Ever wonder how private equity uncovers hidden gems in the gritty, essential industries that power our world? We dive deep with James Tannahill, President of Private Equity at Plocamium Holdings, who operates at the fascinating intersection of global industry and national security.James brings his expertise from the lower middle market, a space ripe with opportunity, to explain how his firm identifies and scales businesses in industrials, materials, and healthcare tech. He reveals the unique advantages of being backed by a single family office—allowing for patience, flexibility, and a long-term vision that traditional funds can't match.This is a masterclass in targeted investing, from the due diligence on a manufacturing floor to understanding how healthcare technology serves a national need. Get ready for a conversation that goes beyond the spreadsheet and into the strategy of building foundational companies.Key Takeaways:The Lower Middle Market Advantage: Why this often-overlooked segment is a hotbed for innovation and value creation.The Single Family Office Backing: How a unique capital structure allows for strategic patience and decisive action that sets them apart.Connecting the Dots: The critical links between global industrials, materials, and national security that define their investment thesis.Sector Deep Dives: What makes a healthcare technology or packaging company an irresistible target for a specialized PE firm.The Operator's Mindset: The key qualities they look for in the leadership teams of the companies they acquire.
What does it truly take to build a successful brand in the explosive wellness industry? We're sitting down with Rachel Hirsch, Managing Partner of Wellness Growth Ventures, who brings a powerful dual perspective: she's both a funder and a founder.In this episode, Rachel pulls back the curtain on how her fund identifies the next generation of disruptors that are genuinely expanding the definition of wellness. She shares why having operational skin in the game—the scars and triumphs of being a wellness founder herself—completely changes the dynamic of the investor-founder relationship.Get ready for an authentic conversation that moves beyond the buzzwords to talk about the real financial and operational expertise required to win in this competitive market. If you're building a brand in health or wellness, this is an unmissable guide to what savvy, founder-friendly investors are looking for.Key Takeaways:Beyond the Trend: How to identify a truly disruptive wellness brand versus a passing fad.The Founder-Investor Advantage: Why having operational experience is a game-changer for providing value beyond capital.Building for Scale: The key financial and operational milestones seed-stage wellness companies need to hit.Market Expansion: Insights into how the wellness market is evolving and where the biggest opportunities lie.A Partnership Mindset: What it means to have an investor who acts as a true extension of your team.
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Suman Talukdar: Founding Partner at AiSprouts
How do you go from being on the inside of five major Silicon Valley exits to picking the next generation of winners? We sit down with Suman Talukdar, a rare breed of investor who has been in the trenches as a venture-backed operator and now sits on the other side of the table as a Founding Partner at AiSprouts.Suman pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a category-leading company, drawing from his firsthand experience with massive wins like the Cloudflare and Anaplan IPOs and the $400M sale of Clearwell. With his portfolio companies having already raised over $100M, he reveals the patterns he looks for in founders and the hard-earned lessons from his own journey that he now uses to guide entrepreneurs.This is a masterclass in company-building from an investor who has not only seen success but has lived it—multiple times over.Key Takeaways:The operator's mindset: How experiencing five back-to-back exits (including IPOs and acquisitions) shapes his investing philosophy.Behind the scenes of building a venture fund: From a successful first vehicle to investing out of his second.The patterns and signals that separate a good startup from a category-defining, fund-returning venture.Lessons from legendary mentors like Burt McMurtry and Felda Hardymon on navigating the highs and lows of building companies.A look at the future: What sectors and technologies are catching the eye of a proven investor and operator.
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Doug Benowitz: Colle Capital
What does it take to spot the next billion-dollar tech startup? We go behind the scenes with Doug Benowitz, Principal at Colle Capital Partners, who lives on the frontier of early-stage investing. But Doug's unique edge doesn't just come from his finance background; it's forged from a surprising blend of disciplines.We unpack how his award-winning work at BlackRock—where he built innovative predictive models and won the Principles Award for Innovation—informs his high-risk, high-reward investment strategy today. He reveals how the discipline and focus of a Tae Kwon Do black belt master translates directly into the venture capital arena, from conducting meticulous diligence to having the patience to wait for the perfect pitch.This is a conversation about connecting the dots between ancient history and modern technology, between analytical rigor and human discipline. Get ready to learn what it truly takes to bet on the future.Key Takeaways:The inside scoop on how VCs source and vet the most promising early-stage tech companies.How award-winning predictive modeling from Wall Street applies to startup investing.Why the discipline of a martial artist is a secret weapon in the high-stakes world of venture capital.The unexpected ways studying Classical History provides a framework for understanding modern markets.Practical advice for entrepreneurs on what savvy investors like Doug are truly looking for.
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Sasha Datta: Senior Director at GE Vernova
What to look forward to in this episode:Ever wonder what happens to your pension when a corporate giant like GE splits in two? We sit down with Sasha Datta, the financial powerhouse steering the retirement future for thousands at the new energy titan, GE Vernova. We dive deep into the monumental task of untangling and securing pension plans during a historic corporate spin-off.But Sasha's expertise doesn't stop there. Drawing from her high-stakes experience running the gauntlet of Federal Reserve stress tests at Citi, she gives us an insider's perspective on navigating intense regulatory scrutiny. This is a masterclass in financial leadership, covering everything from managing billions in retirement assets to answering the tough questions from bank examiners and internal audit.Join us for a fascinating conversation at the intersection of corporate finance, energy innovation, and the profound responsibility of safeguarding people's financial futures.Key Takeaways:The real-world impact of a corporate spin-off on employee benefits and retirement security.A behind-the-scenes look at the intense process of Federal Reserve stress testing (CCAR).Strategies for managing governance and regulatory challenges from a veteran in the field.Understanding the mission of GE Vernova and its role in building a sustainable energy future.Leadership lessons from managing high-stakes, high-pressure financial environments.
The Investor with Joel Palathinkal is a global omni channel show which highlights institutional investors from all walks of life and supports the continuing education for the next generation of allocators