Minds Capital Podcast

Celebrating 25 episodes, the founders of Minds Capital pull back the curtain on lessons from deploying Fund 1 capital, why they’re bullish on US private equity, how they evaluate deals and sponsors, and the strategy taking shape for their upcoming Flagship 2 fund.References and how to contact today's guest:Minds Capital | LinkedInMinds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.Connect with Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits:Edited by Anton Rohozov

Luis Reyes, an exited SaaS founder, is building a fire safety market leader in Spain through full-time focus on operations and rapid M&A with 24+ acquisitions in just 24 months. Assembling a mosaic of micro-targets, the platform now generates €8m in EBITDA, with industry-leading efficiency stemming from Luis' consulting background and AI-first mindset. Fun fact (or maybe not so fun...): Luis grew up in rural Mexico and got his first pair of shoes at age 5.References and how to contact today's guest:Luis Reyes | LinkedInMinds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.Connect with Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits:Edited by Anton Rohozov

David Acharya has been an independent sponsor since the great financial recession His most notable deal, a 9.5-year investment in experiential marketing firm Impact XM, delivered an extraordinary 20x MOIC. Along the way he navigated a smooth separation from former partners, and today he chairs the Independent Sponsor Alliance, a 55-member peer network shaping best practices in the industry.References and how to contact today's guest:David Acharya | LinkedInMinds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.Connect with Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits:Edited by Anton Rohozov

Doug Song reflects on 25 years of experience as an independent sponsor, having co-founded Prodos Capital in 2003. He explains how Prodos views co-sponsoring as a strategic path to scale, enabling experienced sponsors to take on more deals while supporting emerging talent. Doug also discusses the growing role of capital placement agents and family offices, and emphasizes why getting the first deal right is the single most important step in building a lasting independent sponsor career.References and how to contact today's guest:Doug Song | LinkedInMinds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.Connect with Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits:Edited by Anton Rohozov

Former theater director Cory Sandrock explains how independent sponsorship is just stagecraft in a different suit: cast great people, raise funds for each production, and deliver standout performances. Cory shares how he struck gold in home services, why he avoids herd behavior in crowded sectors, and how leaning in on terms like turning off fees or yielding economics attracts the right partners and builds long-term value.References and how to contact today's guest:Cory Sandrock | LinkedInMinds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.Connect with Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits:Edited by Anton Rohozov

When Neal Doshi got within inches of closing a $40m+ transaction, his anchor investor rewrote the deal. Management fees and carry were stripped. Neal was left with a consolation closing fee, cashed out. This episode is a raw look at what happens when power shifts at the final hour, and what independent sponsors can do to protect themselves. Neal eventually used the closing fee to propel his subsequent successful career as an independent sponsor.References and how to contact today's guest:Neal Doshi | LinkedInMinds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.Connect with Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits:Edited by Anton Rohozov

Renaud Besançon is the founder of Ceres Industries Capital, one of Europe's leading independent sponsor firms. Free from the constraints of traditional funds, Renaud's team targets "non-vanilla" mid-market acquisitions (€20m-€75m EBITDA), often closing them at 30-40% discounts. After 20 years as a sponsor, with a 30-year WIP investor database, Renaud details how he blends "back-to-basics" PE centered on operational value creation with deal-by-deal pioneership in France.References and how to contact today's guest:Renaud Besançon | LinkedInMinds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.Connect with Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits:Edited by Anton Rohozov

Serial entrepreneur Nick Huber turned a grueling college moving startup into a self-storage real estate empire. By mastering remote work and offshore labor, he cut payroll costs by 70%, lifted sales conversion rates by 35%, and built a defensible operating moat. Chronicling his playbook on Twitter earned him 400,000 followers, and he used that influence to acquire and grow Somewhere.com for $52m.References and how to contact today's guest:Nick Huber | LinkedInMinds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.Connect with Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits:Edited by Anton Rohozov

Kevin Ramsier's bought his first company for $60,000 and exited it for $77 million - growing EV by more than 1,000x! He also shares the story about a $55m exit, only 18 months after acquiring it for $16m. With a silky voice and sharp insights, Kevin explains how hiring strong operators drives scale and protects his family from constant relocations. A proud evangelist of the deal-by-deal model, he candidly reflects on striking out on 18 consecutive LOIs over the past year.References and how to contact today's guest:Kevin Ramsier | LinkedInMinds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.Connect with Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits:Edited by Anton Rohozov

Steven McGrath went from closing deals at billion-dollar family offices to becoming a solo independent sponsor headquartered in a LEGO-strewn basement. He proudly calls his first platform "Apollo 13", a near-impossible mission where he delivered 1x+ MOIC despite 3 Black Swans. Now, after 5 deals and 2 exits, he reflects on his journey as a lean, entrepreneurial, and disciplined sponsor.References and how to contact today's guest:Steven McGrath | LinkedInMinds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.Connect with Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits:Edited by Anton Rohozov

In just 4 years, Bobby Sheth has closed 10 platform deals, a rare pace for an independent sponsor. He focuses not on perfect companies, but on those with fixable issues like supply chain or people risks. Bobby explains how skipping EBITDA zones expands the buyer universe and how conservative deal structures create room to navigate surprises.References and how to contact today's guest:Bobby Sheth | LinkedInMinds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.Connect with Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits:Edited by Anton Rohozov

Robert Koven discusses his journey from a SaaS-focused independent sponsor to founding a 100-man strong investment bank on Wall Street. Suit & tie, Bob provides experience and nuance on the state of SaaS in 2025 as well as the evolution of our cherished independent sponsor space, which he has observed both from the driver seat (via his direct deals) and the banker perspective.   References and how to contact today's guest:Robert Koven | LinkedInMinds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.Connect with Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits:Edited by Anton Rohozov

Formerly a CPA, Sequoya Borgman realized his dealmaking clients were having more fun. In 2017, he hustled to raise the capital for his first platform in 2017. Since then, Borgman Capital has built a network of 500 HNWIs and been oversubscribed for each of its next 9 platforms. He shares how second-tier geographies, retail fundraising, and disciplined execution are critical to his firm’s sustained success. References and how to contact today's guest:Sequoya Borgman | LinkedInMinds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.Connect with Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits:Edited by Anton Rohozov

New York-based Neel Bhargava breaks down how a minority investment into a Crunch Fitness franchisee turned into a home run, scaling from 10 to 74 locations with multiple recapitalizations along the way. Neel explains the value of thematic focus, outlines the opportunity of franchises, and spotlights the importance of strong management teams. References and how to contact today's guest: Neel Bhargava | LinkedInMinds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.Connect with Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits:Edited by Anton Rohozov

“Eat infrequently, eat well,” says Ramiro Alfaro, whose Paltus Capital goes slow, strikes big, and is pioneering deal-by-deal private equity in Central America. They have had to overcome stigma, educate market participants, and obtain creative financing to close deals. As a first mover, however, they enjoy favorable market dynamics (e.g., good valuations, inbound deal flow, cold outreach success) and ample whitespace for continued growth, while customizing a long-term hold strategy to solve for the lackluster exit opportunities in the region. References and how to contact today's guest: Ramiro Alfaro | LinkedInMinds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.Connect with Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits:Edited by Anton Rohozov