Streamlining Due Diligence and Deal Sourcing with Michael Ashmore, Rondeivu

In this episode of the Rainmaker Podcast, Gui Costin speaks with Michael Ashmore, Founder of Rondeivu, an end-to-end InvesTech platform transforming how institutional investors source diligence, transact, and monitor investments across private markets. Michael, with over 20 years of experience in finance, private equity, and venture capital, shares his journey from a background in law and economics to founding Rondeivu after recognizing the inefficiencies in private markets and deal processes.

Michael recounts his career path, starting with a desire to pursue corporate law, but transitioning into the investment world after realizing that law wasn't the right fit for his long-term career. He began his career in institutional investments, gaining valuable experience managing multi-billion-dollar portfolios for pensions and fund-of-funds. His time at firms like OMERS and PGGM laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial venture into the tech-enabled private market space.

Rondeivu, founded in 2021, was built to address the inefficiencies Michael experienced as an investor at OMERS. These inefficiencies included duplicative efforts, disparate data, and lack of centralized systems for managing private market deals. Michael and his co-founder set out to create a platform that would streamline the deal process, making it more efficient for both investors and managers. The platform includes automated tools for sourcing deals, conducting due diligence, and managing transactions, with a focus on real-time updates and seamless workflows.

Michael discusses Rondeivu’s initial success, including its ability to secure $371 billion in investor mandates, representing discretionary private market capital from sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, insurance companies, and family offices. He also shares how the firm has been able to close deals with large institutional players, and his approach to business development and building a client base. The platform’s ability to help investors leverage technology to save time and improve decision-making is a central part of its value proposition.

Rondeivu’s value proposition, according to Michael, is its ability to provide a quicker “yes or no” for investors, cutting down on the time spent analyzing opportunities and giving them the tools they need to make faster, more informed decisions. He describes how their algorithmic matching and deal sourcing capabilities help reduce inefficiencies and create a seamless experience for institutional investors.

In the episode, Michael also shares his leadership style and the challenges of scaling a fintech startup. He emphasizes resilience, the importance of learning from mistakes, and staying focused on building the business. Michael’s advice for young professionals is clear: embrace the challenges, keep learning, and stay patient.

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