Private Equity Funcast

Scott Middleton, CEO and founder of Terem Capital, dives into the world of Australian software holdcos. He shares his journey from selling a mobile game at 14 to successfully spinning out enterprise software. Scott explains different holdco models and details Terem's accumulator strategy for acquiring B2B tech firms. He highlights the Australian market's potential, emphasizing patience in management and M&A. With a keen focus on automation and operational efficiency, he reveals his criteria for selecting tech targets and near-term acquisition plans.

Sean Lucq, a Partner at SPMB Executive Search, specializes in hiring for tech firms. He dives into the nuances of recruiting senior engineering and product leaders, especially amidst the AI hype. Sean discusses the importance of having a dedicated Head of AI versus integrating it within engineering roles, emphasizing practical applications of AI like code reviews. He also reveals insights into what candidates should communicate to stand out—showing tangible business impacts—and shares entertaining recruiting tales that highlight the unpredictable nature of tech hiring.

In this episode of The Private Equity Funcast, Jim Milbery sits down with Jennifer Nelson (CEO of Izzy Software), Richard Malone, Rob Swanson (co-founders of CNX Corporation), and Iwona Montgomery to talk about CNX's nearly 30-year glow-up — from green screens to the cloud. After almost three decades in the biz, CNX just joined forces with Izzy Software, and the result? Legacy systems that finally got the spa day they deserved. We dive into how moving to the cloud has made life easier for developers and why low-code tools are giving old-school software a serious second act.

Leah Reich, an accomplished UX researcher with a PhD in sociology, shares her unconventional journey from Medieval French literature to leading user experience at top tech companies. The conversation delves into the nuances of understanding user needs versus stated wants, revealing why many products miss the mark. Leah emphasizes the importance of empathizing with users' emotional contexts and the risks of misplaced innovation, using the Juicero case as a cautionary tale. With insights into designing for real workflows and team dynamics, listeners are invited to rethink the essence of user experience.

Shiv Narayanan, founder of How to SaaS and author of Exit-Ready Marketing, shares his expertise on optimizing marketing for private equity-backed companies. He highlights the critical role of measurable marketing strategies in driving business value, emphasizing the need for better alignment with PE priorities. Shiv discusses common marketing pitfalls, effective data-driven practices, and the importance of clear communication with boards. Tune in for insights on creating a marketing function that truly propels growth.

Devin sits down with Sameer Shamsi, Co-Head of Houlihan Lokey's GP Led Secondaries group. We cover everything you want to know about continuation vehicles, but were afraid to ask (or too dumb to ask?). What is the difference between LP-led and GP-led? How should GPs talk to their LPs about it? What assets are best suited for CVs? How does company management get treated in a CV? Plus so much more you didn't even pay for.

Greg Munves, CEO of OpenBrand, and Ralph McLaughlin, Chief Economist, dive deep into real-time inflation tracking methods. They unveil their proprietary Consumer Price Index for Durable and Personal Goods, boasting remarkable accuracy. The duo discusses how this index helps manufacturers and retailers optimize pricing strategies in a volatile market. Their scenario-based inflation forecasts empower investors and policymakers with tailored insights. They also shed light on complex discount dynamics and innovative methodologies that are reshaping how we understand consumer pricing.

A conversation with Chris Taylor unveils how companies can integrate generative AI to enhance operations. He tackles the challenges of AI deployment, including the issue of hallucination and the need for performance evaluations. The importance of nurturing a collaborative team environment for effective AI implementation is also highlighted. Additionally, the podcast explores the long-term implications of adopting machine learning, likening it to the early days of mobile apps, while emphasizing the strategic considerations necessary for success.

Greg Munves, CEO of Open Brand, and Kristopher Kubicki, CTO, share their expertise in transforming market intelligence through innovative AI strategies. They discuss how Open Brand emerged from the merger of four companies and the role of AI in providing real-time data insights. The duo highlights the importance of strong relationships during acquisitions and how AI enhances data accuracy while relying on human oversight. They even throw in some humor about AI’s potential influence on the Yankees, making for an entertaining and informative discussion.

Join Alan Williamson, CTO of HiBid, and Kristopher Kubicki, CTO of OpenBrand, as they delve into the recent DeepSeek AI announcement and its seismic impact on the tech and VC sectors. The duo debates whether the hype represents a genuine paradigm shift or just noise. They highlight the rapid evolution of AI, particularly LLMs, in shaping software development and investment strategies. The conversation skips between the challenges of AI adoption and the intriguing dynamics between agile teams and larger enterprises in the ever-changing tech landscape.