Capital Allocators – Inside the Institutional Investment Industry [REPLAY] Alex Abell - Lower Middle Market Buyout Investing at RCP (EP.383)
May 29, 2025
Alex Abell, Managing Partner at RCP Advisors, shares his extensive 23-year journey through lower middle market buyouts. He discusses the significance of data and analytics in evaluating fund managers, blending quantitative and qualitative assessments. Alex highlights the challenges faced by smaller institutional investors and the impact of operational data on investment strategies. He also reflects on his passions, including sailboat racing, and emphasizes the influence of early impressions in professional growth. Tune in for insights on refining investment strategies in a dynamic market!
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Deal-Level Benchmarking Advantage
- Evaluating private equity performance at the deal level provides better benchmarking than fund-level vintage year comparisons.
- Matching deals by sector, size, and timing reveals stronger context and indicates manager skill more accurately.
Blending Data with Qualitative Checks
- Combine quantitative data with qualitative evaluations, including team experience and references, for a comprehensive fund manager assessment.
- Use objective grading systems and focus lists to guide investment decisions without restricting client preferences.
From Atlas Diligence to RCP Merger
- Alex started Atlas Diligence after leaving BlackRock to recreate a database for small market buyout managers.
- Later, Atlas merged with RCP Advisors, integrating the data platform to enhance their investment process.