Fund Shack Private Equity Podcast

Episode #72: Bitcoin - The Alternative You Can No Longer IgnoreGuest: Matthew Hougan, Chief Investment Officer, Bitwise Asset ManagementBitcoin has evolved from a retail phenomenon to a macro asset that institutions can no longer afford to ignore. In this episode of Fund Shack, Ross Butler speaks with Matthew Hougan, CIO at Bitwise Asset Management, the firm behind the first crypto index fund and over $10B in assets.A pioneer of ETFs and now a leader in crypto investing, Matthew explains why Bitcoin is becoming a core component of modern portfolios, how it compares to gold, and why it's poised to reshape global finance.💼 From Retail to Institutional Adoption Bitcoin is no longer fringe. U.S. Bitcoin ETFs now manage $37B+, with institutional capital driving a third of inflows. Bitwise’s AUM has grown 10x in 18 months.📈 Portfolio Construction: Bitcoin as an Alternative Asset Allocators are rethinking Bitcoin’s place, not tech, not equity, but an alternative. With low correlation, high returns, and now ETF access, 1–2% allocations are improving portfolio Sharpe ratios.⚖️ Bitcoin vs. Gold... and Beyond Think of Bitcoin as programmable, portable, real-time gold. Its market cap is under $2T vs. gold’s $21T, highlighting significant upside for long-term believers in the “digital gold” thesis.🌐 Bitcoin as Neutral Global Collateral In a fragmenting geopolitical world, Bitcoin may serve as a non-political, global settlement asset, used across borders, free from government control.🧠 Finance on the Blockchain From instant loans to on-chain collateral, crypto markets offer faster, transparent alternatives to traditional finance. Hougan sees DeFi merging with TradFi, not replacing it, but upgrading it.🗣 Advice for Financial Professionals Matthew’s call to action: experiment, learn, and get ahead. Just as ETFs reshaped investing, Bitcoin could reshape finance. Start small. Learn fast. Stay relevant.-------------------------------------------- 📩  Matthew Hougan, CIO of Bitwise Asset ManagementWebsite: www.bitwiseinvestments.comTwitter: @Matt_HouganTelegram: @pemeticLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-hougan/📢 Subscribe for More Fund Shack Episodes and tap into the minds shaping private markets.🔗 LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7159157815326949376 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PrivateEquityPodcastFundShack?sub_confirmation=1 📞 Contact:  Fund Shack is a private equity podcast and digital media channel for alternative investment professionals 📧 katie@linearb.mediaChapters00:00 – Intro to Matt Hougan, Fund Shack & Bitcoin relevance01:00 – Why Bitcoin is the ultimate alternative asset02:00 – Institutions entering Bitcoin: Demand and momentum03:43 – Institutional case for Bitcoin: High returns, low correlations06:03 – The blockchain as digital property infrastructure07:00 – Bitcoin as finance’s inevitable disruption09:00 – Bitcoin vs banks: Infrastructure comparison11:04 – Bitcoin’s challenge to traditional valuation logic12:03 – How institutions are categorising Bitcoin13:17 – Why Bitcoin has value: Digital service logic14:21 – Bitcoin’s fair value and addressable market15:25 – Bitcoin as global settlement currency17:03 – State actors adopting Bitcoin18:09 – Bitcoin's correlation to other assets19:30 – Why institutions find Bitcoin compelling20:12 – Institutional access: How Bitwise ETFs work22:17 – ETF security, cold storage & custody24:00 – ETF mechanism under stress: Arbitrage & NAV26:03 – Future of Bitcoin and financialisation27:56 – Lending, collateral, and credit in a Bitcoin world29:34 – Bitcoin’s influence on dollar policy31:06 – How Bitcoin changes capital markets33:15 – Programmable money: A new finance model34:52 – Advice for traditional finance professionals35:59 – Deflationary risk: Lending in a bitcoinised system37:05 – Real value vs rent-seeking in future finance38:25 – Advice for young finance professionals

Episode #71: The Realities of Private Wealth in Private MarketsGuest: Cyril Demaria-Bengochea, Julius BärWhat happens when private equity pivots from institutional capital to private wealth? In this episode, Ross Butler speaks with Cyril Demaria-Bengochea, Head of Private Market Strategy at Julius Bär & one of the most respected thinkers in private markets. Cyril blends academic rigour with industry expertise, drawing on his work with Invest Europe, ILPA, & the European Commission.Together, they explore the complex realities of opening private markets to individual investors, & why true democratisation may still be a long way off.🏢 From Institutions to Individuals As institutional funding slows, fund managers are turning to private wealth, but it's not a simple swap. Cyril unpacks why $5M+ investors still struggle to access private equity meaningfully, & how portfolio construction must adapt to this fragmented investor base.