Discover Alt Goes Mainstream: The Latest on Alternative Investments, WealthTech, & Private Markets
Alt Goes Mainstream: The Latest on Alternative Investments, WealthTech, & Private Markets

Alt Goes Mainstream: The Latest on Alternative Investments, WealthTech, & Private Markets
Author: Michael Sidgmore
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Alt Goes Mainstream podcast is the place to turn to for interviews with some of the brightest and most experienced minds in the world at the intersection private markets and wealth management. AGM dives into investment strategies like private equity (PE), private credit, venture capital (VC), secondaries, GP stakes, infrastructure, real estate, wealth management, and comprehensively covers tools and frameworks for approaching private markets, such as asset allocation, evergreen funds, model portfolios, and more. For anyone looking to invest into private markets (from experienced wealth managers to family offices to the individual investor looking for a more diversified investment portfolio), you’ll hear inside stories from executives and founders at some of the world’s largest financial institutions, alternative asset managers firms, and wealth management firms. More than a personal finance podcast, Alt Goes Mainstream dives deep into trends, investment strategies, firm building lessons, and innovative technologies that are enabling investors to access private markets.
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Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today’s episode dives into digital infrastructure and how it powers the growth of artificial intelligence and other major trends in digitalization and electrification.We sat down in Blue Owl’s NYC office with Matt A’Hearn, an asset management entrepreneur and executive at the firm.Matt is a Senior Managing Direct at Blue Owl and Head of Digital Infrastructure. He’s responsible for leading the overall management of Digital Infrastructure, including strategy, investments, and portfolio management.Prior to joining Blue Owl, Matt was the Managing Partner and a Founder of IPI Partners, the predecessor firm to Blue Owl Digital Infrastructure. IPI was acquired by Blue Owl in 2024.Prior to founding IPI, Matt led the global investment banking practice in communications infrastructure at Moelis & Company.Matt and I had a fascinating and thought-provoking discussion about the future of digital infrastructure. We covered:The how and the why of digital infrastructure.Investing in data centers.The evolution of digital infrastructure.How to best partner with and serve the need of hyperscalers.The importance of power generation for AI. How there are different ways to approach gaining exposure to AI as an investment theme.Thanks Matt for coming on the show to share your wisdom and expertise in private markets and digital infrastructure.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund SolutionsThis episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at gharris@ultimusfundsolutions.com.We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.Show Notes00:00 Our Sponsor, Ultimus01:57 Welcome to the Alt Goes Mainstream Podcast02:05 Guest Introduction: Matt A’Hearn03:36 Evolution of Digital Infrastructure04:02 Founding IPI Partners04:15 Digital Infrastructure and AI05:35 Early Challenges in Data Center Investing06:13 Cloud Growth and Hyperscale Companies07:05 Partnerships with Hyperscalers08:07 Financing Hyperscalers10:14 AI and Cloud: A Generational Opportunity11:51 Supply and Demand Dynamics in AI13:21 Power and Infrastructure Challenges14:55 Site Selection and Power Considerations17:53 Scale and Capital Requirements22:32 Data Center Capacity Needs23:35 Investment Opportunities in Digital Infrastructure24:21 Blue Owl's Capital Strategy26:25 The Blue Owl Transaction26:35 Capital Needs in the Industry26:58 Feedback from Hyperscalers27:18 Joining Blue Owl27:51 Founding IPI28:50 Building the Firm30:38 Differentiating IPI31:36 Early AI Insights32:26 AI and Cloud Growth34:41 Investment Opportunities in Digital Infrastructure35:27 Risk-Adjusted Investment Strategies36:39 Underwriting Digital Infrastructure38:22 Capital Allocation in Tech Companies39:17 Meta and Data Center Development40:41 Alternative Asset Management in Tech41:45 Merging Investment Cultures43:19 Challenges and Opportunities43:53 Wealth Channel Expansion45:51 Evergreen Structures and Long-Term Investments50:50 Future of Digital InfrastructureEditing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.
Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today’s episode is with an experienced asset allocator who has operated at the intersection of insurance and asset management throughout his career.We sat down in Prudential’s Newark studio with  PGIM’s Head of Multi-Asset and Quantitative Solutions, Phil Waldeck. Phil is responsible for nearly $140B in AUM, where the business unit leverages PGIM’s deep public and private markets expertise for the purpose of developing customized portfolio solutions to meet insurer and other investors’ unique objectives. Phil previously served as Chief Transformation Officer at Prudential, CEO of Prudential’s Workplace Solutions Group, and as president of Prudential’s retirement business, which comprised of $250B in assets. Phil was also the architect of Prudential’s pension risk transfer business, which he grew to over $170B. Phil and I had a fascinating conversation about the intersections between insurance and asset management. We covered:The evolution of how insurers allocate to private markets.The importance of asset liability management.How insurers are leveraging their balance sheet to invest in private markets and collaborate with alternative asset managers.How insurance and asset management interact and the benefits of an integrated platform.How PGIM's $1T in public and private credit informs how they invest.Why insurers are allocating to private credit.Thanks Phil for sharing your perspectives and wisdom on insurance and private markets. We hope you enjoy.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund SolutionsThis episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at gharris@ultimusfundsolutions.com.We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.Show Notes00:00 Message from our Sponsor, Ultimus01:23 Welcome to Alt Goes Mainstream Podcast02:03 Guest Introduction: Phil Waldeck03:29 Insurance and Asset Management Intersection04:51 Understanding Asset Liability Management (ALM)05:41 Liquidity and Private Markets07:08 ALM in Wealth Management10:44 Private Credit and Insurers11:31 Private Credit Flavors and Strategies12:42 Origination and Credit Culture14:32 Talent and Culture at PGIM15:06 Private Credit's Role in the Economy17:01 Borrowers Choosing Private Over Public Credit18:36 Public and Private Credit Blurring Lines19:00 Global Credit Capabilities20:09 Fewer Manager Relationships in Private Markets24:57 Challenges in Private Markets27:02 Underwriting Discipline in Private Credit27:34 Private Credit Market Growth30:22 Global Opportunities in Private Credit31:01 Future of Private Markets31:30 Regulatory Framework and Governance31:57 Educating Investors on Private Markets33:06 Creating the Perfect Private Credit Portfolio33:57 Diversification in Private Credit34:36 Advisors' Role in Private Credit Investing35:07 Wealth Channel Choices and Shelf Space35:53 Farm to Table Analogy in Private Credit37:32 Talent and Scale in Private Credit38:54 Maintaining Culture in Large Firms39:33 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThe opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the author and do not reflect the views or opinions of PGIM, Inc. PGIM, Inc. is not responsible, endorses nor confirms its accuracy. All trademarks and other intellectual property used or displayed are the ownership of their respective owners. Unless noted otherwise in this podcast, PGIM, Inc. is not affiliated with, nor  endorses any mentioned company or any linked third-party content. PGIM and its affiliates may develop and publish research that is independent of, and different than, the recommendations contained herein. PGIM’s personnel other than the author(s), such as sales, marketing and trading personnel, may provide oral or written market commentary or ideas to PGIM’s clients or prospects or proprietary investment ideas that differ from the views expressed herein.Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.
Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today’s episode dives into the evolution of infrastructure investing with a leading scaled specialist firm in infrastructure.We sat down in Stonepeak’s Hudson Yards office with a pioneer in infrastructure investing: Mike Dorrell.Mike is the Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Stonepeak, building the foundations for the firm to achieve a rapid ascent to $76B from its founding in 2011.Mike brings deep expertise to bear in the infrastructure asset class. He has over 20 years of experience investing in infrastructure, starting his career at Macquarie, where he ultimately held the title of Senior Managing Director. He then joined Blackstone, where he was a Senior Managing Director in Private Equity and Co-Head of the Infrastructure Investment group, before striking out on his own to build one of the industry’s largest infrastructure investing firms in Stonepeak.Mike and I had a fascinating and thought-provoking discussion about infrastructure investing and why it’s becoming an increasingly important part of the private capital ecosystem. We covered:The early days of infrastructure investing.How infrastructure investing has evolved.How Mike’s experiences at Macquarie and Blackstone informed how he wanted to build Stonepeak.How institutional investors have approached infrastructure investing and why individual investors should consider exposure to infrastructure assets.Stonepeak’s DNA and what makes the firm different from other infrastructure investors.Why being a scaled specialist is a competitive advantage.How Stonepeak was built from scratch to scale.How Stonepeak identified investing in data centers early on and well before the data center boom began.Why launch a wealth solutions business and how it’s a reflection of the firm’s DNA, culture, and values.Thanks Mike for coming on the show to share your expertise, wisdom, and passion for infrastructure investing.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund SolutionsThis episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at gharris@ultimusfundsolutions.com.We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.Show Notes00:00 Message from our Sponsor, Ultimus01:18 Welcome to the Alt Goes Mainstream Podcast02:10 Guest Introduction: Mike Dorrell03:58 Mike's Journey to Stonepeak06:46 Challenges in the US Infrastructure Market11:09 Successes and Setbacks in Infrastructure Deals12:06 Privately Held Infrastructure in the US17:05 Public vs. Private Infrastructure18:34 Impact of Infrastructure on Daily Life19:16 Stonepeak's Significant Market Presence22:10 Balancing Public Good and Investor Returns22:53 Regulation and Good Judgment in Infrastructure23:55 Challenges in Privatization25:52 Skills Needed for Infrastructure Investing26:29 Access to Infrastructure for Individual Investors27:10 Institutional Market's Experience with Infrastructure30:50 Asset Allocation and Infrastructure33:40 Private Equity vs. Infrastructure Investments34:10 Institutional Allocation Trends34:46 Patience and Peace of Mind in Investing35:14 Warren Buffet's Investment Philosophy35:38 Biggest Risks in Infrastructure35:50 Electric Utility Asset Risks36:28 Data Center Business Risks37:02 Evaluating Data Center Investments38:46 Economic Differences: Building vs. Buying Data Centers40:21 Pricing Power in Data Centers46:03 Connectivity Data Centers Explained49:16 Navigating Infrastructure as an Asset Class50:09 Finding the Right Assets at Fair Prices50:27 The Evolution of Infrastructure Investing53:31 Founding Stonepeak57:20 Raising Capital in Early Days59:46 Lessons from Blackstone01:01:22 Building a Strong Investment Culture01:03:37 Maintaining Culture While Scaling01:06:20 The Importance of the Wealth Channel01:07:41 Focus on Quality and Customer Experience01:08:33 Cycling and Business Philosophy01:09:26 The Importance of Investment Decisions01:10:27 Final Thoughts on Investment ProcessEditing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.
Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today’s episode provides a fascinating window into the world of private equity value creation and how AI can help transform both portfolio company and investment firm processes and operations to create value.We sat down in New York with Hg Partner and Head of Value Creation Chris Kindt to dive into how he spearheaded the growth of the firm’s in-house value creation efforts and has built a high-performing team to meet the evolving needs of portfolio companies.Chris brings 15 years of experience in architecting and driving value creation to bear, with 11 years of experience at Hg and another 8 years as a consultant at BCG and Parthenon.Chris and his team are responsible for driving value across a portfolio of 55 companies that represents over $180B in enterprise value and would represent the second largest software company in Europe after SAP if it were a conglomerate.Chris and I had a thought-provoking discussion about value creation and the impact of AI on investing and operating companies. We discussed:How to build a high-performing value creation team.Where value creation has the biggest impact.How AI is transforming investment processes.How Hg has become an “AI-first” investment firm.Where AI will have the most impact in a company today and why agentic AI is transforming certain roles and processes within companies.How professionals can generate the most leverage from utilizing AI – without having cognitive decline.Why prompting and prompt engineering is so critical in the age of AI (and how you can use your weekends to perfect prompt engineering).How a management team can buy into AI and why the current time period represents an interesting opportunity for incumbents, particularly for those building mission-critical enterprise software.Thanks Chris for sharing your expertise and wisdom on company building and AI. We hope you enjoy.Note: this episode was filmed in August 2025.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund SolutionsThis episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at gharris@ultimusfundsolutions.com.We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.Show Notes00:00 Message from our Sponsor, Ultimus01:18 Welcome to the Alt Goes Mainstream Podcast02:10 Guest Introduction: Chris Kindt03:58 Chris Kindt’s Background and Journey05:43 Value Creation at Hg06:55 Pre-Investment and Diligence Process07:44 Management Team Dynamics08:40 Common Value Creation Interventions11:14 Building a Cross-Functional Team12:31 Scaling the Value Creation Team15:40 Measuring Value Creation Impact17:49 Investment Philosophy: Inch Wide, Mile Deep19:28 Partnerships with Management Teams20:03 Embedding AI in Value Creation20:24 Internal vs External AI Applications21:47 AI First Culture22:18 Effective AI Utilization24:04 Prompt Engineering and Whispering26:25 Choosing the Right AI Models26:50 AI Models: Strengths and Weaknesses27:42 Transformative Impact of AI28:21 Skills Needed in the AI Era28:26 AI's Role in Investment Firms28:55 Core Insights and Judgements29:04 The Core Skillset and Efficiency29:12 Philosophical Questions on AI and Talent Development30:18 Building Grit in the Age of AI31:12 Maintaining Discipline with AI32:08 AI as a Value Creation Lever32:35 Operational Efficiency and Copilots33:43 Emergence of Reasoning Models and Agentic Frameworks34:31 10x Efficiency in Engineering36:24 Challenges in Implementing AI37:16 AI Immersion Strategy Days39:52 Organizational Agility and AI42:15 AI's Impact on Investment Strategies43:26 AI in Mergers and Acquisitions45:29 The Importance of Proprietary Data47:12 AI Fatigue and Disillusionment48:07 Building AI Products and Agentic Products48:58 Hg's Internal AI Incubator49:59 The Next Wave of AI51:19 Voice and Multimodality in AI51:55 Globalization and Internationalization of AI53:35 Overestimating and Underestimating AI's Impact54:54 The Competitive Landscape of AI55:42 The Future of Value Creation with AI56:23 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsEditing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.
Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today’s episode is with two executives who have helped to build one of the industry’s leading alternative asset managers.In Permira Part 2, Brian Ruder joins his Co-Managing Partner and Co-CEO Dipan Patel in Permira’s London office to discuss the firm’s evolution and how the business has grown to over €80B in AUM.Both Brian and Dipan bring deep backgrounds in private equity investing to bear as they now lead the firm through its next phase of growth.Brian joined Permira in 2008 after working as a Partner at Francisco Partners. He’s Co-Managing Partner and Co-CEO of Permira, also serving on the firm’s Executive Committee and the buyout funds’ Investment Committee. He was instrumental in building the firm’s Technology sector team, which he co-led until 2023 where he worked on a number of the firm’s notable transactions, including Ancestry, Genesys, Informatica, LegalZoom, Magento, McAfee, Relativity, Zendesk, and more.Dipan joined Permira from Gores Group and is Co-Managing Partner and Co-CEO of the firm. He serves on Permira Holdings Limited Board and Permira’s Investment Committee and Executive Committee. He’s focused on technology and services investing, working on deals such as Renaissance Learning, Informatica, Axiom, Adevinta, AllTrails, Ancestry, LegalZoom, and more.Brian, Dipan, and I had a thought-provoking conversation about what it takes to build and run a scaled alternative asset manager and how to differentiate a firm and a culture. We discussed:How the firm’s beginnings have shaped the culture that has been built and how that culture has permeated how they make investment decisions, work with companies, founders, and LPs.The benefits and challenges of the collaborative leadership model.How would an LP underwrite Permira’s culture?How the firm’s European heritage helps as an investor.The opportunity set in Europe.The investment culture at Permira and how its structure and set up helps investment processes and decision-making.Why software buyouts have become a larger part of the buyout investing landscape.The Growth vs. Buyout mindset.The advantage for technology forward incumbents.How AI is impacting software investing and how AI is impacting services businesses.The thought process behind launching a wealth solutions business, Permira Wealth, and how it reflects the culture of the firm.Thanks Brian and Dipan for coming on the show to share the evolution of Permira and your expertise and wisdom in private markets.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund SolutionsThis episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at gharris@ultimusfundsolutions.com.We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.Show Notes00:00 Message from our Sponsor, Ultimus01:18 Welcome to Alt Goes Mainstream01:56 Introducing Brian Ruder and Dipan Patel04:44 Private Equity and Technology04:54 Brian's Career Journey06:51 Dipan's Career Journey11:44 AI's Role in Modern Investing12:38 AI in Services and Technology13:27 Permira's Sector-Focused Approach13:54 AI's Broader Impact on Industries17:27 Leadership and Innovation in Private Equity18:49 Underwriting Deals in the AI Era18:53 Importance of Market Leadership21:58 Technology Forward Incumbents24:00 Permira's Continuous Innovation24:26 Building the Business of Permira24:36 Dipan's Perspective on Firm Growth25:35 Core Values and Their Impact26:39 Investment Strategies and Sector Focus27:19 Fluid Team Dynamics28:04 Growth vs. Buyout Mindset29:45 Long-Term Investment Philosophy30:29 Driving Terminal Value30:50 Optimizing Long-Term Profitability31:55 Case Studies: Informatica and Ancestry.com32:58 Skillsets for Growth-Oriented Investing33:26 Assessing Long-Term Outcomes34:09 Empowering Long-Term Thinking34:30 Big Picture Thinking in Investments38:05 Co-Leadership Model39:38 Challenges of Co-Leadership40:37 Permira's Entrepreneurial Culture43:14 Diversifying Capital Base44:58 Educating the Wealth Channel46:29 Permira's Brand in the Wealth Channel47:10 Future Evolution of PermiraEditing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.
