Absolute Return Podcast

On today’s show we welcome special guest, Voltus CEO Gregg Dixon. Voltus is a leading distributed energy resource software technology platform. On the podcast, Gregg discusses: -What are distributed energy resources (DERs) and why they are important -Voltus’ recurring revenue business model and strong unit economics -Thoughts on the current market environment and raising a $100 million PIPE financ...

On today’s show we welcome special guest, Rubicon Technologies Founder, Chairman and CEO Nate Morris. Rubicon is a software platform that provides smart waste and recycling solutions for businesses and governments worldwide. On the podcast, Nate discusses: How he launched Rubicon with maxed-out credit cards and a $10,000 line of credit Opportunities in the fragmented $2.1 trillion global waste and...

On today’s podcast we welcome special guest, Westrock Coffee CEO and Co-Founder, Scott Ford. Westrock Coffee is a leading integrated coffee, tea, flavors, extracts, and ingredients solutions provider. On the show, Scott discusses: How he went from asset management to the coffee industry Where the idea for Westrock Coffee came from and what problem he was looking to solve Key skills and knowledge f...

On today’s podcast we welcome special guest, Covey founder and CEO Brooker Belcourt. Covey is an analyst-owned community created to find and reward the next top money managers. On the show, Brooker discusses: His experience as an analyst at Coatue Management and some lessons learned Key insights from working at Citadel and how multi-manager hedge funds differ A deep dive into the Covey platform an...

On today’s podcast we welcome special guest, ESGEN CEO Andrejka Bernatova. ESGEN runs a $280 million SPAC focused on accelerating the shift towards a low-carbon sustainable future. On the show, Andrejka discusses:  -How she went from coming to the US at the age of 15 alone, with no knowledge of English, carrying $100 in her pocket to later getting a job on Wall Street -How investment banking exper...

On today’s show we welcome Sky Technologies Executive Chairman Rani Kohen. Sky’s mission is to make homes and buildings become safe-advanced and smart as the standard.   On the show, Rani discusses: The disruptive idea behind making light fixtures safe and easy How they go about getting market adoption Key insights and learnings behind their February 2022 initial public offering Main risks for inv...

On today’s podcast we welcome special guest, Meteora Capital Founder and CIO Vik Mittal. Meteora Capital is an investment firm specializing in SPAC-related instruments in both public and private companies. On the show, Vik discusses: -His path into the hedge fund world -The Twitter deal and his thoughts on merger arbitrage -What appeals to him about SPAC investing -Advice for those looking to brea...

On today’s show we welcome veteran investor Jason Ader. Jason is the Co-Founder and CEO of SpringOwl Asset Management, an investment firm with a focus on the Real Estate, Gaming and Lodging sectors. In addition, Jason is the CEO and Chairman of SPAC 26 Capital Acquisition Corp.   On the show, Jason discusses: - His path to Wall Street, including the clever idea that led to his lucky break - How he...

On today’s show we talk about visual effects and movies with DNEG Chairman and CEO Namit Malhotra. DNEG is a high-growth, technology-enabled visual effects and animation company executing ground-breaking, award-winning work for the world’s largest content creators. On the show, Namit discusses: How he got involved in the movie business The barriers to entry for blockbuster movies effects companies...

On today’s show we chat about beauty industry investing with Waldencast CEO Michel Brousset. Waldencast is building a global best-in-class beauty and wellness operating platform by creating, nurturing, and scaling conscious, purpose-driven brands. On the show, Michel discusses: -Key investment characteristics of the beauty industry including its recession-resistant nature -Their thesis behind the...

On today’s special episode of the podcast, we welcome the SpacGuru, Jeff from SpacWarrants and Jeremy Tarica of Forest Road talking about the state of the market. The discussion touches on: -Current economic and market conditions -Expected liquidations and the effect on SPAC warrants -Sector rotation and what we expect from mergers -The future of the SPAC asset class -And more

On today’s podcast we have Blackstone Products CEO Roger Dahle. Blackstone Products is a design-driven company that is redefining the outdoor cooking experience with griddle cooking appliances and accessories. On the show, Roger discusses: -How he invented the home griddle and created Blackstone Products -Why griddling is becoming so popular -How they utilize social media and original content to d...

On today’s podcast we talk about travel marketplaces with Mondee CEO Prasad Gundumogula. Mondee is a technology-first travel marketplace with a portfolio of globally recognized brands in the leisure, retail and corporate travel sectors. On the show, Prasad discusses: -Mondee’s role as a travel market disruptor and next generation marketplace -Why he thinks the travel market is recovering on a sust...

