FICC Focus

Credit Crunch: Adams Street’s Diehl on Trends in Private Capital

10 snips
Sep 15, 2025
Jeff Diehl, managing partner at Adams Street, shares insights from his journey in private equity and the launch of their private credit business. He discusses the risks of rising default rates in the current economic environment and the impact of interest rates on direct lending. Diehl emphasizes the importance of sector focus and technology in investment strategies, alongside the need for accurate cash flow assessments for debt servicing. He also explores the synergies between private equity and venture capital, shedding light on the evolving dynamics of the asset class.
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ANECDOTE

Career Path From Investor To Firm Leader

  • Jeff Diehl joined Adams Street in 2000 and spent years investing in tech-enabled private companies before leading the firm.
  • He later became CEO/CIO and helped launch the firm's private credit direct lending business about a decade ago.
INSIGHT

Single Strategy, Multiple Execution Paths

  • Adams Street runs one investment strategy across five teams focused on finding right-tail outlier companies.
  • The firm uses fund exposure, direct deals, co-investments and secondaries to increase exposure to top companies.
ADVICE

Pick Sector-Focused Funds And Double Down

  • Pick funds that are laser-focused on industry sectors undergoing disruption and change.
  • Track underlying companies from those funds and target additional exposure where risk-adjusted returns look attractive.
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