The Private Equity Podcast, by Raw Selection

Giovanni Zangani, Managing Partner at Maestro Equity Partners — a Vietnam-focused growth investor in consumer, retail and F&B. He discusses why Vietnam rewards hands-on, founder-aligned investing. Short takes on common diligence mistakes, running concentrated, operator-led deals, and how local knowledge and post-investment involvement drive success.

Taavo, senior partner at CEO Advantage and co‑author of The 5X CEO, and Sam, co‑founder of CEO Advantage and co‑author, discuss the 5X CEO Assessment. They cover Strategic Clarity, Scalable Talent, Relentless Focus, Disciplined Execution, and Energized Culture. Short practical uses include onboarding, diligence, performance reviews, and how the tool highlights alignment gaps and prioritization needs.

Tim Schulte, a Value Creation Partner at Council Capital, shares insights from his extensive background in consulting and startups. He discusses the common mistake in private equity of reinventing the wheel and emphasizes the value of collaborative approaches. Tim outlines three models of value creation, advocating for Council's substantive and collaborative method. He highlights the role of their CEO Council in mentorship and the importance of tailored toolkits for portfolio support. Talent acquisition, with rigorous assessments, is central to their strategy for driving growth.

Maxwell Neen, Chairman of Family Office Insider and Managing Partner at Black Mountain Capital, shares insights from his extensive experience in family office investing. He discusses the concept of 10X deals, arguing that aiming higher can simplify investment execution. Maxwell introduces a three-leg framework for identifying promising opportunities while showcasing examples of transforming waste into profit, like avocado seeds and Guinness spoilage. He also highlights trends in mining and renewable energy, emphasizing the differences between family office and private equity mindsets.

Marc Adams, a private equity and acquisitions expert, shares his inspiring journey from a stage 4 cancer diagnosis to leading Acquisitions for You. He introduces his 'Double and Keep It' framework, aimed at helping business owners double their value while retaining 70-90% post-sale. With over 40 years of expertise, Marc explains how he raised $350M for non-traditional exits and transformed a company from $140M to a $1B valuation. He emphasizes the importance of engaging with operational teams and adapting strategies for new markets.

Overview:In this high-energy episode, Alex Rawlings is joined by Brad Pilcher, Partner and Co-Founder at Bonaccord Capital Partners, a leading mid-market GP Stakes investor. Brad shares his fascinating journey from aspiring concert pianist to private equity investor, and dives deep into how the private equity world is evolving — particularly around culture, capital, talent, and growth.They explore how mid-market firms can scale successfully, the five principles guiding Bonaccord’s strategy, and why “professionalization” is now essential across PE — from investor relations and origination to team structuring and multi-product growth.🔑 Key Topics:[00:00] Brad’s background & founding Bonaccord Capital Partners[01:54] Lessons from Bridgewater: culture, ambition, client-focus[06:34] Brad’s 5 core principles for investing and business success[13:05] Why Bonaccord targets the mid-market: stability + growth[17:38] Institutional capital shift towards mid-market PE[20:29] Mistakes PE firms make: lack of evolution, strategy, or value creation[24:17] Fundraising playbook: off-cycle marketing, transparency, and LP engagement[31:18] The professionalization of private equity – talent, IR, and origination[36:07] State of the GP Stakes market & why liquidity concerns are overblown[42:04] Surge in control acquisitions & how it impacts GP Stakes[44:50] What Brad reads: quarterly reports, Bridgewater research, biographies & astrophysics📌 Notable Quotes:“In business as in life, the only constant is change.”“Great firms know who they are, and evolve with purpose.”“People, not spreadsheets, drive performance.”“The best GP Stake firms bring capital and value creation.”📚 Resources & Mentions:Bonaccord Capital Partners – bonaccordcapital.comBrad Pilcher on LinkedIn – Connect HereEdgar SEC Filings, Bridgewater macro research, A.V. Loeb’s astrophysics workRaw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.comLooking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guidesfor proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires. 

In a captivating discussion, Eric Wiklendt, Managing Director at SpeySide Equity, shares his insights from decades of operational and private equity experience. He delves into his 'fix and build' strategy for enhancing lower-middle-market manufacturers, emphasizing EBITDA improvement and strategic growth. Eric reveals the critical role of aligning human capital and warns about the dangers of poor cost accounting. He highlights the importance of hiring leaders with operational backgrounds and stresses the need for transparency during due diligence.

Taavo Godtfredsen and Sam Allison, co-founders of Advantage CEO, dive into their extensive research on private equity-backed CEOs who achieve impressive 6.2x MOIC. They discuss the common pitfalls CEOs face, like holding onto average talent and letting strategy get stuck at the top. Learn about their fascinating 5X CEO Model, which emphasizes strategic clarity, scalable talent, and disciplined execution. Plus, they share practical tools for talent reviews and innovative exercises to anticipate disruptive risks.

Scott Neuberger, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Karmel Capital, shares his journey from entrepreneur to investor. He discusses the importance of capital efficiency in evaluating late-stage tech and the role of seasoned management in shaping outcomes. Scott reveals how Karmel leverages AI to streamline data analysis, allowing for deeper insights. He advises portfolio leaders to implement AI in labor-intensive areas like customer support for immediate impact, and explains Karmel's focus on infrastructure investments in sectors like cybersecurity.

Carola Kamuf, a former M&A professional turned presentation coach, shares her expertise on making impactful management presentations for exit processes. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling over mere slides for engaging investors. Carola highlights common pitfalls, including under-preparation and the misconception that rehearsals suffice. Even seasoned execs can benefit from coaching, as it sharpens clarity and aligns teams. With just a few focused sessions, presenters can significantly enhance their delivery and investor engagement.