Private Equity Value Creation Podcast

Shiv Narayanan interviews Krista Morgan, General Partner at Stage Fund. Krista and Shiv discuss the challenges many companies experience in high-pressure VC models, and how Stage’s alternative investment approach offers a solution for founders and investors. Learn about Stage’s process for finding efficiencies and rebuilding revenue generation to get growth back on track in portfolio companies, pl...

Shiv Narayanan interviews Justin Johnson, Director of the Investment Team at Camber Partners. Justin and Shiv discuss how Camber Partners sources, evaluates, and adds value to companies with a product-led growth focus. Learn why PLG is such a popular approach among SaaS companies, and how Camber is leveraging AI, machine learning and a proprietary data platform to identify growth opportunities in...

Shiv Narayanan interviews Cody Lee, Vice President in Summit Partner’s Peak Performance Group. Cody and Shiv discuss why marketing is a function no portco (and no investor) can afford to ignore, and what you need to know about portco marketing in the current environment. Learn about a realistic approach to data-driven marketing strategy, common areas where portcos are wasting their dollars, and ho...

Shiv Narayanan interviews Allen Duan, General Partner at B Capital Group. Allen and Shiv discuss how B Capital Group’s role as minority investors influences their approach to value creation and how they leverage the experience of advisors and partners. Learn how you can guide companies towards growth through team and organization, capital advisory, strategy and operations, BD and ecosystem develop...

Shiv Narayanan interviews Matt Gallagher, Portfolio CRO at Hg Capital. Matt and Shiv discuss how the Hg portfolio team prioritize revenue growth strategies that will move the needle most in the first months after an investment. Learn about the importance of due diligence as a foundation for scale and the metrics you should review to assess performance and potential, plus common areas of inefficien...

Shiv Narayanan interviews George Rossolatos, CEO and Managing Partner of Canadian Business Growth Fund. George and Shiv discuss how CBGF’s investment philosophy and evergreen fund are a rewarding alternative to companies choosing rapid growth at all costs. Learn how longer holding periods can be the basis of sustained, profitable growth and better returns for both founders and investors. Plus, hea...

Shiv Narayanan interviews Vinny Prajka, Partner at JMI Equity. Vinny and Shiv discuss how portfolio companies can increase efficiency and grow sustainably with a more focused approach to sales. Hear how JMI use customer segmentation to target sales efforts, reduce churn and increase average sales price. Learn how to implement this approach in your portfolio companies, including restructuring the s...

Shiv Narayanan interviews AJ Gandhi, CGO at Marlin Equity Partners. AJ and Shiv discuss how Marlin Equity Partners’ team of operating professionals create value in their portcos with a hands-on approach to revenue growth. Learn about the sales and marketing structures that are the foundation to scaling but are often underdeveloped, and hear how Marlin Equity Partners leverage upselling, demand gen...

Shiv Narayanan interviews Mariza Warshawsky, Partner at Assembly Group. Mariza and Shiv discuss Assembly Group’s tried-and-tested process to source and hire for key roles for PE-backed software companies. Learn how the experts recommend laying the groundwork for a successful search, and how to secure the best candidates in a competitive market. Get clarity on what to expect when you’re looking for...

Shiv Narayanan interviews Zane Tarence, Partner and Managing Director at Founders Advisors Technology Practice. Zane and Shiv discuss what investors look for in potential acquisitions and how founders can make their businesses more appealing for investment. Get an insider’s perspective on the finance options available to growing businesses, what many founders get wrong, and the factors that make a...

Shiv Narayanan interviews Mike Devine, CMO at Fortra. Mike and Shiv discuss how the Fortra marketing function has adapted and scaled to suit the company’s changing needs and consistently drive growth. Learn how they integrated teams, built centres of expertise and maintained open communication with investors. Learn more about Fortra: https://www.fortra.com/ The information contained in this podcas...

Shiv Narayanan interviews Bryce Youngren, Managing Partner at Polaris Growth Fund. Bryce and Shiv discuss how Polaris Growth Fund creates value in smaller businesses, and why this area of the market is under-leveraged. Learn about the tried-and-tested process that has helped them generate impressive returns, including a founder-friendly approach and strategic acceleration teams. Learn more about P...

Shiv Narayanan interviews Daniel Pianko, Managing Director at Achieve Partners and host of the Better Money Better World podcast. Daniel and Shiv discuss how Achieve Partners is using talent development to maximize portfolio company growth, unlock revenue potential, and make positive change for employees and their communities. Learn how Achieve Partners' alternative approach is helping set them ap...