Hamilton Lane's Griff Norville on how private markets are moving from the Stone Age to the digital age
Apr 11, 2024
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Griff Norville, Managing Director at Hamilton Lane, discusses the shift from Stone Age to digital age in private markets. Topics include underinvestment in technology by GPs, the importance of technology in portfolio management, and the challenges and opportunities in private market investments.
Private markets are transitioning from traditional to digital tools, driving innovation in the industry.
Most General Partners are lagging in technology investment, presenting opportunities for tech-enabled growth.
Investing in data management systems and AI tools is crucial for optimizing private market investments and enhancing operational efficiency.
Deep dives
Griff's Role at Hamilton Lane and Expertise in Private Markets Tech
Griff Norville is a managing director at Hamilton Lane, overseeing technology solutions. He leads the firm's tech-enabled analytics and investment diligence platform Cobalt LP, focusing on partnering with fintech companies to drive digital transformation in private markets. By leveraging his investment background, Griff informs tech transformation strategies within private markets.
Evolution of Private Markets Technology
Griff and the podcast discuss the evolution of private markets technology, transitioning from traditional to digital tools. They explore why most GPs are under-invested in technology, Griff's approach to building versus investing in tech, and the significance of Cobalt within Hamilton Lane's private markets work. They highlight how technology innovation influences wealth channel product development in the private markets space and future tech advancements in private markets.
Strategic Partnerships and Tech Solutions in Private Markets
The episode delves into Hamilton Lane's strategic tech partnerships, particularly their decision-making process in acquiring tech solutions. Griff shares a pivotal experience where a partnership led to the acquisition of a tech solution for better data management and reporting. The discussion emphasizes balancing in-house tech development with external investments and partnerships to enhance operational efficiency in the private markets.
Data Control and Tech Investment Importance
The importance of investing in data management and control systems in private markets emerges, with a focus on the significance of high-quality data in enhancing investment selection and portfolio construction. Griff highlights the critical need to invest in data infrastructure behind the scenes to effectively leverage AI tools for decision-making and enhance operational efficiency in private market investments.
AI Application in Private Markets and Future Growth Potential
Exploring how AI can revolutionize private markets, the episode discusses promising AI applications like automating meeting summaries for better intelligence sharing and enhancing investment screening processes. Griff envisions AI-driven solutions that streamline operations and improve client experience in navigating private markets. The conversation underscores the transformative potential of AI in private markets and its role in future growth and data-driven decision-making.
Today’s episode takes us into the world of technology with an expert in private markets tech.
Griff Norville is a Managing Director and Head of Technology Solutions at Hamilton Lane, the $903B AUM (*Inclusive of $120.2B in discretionary assets under management and $782.9B in non-discretionary assets under management, as of December 31, 2023) global alternative asset manager. Griff leads the firm’s tech-enabled analytics, forecasting, and investment diligence platform, Cobalt LPTM and related portfolio reporting services, and co-heads the firm’s Technology Committee.
Griff focuses on building proprietary tools and strategically partnering or investing into private markets fintech companies as part of the firm’s efforts to drive digital transformation within the industry. Griff also leverages his background on the investment side to help inform how he thinks about technology transformation within private markets. He previously co-led Hamilton Lane’s research team, where he was responsible for leveraging data to assess market trends and advice clients on investment and portfolio construction strategy.
Griff and I had a fascinating conversation about the evolution of private markets technology and why it’s an exciting time for innovation in the space. We discussed:
How private markets are moving from the Stone Age and Excel age to the digital age.
Why most GPs are still underinvested in technology.
How Griff approaches the build, buy, invest question.
Why Cobalt was so foundational to Hamilton Lane’s work in private markets.
How technology innovation has driven product innovation when working with the wealth channel.
What comes next for technology in private markets.
Thanks Griff for coming on the show to share your thoughts and wisdom on how technology is impacting private markets and for the work you’re doing to invest in technology that’s transforming the space.
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