Planet MicroCap Podcast | MicroCap Investing Strategies

My guest on the show today is Doug Porter, Portfolio Manager and Senior Research Analysts at Acuitas Investments. Doug and his team recently published a new white paper titled, "The Case for MicroCap." For most of you listening in, you're already a diehard MicroCap-per, and we've all succumbed to the altar to the merits of hunting in inefficient markets. Having said that, I invited Doug on here to not only remind us why we are here, why we hunt for the best investment ideas in our neck of the woods, but more importantly, in my opinion, to showcase why in 2025, the case for investing in MicroCaps has merit as a place to build wealth and allocate capital. Doug breaks down the structural inefficiencies and long-term opportunity in the micro-cap equity market — a segment that remains largely ignored by big institutions, but continues to be fertile ground for alpha generation. We discuss why micro-caps have historically outperformed in 84% of rolling 30-year periods, the critical role of active management in filtering out the riskiest names, and why Doug believes we’re in the early innings of a new cycle that favors smaller companies. Doug also explains how “Stable Operators” — profitable, cash-generating niche businesses — are among the most compelling yet overlooked opportunities in today’s market, and why a dedicated micro-cap allocation can offer diversification, M&A upside, and even a liquid alternative to private equity. Finally, we cover Acuitas’s approach to identifying skilled micro-cap managers across the globe — and how this ecosystem of small, research-driven funds continues to uncover value where few others are looking. For more information about Doug Porter and Acuitas Investments, please visit: https://acuitasinvestments.com/ Planet MicroCap Podcast is on YouTube! All archived episodes and each new episode will be posted on the Planet MicroCap YouTube channel. I’ve provided the link in the description if you’d like to subscribe. You’ll also get the chance to watch all our Video Interviews with management teams, educational panels from the conference, as well as expert commentary from some familiar guests on the podcast. Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1Q5Yfym Click here to rate and review the Planet MicroCap Podcast The Planet MicroCap Podcast is brought to you by SNN Incorporated, The Official MicroCap News Source, and the Planet MicroCap Review Magazine, the leading magazine in the MicroCap market. You can Follow the Planet MicroCap Podcast on Twitter @BobbyKKraft

My guest today is Sage Berryman, CEO of Aluula Composites (TSXV: AUUA). Aluula is focused on revolutionizing material science. Founded in 2019, the company has developed a patented process for producing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites without glues—fusing at the molecular level to create materials that are lighter, stronger, more durable, and fully recyclable. This “mono-material” design also enables circularity and addresses the growing demand for PFAS-free solutions. The company first gained traction in windsports through its Ocean Rodeo subsidiary, but following a 2023 RTO and a 2024 strategic refocus under Sage’s leadership, Alula divested Ocean Rodeo to concentrate on becoming an ingredient brand. Today, Aluula is targeting both premium outdoor markets—packs, tents, wind sports—and larger commercial and industrial applications, where strength, durability, and recyclability are key. Aluula will be presenting at our conference in Toronto, the Planet MicroCap Showcase on October 21-23, and invited her on to discuss: The science behind Aluula’s glue-free composites Strategic pivot from Ocean Rodeo to ingredient branding Long but improving sales cycles for adoption Differentiation from commodity materials like polyester and nylon Expansion plans into higher-volume industrial applications Financial discipline, with recent margins of 40–45% For more information about Aluula Composites, please visit: https://aluula.com/ This podcast was recorded and is being made available by SNN, Inc. (together with its affiliates and its and their employees, “SNN”) solely for informational purposes. SNN is not providing or undertaking to provide any financial, economic, legal, accounting, tax, or other advice in or by virtue of this podcast. The information, statements, comments, views, and opinions provided in this podcast are general in nature, and such information, statements, comments, views, and opinions, and the viewing of/listening to this podcast are not intended to be and should not be construed as the provision of investment advice by SNN. The information, statements, comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast do not constitute and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or other course of action. The information, statements, comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast (including by guest speakers who are not officers, employees, or agents of SNN) are not necessarily those of SNN and may not be current. Reference to any specific third-party entity, product, service, materials, or content does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the SNN. SNN assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. The views expressed by guest speakers are their own and their appearance on this podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. SNN does not make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any of the information, statements, comments, views, or opinions contained in this podcast, which may include forward-looking statements where actual results may differ materially. SNN does not undertake any obligation whatsoever to provide any form of update, amendment, change, or correction to any of the information, statements, comments, views or opinions set forth in this podcast. SNN EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST. By accessing this podcast, the listener acknowledges that the entire contents and design of this podcast, are the property of SNN, or used by SNN with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this podcast may save and use information contained in the podcast only for personal or other non-commercial educational purposes. No other use, including without limitation, reproduction, retransmission, or editing of this podcast may be made without the prior written consent of SNN.