On today’s podcast we chat with Wag CEO, Garrett Smallwood. Wag is an American pet services marketplace company powering a mobile-first technology platform that enables on-demand and scheduled dog walking, training, and other pet care services.   On the show, Garrett discusses: -What Wag does and why dog owners should download the app -Wag’s path to future profitability -Going public and future gr...

On today’s podcast we talk cybersecurity with the ZeroFox CEO James Foster. ZeroFox is an enterprise software-as-a-service leader in external cybersecurity. On the show, Foster discusses: -What is so exciting about cybersecurity -The most important trends in cybersecurity that investors should learn more about -Details on the pending acquisition of IDX, a leading digital privacy protection and dat...

On today’s podcast we welcome special guest, D-Wave CEO Alan Baratz. D-Wave is a leader in quantum computing systems, software, and services. On the show, Alan discusses: -What is quantum computing and why it is important -Some of the major technological breakthroughs in quantum computing -The technology’s potential effect on cryptography and cryptocurrency -An overview of the market opportunity a...

On today’s podcast we welcome special guests, Transfix CEO Lily Shen and CFO Christian Lee . Transfix is a leading digital freight platform where they use technology, machine learning, and AI to dynamically match thousands of freight transactions between shippers and carriers. On the show, Lily and Christian discuss: -The opportunity in freight logistics due to extreme inefficiencies -Issues affec...

On today’s podcast we welcome special guest, Satellogic CEO Emiliano Kargieman. Satellogic is a leader in high-resolution satellite data collection. On the show, Emiliano discusses: -The market opportunity for satellite imaging -How the company is making Earth Observation imagery accessible and affordable -How Satellogic’s Earth Observation data is helping the Ukrainian people -His advice on findi...

On today’s show we welcome the team from Andretti Acquisition: Michael Andretti, Bill Sandbrook and Matt Brown. Andretti Acquisition is a special purpose acquisition company focused on the automotive industry. On the show, they discuss: - Michael’s career in racing and his transition to business - Andretti’s due diligence process and approach to potential deals - The automotive industry and which...

On today’s podcast we welcome special guest, Allego CEO Mathieu Bonnet. Allego owns a pan-European electric vehicle charging network.  On the show, Mathieu discusses: -The European EV market and its 46% expected growth rate -The future of ultra-fast charging -How Allego expects to generate 30% IRRs from its owned sites -What it was like working with private equity firm Apollo on Allego’s going-pub...

On today’s podcast we welcome special guests, Eve co-CEOs, Jerry DeMuro and Andre Stein. Eve is a recent corporate carve-out from Brazilian multinational aerospace manufacturer Embraer and a leader in the development of next-generation Urban Air Mobility.   On the show, Jerry and Andre discuss: -Flying cars - Eve’s next-generation Urban Air Mobility solutions -The corporate carve-out and going-pub...

On today’s show we welcome special guest, ElectraMeccanica Vehicles CEO Kevin Pavlov. ElectraMeccanica is a Canadian designer and manufacturer of electric vehicles. The company’s flagship vehicle is the single-seat electric vehicle called the SOLO.   On the podcast, Kevin discusses: -The story behind the unique, three-wheel design of the SOLO -How they plan to scale the electric vehicle company -W...

On today’s podcast we welcome special guest, Terran Orbital CEO and Chairman Marc Bell. Terran Orbital is a pioneer in the development, innovation and operation of small satellites and earth observation solutions.   On the show, Marc discusses: -How he built numerous successful businesses in different industries including real estate, entertainment and space -The opportunity that he sees small sat...

February 28, 2022 - On today’s podcast we welcome special guest, SES President Rohit Makharia. SES is a leader in the development and manufacturing of high-performance Lithium-Metal rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles.   On the show, Rohit discusses: -Some of the innovations and breakthroughs in battery tech that he has worked on over his career -Why investors and consumers should care ab...

On today’s show we welcome special guest Dan Wagner, Rezolve’s Founder, CEO and Chairman. Rezolve is a leader in mobile commerce and engagement.   On the podcast, Dan discusses: -Key lessons learned from 35 years of entrepreneurship and 7 successful startups -The opportunity within mobile eCommerce -His game plan in taking Rezolve public -The most important aspect of the Rezolve story that investo...