Topline The Most Surprising Companies Private Equity is Buying
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Oct 19, 2025 Dive into the fascinating world of private equity as surprising assets come to light, from music catalogs of legends like Springsteen and Dylan to the unexpected reach into toll roads and funeral homes. CEOs share what it's like to be acquired, offering insights into the preparation and negotiation process. Discover the role of AI in enhancing operations and the rapid pace of OpenAI's product development. The discussion blends culture, standards, and the unique playbook that drives private equity’s impact on industries.
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Private Equity's Vast Reach
- Private equity is a $5 trillion asset class that reaches far beyond tech into everyday assets like music catalogs and homes.
- Its scale means PE influences consumer markets and cultural ownership in ways most people don't realize.
Bowie Bonds Turned Songs Into Capital
- Sam tells how David Bowie securitized royalties via 'Bowie bonds' to monetize future income and become wealthy.
- The example shows artists can leverage finance to turn cultural assets into capital.
Toll Roads As Financial Assets
- Indiana's toll road was sold to private investors for $5.725 billion and now runs as a revenue-generating asset.
- The example highlights how infrastructure is increasingly treated like private, profit-driven real estate.