Balkar Sivia, Founder and Portfolio Manager at White Falcon Capital, transitioned from engineering to investing with an unconstrained philosophy. He discusses his portfolio's three engines: Compounders, Value Today, and Value Tomorrow, ensuring constant performance. Balkar shares insights on identifying quality businesses navigating challenges, managing value traps, and the impact of narrative shifts on stock valuation. He also explores how AI influences investment strategies and emphasizes the importance of solid management incentives in a concentrated portfolio.

My guest on the show today is Ben Finser, Founder and Portfolio Manager at Fin Capital Management. In this episode, Ben shares his journey from a decade at Kabouter Management to launching Fin Capital in 2024, and how his entrepreneurial background shaped his passion for analyzing and owning high-quality businesses. We dive into his exclusive focus on international micro and small caps, a “target-rich universe” of some 15,000 listed companies in developed markets outside the US. Ben explains why these overlooked businesses — often with no sell-side coverage and tiny trading volumes — present compelling opportunities for investors willing to dig deeper. Ben also details his boots-on-the-ground due diligence process, including traveling globally to meet management teams, comparing companies to global peers, and navigating cultural nuances when assessing business quality and long-term growth. We talk about his “pseudo-activist” engagement approach, where he works alongside management to improve disclosures, expand investor outreach, and unlock value. Finally, Ben shares a case study of a Japanese procurement software company he helped bring onto investors’ radar, and offers perspective on why US outperformance may be cyclical — and why international microcaps deserve a place in more portfolios. For more information about Ben Finser and Fin Capital Management, please visit: https://fincapitalmanagement.com Planet MicroCap Podcast is on YouTube! All archived episodes and each new episode will be posted on the Planet MicroCap YouTube channel. I’ve provided the link in the description if you’d like to subscribe. You’ll also get the chance to watch all our Video Interviews with management teams, educational panels from the conference, as well as expert commentary from some familiar guests on the podcast. Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1Q5Yfym Click here to rate and review the Planet MicroCap Podcast The Planet MicroCap Podcast is brought to you by SNN Incorporated, The Official MicroCap News Source, and the Planet MicroCap Review Magazine, the leading magazine in the MicroCap market. You can Follow the Planet MicroCap Podcast on Twitter @BobbyKKraft

My guest today is Sean Black, CEO of Happy Belly Food Group (CSE: HBFG | OTCQB: HBFGF). Happy Belly is a Canadian consolidator of emerging Quick Serve Restaurant (QSR) brands, with expansion plans into the U.S. The company started as Plantingco, a niche plant-based CPG business, but under Sean’s leadership pivoted to become food agnostic—focused on scalable, cash flow positive QSR concepts. The model is straightforward: acquire small, profitable, debt-free brands, grow corporate stores with free cash flow, and scale through franchising. The portfolio is intentionally diversified with no duplication—think Rosie’s Burgers as a Shake Shack equivalent, IQ Foods as Canada’s Sweet Green, and Pyro as a Cava-style concept. I spoke with Sean to learn more about the company, as well as: The pivot from Plantingco to QSR consolidation M&A model and brand strategy Growth targets and the $100 million milestone Risks, alignment, and long-term vision For more information about Happy Belly Food Group, please visit: https://happybellyfg.com/ This podcast was recorded and is being made available by SNN, Inc. (together with its affiliates and its and their employees, “SNN”) solely for informational purposes. SNN is not providing or undertaking to provide any financial, economic, legal, accounting, tax, or other advice in or by virtue of this podcast. The information, statements, comments, views, and opinions provided in this podcast are general in nature, and such information, statements, comments, views, and opinions, and the viewing of/listening to this podcast are not intended to be and should not be construed as the provision of investment advice by SNN. The information, statements, comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast do not constitute and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or other course of action. The information, statements, comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast (including by guest speakers who are not officers, employees, or agents of SNN) are not necessarily those of SNN and may not be current. Reference to any specific third-party entity, product, service, materials, or content does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the SNN. SNN assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. The views expressed by guest speakers are their own and their appearance on this podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. SNN does not make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any of the information, statements, comments, views, or opinions contained in this podcast, which may include forward-looking statements where actual results may differ materially. SNN does not undertake any obligation whatsoever to provide any form of update, amendment, change, or correction to any of the information, statements, comments, views or opinions set forth in this podcast. SNN EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST. By accessing this podcast, the listener acknowledges that the entire contents and design of this podcast, are the property of SNN, or used by SNN with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this podcast may save and use information contained in the podcast only for personal or other non-commercial educational purposes. No other use, including without limitation, reproduction, retransmission, or editing of this podcast may be made without the prior written consent of SNN.

