The Human Algorithm: Building a Next-Generation Investment Firm

Welcome to the Allocate Podcast, an interview and educational content series to help investors learn and navigate investing in alternatives. Join us to hear from leading founders, fund managers, and allocators on the latest trends and the keys to successfully participating in the private markets.

In this episode of the Allocate Podcast, host Samir Kaji chats with Neil Malik, Founder and CEO at K1 Investment Management. In this conversation, Neil shares his transformative journey in private equity, focusing on B2B software investments. The conversation also explores K1's approach to building a successful investment firm by prioritizing culture, talent development, and a process-oriented strategy. Neil discusses how the firm differentiates itself by hiring young talent, developing them internally, and maintaining a laser-focused approach to small-cap B2B software investments. The discussion also covers the evolving landscape of private equity, the impact of AI on technology investments, the importance of building strong, adaptable teams, insights into the challenges of scaling an investment firm, the changing dynamics of liquidity in private markets, the critical role of innovation in driving business growth, and so much more.

About Neil Malik

Neil Malik is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of K1 Investment Management, where he oversees the firm's strategy, governance, and investment activities. Prior to establishing K1, Malik founded the growth equity practice at Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, focusing on growth equity and buyout investments. He also held positions in the private equity groups of Brentwood Associates and Olympus Partners and began his career in the mergers and acquisitions group at J.P. Morgan Securities. Malik earned his MBA from Harvard Business School and holds dual bachelor's degrees—a BS in Finance from the Wharton School and a BAS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Pennsylvania.

K1 Investment Management, headquartered in Manhattan Beach, California, is a leading private equity firm specializing in investments in high-growth, enterprise software companies. The firm partners with dynamic management teams to build category leaders, providing capital and operational expertise to drive growth and innovation. K1 has an impressive track record, having realized $2.9 billion in enterprise value in 2024 through seven transactions, including the acquisitions of GoCanvas by Nemetschek Group and Axcient by ConnectWise. The firm's portfolio includes notable investments in companies such as IRONSCALES, a leader in email security, and Board Intelligence, a prominent board management software platform. K1's success is attributed to its focus on enterprise software, strategic growth investments, and a commitment to fostering innovation within its portfolio companies.

Timestamps:

Topics in this conversation include:

* Neil’s Background and Journey (1:21)

* Differentiation in Private Equity (3:17)

* Hiring Practices at K1 (7:23)

* Challenges of Developing Talent (10:01)

* Retention Strategies (13:26)

* Functional Organization Structure (15:38)

* Communication and Culture (20:20)

* Investment Landscape Overview (24:08)

* Liquidity Challenges and Metrics (28:08)

* Democratizing Private Equity (33:25)

* Impact of AI on Business Scaling (36:39)

* Innovation in B2B vs. B2C (41:50)

* Reflection on Past Predictions (44:10)

* Exciting Opportunities Ahead (47:37)

* Final Thoughts and Takeaways (48:36)

Disclosure

The information on this page constitutes market commentary and is provided by Allocate Management Company, LLC, any of its affiliates or any of its or their affiliates, directors, officers, employees or advisers (collectively referred to herein as “Allocate”) for informational purposes only.

Any opinions, assumptions, assessments, statements or the like (collectively, “Statements”) regarding market condition, future events or which are forward-looking, including Statements about investment processes, investment objectives, goals, risk management techniques, views of possible future outcomes in any investment asset class or market, or of possible future economic developments, constitute only market commentary based on the subjective views, beliefs, outlooks, forecasts, projections, estimations or intentions of Allocate, should not be relied on, are subject to change. Although Allocate believes that the expectations reflected in the Statements are reasonable, no representation is made or assurance given that such Statements are correct or that the objectives of an investment product or service will be achieved or that investors will receive a return of their capital or will not sustain losses. All investments involve risks and uncertainties, as disclosed in the applicable offering documents. Allocate undertakes no responsibility or obligation to revise or update any Statements. Statements expressed herein may not be shared by all personnel of Allocate. This page and the Statements are not intended as investment advice or recommendations by Allocate. It is Allocate’s policy that investment recommendations to its clients must be based on the investment objectives and risk tolerances of each individual client.

This page and Statements may contain or are based on third-party sources that, although believed to be reliable, have not been independently verified. Market and investment views of third parties presented herein do not necessarily reflect the views of Allocate. All such information is as of the date indicated, if indicated, may not be complete, is subject to change. All rights to the trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property listed herein belong to their respective owners and the use of such logos hereof does not imply an affiliation with, or endorsement by, the owners of such trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

The statements reflect current hiring practices as of the date of recording and refers specifically to investment team members. There is no assurance that such practices will continue in the future or apply across all roles at the firm. Statements are illustrative and subject to change.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joinallocate.substack.com