragingbullinvestments.substack.com/
You can Follow Dylan Marrello on Twitter/X @RagingBullCap: https://x.com/ragingbullcap
We just announced our full slate of investor conferences for 2026, all in partnership with MicroCapClub. Our next major event is Planet MicroCap: LAS VEGAS, happening June 16–18, 2026, at the Bellagio. Registration is now open for that. And, later in the year, we'll be heading back to Toronto, October 27-29, 2026 at the Arcadian Loft. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors and companies together to gather, connect, and grow. This includes your participation.
We know you are putting your 2026 investor conference calendars together, and we'd like to humbly invite you to join us for one or both of them. Please visit www.planetmicrocapshowcase.com for more information. See you in Vegas and Toronto!
Planet MicroCap Podcast is on YouTube! All archived episodes and each new episode will be posted on the Planet MicroCap YouTube channel. I’ve provided the link in the description if you’d like to subscribe. You’ll also get the chance to watch all our Video Interviews with management teams, educational panels from the conference, as well as expert commentary from some familiar guests on the podcast.
Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1Q5Yfym
Click here to rate and review the Planet MicroCap Podcast
You can Follow the Planet MicroCap Podcast on Twitter @BobbyKKraft
My guest on the show today is Jason Kirsch, Portfolio Manager at Rosen Partnership and co-architect of the firm’s Active Value Strategy — a concentrated, long-only, private-owner-style approach to investing in micro-cap companies across Canada, the U.S., and Europe.
In this episode, Jason walks us through Rosen Partnership’s philosophy of thinking like private owners in the public markets: buying capital-light, high-ROIC compounders at meaningful discounts to intrinsic value; partnering with aligned management teams; and using “constructivism” — a collaborative, non-activist engagement style — to help unlock long-term value.
We dig deep into how Jason builds a true knowledge edge: talking not just to management, but to former executives, board members, competitors, suppliers — anyone who can broaden the mosaic and create an informational gap most investors simply aren’t willing to develop. Jason also shares lessons learned from catalysts that didn’t play out, how misaligned incentives can turn a bargain into a value trap, and why understanding your own psychology is just as important as understanding any business.
For more information about Rosen Partnership, please visit: https://www.rosenpartnership.com/
We just announced our full slate of investor conferences for 2026, all in partnership with MicroCapClub. Our next major event is Planet MicroCap: LAS VEGAS, happening June 16–18, 2026, at the Bellagio. Registration is now open for that. And, later in the year, we'll be heading back to Toronto, October 27-29, 2026 at the Arcadian Loft. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors and companies together to gather, connect, and grow. This includes your participation.
We know you are putting your 2026 investor conference calendars together, and we'd like to humbly invite you to join us for one or both of them. Please visit www.planetmicrocapshowcase.com for more information. See you in Vegas and Toronto!
Planet MicroCap Podcast is on YouTube! All archived episodes and each new episode will be posted on the Planet MicroCap YouTube channel. I’ve provided the link in the description if you’d like to subscribe. You’ll also get the chance to watch all our Video Interviews with management teams, educational panels from the conference, as well as expert commentary from some familiar guests on the podcast.
Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1Q5Yfym
Click here to rate and review the Planet MicroCap Podcast
The Planet MicroCap Podcast is brought to you by SNN Incorporated, The Official MicroCap News Source, and the Planet MicroCap Review Magazine, the leading magazine in the MicroCap market.
You can Follow the Planet MicroCap Podcast on Twitter @BobbyKKraft
My guest on the show today is Kenny Chan, Founder and Portfolio Manager of Korwell Capital. Kenny is only 23, but he’s built an investment philosophy rooted in the classics — Peter Lynch, Joel Greenblatt, Warren Buffett — and adapted with a modern, high-conviction approach. His north star: “Buy Phil Fisher–like businesses at Graham-like prices.”
Kenny walks us through the four categories that define his framework: misunderstood Buffett-like compounders, deep Graham-style value plays, capital-cycle opportunities, and turnarounds. We discuss how he launched Korwell Capital straight out of college, and how investing his own convictions — not academic theory — drives his process.
We dig into two examples that bring this to life. First, Advance Auto Parts, where Kenny saw a rare combination of capital-cycle tailwinds, industry consolidation, and a fixable integration problem — creating a classic turnaround at a very cheap price. Second, Trubar, which received a takeover bid on the day of our interview. Kenny breaks down why he viewed the company as a niche brand with a durable moat, why the sale undervalues its long-term potential, and the critical lesson he’s taking away: understand management incentives before you invest.
We wrap with Kenny’s advice for aspiring managers — especially the importance of writing publicly, testing your theses, and building a network through the quality of your ideas. We talked about a number of companies in today's episode, Kenny is a shareholder of Advance Auto Parts and Trubar, and I am not a shareholder in any of the names mentioned.