We are back with the latest Going Public with Evercore’s Glenn Schorr.On this episode of Going Public, we unpack the rollercoaster of the past few months in private markets for alternative asset managers. Private markets is much more than private equity — and this episode dives into nuances of specific strategies and what it means for alternative asset managers’ businesses.We discussed:Will the exit environment for private equity improve?Are animal spirits back in markets — and what does it mean for exits?Why and how private markets is more than private equity and private real estate.Why the wealth channel has been a contributor to alternative asset manager growth.How are banks responding to the expanding reach of private credit?Why private real estate could be a compelling category going forward, with 90%+ of real estate being privately owned.Making private markets more public — with expert analysisAlt Goes Mainstream has partnered with an expert who has seen the evolution of alternative asset managers from their early days.Glenn Schorr is a Senior MD and Senior Research Analyst at Evercore ISI, where he covers brokers, banks, asset managers, and trust banks as an analyst. He has covered financials since 2000 and started coverage of alternative asset managers when the first firms went public.He’s consistently come up as one of the most thoughtful and well-respected analysts in the space. He balances deep research with a creative flair (just read one of the titles of his research reports and you can see his love of the game). He’s been named to Institutional Investor’s All-America Research Team for his coverage, most recently ranking #2 and runner up in 2023, #1 and #2 in 2022. Prior to Evercore, Glenn was a Senior MD at Nomura, serving as the lead financials analyst. Listen in as Glenn shares market stories, the evolution of alternative asset managers as businesses, the biggest and most exciting trends in private markets based on what the industry’s largest players are doing, and we go “around the horn” for his analysis on the publicly traded firms. Show Notes00:00 Introduction and Countdown00:15 Introduction to Alt Goes Mainstream00:48 Meet Glenn Schorr: Wall Street Analyst02:08 Market Trends and Earnings Season02:15 Impact of Tariffs and Market Activity03:20 M&A and IPO Activity03:35 Private Equity and Market Dynamics04:34 Optimism in the Market06:11 Fundraising and Stock Prices06:52 Private Credit and Infrastructure08:31 Scale and Diversification10:19 Perpetual Capital and Investor Mindset13:51 Mega Trends and Long-Term Investments15:50 Real Estate and Market Cycles17:14 Long-Term View on Asset Managers20:04 Fee Structures and Performance24:15 Wealth Channel and Operational Challenges26:17 Institutional vs. Retail Investors28:41 Public vs. Private Markets31:01 Ceiling on Capital Raising31:42 Stewardship and Capacity Management33:03 Private Credit Market33:27 Direct Lending Market33:43 Competitive Banking Landscape33:55 Current State of Direct Lending34:22 Private Credit Market Expansion34:52 Investment Grade Private Credit36:19 Banks vs. Private Credit37:39 Banks' Adaptation Strategies38:53 Private Credit Market Size41:01 Insurance and Private Markets41:44 Apollo's Insurance Strategy43:45 Insurance Balance Sheet Power44:32 Insurance and Wealth Channels44:54 Private Wealth Return Hurdles46:47 Product Innovation in Private Markets47:00 Alternative Asset Managers' Strategies49:43 Wealth Channel Product Choices50:39 Approval Process for Wealth Platforms52:29 Third-Party Evaluators in Private Markets53:28 Convergence of RIAs and Investment Consultants54:15 Distribution Strategies for Asset Managers55:39 Servicing and Education in Private Markets56:16 Segmenting the Wealth Channel56:43 Morgan Stanley's Advisor Strategies57:45 Notable Developments in Private Markets59:19 Optimism in Financial Markets01:00:39 Concluding Thoughts and Future OutlookEditing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.Company Coverage and DisclosuresEvercore ISIGlenn Schorr| Ticker | Company | AAMI | Acadian Asset Management | APO | Apollo Global Management, Inc. | BAC | Bank of America Corporation |   | Glenn Schorr holds a long position in equity securities of Bank of America Corporation.| BK | Bank of New York Mellon Corp. |   | Bank of New York Mellon Corp. is a client of Evercore LLC, and Evercore LLC has provided investment banking services to Bank of New York Mellon Corp. in the last 12 months. |   | Evercore ISI or an affiliate has received compensation from Bank of New York Mellon Corp. for investment banking services in the last 12 months. |   | Glenn Schorr holds a long position in equity securities of Bank of New York Mellon Corp.| BLK | BlackRock, Inc. |   | BlackRock, Inc. is a client of Evercore LLC, and Evercore LLC has provided investment banking services to  BlackRock, Inc. in the last 12 months. |   | Evercore ISI or an affiliate expects to receive or intends to seek compensation for investment banking services from BlackRock, Inc. within the next three months. |   | Glenn Schorr holds a long position in equity securities of Blackrock Inc.| BX | Blackstone, Inc. |   | Blackstone, Inc. is a client of Evercore LLC, and Evercore LLC has provided investment banking services to Blackstone, Inc. in the last 12 months. |   | Evercore ISI or an affiliate expects to receive or intends to seek compensation for investment banking services from  Blackstone, Inc. within the next three months. |   | An employee, employee's immediate family member, director or consultant of Evercore ISI or one of its affiliates (but not the covering research analyst or a member of the covering research analyst's household)is an officer, director or advisory board member of Blackstone, Inc.. |   | Evercore ISI or an affiliate has received compensation from Blackstone, Inc. for investment banking services in the last 12 months. |   | Analyst has a financial interest in a private equity fund managed by Blackstone, Inc.. |   | Glenn Schorr holds a long position in equity securities of Blackstone, Inc. |   | A member of Benjamin Rubin's household holds a long position in equity securities of Blackstone, Inc. | OWL | Blue Owl Capital, Inc | C | ...
Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today’s episode is with one of the executives who has helped to build one of the industry’s leading alternative asset managers.We sat down in Permira’s London office with Co-CEO Dipan Patel to discuss the firm’s evolution and how the business has grown to over €80B in AUM.Dipan brings a deep background in private equity investing to bear as he and his Co-CEO Brian Ruder now lead the firm through its next phase of growth.Dipan joined Permira from Gores Group and is Co-Managing Partner and Co-CEO of the firm. He serves on Permira Holdings Limited Board and Permira’s Investment Committee and Executive Committee. He’s focused on technology and services investing, working on deals such as Renaissance Learning, Informatica, Axiom, AllTrails, Ancestry, LegalZoom, and more.Dipan and I had a thought-provoking conversation about what it takes to build and run a scaled alternative asset manager and how to differentiate a firm and a culture. We discussed:The founding story of Permira and the evolution of the firm since spinning out of Schroder Ventures in 1996.How the firm’s beginnings have shaped the culture that has been built and how that culture has permeated how they make investment decisions, work with companies, founders, and LPs.How would an LP underwrite Permira’s culture?How the firm’s European heritage helps as an investor.The opportunity set in Europe.The investment culture at Permira and how its structure and set up helps investment processes and decision-making.Why software buyouts have become a larger part of the buyout investing landscape.How AI is impacting software investing and how AI is impacting services businesses.Why the firm has expanded into credit.The thought process behind launching a wealth solutions business, Permira Wealth, and how it reflects the culture of the firm.Thanks Dipan for coming on the show to share the evolution of Permira and your expertise and wisdom in private markets.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund SolutionsThis episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at gharris@ultimusfundsolutions.com.We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.Show Notes00:00 Introduction to our Sponsor, Ultimus01:55 Welcome Back to the Alt Goes Mainstream Podcast02:03 Introduction to Permira and our guest, Dipan Patel03:47 Discussion on Distributions and Market Conditions04:19 Selling A-Grade Businesses in Current Market05:03 Flight to Quality in Times of Stress06:07 Reflecting on Career and Lessons Learned06:29 Early Career Experiences at Arthur Andersen and Lehman Brothers07:29 Impact of Early Career on Leadership Style09:04 Challenges in Today's Investment Environment10:15 Underwriting in Unpredictable Times10:45 Locating Good Companies for Investment14:31 Importance of Market Leadership14:59 Partnering with Founders and Executive Teams16:22 Permira’s Co-Leadership Model19:49 Investment Decision Process at Permira21:02 Underwriting Character in Executives22:54 Permira's Organizational Character and Culture23:29 Understanding Organizational Culture23:54 Thriving in Chaos: The Concept of Anti-Fragility24:51 Capital Flows in Private Markets25:26 Developing Investment Theses25:54 Strategic Exit Channels26:24 Supply Creates Its Own Demand27:24 The Necessity of Access to Private Markets28:10 Managing Stress Moments in Private Markets28:50 Navigating Industry Evolutions29:20 Focusing on Core Strengths30:09 Balancing Growth and Differentiation31:21 Investing in Growth and Buyout Businesses32:26 Synergies Between Growth and Mature Businesses33:38 Risk Spectrum in Investments34:27 Understanding Runway and Market Position35:42 Disruption vs. Destruction in AI36:49 Investing in Platform Shifts37:58 Control and Duration in Private Equity39:08 The Role of AI in Incumbent Success40:25 Cultural Adaptability to AI42:21 Specialism vs. Generalism in Investing43:56 Professional Services and AI45:27 Future Investment Ideas46:34 Mission Critical Investing47:28 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsEditing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.
Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today’s podcast was a conversation that was recorded live at Morningstar’s Investment Conference in Chicago earlier this year.Morningstar CEO Kunal Kapoor took time out of his packed schedule at the event to sit down with me for a thought-provoking conversation that dove into the nuances of many of the trends that are shaping private markets today.Morningstar and Kunal have quite an interesting perch in the market. They occupy a critically important function in the market: helping investors understand the data, structures, and trends in public and private markets. They provide fund ratings, investment analysis, and market data to both individual and institutional investors.As public and private markets experience increasing convergence, Morningstar finds itself at the intersection of markets that are undergoing rapid evolutions across product structures, asset allocation frameworks, and weighty questions around conceptual frameworks of liquidity, risk, volatility, concentration that are on the minds of many. Amongst the wide range of topics Kunal and I covered, one stood out: Morningstar is fiercely on the side of the investor.If there’s anyone who has a deep understanding of Morningstar’s DNA, it’s Kunal. Kunal started at Morningstar in 1997 as a data analyst, holding a variety of roles at the firm, including leadership positions in research and innovation. He served as director of mutual fund research and was part of the team that launched Morningstar Investment Services, Inc., before moving on to other roles including director of business strategy for international operations, and later, president and chief investment officer of Morningstar Investment Services. During his tenure, he has also led Morningstar.com® and the firm’s data business as well as its global products and client solutions group.Kunal and I had a fascinating and lively conversation. We covered a number of the most pressing topics in private markets today: the convergence of public and private, liquidity vs illiquidity, investor education, the importance of transparency, and the why, what, and how behind evergreen funds.Thanks Kunal for coming on the show to share your wisdom, expertise, and passion for public and private markets.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund SolutionsThis episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at gharris@ultimusfundsolutions.com.We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.Show Notes00:00 Introduction to our Sponsor, Ultimus01:18 Podcast Opening and Theme01:55 Welcome to the Morningstar Investment Conference02:29 Convergence of Public and Private Markets03:12 Challenges in Transitioning to Private Markets05:26 Morningstar's Evolution and Impact06:59 Morningstar's Role in Reducing Costs08:15 Evergreen Funds and Transparency08:48 Complexities in Private Market Structures09:36 Liquidity and Innovation in Private Markets12:27 Investor Education and Common Language14:34 Comparing Public and Private Market Investments16:28 Standardized Documentation and Regulation18:00 Educating Investors on Private Markets18:52 Morningstar's Style Box for Private Markets19:14 Data Availability and Analysis20:24 Evaluating Different Investment Structures21:09 Public-Private Partnerships and Transparency21:38 Philosophical Questions on Private Markets22:58 Behavioral Aspects of Illiquidity24:00 Evergreen Funds as Buy and Hold Vehicles24:15 Asset Allocation and Evergreen Structures25:16 Investor Behavior and Market Volatility25:25 Individual Investors vs. Advisors26:32 Stability of Retail Assets26:56 Retail Brokerage Apps and Crypto Trading27:15 Impact of Social Media on Young Investors27:29 Exposure to Private Markets28:01 Market Drawdowns and Young Investors28:27 Advisor-Led Models vs. Self-Directed Investing28:57 Investor Behavior Across Different Age Groups30:06 Morningstar's Role in Investor Validation30:50 Morningstar's Independent Voice32:01 Transparency in Private Markets32:24 PitchBook and Data Transparency33:02 Challenges in Private Market Data33:26 Tipping Point in Transparency34:54 Private Market Indices35:37 Challenges in Benchmarking Private Markets36:29 Lessons from Public Markets37:12 Evolution of Private Markets37:37 Future of Private Markets38:41 Fee Structures in Private Markets39:38 Operational Burden in Private Markets40:50 Pre-Trade Market Structure41:16 Access to Private Markets for All Investors43:06 Returns and Diversification in Private Markets44:51 Building Portfolios in a Lower Return Environment47:15 Brand vs. Performance in Alternative Assets49:18 Favorite Alternative InvestmentsEditing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.
Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today’s episode dives into the evolution of infrastructure investing with the leading scaled specialist firm in infrastructure.We sat down in Stonepeak’s Hudson Yards office with the firm’s Co-President Luke Taylor to discuss the inner workings of the infrastructure investing world and unpack the story of how Stonepeak’s rapid ascent has seen the firm climb to $76.3B in AUM in 14 short years.Luke brings a wealth of experience to the infrastructure investing world. He is Co-President of Stonepeak and a member of all of the firm’s investment committees. He’s been investing in infrastructure for over 20 years, joining Stonepeak from infrastructure investing pioneer Macquarie Capital.Luke and I had a fascinating and thought-provoking discussion about infrastructure investing and why it’s becoming an increasingly important part of the private capital ecosystem. We covered:How Luke went from growing up on a sheep farm to investing in infrastructure in New York.What Macquarie taught him about how to approach infrastructure investing.Why he took the entrepreneurial leap to build Stonepeak and join Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder Mike Dorrell from the firm’s earliest days.Why infrastructure investing is more than toll roads, airports, and bridges.How there are elements of a private equity approach to investing in, building, and operating infrastructure assets.Where infrastructure fits in an investors’ portfolio.Why individual investors should consider exposure to infrastructure assets.Has infrastructure proved itself through an inflation cycle?Why scale matters in infrastructure investing.How Stonepeak identified investing in data centers early on and well before the data center boom began.What type of demeanor and mindset makes for a successful infrastructure investor.Thanks Luke for coming on the show to share your expertise, wisdom, and passion for infrastructure investing.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund SolutionsThis episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at gharris@ultimusfundsolutions.com.We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.Show Notes00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message01:18 Podcast Opening and Theme01:55 Episode Overview: Infrastructure Investing02:04 Guest Introduction: Luke Taylor02:45 Luke Taylor's Background and Journey04:49 Early Days at Macquarie07:19 Transition to Stonepeak08:04 Building Stonepeak 10:13 Value Creation in Infrastructure11:59 Mindset of an Infrastructure Investor13:08 Balancing Long-Term and Agile Thinking15:42 Key Drivers of Value Creation16:10 Underwriting and Risk Management18:00 Operational Intensity and Asset Utilization21:51 Network Effects in Infrastructure23:19 Infrastructure as a Defensive Investment26:13 Portfolio Construction and Infrastructure26:39 Private Infrastructure and Yield Benefits27:29 Productizing Infrastructure Investments27:41 Equity, Credit, and Real Estate Strategies29:23 Thematic and Opportunistic Investing29:53 Data Centers and Early Investments30:06 Identifying Investment Opportunities30:14 Evolution of Data Centers30:58 Interconnection Hubs and Carrier Hotels31:32 AI Boom and Data Centers33:22 Investing in AI Through Infrastructure34:42 Underwriting AI Thematics35:04 Capital Needs in Data Centers35:32 Downside Protection in AI Investments36:49 Navigating Increased Capital in Infrastructure37:35 Durability of Cash Flow in Infrastructure38:40 Scaling Stonepeak's Infrastructure Investments39:18 Diversification in Infrastructure Investments41:47 Developing an Edge in Origination42:36 Structural Elements in Deal Sourcing42:57 Competition and Market Structure43:26 New Entrants in Infrastructure43:44 Building New Assets in Infrastructure43:54 Exits and Evergreen Funds46:27 Private Wealth and Infrastructure51:25 Challenges in Starting a Wealth Business51:51 Deal Flow and Product Construction53:50 Volatile Markets and Opportunities54:20 Interest Rate Risks in Infrastructure55:18 Favorite Infrastructure Opportunities57:01 Closing Thoughts and Full CircleEditing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.
Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today’s episode dives into how operations and streamlining technology processes can be turned into a strategic advantage.We sat down with Arcesium’s MD and Head of Client and Partner Development David Nable to discuss how technology is impacting how funds manage their processes, operations, and data.David was an early employee at Arcesium, helping the firm scale and working with many of the industry’s largest asset managers across the lifecycle of an investment. David joined Arcesium after a career in fund services and fund administration that spanned senior roles at Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, and BNP Paribas Securities Services.David and I had a fascinating conversation. We discussed:How David’s background in prime brokerage and fund admin helped him approach the technology problems for asset managers.How asset managers should approach where and how technology can be a strategic advantage.What does it mean to be a tech-forward asset manager?How does the growth of evergreen funds impact how firms manage their data and serve investors?What still needs to be built next to continue to improve private markets market infrastructure.Thanks David for coming on the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast to share your expertise and wisdom on private markets technology and post-investment processes.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund SolutionsThis episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at gharris@ultimusfundsolutions.com.We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.Show Notes00:00 Introduction to our Sponsor, Ultimus Fund Solutions01:52 Welcome to the Alt Goes Mainstream Podcast02:04 Guest Introduction: David Nable03:46 David's Career Beginnings04:15 Parallels Between Running and Finance05:19 Observing Industry Trends06:45 Evolution of Private Markets08:45 Impact of Technology on Investment09:40 Challenges in Scaling Investments11:20 Data-Driven Investment Strategies12:50 Technological Advancements in Finance13:52 Importance of Foundational Data17:31 Data Silos and Harmonization18:14 Case Study: Investor Relations21:25 Data-First Approach Benefits21:51 Timing for System Architecture23:21 Inflection Points for Managers23:37 Logical Breakpoints in Strategy23:44 New Strategies and Geographies23:47 Adapting to New Asset Classes23:50 Distribution Channels and Partnerships23:56 Preparing for Future Growth24:00 Publicly Traded Private Markets24:14 Tackling Technological Challenges24:24 Philosophies on Illiquidity24:25 Conclusion and Future Outlook24:29 Investing in Scalable Distribution Channels25:12 Architecting Technology Systems for Business Growth25:44 Understanding Data in Different Business Models27:10 Strategic Role of Technology in Investment Firms29:35 The Paradox of Data in Decision Making30:49 Competitive Advantage Through Faster Information31:45 Impact of AI and Technology on Firm Sizes32:31 Challenges for Mid-Sized Firms33:13 Technology as an Enabler for Niche Specialists34:03 Advice for Mid-Sized Firms on Technology Implementation35:10 Focus on Big Technology Investments35:29 Point Solutions vs. Platforms in Private Markets38:52 Cost of Technology Solutions39:06 Integration Challenges with Multiple Systems40:59 Arcesium's Technology Platforms43:18 Simplifying Complex Investments46:13 Future of Software Innovation in Private Markets46:39 AI as a Game Changer in Private Markets47:34 Efficiency Gains Through AI48:05 Actionable Advice on Using AI48:15 Caution Against Vibe Coding48:58 Importance of Proper Technologists49:23 Timing of Technology Implementation49:29 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsEditing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.
Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today’s episode dives into what the future of fund administration could look like with a tech-forward approach and the application of AI.We sat down with Juniper Square CEO and Co-Founder Alex Robinson to discuss how and why they’ve built a digital first fund administrator for private markets, starting with real estate and since expanding into other asset classes.Fresh off of a $130M Series D fundraise led by Ribbit Capital, Juniper Square has expanded globally, into fund administration through its acquisition of Forstone, and has launched JunieAI to bring AI to fund administration.Alex and I had a fascinating conversation. We discussed:Why Alex started Juniper Square and how his two entrepreneurial endeavors has informed how he’s built the firm.The problem Alex set out to solve by building Juniper Square.After dealing with FedEx’s to make investments, how he set out to build an investor experience that was digital.How AI will impact fund admin.Why every GP should have an AI agent according to Alex.Why Juniper Square decided to move from a technology firm to add fund administration capabilities in house.Does AI benefit larger firms or smaller firms more?Thanks Alex for coming on the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast to share your expertise and wisdom on fund administration and AI.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Juniper SquareWhen was the last time things were easy for GPs?Fundraising remains challenging, providing liquidity to investors is even harder—and broadly speaking, most GPs are underwater operationally.It’s not about to get easier, either. Especially for managers vying for capital from the wealth channel. Sure, there’s increased demand from HNW and UNHW investors to gain private markets exposure…but managing their expectations for the investing experience is a whole different ballgame.Reams of paper and a new KYC process every single time they subscribe to a fund? Brutal.But what if committing capital to private equity, venture, and real estate funds was digital and seamless for investors — and scalable to manage for GPs?Meet Juniper Square, the fund operations partner to over 2,000 private markets GPs worldwide.Juniper Square gives GPs the connected software, data, and fund administration services needed for modern private markets. No matter how ambitious your next raise is, how many investors you manage, and how complex your investment vehicles are, Juniper Square empowers GPs to raise capital faster, reduce operational risk, and deliver a world-class investor experience.And with JunieAI, Juniper Square's enterprise-grade AI built for private markets, GPs can truly and finally unlock the power of AI to work smarter, move faster, and focus on relationships and returns.Scale your business, not your operational burdens and costs. Visit junipersquare.com/agm today to learn more.Show Notes00:03 Juniper Square: Revolutionizing Fund Management01:38 Welcoming Alex to the Podcast01:59 Alex's Journey to Founding Juniper Square02:10 Juniper Square's Mission and Services02:38 The Early Days and Challenges03:41 The Digital Transformation of Private Markets04:15 Focusing on the GP Experience04:30 Balancing GP and LP Needs04:54 The Naivete Advantage05:12 Overcoming Industry Challenges06:58 Real Estate: The Starting Point08:41 The Evolution of Juniper Square09:38 Technology Adoption in Private Markets17:21 The Importance of Customer Feedback18:09 The Vision for Market Efficiency20:10 Expanding Across Asset Classes21:09 The Role of Personal Relationships22:49 Becoming a Full-Stack Service Provider24:31 The Complexity of Fund Administration28:55 The Future with AI29:21 Challenges of Implementing AI30:31 The High Cost of Mistakes31:18 AI's Impact on Employee Productivity31:52 Challenges of Adopting AI in the Workplace32:20 Launching JunieAI32:59 Understanding AI Models33:44 Customizing AI for Reporting34:44 Mastering Data for AI35:13 AI in Software Development35:59 Leveraging AI at Juniper Square36:19 Ensuring Accuracy and Context in AI Models37:30 AI's Limitations in Financial Insights37:52 Future Improvements in AI Models38:36 Feeding AI the Right Context39:11 Connecting AI to Tools and Workflows40:19 Automating Fund Administration43:39 AI's Role in Competitive Advantage44:24 AI's Impact on Different Asset Classes46:16 Best Practices for GPS Using AI47:02 AI's Benefits for Large vs. Small Firms48:58 Integrating AI Across Business Functions51:39 Balancing AI with Human Relationships54:33 Future Vision for Private Markets55:02 AI Agents in GP Work56:07 Transforming GP-LP Matchmaking01:00:50 Investment Opportunities in AI and Real Estate Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.
Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.What happens when two podcasters walk into a room? They talk.Today’s podcast turns the tables on one of the industry’s leading podcasters and content creators to have him share his story and experience as an allocator and content creator. We sat down with Ted Seides, the Founder of industry-leading podcast Capital Allocators and former President and Co-CIO of Protégé Partners and an asset allocator at the Yale Endowment.Ted has had a tremendous career at the intersection of asset allocation and content, so it was fascinating to hear his perspectives on the state of the industry and how it’s evolving from someone who talks with many of the industry’s leading minds through his podcast, Capital Allocators.Ted and I had a fascinating conversation. We discussed:Stories and lessons learned from working with David Swensen at the Yale Endowment.What the wealth channel can learn from institutional investors.What Ted looked for in hedge funds and alternative asset managers when doing manager due diligence.Ted’s bet with Buffett on hedge funds and why he’s now doing a bet on PE versus public equities.How alternative asset managers are evolving and the pros and cons of evergreen structures.Why and how Ted started Capital Allocators and why content is so critical to learning asset management and understanding how firms operate.Capital Allocators is one of my favorite podcast listens and Ted always delivers with high-quality and thoughtful content so it was an honor to have him on the show.Thanks Ted for sharing your expertise and wisdom on asset allocation and content and for the service you provide to everyone in the industry through education and the creation of such high-quality content for us to consume.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Juniper SquareWhen was the last time things were easy for GPs?Fundraising remains challenging, providing liquidity to investors is even harder—and broadly speaking, most GPs are underwater operationally.It’s not about to get easier, either. Especially for managers vying for capital from the wealth channel. Sure, there’s increased demand from HNW and UNHW investors to gain private markets exposure…but managing their expectations for the investing experience is a whole different ballgame.Reams of paper and a new KYC process every single time they subscribe to a fund? Brutal.But what if committing capital to private equity, venture, and real estate funds was digital and seamless for investors — and scalable to manage for GPs?Meet Juniper Square, the fund operations partner to over 2,000 private markets GPs worldwide.Juniper Square gives GPs the connected software, data, and fund administration services needed for modern private markets. No matter how ambitious your next raise is, how many investors you manage, and how complex your investment vehicles are, Juniper Square empowers GPs to raise capital faster, reduce operational risk, and deliver a world-class investor experience.And with JunieAI, Juniper Square's enterprise-grade AI built for private markets, GPs can truly and finally unlock the power of AI to work smarter, move faster, and focus on relationships and returns.Scale your business, not your operational burdens and costs. Visit junipersquare.com/agm today to learn more.Show Notes00:00 Introduction to our Sponsor, Juniper Square00:38 Juniper Square's AI Capabilities01:40 Guest Introduction: Ted Seides04:03 Lessons from Yale Endowment04:46 David Swensen's Investment Principles05:51 Evolution of the Endowment Model05:58 Wealth Channel vs. Institutional Investors08:09 Access to Top Managers11:16 Alpha in Private Markets12:32 Ted's Bet with Buffett13:10 Private Equity vs. Public Equities17:16 Private Equity Diversification18:45 Hedge Fund Industry Lessons20:07 Private Equity Fee Structures24:03 Talent Migration in Private Markets26:47 Evaluating Investment Culture27:15 Investment Philosophy and Strategy28:26 Ted's Approach to Manager Evaluation29:46 Impact of AI on Diligence Processes30:20 Defining Investment Edge30:33 Behavioral and Analytical Edge31:01 Informational and Technical Edge31:27 Evaluating Investment Managers31:37 Impactful Investment Decisions31:52 Mistakes and Learning32:53 The Hardest Time to Invest34:14 Behavioral Biases in Investing34:51 Decision-Making Processes36:28 The Role of AI in Investing38:07 Content and Investment Decisions39:25 Starting Capital Allocators41:00 Learning from Podcasting43:40 Building a Business from a Podcast45:26 The Value of Relationships in Investing47:06 Content Strategy for Managers49:44 Effective Content Modalities50:43 Direct Communication vs. Algorithms51:13 Brand vs. Direct Sales52:35 Insights from Podcast Conversations54:23 Favorite Private Market Investments56:05 AI and Investment Perspectives57:37 Partnering with AI Experts58:12 The Importance of People in Investing Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.
Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today’s episode is about mining for investment success in enterprise software by going “an inch wide and a mile deep” with someone who is one of the industry’s most prolific private equity technology investors.We sat down with Nic Humphries in Hg’s London office. Nic is the Senior Partner and Executive Chairman of Hg and Head of the firm’s Saturn fund.Hg, one of the top 10 largest PE firms globally based on the PEI300 ranking, has built an impressive investment engine focused on mission-critical enterprise software. The firm has built a portfolio that is a “transatlantic ecosystem of software and services businesses” — representing over $180B in collective enterprise value across its 55 portfolio companies.Nic is responsible for Hg’s strategy, management, and governance. On the investing side, Nic focuses on larger software investments that provide daily-use mission critical applications for accountants, tax / compliance professionals, and designers / engineers / scientists. He has brought his electrical engineering background to bear to go a “mile deep” into a category where Hg has become an unquestioned market leader.Nic balances being both a detail-oriented specialist with a vision for both the enterprise software industry and Hg as a firm. We had a fascinating discussion about enterprise software investing, how to create European software giants, applying AI to make companies more efficient, and much more.We covered:The origin story of Hg.How Hg grew into one of the industry’s leading software focused private equity firms.How an engineering mindset has helped Nic become a leading investor.Why Hg focuses on mission-critical enterprise software and why it’s a compelling investment thesis.Why enterprise software investing can be considered a low volatility investment strategy and how Hg has delivered consistent returns to investors.How to effectively manage exits and DPI.Why Europe, why now?How AI could impact technology and services businesses.Thanks Nic for coming on the show to share your wisdom and expertise about enterprise software and private markets.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Juniper SquareWhen was the last time things were easy for GPs?Fundraising remains challenging, providing liquidity to investors is even harder—and broadly speaking, most GPs are underwater operationally.It’s not about to get easier, either. Especially for managers vying for capital from the wealth channel. Sure, there’s increased demand from HNW and UNHW investors to gain private markets exposure…but managing their expectations for the investing experience is a whole different ballgame.Reams of paper and a new KYC process every single time they subscribe to a fund? Brutal.But what if committing capital to private equity, venture, and real estate funds was digital and seamless for investors — and scalable to manage for GPs?Meet Juniper Square, the fund operations partner to over 2,000 private markets GPs worldwide.Juniper Square gives GPs the connected software, data, and fund administration services needed for modern private markets. No matter how ambitious your next raise is, how many investors you manage, and how complex your investment vehicles are, Juniper Square empowers GPs to raise capital faster, reduce operational risk, and deliver a world-class investor experience.And with JunieAI, Juniper Square's enterprise-grade AI built for private markets, GPs can truly and finally unlock the power of AI to work smarter, move faster, and focus on relationships and returns.Scale your business, not your operational burdens and costs. Visit junipersquare.com/agm today to learn more.Show Notes00:00 Introduction to our Sponsor, Juniper Square01:40 Introducing Nic Humphries01:56 Hg's Investment Strategy04:03 Nic's Background and Career Journey04:46 Engineering Mindset in Investing05:14 Long-Term Business Thinking05:58 Hg's Focus on Accounting Software06:45 Growth Drivers in SMB Market09:05 Impact of AI on Enterprise Software09:34 Platform Shifts in Technology11:10 Adapting to AI in Business12:15 Mission Critical Software14:02 Challenges of AI Integration14:58 Embedding Products and Services17:13 Organic Growth vs. Acquisitions20:51 Geographical Expansion Strategies21:59 European vs. North American Markets23:30 Management Teams and Expansion24:32 Jurisdictional Challenges in Europe25:05 Hg's Investment Philosophy25:50 Mission Critical Software in Europe36:22 Hg's Consistent Investment Returns38:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts40:13 Understanding Recurring Revenues40:59 The Importance of Discipline in Investing41:48 Learning from Past Experiences43:30 Maintaining Excitement and Focus45:26 The Role of Realization Committees46:44 Continuous Improvement Culture47:42 The Importance of Cash Returns48:51 Exit Strategies and Realization Committees50:32 Re-underwriting Investments52:40 AI's Impact on Software Development54:17 The Rule of 40 and AI54:38 Investing in AI: Startups vs. Established Businesses55:59 Hg's Growth Strategy58:56 Specialization in B2B Back Office Software01:01:35 Fund Structure and Management01:03:27 Expanding into the Wealth Channel01:03:48 Hg Capital Trust and Fusion Fund01:05:27 Communicating with a Broader Audience01:06:39 The Importance of Brand in Wealth Management01:07:32 Connecting Private Markets to Everyday Life01:09:36 The Prevalence of Private Companies01:11:09 Aligning Interests with Investors01:12:19 Investment Decisions and Long-term Growth01:14:21 Future Growth Opportunities for Hg01:16:38 The Role of AI in Future Investments Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any affiliated organization.Any references to past performance, including IRR or MOIC figures, are presented on a gross basis and do not reflect the deduction of fees, expenses, or carried interest. These figures are illustrative and not necessarily indicative of future results. Statements regarding industry rankings, success rates, or performance consistency are based on internal analysis and may not be indepe...
Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today’s conversation brings us beachside, featuring a live podcast from Soho Beach House in Miami with EQT Partner, Head of Private Wealth Americas Peter Aliprantis.With the backdrop of the beach behind us and the wealth community in the audience, Peter and I discussed the nuances of the wealth channel and how Peter’s experience working with wealth is brought to bear as he brings EQT’s brand and capabilities to the Americas wealth channel.Peter brings a wealth of knowledge to the private wealth solutions world, garnering over 25 years of experience in the space. Prior to joining EQT, Peter spent 12 years at TPG Angelo Gordon as a Managing Director, where he focused on new business development and intermediary distribution.Peter and I had a fascinating, lively, and thought-provoking conversation which then turned into an intellectually rich dinner discussion with the guests. Listen in — we hope you enjoy.You can also read a recent AGM Op-Ed by Peter here. Many of the themes that Peter discussed in our conversation, particularly around evergreen funds and why model portfolios are the next big innovation in private markets, were covered in his Op-Ed.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Juniper SquareWhen was the last time things were easy for GPs?Fundraising remains challenging, providing liquidity to investors is even harder—and broadly speaking, most GPs are underwater operationally.It’s not about to get easier, either. Especially for managers vying for capital from the wealth channel. Sure, there’s increased demand from HNW and UNHW investors to gain private markets exposure…but managing their expectations for the investing experience is a whole different ballgame.Reams of paper and a new KYC process every single time they subscribe to a fund? Brutal.But what if committing capital to private equity, venture, and real estate funds was digital and seamless for investors — and scalable to manage for GPs?Meet Juniper Square, the fund operations partner to over 2,000 private markets GPs worldwide.Juniper Square gives GPs the connected software, data, and fund administration services needed for modern private markets. No matter how ambitious your next raise is, how many investors you manage, and how complex your investment vehicles are, Juniper Square empowers GPs to raise capital faster, reduce operational risk, and deliver a world-class investor experience.And with JunieAI, Juniper Square's enterprise-grade AI built for private markets, GPs can truly and finally unlock the power of AI to work smarter, move faster, and focus on relationships and returns.Scale your business, not your operational burdens and costs. Visit junipersquare.com/agm today to learn more.Show Notes00:04 Juniper Square: Revolutionizing Fund Management01:38 Welcome to Alt Goes Mainstream01:43 Live from Soho Beach House, Miami with EQT’s Peter Aliprantis02:43 Navigating Current Markets02:58 Volatility in Public Markets04:53 Global Investment Trends05:16 Investor Behavior and Global Markets05:32 Private Markets in Europe and Asia06:43 Investment Opportunities in Asia07:27 Private Markets Outperforming in Europe07:37 Wealth Channel Conversations08:18 EQT's Global Footprint08:57 Mega Trends in Global Investment09:29 Data Centers and Energy Needs11:17 Natural Gas and Carbon Capture11:57 Nuclear Energy and Modular Reactors12:43 Investment Scale and Origination13:06 Evergreen Structures in Private Markets16:28 Opco Structures Explained17:15 Evergreen Structures and Investor Access17:54 Institutional Adoption of Evergreen Structures21:32 Model Portfolios in Wealth Channel22:29 Manager Selection and Performance23:34 Client Servicing and Education27:43 Early Days in Wealth Channel Allocation28:39 Benefits and Limitations of Evergreen Structures29:11 Quick Fire Questions29:26 Exciting Investment Strategies30:16 Risks in Private Markets31:12 Using Private Markets in Portfolios32:35 Next Big Innovation: Model Portfolios32:46 Intersection of Public and Private Markets33:22 Moving Beyond the 60/40 PortfolioEditing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.
Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today’s podcast is with an elite performer on and off the field who has gone from protecting quarterbacks to protecting families’ wealth.We sit down with former NFL and USC star Winston Justice, whose entrepreneurial spirit that was stoked while he was still playing in the NFL has led to a successful and impactful career in wealth management. He was recently named CEO at SageSpring Private Wealth, a $7B independent wealth management firm, as they look to grow organically and inorganically and expand their offerings in private markets for their clients.A former NFL offensive lineman, Winston played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, and Denver Broncos from 2006 to 2015. He also co-founded an early stage investment vehicle, MJC Capital, and Elixr, a gourmet café and coffee roastery, while he was playing. He also won 2010 Walter Payton Philadelphia Man of the Year Award for his community service.He transitioned into financial services and wealth management post-career, starting at Wells Fargo Securities, where he specialized in institutional and family office advisory. He then was a portfolio manager at PIA’s Alternative Investment Group, and then an investment Manager at AllianceBernstein.Winston and I had a fascinating conversation. We discussed:The parallels between sports and finance.How Winston navigated the transition from professional athlete to a finance professional.What stoked his entrepreneurial spirit.Why wealth management is so critical to people’s lives. Why culture fit is so important when integrating advisors into wealth management platforms through acquisition.How private markets can add to an advisor’s practice.Thanks Winston for coming on the show to share your story, wisdom, and expertise.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Juniper SquareWhen was the last time things were easy for GPs?Fundraising remains challenging, providing liquidity to investors is even harder—and broadly speaking, most GPs are underwater operationally.It’s not about to get easier, either. Especially for managers vying for capital from the wealth channel. Sure, there’s increased demand from HNW and UNHW investors to gain private markets exposure…but managing their expectations for the investing experience is a whole different ballgame.Reams of paper and a new KYC process every single time they subscribe to a fund? Brutal.But what if committing capital to private equity, venture, and real estate funds was digital and seamless for investors — and scalable to manage for GPs?Meet Juniper Square, the fund operations partner to over 2,000 private markets GPs worldwide.Juniper Square gives GPs the connected software, data, and fund administration services needed for modern private markets. No matter how ambitious your next raise is, how many investors you manage, and how complex your investment vehicles are, Juniper Square empowers GPs to raise capital faster, reduce operational risk, and deliver a world-class investor experience.And with JunieAI, Juniper Square's enterprise-grade AI built for private markets, GPs can truly and finally unlock the power of AI to work smarter, move faster, and focus on relationships and returns.Scale your business, not your operational burdens and costs. Visit junipersquare.com/agm today to learn more.Show Notes00:04 Our Sponsor, Juniper Square: Revolutionizing Fund Management00:30 Empowering GPS with Juniper Square00:38 Juniper Square's AI Innovation00:51 Scaling Your Business with Juniper Square01:37 Welcome to the Alt Goes Mainstream Podcast01:40 Introducing Winston Justice03:35 Winston's Background and Early Life03:49 College Years and Initial Business Ventures03:59 Realization and Transition to Finance04:10 Starting a VC Fund and Coffee Shops04:31 Transitioning from NFL to Finance05:04 Winston's Career at Wells Fargo and Beyond05:17 Immersing in Wealth Management07:01 The Sacredness of Financial Management07:50 Importance of Wealth Management08:04 Private Markets in Wealth Management08:19 Early Lessons in Wealth Management09:10 Transferring Values and Knowledge09:32 Managing Assets Beyond Numbers10:19 Combining Finance and Mission12:11 Mentoring Advisors at SageSpring12:43 Skill Sets for SageSpring Advisors12:51 Client Focus and Community Leadership14:01 Balancing Client Delivery and Business Growth14:56 Impact of Growing AUM16:10 Testing Advisors' Commitment16:55 Business Constructs in Wealth Management17:43 Division of Labor in Wealth Management18:52 SageSpring's Unique Approach19:53 Client Understanding of Fiduciary Role20:41 Trust in Financial Services21:17 Sophistication in Choosing Investment Partners21:57 Role of Relationship in Financial Services22:30 Evaluating Investment Opportunities23:44 Partnership with Dynasty Financial24:43 Customizing Investment Solutions26:44 Educating Wealth Managers on Private Markets27:00 Benefits of Alternatives in Portfolios30:48 Effective Storytelling in Investments32:13 Future of Wealth Management Industry33:08 Client and Advisor Service in Wealth Management34:55 Favorite Private Markets Investment37:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.
Future Proof, which holds one of the industry’s largest wealth conferences, invited me to hold a live podcast earlier this year with Blue Owl Co-President and Global Head of Real Assets Marc Zahr. Marc is a pioneer in the real estate space, building Blue Owl into a market leader in the triple net lease strategy, a commercial real estate investment strategy that is becoming increasingly popular for real estate investors, tenants (think large corporates like Amazon, Walgreens, Dollar General), and investors alike.Blue Owl’s Real Assets business has over $67.1B AUM, owning over 5,600 assets and partnering with over 800 tenants. Marc founded Oak Street, the predecessor firm to Blue Owl, in 2009 with $17M AUM. Listening to Marc talk about the evolution of his career, building Oak Street, and running Blue Owl’s Real Assets platform, it’s no surprise to see why Marc and the firm have had success. His “myopic focus … perfecting his craft,” as he discussed in our conversation, his clarity of vision, and his ability to so clearly articulate his investment strategy and market opportunity have led to tremendous success for Oak Street, and now, Blue Owl.Marc and I had a fascinating and thought-provoking discussion that covered everything from the evolution of his firm, how and why he sold Oak Street to Blue Owl, the market opportunity in triple net lease real estate investing, why data center investing is a large market opportunity, how to build a high-performing investment culture, and much more.We discussed:The story of how Marc built Oak Street from a $17M real estate investment firm and grew it into Blue Owl’s $67B AUM Real Assets platform.Breaking down the triple net lease real estate investment strategy.Why the industry “isn’t even in the first inning” in the $20T addressable market in triple net lease real estate investing.Why data centers are a “once in a generation opportunity” due to capex supply / demand imbalance.How a bigger platform can help an asset manager scale its business.Why an evergreen structure can make sense and the story of how Blue Owl did so well with its triple net lease product on a private wealth platform that the private bank created their own product.The hardest part of educating the wealth channel on real estate and evergreen structures.Why private wealth is the biggest opportunity in the future. The advice Marc would give to someone trying to build the next great asset manager.Thanks Marc for sharing your wisdom, expertise, and thoughtful and nuanced perspectives on private markets and real estate. 
Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today’s episode is with someone who has successfully built a wealth solutions business tailored to her firm’s unique strengths, expertise, and investment track record.Martina Sanow is a Partner and Head of Hg Wealth, where she is focused on building the firm’s wealth solutions offering built out of the $85B AUM firm, Hg, that invests in enterprise software.Hg, one of the top 10 largest PE firms globally based on the PEI 300 ranking, has built an impressive investment engine focused mission-critical enterprise software companies. The firm has built a portfolio that is a “transatlantic ecosystem of software and services businesses” — representing over $180B in collective enterprise value across its 55 portfolio companies.Martina has been at the firm for almost 16 years. She has been an integral part of building the firm into what it is today, helping Hg grow from $2B in AUM to $85B in AUM, previously as Deputy COO and now building the Hg Wealth business. Hg’s first wealth offering, Fusion, its flagship evergreen fund that provides access to non-US investors to Hg’s private equity funds and co-investment opportunities, has exceeded $1B in NAV just 12 months after its launch.Martina is thoughtful, strategic, and long-term oriented when it comes to building a solution that amplifies Hg’s strengths and resonates with the wealth channel. We had a fascinating discussion about how a scaled specialist like Hg can stand out in the wealth channel, unpacking the essence of who Hg is as a firm and how they’ve expressed who they are as they’ve built their wealth business.We covered:Hg’s evolution as a firm.Why Hg focuses on mission-critical enterprise software companies and why it’s a compelling investment thesis.Building a wealth business that fits the mission, ethos, and strategy of the firm.Understanding the complexity of evergreen funds.How Martina and team think about managing dealflow and investor demand in their Fusion fund.Learnings applied from HgTrust, the publicly listed UK investment trust, to figuring out how to educate and build brand in the wealth channel.Why does ownership structure matter when it comes to building a wealth business? How being privately owned informs how Hg builds their wealth business.Why Europe, why now?Thanks Martina for coming on the show to share your wisdom and expertise at the intersection of enterprise software, private equity, and private wealth.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund SolutionsThis episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at gharris@ultimusfundsolutions.com.We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.Show Notes00:00 Introduction and Message from Ultimus, our Sponsor01:55 Welcome to the Podcast01:58 Introducing Martina Sanow04:36 Martina's Background and Experience05:10 Hg's Specialization in Software05:57 Building a Team and Culture06:54 Importance of Cognitive Diversity07:26 Building a Diverse Team09:28 Innovating in Wealth Business10:14 Hg's Strategic Mindset11:51 Hg's Entrepreneurial Journey12:00 Maintaining Entrepreneurial Culture13:10 Specialization in B2B Software14:47 Focus on DPI and Cash Back16:17 Criteria for A-Quality Businesses16:58 Investing in Mission Critical Software18:11 Visma Case Study19:23 Challenges and Opportunities in Europe33:13 Evergreen Structures: Impact on Investment Teams33:44 Balancing Capital Raising and Deal Flow34:13 Investment Strategies and Allocation34:54 Managing Subscriptions and Demand35:53 Balancing Wealth and Institutional Demand36:06 Privately Owned Firm Benefits36:37 Realization Committee and Evergreen Structures37:52 Long-Term Company Partnerships39:11 Liquidity Management Challenges39:55 Investor Strategies for Evergreen Funds41:40 Institutional Adoption of Evergreen Funds42:48 Evolution of Institutional Mindset43:26 Retail vs. Wealth Investors44:01 Listed Trust and Wealth Business Insights45:54 Building the Wealth Business47:29 Strategic Importance of Wealth Capital48:54 Innovation in Wealth Management49:28 Partnerships and Holistic Solutions50:58 Future of Wealth Management Products52:44 Brand Building and Education55:00 Software as a Core Investment56:19 Community and Founder Investments59:28 Value Creation and Network Benefits01:00:15 Portfolio Synergies and Acquisitions01:01:36 Concluding Thoughts and Favorite InvestmentsEditing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.
Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today’s conversation dives into the current state of private markets through the lens of one of the leading GP stakes firms in the industry.We sat down with Partner and Global Co-Head of the Petershill Group at Goldman Sachs Robert Hamilton Kelly. Petershill takes minority equity stakes in established and newly-established alternative asset managers. Across its different investment vehicles, Petershill participates in the fee income from over 200 underlying funds from alternative asset management firms that are diversified across asset class, investment strategy, and investment lifecycle.Petershill’s Partner firms have well in excess of $340B in aggregate AUM and they’ve partnered with a number of the top firms and some of the industry's most recognizable names in the middle market and upper end of the market, including Clearlake, Francisco Partners, Permira, Accel-KKR, General Catalyst, Kayne Anderson Real Estate, Kennedy Lewis, and more.Rob and I had a fascinating conversation on GP stakes and the evolution of alternative asset management. We discussed:The what, why, and how of GP stakes.The benefits and drawbacks of GP stakes investing for GPs and LPs.What makes a great GP.The question of liquidity in GP stakes.Why Petershill has generally focused on middle-market alternative asset managers.How private markets will continue to evolve and the growing importance of the wealth channel in the evolution of asset management.Thanks Rob for coming on the show to share your wisdom and expertise in private markets and GP stakes. We hope you enjoy.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund SolutionsThis episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at gharris@ultimusfundsolutions.com.We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.Show Notes00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message01:18 Podcast Opening and Theme02:06 Guest Introduction: Robert Hamilton Kelly03:32 Rob's Boat Racing Experience03:45 Parallels Between Boat Racing and Private Markets04:57 Current State of Private Markets05:14 Impact of Policy Changes on Private Markets06:53 Growth of the Private Markets Industry07:09 Early Days of Petershill07:26 Goldman's Role in Alternative Asset Management09:26 Valuing GP Stakes and Alternative Asset Managers10:01 Insights on Alternative Asset Managers12:36 Valuing GP Stakes13:22 Data-Driven Investment Strategies15:34 Management Fees and Performance Fees16:28 Growth and Evolution of Firms23:16 Strategic Imperatives for Growth26:15 Managerial Skills and Industry Dynamics30:55 Commercialization in Platform Management31:07 Challenges and Opportunities in Capital Raising31:53 Industry Consolidation Predictions32:29 Growth and Consolidation in Private Markets33:31 The Role of Mid-Market Firms34:15 GP Stakes and Wealth Channel Access36:12 Goldman's Unique Platform and Services37:57 The Importance of Strategic Advice39:39 Common Challenges for GPs40:33 Evolving LP and GP Stakes Dynamics40:44 Why LPs Invest in GP Stakes42:00 Income Generation and Capital Growth42:49 Diversification in GP Stakes43:05 Private Markets Exposure44:01 Entry Points into Private Markets45:07 Long-Term Exposure and Portfolio Construction47:00 Investing in Private Credit48:10 Evaluating GP Stakes Investments49:38 Data and Performance in GP Stakes52:04 Growth Path of Private Markets52:23 Valuing Alternative Asset Managers55:41 Liquidity in GP Stakes57:09 Structural Changes in GP Stakes57:35 The Evolution of Private Markets58:11 Future of Venture and Growth Sectors58:56 Private Credit Products and Market Share59:29 Maturation of Private Markets59:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Welcome to the 17th episode of the Monthly Alts Pulse, a collaboration between iCapital x Alt Goes Mainstream. We were live from iCapital Connect’s conference in Phoenix to dive into the most pressing trends at the intersection of private markets and wealth management —and unpack how wealth management firms are utilizing private markets to build out or enhance their practice.In this episode of the Monthly Alts Pulse, iCapital Managing Partner and Co-Head of iCapital Solutions, Steve Houston, and I are joined by Eric Harrison, Founding Partner of IEQ Capital.IEQ, managing close to $40B in AUM, has been an innovator from the start. Private markets — and a customized approach to investing in private markets — are a core part of the IEQ offering — and they’ve differentiated the firm as a result.Eric and Steve shared a number of thought-provoking perspectives on wealth management and how advisors and clients can approach allocating to private markets as part of a holistic asset allocation framework.Thanks Eric and Steve for a great episode … looking forward to the next Monthly Alts Pulse conversation!Show Notes00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:24 Experiences in Private Banking01:28 Independent Advisors and Private Markets01:46 IEQ Capital's Approach to Private Markets03:33 Scaling and Research in Alternative Investments05:48 Client Experience and Customization07:35 Technology and Tax Strategy10:46 Innovative Ideas in Private Markets13:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today’s episode is with someone who is running the long race — in investing and in running.We sit down with prolific long distance runner, Blue Owl Capital’s Ivan Zinn, who has been a pioneer in alternative credit and asset-based finance.Ivan has had a long career in private credit. He started at DLJ before joining Leonard Green & Partners and Highbridge Capital. He then joined HBK before founding pioneering private credit firm Atalaya Capital Management, where he was also the CIO. Ivan and team grew Atalaya to over $10B in AUM from 2006 to 2024 before being acquired by Blue Owl Capital for $450M (and $800M with earnouts).As part of the transaction, Ivan became Managing Director at Blue Owl and is the Head of Alternative Credit, where the firm is now expanding its footprint due to Atalaya’s expertise. Ivan is as prolific outside of the office as he is in it — he is a long distance runner, running 100 mile races, and was a NCAA All-American tennis player, which comes as no surprise given the discipline, focus and expertise required to excel at the activities he’s done throughout his career in work and sport. He’s also a Board member of the USTA Foundation.Ivan and I had a fascinating conversation about the evolution of private credit and the growth of asset-based finance. We discussed:How and why ABF has grown within the private credit ecosystem.ABF’s market structure and a “trip down main street.”The potential size of the ABF market.Why moving assets off bank balance sheets can help the financial system.Why private credit is a data rich asset.Where ABF fits in a portfolio.Why consumer credit is potentially misunderstood within private credit.Thanks Ivan for coming on the show to share your wisdom and expertise on private credit and ABF. Good luck to anyone keeping up with you on a long run though!You can also see a recent Q&A with Ivan about private credit and ABF on AGM here.Subscribe to Alt Goes Mainstream to receive the weekly newsletter every Sunday and all of AGM’s podcasts.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund SolutionsThis episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at gharris@ultimusfundsolutions.com.We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.Show Notes00:00 Introduction and Message from our Sponsor, Ultimus01:57 Introducing Ivan Zinn03:49 Parallels Between Running and Business05:32 Early Days of Private Credit06:52 Post-GFC Changes in Private Credit07:31 Evolution of Atalaya's Business Model08:21 Growth of Asset-Based Finance09:38 FinTech's Role in Private Credit11:09 Importance of Stable Capital Sources21:09 Concentration Risks in Private Credit22:27 Defining Asset-Based Finance (ABF)22:53 Different Flavors of ABF27:43 Investor Exposure and Risk in Private Credit29:46 Direct Lending vs. Public Credit36:02 Consumer Credit and Perceived Risks37:36 Debunking the Cyclical Perception of Credit Risk38:22 The Utility of Credit Cards During Financial Crises38:44 The Resilience of ABS and Diversified Portfolios39:07 The Role of Data Science in Credit Analysis39:32 Surviving the GFC: A Benchmark for Credit Pools39:53 Diversification in ABF and Private Credit40:48 Selective Approach to Consumer Credit41:36 The Importance of Manager Selection in Credit Investing42:11 Private Market Transactions and Large Announcements42:40 The Journey from Atalaya to Blue Owl43:25 Challenges in Institutional Fundraising and Capital Formation44:20 The Need for Diverse Capital Sources45:43 Integration and Cultural Fit with Blue Owl46:16 The Role of Data Science and Innovation in Credit50:22 The Wealth Channel and Private Credit50:50 Private Credit as a Fixed Income Replacement52:34 Transparency and Market Structure in Private Credit55:55 Educating Investors on Private Credit57:48 The Evolution and Adoption of ABF01:00:15 The Growth of Private Credit Market01:01:28 Challenges and Opportunities in Private Credit01:03:45 The Importance of Scale in Credit Investing01:04:28 Vertical Integration in Financing01:05:26 Relentless Forward Progress in Credit Investing01:06:31 Memorable Investments and Risk-Reward Balance Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.


