📊 Evergreen Funds & the Democratisation Myth Despite the buzz, evergreen vehicles still represent just 1–2% of AUM. Cyril explains why they are a tool, not a solution, & why true democratisation needs a more nuanced strategy.⏳ Private Markets Are Three-Dimensional Long holding periods, illiquidity, & delayed returns create a "time complexity" most investors (& advisers) underestimate. Cyril emphasises that private markets require patience, planning, & portfolio redesign.🔧 Fund Structures: Not One-Size-Fits-All Closed-end funds remain dominant, but evergreen & semi-liquid structures are gaining traction. Cyril foresees a future where fund structures are matched to investor objectives, not trends.📉 Fundraising, Dealmaking & Dry Powder While fundraising has slowed, especially in VC, buyout strategies remain active, with managers deploying capital via smaller, lower-leverage deals focused on operational value. Dry powder is declining—suggesting a more disciplined cycle ahead.💬 Rethinking Communication in Private Markets Cyril argues that better education & transparency are essential if private wealth is to participate meaningfully. The industry must do more to share value & demystify risk.📢 Subscribe for More Fund Shack Episodes!Tap into the minds shaping private markets. 🔗 LinkedIn 🎧 Spotify 🍎 Apple Podcasts 📺 YouTube 🎶 Amazon Music 📞 Contact: Fund Shack is a private equity podcast & digital media channel for alternative investment professionals, produced by Linear B Group. 📧 katie@linearb.media #PrivateEquity #PrivateWealth #PrivateMarkets #EvergreenFunds #FundStructures #JuliusBaer #CyrilDemaria #FundShack #HighNetWorth #FinancialEducation #AlternativeInvestments #PrivateCapital #JuliusBärChapters00:00 Intro 00:06 At Julius Baer, Cyril’s background & credentials00:50 The rise of private wealth & democratisation01:53 Why private wealth is hard to access03:09 How much capital is actually coming from private clients05:03 Capital limitations & structuring challenges06:15 Is the demand real or manufactured08:27 The “third dimension” of private markets: time10:09 Why traditional tools don't fit private markets11:10 Fund structures: evergreen vs closed-end13:16 Complementarity of structures & the evolving toolbox14:03 What allocation size makes private markets worthwhile16:10 Going beyond 15–20% in private portfolios17:20 Why democratisation is complex and multi-dimensional18:00 Dispersion of returns & the role of fund structures20:54 Shakespeare & the early roots of private markets21:01 Market conditions as of Q1 202524:43 The effect of tighter leverage & lower risk27:01 How much of PE returns are driven by leverage29:01 Advice for young professionals entering private markets30:54 Why staying close to the industry matters32:35 The need for broader skillsets in private equity34:46 Why the human factor still dominates deals35:06 Can private markets be made ‘cool’36:43 How sharing value could shift perceptions39:11 Communication & transparency

Donald H. Chew, Jr., founding editor of the Journal of Applied Corporate Finance, joins Ross Butler on Fund Shack to discuss the evolution of corporate finance and its impact on national wealth. Based on his latest book, The Making of Modern Corporate Finance, Chew explores the shareholder revolution, Japan’s stagnation, China’s middle-income trap, and private equity’s role in reshaping global markets. A masterclass in corporate & financial governance, offering insights into how corporate finance fuels economic prosperity.📉 The Shareholder Revolution & the 1980s Breakup of Conglomerates 🦬 Corporate America in the 1970s suffered from inefficiency, with large conglomerates prioritizing stability over investor returns. The 1980s shareholder revolution broke up these inefficient structures, restoring a focus on productivity and capital efficiency, in contrast to Japan’s stagnation.🎌 Japan’s Corporate Governance Failure: For three decades, Japan’s economy has stagnated as corporate structures resist shareholder influence and fail to optimize capital allocation. The lack of investor control has slowed productivity and exacerbated demographic challenges, leading to economic decline.🐉 China’s Middle-Income Trap & Market Manipulation: Chew argues that China’s financial system mimics American capitalism in appearance but lacks key investor protections. State-controlled enterprises dominate capital allocation, IPO markets are manipulated, and foreign investors face barriers, all of which prevent sustained long-term economic growth.🏢 Private Equity as a Force for Good: Despite criticism, private equity and activist investors drive corporate efficiency by restructuring underperforming companies. By enforcing financial discipline, improving governance, and maximizing efficiency, PE has been a key driver of economic growth.