My guest on the show today is Iggy, better known as Iggy on Investing, a deep value investor and blogger. In this episode, Iggy shares how the COVID-19 lockdown gave him the time to dive into investing, turning inspiration from Buffett and Graham into a disciplined deep value strategy focused on small, illiquid companies trading at substantial discounts to book value. We discuss his “Young Buffett”–style approach—seeking firms at 0.3× to 0.5× book with strong ROIC and catalysts, especially in overlooked European markets—as well as the role his blog plays in clarifying his thinking, building conviction, and holding through long, boring periods. Iggy also walks us through hard-learned lessons—from the importance of staying within your circle of competence and scrutinizing corporate governance, to navigating shareholder activism via a “stag hunt” scenario. And he shares how he’s building investor community in Europe, including hosting his 2nd Annual Benelux Investor Event on Saturday, September 27. For more information about Iggy on Investing and to attend his upcoming event, please visit: https://iggyoninvesting.substack.com/   You can follow Iggy on Investing on Twitter/X: https://x.com/iggyoninvesting Planet MicroCap Podcast is on YouTube! All archived episodes and each new episode will be posted on the Planet MicroCap YouTube channel. I’ve provided the link in the description if you’d like to subscribe. You’ll also get the chance to watch all our Video Interviews with management teams, educational panels from the conference, as well as expert commentary from some familiar guests on the podcast. Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1Q5Yfym Click here to rate and review the Planet MicroCap Podcast The Planet MicroCap Podcast is brought to you by SNN Incorporated, The Official MicroCap News Source, and the Planet MicroCap Review Magazine, the leading magazine in the MicroCap market. You can Follow the Planet MicroCap Podcast on Twitter @BobbyKKraft

My guest on the show today is Kayser Pravia, Founder of El Planeta Financiero. In this episode, Kayser shares his mission to expand financial literacy and microcap investing for Spanish-speaking investors worldwide. We discuss his evolution from day trading losses to a Buffett- and Lynch-inspired value investor, why he runs a concentrated portfolio, and his focus on recession-proof businesses with strong balance sheets. Kayser also talks about building El Planeta Financiero into a growing educational platform and investing community for Spanish speakers. For more information about El Planeta Financiero, you can subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@elplanetafinanciero  You can Follow Kayser Pravia on Twitter/X @elplanetaf: https://x.com/elplanetaf Planet MicroCap Podcast is on YouTube! All archived episodes and each new episode will be posted on the Planet MicroCap YouTube channel. I’ve provided the link in the description if you’d like to subscribe. You’ll also get the chance to watch all our Video Interviews with management teams, educational panels from the conference, as well as expert commentary from some familiar guests on the podcast. Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1Q5Yfym Click here to rate and review the Planet MicroCap Podcast The Planet MicroCap Podcast is brought to you by SNN Incorporated, The Official MicroCap News Source, and the Planet MicroCap Review Magazine, the leading magazine in the MicroCap market. You can Follow the Planet MicroCap Podcast on Twitter @BobbyKKraft

Asif Suria, Founder of Inside Arbitrage and co-host of the Special Situations Report, shares his journey from value investing to mastering event-driven strategies like merger arbitrage and spin-offs. He breaks down his unique three-legged process, combining event triggers, a quantitative model, and qualitative research. Asif discusses real-world examples, including successes and lessons learned from failures like Capri and Spirit. He also highlights current M&A trends and the importance of insider buying, particularly in microcaps, offering insights for savvy investors.

Jordan Zinberg, President & CEO of Bedford Park Capital, specializes in concentrated small and mid-cap investing in Canada. He shares insights on achieving a remarkable 58.6% return in 2024 and discusses his strategy of identifying high-growth companies in inefficient markets. Jordan reveals his disciplined approach to portfolio construction and position sizing, emphasizing the importance of building conviction in investments. He highlights his top performers and offers advice for new investors to focus on finding their edge and managing risk effectively.

Maj Soueidan, founder and chief portfolio officer at MS MicroCaps and GeoInvesting, dives into the evolving investment landscape. He reveals how ‘old boring companies’ are capitalizing on AI and data trends, showcasing their unexpected value. Maj breaks down the MSM Quality Index, which boasts over 100% returns, emphasizing its blend of qualitative and quantitative analysis. He also highlights the importance of information arbitrage, illustrating how subtle details from press releases can unlock investment opportunities. Tune in for insights on sectors like defense and supply chains!