Private Equity Spotlight: Crafting the Independent Sponsor Model with Grant Kornman of Align Collaborate

In this insightful episode of the Karma School of Business Podcast, host Sean Mooney, founder and CEO of BluWave, engages in a fascinating dialogue with Grant Korman, Partner at Align Collaborate. As innovators within the private equity sector, both Sean and Grant share their unique journeys of creating segments that previously didn't exist, offering a deep dive into the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurial spirit within the industry.

Episode Highlights:

• 2:04 - Grant's Origin Story - From his formative years at Georgetown to an inspiring encounter that led him into the world of private equity, Grant recounts his early experiences and the entrepreneurial ventures that shaped his career.
• 4:07 - The Leap into Private Equity - Grant shares his unconventional path into private equity, bypassing traditional routes to dive headfirst into the industry right out of college, and the learning curve that accompanied this bold move.
• 8:11 - Evolving into an Independent Sponsor - The journey from Sterling Partners to becoming an independent sponsor with NCK Capital, exploring the challenges and serendipity involved in raising capital deal by deal.
• 14:45 - Creating Align Collaborate - The genesis of Align Collaborate, born from a desire to provide a more structured and supportive equity solution for independent sponsors in the lower middle market.
• 23:16 - The Growth of the Independent Sponsor Market - Grant discusses the factors contributing to the rise of the independent sponsor model and how Align Collaborate positions itself within this evolving landscape.
• 32:30 - Interplay Between Align Collaborate, Independent Sponsors, and Portfolio Companies - Understanding the dynamics of partnership and support that Align Collaborate offers to independent sponsors and their portfolio companies.
• 34:13 - Thematic Investment Opportunities - Grant outlines the investment themes and opportunities that Align Collaborate is currently exploring, with a focus on businesses with strong core attributes and potential for growth.
• 35:18 - Grant's advice to his younger self - make your own luck.

For more information on Align Collaborate, go to www.aligncollaborate.com

For more information on Grant, go to www.linkedin.com/in/grant-kornman-120305

For more information on BluWave and this podcast, go to www.bluwave.net/podcasts

Join us for a riveting discussion that traverses Grant Korman's remarkable journey from a young, ambitious entrepreneur to a key player in shaping the private equity industry. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intricacies of finance, the transformative impact of private equity, and the stories of industry veterans who've played a crucial role in shaping today's investment landscape.

Please subscribe to the Karma School of Business Podcast for more episodes like this, and don't hesitate to leave us a review if you find our content valuable. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we continue to uncover the critical elements of business success in the realm of private equity.