Balentic Edge

Are markets broken — or just changing? In this episode of Balentic Edge, Kasper Wichmann sits down with Balentic’s in-house expert Alex to unpack Hamilton Lane’s latest market outlook, Pandora’s Box , and what it signals for private markets. They explore why this moment represents a structural shift, not just a cyclical downturn — and why AI is emerging as the single most important investment them...

In this special episode of Balentic Edge , Kasper Wichmann is joined by Alex, Balentic’s in-house private markets expert, to unpack what leading 2026 outlooks are really telling us. They explore liquidity as a strategic constraint, the rise of operational value creation, growing dispersion between managers, and why AI’s real opportunity lies in infrastructure rather than software narratives. A mus...

In this episode of Balentic Edge, Kasper is joined by Craig MacDonald, Partner at HarbourVest and portfolio manager for the firm’s evergreen private equity solutions. Together they unpack how one of the world’s most established private markets platforms is rethinking portfolio construction, secondaries, and liquidity in a world of “private for longer”. Craig shares candid views on backward diversi...

🎸 Can a song become an asset class? And can private equity make artists immortal? In this episode, Kasper Wichmann speaks with Natalia Fontecha , Partner and Head of Capital Raising at PopHouse Entertainment , the Swedish firm applying a private equity playbook to music rights and reinventing how cultural IP is owned, scaled, and monetised. PopHouse sits at the crossroads of creativity and capita...

Guest: Clare Murray, Co-Founding Partner at Blume Equity Host: Kasper Wichmann, Founder of Balentic Europe’s climate opportunity is growing - but the capital gap between early-stage VC and buyout remains. Clare Murray joins Balentic Edge to discuss Blume Equity’s approach to growth-stage climate investing, the balance of returns vs impact, partner dynamics, and what Europe must do to lead globally...

Can a buyout-style discipline fix venture’s power-law problem ? Founding partner Amit Zutshi (Morphosis) shares a repeatable VC playbook for private markets , LP insights , and GP fundraising with a focus on AI infrastructure and enterprise deeptech. Disclaimer: The views are those of the host and guests and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not represent the views of any emplo...

Is Europe funding its fintech future or exporting it at Series B? A candid panel on private markets, LP insights, GP fundraising, and financial sovereignty in Europe’s venture ecosystem. In this special Balentic Edge episode from Nordic FinTech Week, host Kasper Wichmann joins Kim Rosenkilde (moderator), Christian Lindström-Lage (SEB), Toby Trieble (FinTech Collective), and Rune Ullbach (pension a...

In this episode of Balentic Edge , Kasper Wichmann sits down with Julien Marencic , Managing Partner at Jera Capital , to unpack a disciplined approach to the secondary market - from industrial-grade origination and selection to portfolio construction across cycles. What does quality really look like in secondaries when discounts don’t guarantee returns? Julien lays out Jera Capital’s engineer-lik...

What do unicorns, power laws, and fund returners have in common? In this episode of Balentic Edge , Kasper Wichmann sits down with David Clark , CIO and Managing Director at Vencap , to unpack the data-driven truths shaping venture capital. Together they explore why “average” venture funds are a losing bet, how fund returners rather than unicorns drive portfolio outcomes, why LPs should focus on t...

Defence investing has quietly moved from exclusion to opportunity - reshaping private equity, venture capital, infrastructure, and private credit. In this special solo edition of Balentic Edge , Kasper Wichmann, CEO and founder of Balentic, explores the drivers behind re-emergence of defence investment: shifting geopolitics, rising capital flows, and new technology layers from satellites to cybers...

In this episode of Balentic Edge, host Kasper Wichmann is joined by Matt Evans, Partner at Bain Capital Special Situations, to explore the secular trends reshaping hard asset investing. From aviation and supply chain disruption to U.S. manufacturing, Matt shares how Bain approaches opportunities in industries that are both capital-intensive and globally interconnected. The discussion also dives in...

What makes a venture manager truly stand out and why do so many LPs miss the winners? In our latest episode, Jamie Rhode, Partner at Screendoor, joins Balentic CEO Kasper Wichmann to break down the misunderstood role of timing, the power of access, and what it really takes to succeed in early-stage VC. A must-listen for anyone navigating fund-of-funds strategy and long-term capital compounding.

In this episode, Diana Tenkova, founder of Institutional Quality , joins Kasper Wichmann to unpack what it truly takes to stand out in today’s private markets. From the credibility gap in GP storytelling to the real risks and overlooked advantages of emerging managers, this is a clear look at how capital raising is evolving - and what both GPs and LPs need to do differently.

In this episode of Balentic Edge , Matt Curtolo - seasoned LP and private markets advisor - joins Kasper Wichmann to unpack why top-quartile chasing is a myth, how small LPs can turn agility into edge, and what smart sourcing looks like in a noisy, access-constrained market. From manager selection to AI, to inbox overload, this episode is packed with clarity for LPs and GPs alike.

In this special episode* of Balentic Edge, Kasper is joined by our Balentic in-house private markets expert Alex who unpacks the NAV loan revolution reshaping private equity. Learn why GPs are turning to NAV-based financing, the risks for LPs, and how this trend could redefine fund liquidity strategies. *This is an AI generated podcast based on the Balentic Insights blog post of the same name

n this episode of Balentic Edge , Gaurav Bhandari, Managing Partner & CIO at Long Arc Capital, joins Kasper to discuss building capital-efficient, high-conviction platforms in fintech and enterprise software. From avoiding the hype cycle to scaling with precision, Gaurav shares what sets Long Arc apart and why the best firms are still to come.

In this episode of Balentic Edge, host Kasper Wichmann is joined by veteran equity analyst Simon Powell to unpack the $50 trillion opportunity at the heart of energy transition. With themes driving capital allocation across private markets, energy is quickly emerging as the most urgent—and investable—theme of all. From EVs and green infrastructure to adaptation strategies and mitigation plays, Sim...

In this special edition* of Balentic Edge , we share our insights from SuperReturn International Berlin - Europe’s flagship private equity gathering. From LP liquidity concerns to continuation vehicles, from Berlin street parties to geopolitical tailwinds - SuperReturn 2025 had it all. We break down the biggest themes shaping private markets today: Why infrastructure and private debt are drawing r...

In this conversation, Thomas Friedberger, Group Deputy CEO and Co-CIO of Tikehau Capital, discusses the evolution of Tikehau Capital, its investment philosophy, and the strategic focus on aerospace and defense sectors. He highlights the changing landscape of defense investments, the importance of resilience in economic value creation, and the potential for high growth in these sectors. Friedberger...

In this episode, host Kasper Wichmann sits down with Eric Marchand, Partner at Collyer Capital, an independent private equity and venture capital fund manager based in Singapore. Together, they explore why Southeast Asia is often overlooked by European LPs, and how Collyer’s strategy offers a differentiated, risk-aware approach to tapping into the region’s long-term growth potential. From demograp...

Joseph Li, Managing Director at C Capital, joins Balentic Edge to unpack the real story behind Asia’s private equity landscape. From career insights to LP misconceptions, he makes the case for why the region deserves a closer look—and what C Capital is doing differently.

In this episode of  Balentic Edge , host Olga Sachura explores why thematic investing is gaining traction in private markets. Investors are no longer just asking about asset classes—they want to know what future they’re backing. From energy transition and AI to demographic shifts, themes are shaping capital allocation like never before. Olga is joined by Balentic CEO Kasper Wichmann and advisor Ya...