The Alternative Data Podcast

The Ideate Capital Episode

18 snips
Mar 15, 2025
Tom Liu, Founder of Ideate Capital, is an alternative data expert with a rich background in hedge funds and private equity. He discusses the transformative role of alternative data in corporate settings and the synergy with AI. Liu shares insights on how private equity firms are evolving through data integration, while also highlighting innovative strategies like web scraping and credit card data in investment analysis. The conversation includes challenges in monetizing alternative data and the future potential of AI in revolutionizing business models.
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ANECDOTE

Serial Numbers Reveal Sales

  • Tom Liu's team discovered a watch serial number was a sales counter at Fossil before alternative data was common.
  • A Fossil representative even questioned their weekly watch orders due to this data insight.
INSIGHT

Satellite Imagery vs. Web Scraping

  • Satellite imagery was overhyped for retail but effective in commodities and agriculture.
  • Web scraped data remains highly valuable across many sectors even today.
ADVICE

Data History Matters for Value

  • For long/short investing, three years of web scraped data is ideal for recognizing patterns.
  • Shorter periods, even one year, can still provide valuable insights for fundamental analysis.
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