The Private Equity Podcast, by Raw Selection

Today we welcome Kevin Flick who is ISC Manufacturing’s Chief Financial Officer. He has acquired and transformed 4 PE-backed companies and has led 3 successful IPOs. Kevin’s broad perspective has allowed him to grow businesses and teams, having been a vice president, due diligence advisor, board member, financial analyst, and investment analyst earlier in his career. What You’ll LearnOpen communication in PE backed companiesPrivate VS Public EquityHow Canacol Energy became the leading natural gas supplier in ColombiaTips for a successful IPO Breakdown[00:45] Getting to know Kevin Flick[05:22] Common mistake by PE firms and portfolio companies[10:11] Difference between private and public equity[11:54] Kevin as VP of Finance at Canacol Energy[17:20] Advice for companies who want to go public[19:21] Notable attributes of a top-performer[20:54] Private equity: the good and the bad[22:26] Kevin’s learning resources[25:06] Kevin’s advice to his 20-year-old selfResourcesKevin’s LinkedInKevin’s EmailKevin’s Mobile Number: +1 214 235 4798 Thank you for tuning in!To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com. 

Today’s GuestToday we welcome Alexander Leigh, who is the Senior Investment Executive at the Development Bank of Wales. He has an extensive background in tech investing, having closed 23 deals for both venture capital and private equity over the course of his career.  What You’ll LearnThe nuances between private equity and venture capitalAdvantages of a specialist over a generalist investorEmerging fields and investment trends in the tech industry Breakdown[00:46] Getting to know Alexander Leigh[02:21] Common mistake by PE firms and portfolio companies[04:35] Investment trends towards tech[06:36] Private equity VS venture capital[09:49] Do investors need specialized knowledge or skills?[12:10] The rise of climate technology [15:55] The Tippy Top Blog[21:26] Notable attributes of a top-performer[24:41] Private equity and venture capital: the good and the bad[27:33] Alexander’s learning resources  ResourcesAlexander’s LinkedInThe Tippy Top BlogThank you for tuning in!To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.

Today’s GuestToday we welcome Sandy Damm who was the previous managing director of Sontay. He recently published a new book called SME Globalisation that details how and why businesses can benefit from going international.  What You’ll LearnWhy globalisation is for all business sizesImplementation of a globalisation strategyCost efficient international operations Breakdown[00:45] Getting to know Sandy Damm[01:56] Common mistake by PE firms and portfolio companies[03:21] Why Sandy wrote SME Globalisation[04:30] Drawbacks of being too risk averse [07:48] How to go global [11:48] Adding value in a cost-efficient way[13:55] Notable attributes of a top-performer in sales[15:54] Private equity: the good and the bad[17:29] Sandy’s advice to his 20-year-old self[19:05] Sandy’s learning resourcesResourcesSandy’s LinkedInSME Globalisation BookThank you for tuning in! To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.

Today we welcome Antoine Sage who was the founding and managing partner of FnB Private Equity. Currently, he is the founder of PE Cube, a SaaS solution company for PE firms. He is also a lecturer at INSEAD and draws on his 20 years of experience in private equity to give back to students.  What You’ll LearnPE Cube as a SaaS for private equityBuilding better relationships with LPs and portfolio companiesHow Antoine’s experiences at the academe influences his practiceTips and advice for starting a private equity firm Breakdown[00:51] Getting to know Antoine Sage[03:35] Common mistake by PE firms and portfolio companies[08:56] Founding PE Cube[11:40] Improving investor relations with portfolio companies[13:53] Antoine’s advice to new private equity firms [18:23] Antoine’s learnings as a lecturer [23:17] Private equity: the good and the bad[28:31] Antoine’s learning resourcesResourcesAntoine’s LinkedInPE Cube Website Thank you for tuning in! To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.

Today we welcome Daniele D'Alvia, the CEO and Founder of SPAC’s Consultancy - the global expert on special purpose acquisition companies. Since 2014, Daniele has been publishing papers and editorial pieces on the topic. He authored Mergers, Acquisitions, and International Financial Regulation, the first book on SPACs. Additionally, he is also a teaching fellow at Queen Mary University of London. What You’ll LearnDefining SPACsHow SPACs are affecting private equityNew investment opportunities with SPACs Breakdown[00:50] Getting to know Daniele D'Alvia[01:51] Common mistake by PE firms and portfolio companies[03:31] What is a SPAC?[05:01] The rise in popularity of SPACs[07:11] SPACs’ influence on private equity[10:07] Private equity: the good and the bad[12:18] Daniele’s learning resourcesResourcesDaniele’s LinkedInDaniele’s EmailSPAC’s Consultancy Website Thank you for tuning in! To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.