🌍 The Global Financial Crisis: A Political Incentive Problem: Rather than a failure of capitalism, the 2008 crisis was driven by government policies encouraging subprime lending. Political incentives distorted the housing market, leading to systemic financial risk that was amplified by European banks.📈 The Future of Corporate Finance & National Prosperity: Chew emphasizes that corporate finance is the foundation of national wealth creation. The U.S. stock market serves as a leading indicator of economic productivity, outperforming global peers due to a dynamic, investor-driven corporate culture.♻️ ESG: Enhancing Value or Distorting Priorities? The debate over ESG investing centers on whether it aligns with shareholder value or imposes politically driven constraints. Chew contrasts Milton Friedman’s shareholder primacy with Michael Jensen’s concept of enlightened shareholder value maximization, arguing that long-term profitability must remain central to corporate decision-making.🔗 SUBSTACK https://privateequitypodcastfundshack.substack.com/👉 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/fund-shack/📧 Katie Mitchell: katie@linearb.mediaCHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Donald H. Chew, Jr.01:12 Transformation of American corporate finance02:39 How investors reshaped corporate governance04:39 Japan problem: Why investor control matters07:09 Volkswagen vs. GM: Corporate governance case study09:56 Japan’s ‘30-year slumber’ and the role of shareholder activism12:29 China’s middle-income trap14:56 The illusion of Chinese economic success21:04 The real cause of the Global Financial Crisis27:02 The dangers of bad financial metrics32:00 The rise and fall of EVA 39:05 The overlooked role of PE in shaping corporate governance45:02 Michael Milken and the rise of private credit52:05 Best indicator of real productivity55:00 New key metric for company success1:00:02 Why Milton Friedman was right about profit1:05:00 Is America heading for recession?

Raja Hadji-Touma, Partner at Corsair Capital and Head of European Buyouts, discusses Corsair's focus on asset-light businesses in financial services, technology, and business services. He explains Corsair's thematic approach to identifying trends and opportunities, emphasizing hands-on value creation, digitization, and scaling businesses through operational and strategic improvements. Insights Specialization and Evolution Corsair Capital, originally part of JP Morgan, began as a solution to recapitalize troubled financial institutions after the U.S. Savings and Loan crisis. Over time, the firm shifted focus from capital-intensive businesses to asset-light services and technology within the financial services ecosystem. This evolution allows Corsair to focus on operational efficiency and scalable growth, targeting sectors like insurance distribution, fund administration, and B2B payments. Value Creation and Hands-On Approach Corsair prioritizes active value creation by establishing clear 100-day and long-term strategic plans with management teams. Their approach involves operational improvements, talent development, and technology enhancements. With a focus on institutionalizing businesses, Corsair utilizes operating partners to assess organizational needs, streamline go-to-market strategies, and execute M&A strategies for growth. Market Trends and Opportunities The firm targets fragmented markets, especially within insurance distribution and B2B payments, leveraging consolidation opportunities to scale businesses. Raja highlights the impact of AI and automation as key trends driving efficiency and new investment avenues. Corsair also sees regulatory requirements as growth catalysts, creating demand for compliance-related services and technologies. Sector Focus: Building Platforms in Niche Markets Corsair focuses on mid-sized businesses with EBITDA between $5-20 million, scaling them to $50-70 million through buy-and-build strategies. The firm emphasizes recurring revenue models, high cash flow conversion, and resilience against economic cycles. Their thematic approach allows them to identify promising sectors and proactively source deals, often in bilateral settings. Outlook and Strategic Growth: Despite slower deal flow in 2024, Corsair remains optimistic about the next six to nine months as private equity adjusts to market conditions. With strong sector tailwinds, such as digital transformation and regulatory compliance, Corsair continues to back businesses positioned for long-term value creation and consolidation opportunities. Like this content? Please support us -> Subscribe to Spotify and ⁠Substack⁠ -> Follow us on ⁠Linkedin ⁠ -> ⁠YouTube ⁠ -> Suggest a guest or become a sponsor: email Katie@linerab.media   Fund Shack is a private equity podcast and global media channel for alternative investment professionals. Fund Shack is produced by Linear B Group. ⁠Linear B Group