For more information about Kenny Chan and Korwell Capital, please visit: https://korwellcapital.com/
Planet MicroCap Podcast is on YouTube! All archived episodes and each new episode will be posted on the Planet MicroCap YouTube channel. I’ve provided the link in the description if you’d like to subscribe. You’ll also get the chance to watch all our Video Interviews with management teams, educational panels from the conference, as well as expert commentary from some familiar guests on the podcast.
Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1Q5Yfym
Click here to rate and review the Planet MicroCap Podcast
The Planet MicroCap Podcast is brought to you by SNN Incorporated, The Official MicroCap News Source, and the Planet MicroCap Review Magazine, the leading magazine in the MicroCap market.
You can Follow the Planet MicroCap Podcast on Twitter @BobbyKKraft
My guest on the show today is Jacob Stephan, Senior Research Analyst at Lake Street Capital Markets. He recently authored a “Crypto Industry” white paper, and I invited him on to break it down. In this episode, Jacob lays out why digital assets have crossed into institutional viability—a “normalization phase” driven by clearer regulation, enterprise-grade infrastructure, and real corporate adoption.
We discuss the internet-style adoption curve (crypto at ~7% global penetration), why regulation is the cornerstone of investability (FIT 21 progress, the new FASB fair-value accounting, and pending clarity in the U.S.), and how stablecoins—“dollars with an API”—are emerging as the killer app with multi-trillion settlement volumes. Jacob walks through concrete examples from Visa, Mastercard, and JPMorgan moving beyond pilots to on-chain settlement, and contrasts stablecoins’ payment utility with Bitcoin’s treasury/“digital gold” role.
We also cover the nuanced risks: centralization at the access layer (custody, cloud, compliance), state-by-state regulatory differences, speculative micro-cap “crypto treasury” raises, and why bipartisan momentum reduces—but doesn’t eliminate—policy risk. Finally, Jacob shares the “picks and shovels” angle—cloud, fintech/payments, and semiconductors—as scalable ways to participate in the build-out without direct token exposure, and why even low single-digit institutional allocations could materially move the asset class.
We discussed a number of crypto currencies in today’s episode. Jacob owns SOL, SUI and BTC, and for full disclosure, I also own BTC.
For more information about Lake Street Capital Markets, please visit: https://www.lakestreetcapitalmarkets.com/
Planet MicroCap Podcast is on YouTube! All archived episodes and each new episode will be posted on the Planet MicroCap YouTube channel. I’ve provided the link in the description if you’d like to subscribe. You’ll also get the chance to watch all our Video Interviews with management teams, educational panels from the conference, as well as expert commentary from some familiar guests on the podcast.
Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1Q5Yfym
Click here to rate and review the Planet MicroCap Podcast
The Planet MicroCap Podcast is brought to you by SNN Incorporated, The Official MicroCap News Source, and the Planet MicroCap Review Magazine, the leading magazine in the MicroCap market.
You can Follow the Planet MicroCap Podcast on Twitter @BobbyKKraft
My guest on the show today is Gwen Hofmeyr, Founder and Senior Analyst at Maiden Financial. In this episode, Gwen walks us through her unique research methodology — which she refers to as “financial archaeology.” This is a process built around extremely deep, original investigative work designed to uncover uncommon information — insights that simply aren’t available in typical company reports or mainstream research.
We discuss how Gwen routinely spends 200 to 600 hours analyzing a single company, validating market share by breaking down thousands of individual products, and constructing an understanding of a business that is entirely independent of management narrative and sell-side opinion. We also talk about how this approach leads to owner-level conviction, and why that conviction matters so much in the microcap universe, where volatility is high and broad consensus is often absent.
Gwen also shares why some of the most compelling opportunities she’s finding today are in Europe, particularly in industrial and lagging-edge technology companies, and how AI is actually increasing the value of deep human research — not replacing it.
For more information about Maiden Financial, please visit: https://www.maidenfinancial.io/
Planet MicroCap Podcast is on YouTube! All archived episodes and each new episode will be posted on the Planet MicroCap YouTube channel. I’ve provided the link in the description if you’d like to subscribe. You’ll also get the chance to watch all our Video Interviews with management teams, educational panels from the conference, as well as expert commentary from some familiar guests on the podcast.
Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1Q5Yfym
Click here to rate and review the Planet MicroCap Podcast
The Planet MicroCap Podcast is brought to you by SNN Incorporated, The Official MicroCap News Source, and the Planet MicroCap Review Magazine, the leading magazine in the MicroCap market.
You can Follow the Planet MicroCap Podcast on Twitter @BobbyKKraft
My guest on the show today is Doug Porter, Portfolio Manager and Senior Research Analysts at Acuitas Investments. Doug and his team recently published a new white paper titled, "The Case for MicroCap." For most of you listening in, you're already a diehard MicroCap-per, and we've all succumbed to the altar to the merits of hunting in inefficient markets.
Having said that, I invited Doug on here to not only remind us why we are here, why we hunt for the best investment ideas in our neck of the woods, but more importantly, in my opinion, to showcase why in 2025, the case for investing in MicroCaps has merit as a place to build wealth and allocate capital.
Doug breaks down the structural inefficiencies and long-term opportunity in the micro-cap equity market — a segment that remains largely ignored by big institutions, but continues to be fertile ground for alpha generation.
We discuss why micro-caps have historically outperformed in 84% of rolling 30-year periods, the critical role of active management in filtering out the riskiest names, and why Doug believes we’re in the early innings of a new cycle that favors smaller companies.
Doug also explains how “Stable Operators” — profitable, cash-generating niche businesses — are among the most compelling yet overlooked opportunities in today’s market, and why a dedicated micro-cap allocation can offer diversification, M&A upside, and even a liquid alternative to private equity.
Finally, we cover Acuitas’s approach to identifying skilled micro-cap managers across the globe — and how this ecosystem of small, research-driven funds continues to uncover value where few others are looking.
For more information about Doug Porter and Acuitas Investments, please visit: https://acuitasinvestments.com/
Planet MicroCap Podcast is on YouTube! All archived episodes and each new episode will be posted on the Planet MicroCap YouTube channel. I’ve provided the link in the description if you’d like to subscribe. You’ll also get the chance to watch all our Video Interviews with management teams, educational panels from the conference, as well as expert commentary from some familiar guests on the podcast.
Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1Q5Yfym
Click here to rate and review the Planet MicroCap Podcast
The Planet MicroCap Podcast is brought to you by SNN Incorporated, The Official MicroCap News Source, and the Planet MicroCap Review Magazine, the leading magazine in the MicroCap market.
You can Follow the Planet MicroCap Podcast on Twitter @BobbyKKraft
My guest today is Sage Berryman, CEO of Aluula Composites (TSXV: AUUA). Aluula is focused on revolutionizing material science. Founded in 2019, the company has developed a patented process for producing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites without glues—fusing at the molecular level to create materials that are lighter, stronger, more durable, and fully recyclable. This “mono-material” design also enables circularity and addresses the growing demand for PFAS-free solutions.
The company first gained traction in windsports through its Ocean Rodeo subsidiary, but following a 2023 RTO and a 2024 strategic refocus under Sage’s leadership, Alula divested Ocean Rodeo to concentrate on becoming an ingredient brand. Today, Aluula is targeting both premium outdoor markets—packs, tents, wind sports—and larger commercial and industrial applications, where strength, durability, and recyclability are key.
Aluula will be presenting at our conference in Toronto, the Planet MicroCap Showcase on October 21-23, and invited her on to discuss:
The science behind Aluula’s glue-free composites
Strategic pivot from Ocean Rodeo to ingredient branding
Long but improving sales cycles for adoption
Differentiation from commodity materials like polyester and nylon
Expansion plans into higher-volume industrial applications
Financial discipline, with recent margins of 40–45%
For more information about Aluula Composites, please visit: https://aluula.com/
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My guest on the show today is Balkar Sivia, Founder & Portfolio Manager at White Falcon Capital Management. In this episode, Balkar shares his unique path from engineering to investing, and why he built White Falcon around an unconstrained, opportunistic philosophy — one that rejects traditional style boxes like “growth” or “value.”
We dive into White Falcon’s three “engines” — Compounders, Value Today, and Value Tomorrow — and how, for Balkar, this structure should result in part of the portfolio always working. Balkar walks through case studies, explaining how he looks for quality businesses facing temporary challenges, and how narrative shifts and multiple expansion drive returns over a three-year horizon.
We also discuss the lessons he’s learned in managing value traps, how he’s thinking about AI as an investor, and the importance of evolving your process over time. At the heart of it all is a focus on quality management, incentives, and high-conviction positions in a concentrated 20-stock North American portfolio.
For more information about White Falcon Capital Management, please visit: https://www.whitefalconcap.com/
You can Follow Balkar on Twitter/X @WhiteFalconCap: https://x.com/whitefalconcap
Planet MicroCap Podcast is on YouTube! All archived episodes and each new episode will be posted on the Planet MicroCap YouTube channel. I’ve provided the link in the description if you’d like to subscribe. You’ll also get the chance to watch all our Video Interviews with management teams, educational panels from the conference, as well as expert commentary from some familiar guests on the podcast.
Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1Q5Yfym
Click here to rate and review the Planet MicroCap Podcast
The Planet MicroCap Podcast is brought to you by SNN Incorporated, The Official MicroCap News Source, and the Planet MicroCap Review Magazine, the leading magazine in the MicroCap market.
You can Follow the Planet MicroCap Podcast on Twitter @BobbyKKraft