Today’s GuestToday we welcome Rich Ashton, a managing partner of First Party Capital, a new operator-led venture firm focused on investments in start-ups, advertising and marketing technology (AdTech and MarTech), digital media, and data with focus on Europe and APAC. What You’ll LearnThe European Regulation’s impact on tech companiesHow the pandemic affected creating the companyAdvice in setting up Venture Capitalist FirmsChoosing to speak between founders and investorsBreakdown[00:22] Getting to know Rich Ashton[01:30] Common mistake by PE firms and portfolio companies[02:57] First Party Capital’s Focus on AdTech and MarTech[04:40] European Regulation on the AdTech Sector[07:21] Setting up a Firm in Sales and Marketing[10:19] The Impact of COVID-19[13:50] Advice for New Venture Capitalist Firms[16:21] Choosing Between Founders and Investors[20:27] What Rich Likes/Dislikes about the Venture Capital Industry[24:06] Rich’s Learning PointsResourcesRich's LinkedInRich's EmailThank you for tuning in!To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.

Today we welcome back returning guest Adam Coffey after his last episode became the most downloaded Private Equity episode. Adam is a Chief Executive of CoolSys and author of “The Private Equity Playbook: Management's Guide to Working with Private Equity” as well as an upcoming book “The Exit Strategy Playbook”. What You’ll LearnWhat kind of advisors to look forWhen to seek advisorsHow to be an effective entrepreneur and salespersonThe importance of transparency and creating a buyer universeBreakdown[02:14] Adam’s Background [05:01] Common mistakes by PE firms and portfolio companies [07:06] What PE-backed portfolio companies should do better or more of [11:00] Advice on identifying good and bad advice [19:51] How Adam identified when he needed advisors [29:36] How PE-backed portfolio companies can improve on their sales process [38:08] Adam’s Biggest Lessons [52:59] Where to find Adam and his booksResourcesAdam's LinkedInAdam's WebsiteThank you for tuning in! To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.

*The information contained herein is provided for informational and discussion purposes only and is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy an interest.*Today’s GuestToday we welcome Christen Paras who is MiddleGround Capital’s managing director of business development and investor relations. With a hands-on operational expertise, MiddleGround Capital invests in B2B companies in the industrials and specialty distribution sector that are in the lower middle markets.What You’ll LearnWhy you should take business development seriouslyHow marketing improves deal flow Brand awareness and value proposition through marketingTransparency in managing investor relationsDiversity attracts founders, investors, and employees Breakdown[00:42] Getting to know Christen Paras[02:05] Common mistake by PE firms and portfolio companies[04:56] MiddleGround Capital’s marketing & research strategy [12:52] Granting full access builds trust with LPs and business owners[21:14] MiddleGround Capital’s ESG efforts[23:48] Excellence in managing LP relationships[27:10] Notable attributes of top-performing individuals[30:09] Private equity: the good and the bad[36:20] Diversity in MiddleGround Capital’s senior leadership[38:34] Christen’s learning resourcesResourcesChristen’s LinkedInChristen’s EmailChristen’s Mobile Number: +732 207 1486 Thank you for tuning in!To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.

Today’s GuestToday we welcome Bethany Gorham, Senior Vice President at Orion Energy Partners, where she has recently formed the IDEA group (Investment Development, Engagement, and Accountability). Orion is an investment firm that offers creative investment and equity solutions to middle-market infrastructure companies that are primarily focused on environmental innovation and driving sustainable finance forward. Before Orion, Bethany worked in impact investing and data and analytics in sustainable and socially responsible investing. What You’ll LearnESG as due diligence and a tool for identifying opportunitiesWhy PE firms should adopt ESG as a toolUsing ESG to manage risk and create value within portfolio companies Breakdown[00:25] Getting to know Bethany Gorham[02:19] Common mistakes made by PE firms[03:09] ESG in the Private Equity workplace[08:53] Orion’s ESG strategy[13:22] Why PE firms should adopt ESG as a tool[15:59] Resources for learning about ESG[18:27] Bethany’s passion for ESG [21:05] Get in touch with BethanyResourcesBethany’s LinkedInbethany@orionenergypartners.com  Thank you for tuning in!To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com. 

Today’s GuestToday we welcome Leon Brujis who is a partner at Palladium Equity Partners. The firm was founded in 1997 and has invested over $2.8 billion of capital across different industries like retail, food, transportation and logistics, business services and media. Palladium Equity Partners’ investment focus is on founder and family-owned businesses that benefit from America’s growing Hispanic market. What You’ll LearnThe effect of biases on investing decisions and dealsLeon’s experience of bias during an investmentHow diversity in a private equity firm is an advantage Breakdown[00:46] Getting to know Leon Brujis[01:57] Common mistake by PE firms and portfolio companies[05:29] Leon’s experience as a minority in the finance industry[08:24] Diversity in a company is an advantage[10:05] Leon’s bias led to a bad investment decision[13:36] How to guard against bias[15:52] Private equity: the good and the bad[19:01] Leon’s learning resourcesResourcesLeon’s LinkedIn Thank you for tuning in!To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.