Private Equity Value Creation Podcast

On this episode Shiv Narayanan interviews Sunil Grover, Managing Partner at True Blue Partners. Sunil and Shiv discuss how True Blue Partners’ corporate finance perspective helps early-stage AI companies scale. Learn how they identify founders and companies that are best suited for their approach, why product-market fit is so vital, and how they collaborate with founders throughout a company’s growth journey. Resources Connect with Sunil Grover - LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice.

Shiv Narayanan interviews Andrew Pierno, Co-Founder at XO Capital. Andrew and Shiv discuss XO Capital’s highly-targeted investments into small, PLG, single-purpose SaaS companies, and how their thesis contrasts with typical VC attitudes. Learn about why micro-investing presents such a blue ocean opportunity, how Andrew’s technical capabilities inform the ways XO Capital create value, and how XO are able to scale companies profitably with limited resources. Resources Learn more about XO Capital Connect with Andrew Pierno - LinkedIn  XO Capital blog The information contained in this podcast is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice.

Shiv Narayanan interviews Krista Morgan, General Partner at Stage Fund. Krista and Shiv discuss the challenges many companies experience in high-pressure VC models, and how Stage’s alternative investment approach offers a solution for founders and investors. Learn about Stage’s process for finding efficiencies and rebuilding revenue generation to get growth back on track in portfolio companies, plus the essential finance foundations many companies are missing. Resources Learn more about Stage Fund Connect with Krista Morgan - LinkedIn  The information contained in this podcast is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice.

Shiv Narayanan interviews Justin Johnson, Director of the Investment Team at Camber Partners. Justin and Shiv discuss how Camber Partners sources, evaluates, and adds value to companies with a product-led growth focus. Learn why PLG is such a popular approach among SaaS companies, and how Camber is leveraging AI, machine learning and a proprietary data platform to identify growth opportunities in PLG companies. Plus, get expert insights into how you can optimize the sales funnel in these types of companies. Resources Learn more about Camber Connect with Justin Johnson The information contained in this podcast is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice.

Shiv Narayanan interviews Cody Lee, Vice President in Summit Partner’s Peak Performance Group. Cody and Shiv discuss why marketing is a function no portco (and no investor) can afford to ignore, and what you need to know about portco marketing in the current environment. Learn about a realistic approach to data-driven marketing strategy, common areas where portcos are wasting their dollars, and how to find the right person to lead a marketing function. Resources Learn more about Summit Partners Connect with Cody Lee - LinkedIn Influence, by Robert Cialdini Cody Lee’s commentary presented herein reflects the views, experience and opinions of Cody Lee and no assurances are given that the strategies referenced herein will achieve any particular result. Further, the content provided herein is not an offer or sale of any security or investment product or investment advice. The information contained in this podcast is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice.

Shiv Narayanan interviews Allen Duan, General Partner at B Capital Group. Allen and Shiv discuss how B Capital Group’s role as minority investors influences their approach to value creation and how they leverage the experience of advisors and partners. Learn how you can guide companies towards growth through team and organization, capital advisory, strategy and operations, BD and ecosystem development, and community knowledge sharing. Resources Learn more about B Capital Group Connect with Allen Duan - LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice.

Shiv Narayanan interviews Matt Gallagher, Portfolio CRO at Hg Capital. Matt and Shiv discuss how the Hg portfolio team prioritize revenue growth strategies that will move the needle most in the first months after an investment. Learn about the importance of due diligence as a foundation for scale and the metrics you should review to assess performance and potential, plus common areas of inefficiency in portfolio companies and how to address them. Resources For the latest information and data on Hg please visit: https://quarterly-update.hgcapital.com/2023/ Learn more about Hg Capital Connect with Matt Gallagher - LinkedIn Mastering the 7 Essentials of High-Growth Companies, by David G. Thomson Fanatical Prospecting, by Jeb Blount The Challenger Sale, by Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson The Challenger Customer, by Brent Adamson, Matthew Dixon, Pat Spenner and Nick Toman Tech-Powered Sales, by Justin Michael and Tony Hughes Who, by Geoff Smart and Randy Street The information contained in this podcast is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice.

Shiv Narayanan interviews George Rossolatos, CEO and Managing Partner of Canadian Business Growth Fund. George and Shiv discuss how CBGF’s investment philosophy and evergreen fund are a rewarding alternative to companies choosing rapid growth at all costs. Learn how longer holding periods can be the basis of sustained, profitable growth and better returns for both founders and investors. Plus, hear how founders should be evaluating potential investors to build the right partnership. Resources Learn more about CBGF Connect with George Rossolatos - LinkedIn Thinking in Bets, by Annie Duke The information contained in this podcast is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice.

Shiv Narayanan interviews Vinny Prajka, Partner at JMI Equity. Vinny and Shiv discuss how portfolio companies can increase efficiency and grow sustainably with a more focused approach to sales. Hear how JMI use customer segmentation to target sales efforts, reduce churn and increase average sales price. Learn how to implement this approach in your portfolio companies, including restructuring the sales org structure, updating product marketing and hiring the right team. Resources Learn more about JMI Equity Topics from JMI executive roundtables Connect with Vincent Prajka - LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice.

Shiv Narayanan interviews AJ Gandhi, CGO at Marlin Equity Partners.AJ and Shiv discuss how Marlin Equity Partners’ team of operating professionals create value in their portcos with a hands-on approach to revenue growth. Learn about the sales and marketing structures that are the foundation to scaling but are often underdeveloped, and hear how Marlin Equity Partners leverage upselling, demand generation and pricing changes for sustainable growth. Resources Learn more about Marlin Equity Partners Connect with AJ Gandhi - LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice.