Inside the Rope with David Clark

John Hempton, CEO and co-founder of Bronte Capital, brings his sharp insights on the chaotic financial landscape. He discusses the irrational behavior of markets, the influence of Trump-era policies, and the speculative boom of trades like GameStop and Bitcoin. John emphasizes the need for nuanced investment strategies amid volatility and risk management. Additionally, he explores the impact of AI on job markets and highlights opportunities in undervalued European stocks. His blend of wisdom, strategy, and humor makes navigating uncertainty more accessible.

Join David Clark on Inside the Rope as he speaks with Frank Danieli, Head of Credit Investment and Lending at MA Financial Group. In this episode, they delve into the Australian private credit and debt market, addressing concerns about potential bubbles and exploring the unique investment opportunities in low-risk, low-volatility portfolios. Frank also sheds light on the MA Priority Income Fund, offering insight into asset-backed lending and specialised finance areas, which promise robust returns. Tune in for a comprehensive look at modern private credit strategies and how they fit into today's investment landscape.

This podcast episode from "Inside the Rope" features an in-depth conversation with Manny Pohl, a South African-born investment professional who transitioned to Australia and became a key figure in fund management, including building the firms Hyperion and ECP Asset Management. Manny reflects on the importance of humility, teamwork, and building a business for the long term. ECP boasts a return since inception (July 2012) of 13% p.a. to 30 Sep 2024 compared to the market’s 10% p.a. This engaging discussion offers a mix of personal anecdotes, insights on fund management, and practical advice for investors navigating wealth management.

In this episode of Inside the Rope, David interviews Dafina Toncheva, a general partner at the US-based venture capital firm, USVP. Dafina shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Communist Bulgaria to earning a scholarship to Harvard and completing her MBA at Stanford. Now a prominent figure in venture capital, Dafina discusses USVP's history, including its success in managing 12 funds, 11 of which have been profitable. She highlights USVP’s impressive track record, which includes 93 IPOs and over 100 M&A transactions. Dafina explains her investment focus on early-stage companies, particularly in software, cybersecurity, and digital health. She recounts her early success at Venrock, where she led the first institutional investment in Cloudflare, now a multi-billion dollar company. Despite the initial skepticism from other investors, Dafina's persistence paid off, making Cloudflare Venrock’s most profitable investment. Throughout the podcast, Dafina reflects on her unique perspective shaped by her upbringing, her views on the importance of meritocracy, and her belief in free markets. She also discusses USVP's disciplined approach to early-stage investments and their commitment to liquidity for investors.

In this episode of Inside the Rope, David speaks with Michael Rosen, co-founder and CEO of Context Capital. They discuss his journey in finance and the founding of the firm. Michael covers his career managing a mutual fund group and the decision to start Context Capital after recognising the limits of traditional mutual funds, particularly the lack of hedging options available. Michael covers Context Capital’s investment strategy, which focuses on convertible bonds, a hybrid asset that sits between debt and equity. Michael explains how the firm manages $2.7 billion while producing an average return of over 12% per year since inception, reducing risk through strategies like shorting equities. Michael also shares lessons from his restaurant ventures, drawing comparisons between running a restaurant and an investment firm. He highlights the importance of preparation and teamwork in both fields. Finally Michael highlights his views on future opportunities in convertible markets and how some investors view the strategy as being able to offer equity-like returns with historically less risk.

Jim Eddy, founder and CEO of Jamberoo Action Park, shares his remarkable journey from real estate to creating a thriving theme park. He discusses overcoming personal challenges like dyslexia and the lessons learned from running a seasonal business. Jim emphasizes the importance of risk management and debt awareness, especially during financial downturns. He also reflects on global trends in theme parks and the significance of customer relations in enhancing visitor experiences. Tune in for insights on resilience and innovation in entrepreneurship!

In this episode of Inside the Rope, host David Clark shifts focus from traditional wealth management to personal wellness, in a conversation with Damian Chaparro, the founder of Aro Ha, a wellness retreat in New Zealand. The episode explores the intersection of health and wealth, highlighting how wealth encompasses a sound body and mind. Damian shares his journey from IT consultant to wellness architect, driven by a desire for purpose and holistic living. Damian discusses the creation of Aro Ha, a retreat that embodies a complete approach to well-being, integrating physical health, mental wellness, and sustainable living practices. David and Damian explore the challenges of modern life, such as the impact of technology on wellness, and the importance of balancing financial success with personal health. Damian emphasises the value of experiences that foster inner well-being, encouraging listeners to consider wellness as an integral part of wealth & health management.

Paul Francis, a sports science expert and early-stage investor, shares his impressive journey from senior roles at Adidas and Nike to advising NFL teams. He discusses the critical role of sports science in enhancing athlete performance and the commercial side of sports. Paul also reveals his new venture, FC 32, focusing on player-centric football ownership. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of sports, the impact of data on performance metrics, and innovative strategies in athlete development, while addressing investment opportunities in the sports and health sectors.

Samar Mcheileh, Managing Partner at Scale with a passion for venture capital, joins financial experts Mike Lukin and Peter Cooper. They discuss the investment potential in women-led businesses, highlighting a funding gap and the remarkable returns from these investments. The trio contrasts public and private equity, focusing on liquidity and the challenges of managing large capital. They also delve into the IPO landscape, the role of ESG investing, and the political dynamics influencing strategies in Australia and New Zealand.

Ep 175: Live Event - Jess Farr-Jones, Mike Lukin & Tim Carleton - Public and private market insights by David Clark