Investors & Operators Podcast
1) Ep. 144: Grant Kornman, Partner at Align Collaborate
Topics:How Sponsors Communicate EfficientlyWhat Investors Look For in First CallsLower Middle Market Buy-and-Build Strategies...and so much more.Top TakeawaysMatch your capital partners to your stage ...Show More
2) Ep. 143: Sean Mooney, Founder & CEO at BluWave
Topics:Emotional Highs & Lows of FoundersWhy Hire Above Your Skill SetLearning to Spot Opportunities...and so much more.Top TakeawaysFounders: Build a culture of cheap experiments and fast iteration. ...Show More
3) Ep. 142: John Fruehwirth, Managing Partner at Rotunda Capital
Topics:Early Fundraising MistakesCulture of Constructive DebateUsing Data for Value Creation ...and so much more.Top TakeawaysSimplicity is a fundraising advantage. New managers often try to stan...Show More
4) Ep. 141: David Acharya, Managing Partner at Acharya Capital Partners
Topics:How to Prepare for a SaleCustomer Diversification as a Growth LeverImportance of Board Culture...and so much more.Top TakeawaysKeep leverage in check for stability. In the ImpactXM deal, David’...Show More
5) Ep. 140: Eliot Kerlin, Founder & Managing Partner at Broadwing Capital
Topics:Thematic Sourcing for Better DealsHow to Fortify the Foundation Post-ClosePeople & Culture as a Value Driver...and so much more.Top TakeawaysBuild a data-driven foundation. Eliot and Jordan ag...Show More
6) Ep. 139: Chris Sznewajs, Managing Partner & Founder at Pacific Avenue Capital Partners
Topics:Fundraising Lessons from a $1.6B FundA Carve-Out Playbook That ScalesWhy You Need a One-Page Strategy...and so much more.Top TakeawaysKeep strategy simple. Instead of 50-slide strategy decks, C...Show More
Ep. 139: Chris Sznewajs, Managing Partner & Founder at Pacific Avenue Capital Partners
1:01:30 | Sep 11th, 2025
7) Ep. 138: Douglas Song, Managing Partner at Prodos Capital & Dan Lee, Partner at Pin High Strategies
Topics:What to Prioritize in Your First DealHow to Vet Founder-Led CompaniesCapital Trends for Independent Sponsors...and so much more.Top TakeawaysBet on grit, not credentials. Dan jokes that both Jo...Show More
8) Ep. 137: Maxwell Taylor, Managing Director at Novastone Partners
Topics:Hybrid Model: PE + Search FundA Strong Operator ProfileEquity & Structure in Operator Deals...and so much more.Top TakeawaysSuccession is one of the biggest overlooked opportunities in the lowe...Show More
9) Ep. 136: Justin Smith, Managing Director at Agellus Capital
Topics:Founder Misconceptions About PEFriction Points in Integration Signs a Business Is M&A-Ready...and so much more.Top TakeawaysRoll-ups require a clear playbook or you’ll struggle to scale. J...Show More
10) Ep: 135: John Koeppel, Partner & Private Equity/Independent Sponsor Leader at Lippes Mathias
Topics:Pre-LOI: How Independent Sponsors Win DealsLOI Execution: Structure, Risks, MistakesGood vs. Bad Post-LOI DiligenceWhat Attracts and Repels Capital...and so much more.Top TakeawaysRollover is y...Show More