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AI Pathfinder for Private Equity Podcast
AI Pathfinder for Private Equity Podcast
Author: Steve Budd
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© 2026 AI Pathfinder for Private Equity Podcast
Description
I'm on a mission to guide private equity from AI uncertainty to empowerment by building a network for successful AI adoption. It's giving me firsthand access to PE leaders and experts across the AI value chain.
19 Episodes
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Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder podcast, host Steve Budd speaks with Maria Bruun, founder and CEO of Seecon, about the transformative potential of AI in financial due diligence for private equity firms. Maria shares her extensive background in M&A and highlights the inefficiencies in traditional due diligence processes and her current purpose to build an AI business to redefine financial due diligence and deal preparation. The conversation explores how AI can automate data g...
Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd discusses the critical role of AI governance with experts Graeme Cox and Sarah Clarke from Attercop. They explore the misconceptions surrounding AI governance, emphasising its importance as a value enabler rather than a hindrance to innovation. The conversation covers various themes, including the risks associated with AI liability, the parallels between AI governance and cybersecurity, and the necessity...
Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, Steve Budd and Eleanor Hobson discuss the growing liability concerns surrounding AI technologies, particularly for mid-market companies. They explore the risks associated with GenAI, the challenges in contractual agreements, and the implications of the EU AI Act. Eleanor provides insights on how portfolio companies can mitigate risks and emphasises the importance of AI literacy and compliance in navigating this evolving...
Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd and guest Brian Briggs discuss the evolving landscape of AI in private equity, particularly focusing on due diligence processes. They explore how AI is reshaping investor inquiries, the risks and opportunities it presents, and the importance of integrating AI considerations into investment strategies. The conversation highlights the need for a robust framework for AI due diligence, the significance of ex...
Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd speaks with Margo Polishchuk, co-founder and president of ProSapient, about the evolution of primary research in private equity. Margo shares her journey from the expert networking industry to founding ProSapient, emphasising the importance of customer-centric innovation and the integration of technology in research workflows. The conversation explores the impact of generative AI on the industry, the nec...
Summary In this episode Steve Budd speaks with Al Cattell, founder of GiantKelp, about the practical applications of AI in private equity and business processes. They discuss the importance of using AI to automate workflows, the challenges of managing expectations, and the role of subject matter experts in successful AI deployment. Al shares insights from his experience in helping firms identify use cases for AI and the significance of starting small with controlled projects to build momentu...
Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, Steve Budd speaks with Simon Walker, co-founder of Kubrick Group, about the critical role of AI in private equity and portfolio companies. They discuss the evolution of AI capabilities, the urgency for private equity firms to adopt AI, and the importance of collaboration among portfolio companies. Simon shares insights on real-world applications of AI in sales and finance, the necessity of measuring AI success, and the c...
Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, Steve Budd interviews Phil Westcott, CEO and co-founder of Filament Syfter. They discuss the transformative role of AI in private equity, focusing on how Filament Syfter helps firms build proprietary market intelligence to enhance deal origination. Phil shares insights on the inefficiencies in traditional processes, the importance of integrating data, and the competitive edge that AI can provide. The conversation also to...
Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd speaks with Dan Thompson, CEO of Kluster, about the critical role of accurate forecasting in private equity. They discuss the challenges faced by private equity firms in forecasting, the concept of private equity grade forecasting, and how Kluster's unique approach leverages AI and data integration to enhance forecasting accuracy. The conversation also touches on the importance of data quality, the dynami...
Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd talks to technology lawyer Richard Nicholas to explore the intersection of AI, legal governance, and risk management in private equity. They discuss the challenges and opportunities that AI presents, particularly in terms of legal compliance, data privacy, and the importance of effective governance structures. Richard shares insights on how private equity firms can navigate the complexities of AI implemen...
Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, Steve Budd and Tom Hewitson discuss the journey of firms in adopting AI technologies. They explore the evolution of AI, the importance of building AI literacy, and the challenges organisations face in moving from experimentation to structured capability. Tom emphasises the need for leadership alignment, effective incentives, and metrics to measure success. The conversation also talks about the concept of 'vibe coding' an...
Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd engages with Athena Peppers, a thought leadership expert, to discuss the critical components of successful AI mobilisation in private equity. They explore the current state of AI adoption, the importance of understanding its impact on various industries, and the challenges organisations face in implementing AI strategies. Athena emphasises the need for a clear problem definition, the role of people and cu...
Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd discusses the critical role of AI in private equity with Hazem Aboris, Managing Partner at RingStone. They explore the importance of AI mobilisation, the evolution of AI technology, and the necessary steps for successful implementation. The conversation highlights the significance of data quality, the need for a top-down approach, and the challenges organisations face in adopting AI. They also discuss the...
Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, Steve Budd engages with Johann van Tonder, CEO of AWA Digital (E-commerce CRO specialists), to explore the complexities of AI mobilisation. They discuss the high failure rates of AI projects, the importance of embracing failure as part of the learning process, and the necessity of identifying specific problems that AI can solve. Johann shares insights on how AI could transform the conversion rate optimisation industry, t...
In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, Steve Budd and Pauline Nissen, Ethical AI Lead at ML6 (builder of custom AI systems) discuss the critical importance of ethical AI and AI governance in the private equity sector. They explore how to promote responsible AI practices, the implications of the upcoming EU AI Act, and the necessity for organisations to adopt a culture of ethical AI. The conversation highlights the risks of neglecting ethical considerations in AI deve...
In this podcast episode, Steve Budd interviews Shaun, the Chief AI and Data Officer at DevOn, a software development company. They discuss the intersection of AI and private equity, the importance of understanding AI capabilities, and the potential for AI to unlock value in portfolio companies. Shaun emphasises the need for a practical and iterative approach to AI adoption, starting with small efficiency gains and gradually scaling up. He also highlights the importance of blurring boundaries ...
In this conversation, Steve Budd speaks with David Dobrin, Product Director, AI Platform at YouGov, about the potential of AI in the market research industry. They discuss the importance of taking action now and starting to build AI capabilities, even if the technology is not perfect. They also explore the challenges of managing expectations and keeping teams engaged with AI. AI Pathfinder Private Equity AI Strategy Meet-ups: https://www.aipathfinder.co/ai-strategy-day https://www.aip...
In this conversation, Steve Budd speaks with Fernanda Dobal, the newly appointed product director of AI and chat at Cleo, a fintech company. Fernanda shares her experience in using AI to develop AI assistants for sleep training and financial coaching. They also explore the importance of user trust and the role of humans in the loop. The conversation emphasises the value of AI in improving efficiency, personalization, and accessibility. AI Pathfinder Private Equity AI Strategy Meet-ups: http...
In this podcast episode, Steve Budd interviews Will Bailey from 67 Bricks about the application of AI in data & information businesses. They discuss the benefits such as improving user experiences, extracting key concepts, and expanding coverage. Will shares examples of successful AI implementations, including semantic fingerprinting. They also address the challenges of cultural adoption and the fear of obsolescence. The conversation emphasises the importance of thinking big, starting sma...






