Arjun Raghavan, CEO of Partners Capital is the man private equity executives trust with their money. And not just them. Partners Capital has evolved from managing private equity executives’ wealth to overseeing $60 billion for smaller endowments, family offices, and foundations globally.In this conversation, Arjun speaks to Ross Butler about the firm's "Advanced Endowment Approach", emphasizing diversification, resilience, and early-stage access to niche opportunities. Origins and GrowthPartners Capital was founded in 2001 to offer investment management services inspired by the endowment model. Initially focused on private equity partners, the firm expanded to serve smaller institutional clients and family offices. Under Arjun’s leadership, the firm scaled operations globally, now managing $60 billion across Europe, Asia, and the US.Twin-Engine Investment PhilosophyCentral to Partners Capital’s strategy is the twin-engine model. The beta engine focuses on cost-efficient diversification across traditional and alternative asset classes. Meanwhile, the alpha engine targets illiquid, high-return opportunities, providing both resilience and enhanced returns. Together, these engines ensure robust portfolio performance through cycles.Adapting to Market DynamicsIn a challenging market environment marked by concentrated gains in public equities and the saturation of alternatives, Partners Capital remains agile. It prioritises resilience through true diversification, embracing strategies like private debt, venture capital, and specialist asset management. #PrivateEquityPodcast #AdvancedEndowmentApproach #PartnersCapital #PrivateEquity #Diversification #FamilyOffices #EndowmentModel #AlternativeInvestments #FundShackPodcast #ArjunRaghavanLike this content? Please support us-> Subscribe to Spotify and ⁠Substack⁠-> for this episode summary with the best clips: https://privateequitypodcastfundshack.substack.com/p/episode-68-the-man-private-equity-> Follow us on ⁠Linkedin ⁠-> ⁠YouTube ⁠-> Suggest a guest or become a sponsor: email Katie@linerab.media  Fund Shack is a private equity podcast and global media channel for alternative investment professionals.Fund Shack is produced by Linear B Group. ⁠Linear B Group

Ross Butler speaks with Edward Talmor-Gera, Founder and CEO of NewVest, and Matthew Chapman, Director at NewVest. NewVest is a pioneering company providing low-cost, diversified index funds for private equity, private debt, and other private market strategies — revolutionizing how investors access private markets. Insights: Why Passive Investing in Private Markets is Revolutionary Edward explains how indexing challenges traditional notions about private equity by providing diversified exposure to the market’s average return, which has consistently outperformed the median. He reveals that 70% of private equity funds in any vintage year underperform the pooled average, making an index approach both efficient and attractive. Debunking Myths About Private Equity Performance Edward and Matthew address a common myth: that trying to select top-performing funds is the only way to succeed in private equity. They share data proving that relative performance persistence among fund managers is statistically limited, making an index strategy a reliable alternative. NewVest’s Unique Approach Fund Structure: NewVest employs a no-management-fee structure, charging only a low carry.  Access to Top Funds: NewVest invests in the 50 largest private equity and private debt funds each year, gaining near-complete access to the top players in the industry, including Blackstone, KKR, and Carlyle. Diversification and Cost Efficiency: By weighting investments according to target fund sizes, NewVest offers exposure to the asset class while drastically reducing fees and risk compared to active fund selection. The Evolution of Private Markets Investing Matthew emphasizes how passive instruments complement active strategies, allowing investors to focus on areas where they can achieve true alpha while leveraging the stability of an index for broader diversification. Future Plans and the Vision for Private Markets NewVest envisions a future where passive investing in private markets is as ubiquitous as it is in public markets. They aim to introduce sector-specific and niche indices, such as clean tech or geographic-focused products, and even indices for first-time funds. Aligning Interests and Democratizing Access Edward shares how NewVest’s alignment with LPs and innovative approach is attracting institutions, family offices, and even individual investors.  Like this content? Please support us -> Subscribe to Spotify and ⁠Substack⁠ -> Follow us on ⁠Linkedin ⁠ -> ⁠YouTube ⁠ -> Suggest a guest or become a sponsor: email Katie@linerab.media   Fund Shack is a private equity podcast and global media channel for alternative investment professionals. Fund Shack is produced by Linear B Group. ⁠Linear B Group⁠

Ross Butler speaks with David Whileman, Partner at Inflexion Private Equity, about the untapped potential of minority private equity investments. David shares how minority investing provides entrepreneurs with the resources to scale without selling their businesses. The conversation explores the fund’s strategy, its impact on portfolio companies, and the competitive advantages of minority investments in addressing a vast market underserved by traditional private equity.The Untapped Potential of Minority Investments:David explains how minority investing offers private equity benefits without requiring businesses to sell outright. This approach opens private equity to 75% of companies that are not typically for sale, particularly family-owned or entrepreneur-led businesses.Inflexion's Partnership Capital Fund Performance:Since launching in 2015, the fund has raised £1.75 billion, completed 24 investments, and exited nine, including several that achieved exceptional growth. David emphasizes the fund’s ability to serve as the first institutional investor for established companies averaging £350 million in value.Building Trusted Relationships:Key to minority investing is fostering trust and alignment with entrepreneurs. David highlights how Partnership Capital avoids prescriptive exit strategies, allowing for collaborative decisions that benefit both investors and business owners.Expanding Globally and Corporate Partnerships:Inflexion has extended its reach across Europe and recently into corporate partnerships, where it supports divisions of large corporations seeking independence while maintaining alignment with their parent companies.Value Creation Beyond Capital:Inflexion delivers more than funding, offering expertise in talent management, technology adoption, pricing strategies, and global expansion. Its offices worldwide provide portfolio companies with the tools to enter new markets and scale effectively.Cultural Fit and Talent Recruitment:David underlines the importance of hiring professionals with emotional intelligence and entrepreneurial mindsets. He describes Inflexion’s team as diverse and collaborative, ensuring alignment with the needs of entrepreneurs.RW Blears: Our sponsor for this episode is RW Blears, a UK law firm specialising in fund management. If you are a UK venture capital manager or growth investor and need a trusted legal adviser, visit https://blears.com/#PrivateEquity #MinorityInvesting #PartnershipCapital #InflexionPrivateEquity #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #PrivateEquityPodcast #DavidWhileman #FundShack #AlternativeInvestments #CollaborativeInvesting #PrivateEquityInsights #RossButlerLike this content? Please support -> SUBSCRIBE -> SUBSTACK https://privateequitypodcastfundshack.substack.com/p/episode-66-the-huge-opportunity-in-> Subscribe to Spotify and ⁠Substack⁠-> Follow us on ⁠Linkedin ⁠-> ⁠YouTube ⁠-> Suggest a guest or become a sponsor: email Katie@linerab.media  Fund Shack is a private equity podcast and global media channel for alternative investment professionals.Fund Shack is produced by Linear B Group. ⁠Linear B Group⁠

In this episode of Fund Shack, Ross Butler speaks with Colm Walsh, Managing Director of ICG Enterprise Trust. ICG Enterprise Trust is a listed private equity investor managed by ICG, a global alternative asset manager. Colm shares insights on ICG’s investment strategies, including their focus on buyouts, the benefit of being part of ICG’s extensive platform, and the importance of experienced managers in achieving consistent returns. They also discuss the unique advantages of the investment trust structure for private equity and Colm’s perspective on the evolving private equity landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Ross Butler talks to Karen Sands, COO of Federated Hermes’ private equity division, where she oversees $20 billion in private market assets as part of a larger $770 billion AUM. Karen provides insight into Federated Hermes' shift into private markets, their strategic focus on ESG, and her role in managing operations. They explore the importance of scalable infrastructure, the evolving investor landscape, and the operational challenges faced by private equity firms today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joanna Asfour discusses how private equity can benefit DC pensioners in the UK, focusing on LTAFs as a solution. The podcast explores the challenges trustees face in accessing private markets and the role of pension fund trustees. It also analyzes the influence of evergreen vehicles on performance fees and the evolution of the DC pension scheme market towards daily valuations and global diversification.