The LAB: Value Creation in Private Equity

Maxim Tcherner of Fengate joins The LAB to discuss lower middle market private equity, founder alignment, durable value creation, and what it takes to build businesses that can scale. Institutional quality can create an edge in the lower middle market. Maxim explains how Fengate brings experience from larger-cap investing into smaller, founder-led businesses without losing the hands-on partnership...

Two-thirds of M&A transactions destroy value. Not because of bad models—but because of people. In this episode, Meg Poag (Founder, Mission Squared) breaks down the real reasons deals fail after close: misaligned expectations, unclear authority, cultural friction, and the psychological blind spots of founders and investors alike. From “dating before marriage” to the neuroscience of decision-mak...

In this episode of #TheLAB Podcast, Scott and Nick sit down with Rachel Lawler, Founder of Aperture Growth, to discuss what actually drives value creation inside private equity-backed businesses. Rachel shares her structured approach to diagnosing operating model friction across enterprise value creation, operations, tech stack, and integration. From technical debt and brittle systems to managemen...

Chuck Canton is a founder-operator who has lived every stage of the entrepreneurial journey — from running a deck-staining business in college to helping scale and sell a $70M+ communications company to Vonage, and ultimately to founding SourcePass, now a $100M+ managed services platform. In this episode, Chuck breaks down what it actually takes to scale a services business in a fragmented market....

In this episode of The LAB Podcast , we sit down with Mason Myers , Founder of Greybull Stewardship , to explore how his firm consistently generates outsized returns in the pre-middle market —companies below $25M enterprise value and under $5M EBITDA. Where most investors see risk, Greybull sees opportunity: strong business models with proven product–market fit, but lacking the execution muscle to...

In this episode of The LAB: Value Creation in Private Equity , Scott and Nick sit down with Mark Gormley , Founding Partner at Lee Equity Partners , to discuss how private equity can build lasting value in healthcare services. Mark walks through his background in financial services and his 25+ years investing in healthcare, offering an inside look at how Lee Equity approaches physician practice ma...

In this episode of #TheLAB, Scott Estill and Nick Creasey sit down with Rob Heyvaert , Founder and Managing Partner at Motive Partners . Rob shares the arc of his career, from engineering the algorithm that powered the Euro’s clearing and settlement system, to building and scaling CAPCO , to founding Motive Partners, and the philosophy behind his firm’s success: combining investors, operators, and...

Ari Lefkovits from Delos Capital joins #TheLAB to unpack how his firm merges restructuring expertise with private equity investing to unlock value in complex situations. From his time at Lazard to his current role at Delos, Ari explains how early preparation, coalition-building, and cultural alignment can turn distressed assets into success stories. We cover: How and when to act when “yellow light...

On this episode of The LAB Podcast: Value Creation in Private Equity , we sit down with Jean-Louis and Randy; two longtime friends and industry veterans who are redefining how investors access private equity. Jean-Louis, co-founder of SVP, and Randy, a professor with deep roots in alternative investing, share how their journey led to building a business around what some call an oxymoron: liquid pr...

In this episode of The LAB Podcast , we sit down with John Ioannou , a rare executive who has worn nearly every hat in the private equity ecosystem: CEO, chairman, operating partner, and investor. John shares how his dual perspective as both operator and partner shaped his approach to building trust with management teams, why culture and leadership are just as critical as financial diligence, and...

Jim and Adam Hirshorn join The LAB Podcast to share the story behind launching Onyx Canyon Partners. Together, they bring decades of operational and investment experience—from Bain, Sealy, Potbelly, and Ares—into the lower middle market, where they see a unique opportunity to drive value. In this episode, we cover: Why operators have an edge in private equity investing How culture and talent align...

Patrick Turner, Managing Director at VSS Capital Partners, joins Scott Estill and guest co-host Justin Wisnicki to unpack how structured capital enables founders to scale without giving up control. They discuss: VSS’s approach to minority investing with downside protection How operational rigor creates value post-close Why founders choose growth capital over a full sale LP sentiment and the shift...

In this episode of The LAB Podcast, hosts Scott Estill and Nick Creasey dive into the world of GP Stakes and flexible capital solutions with Ben Drylie-Perkins, Head of Investments at Cantilever Group. Ben provides insights into how Cantilever is uniquely positioned to support lower middle-market and middle-market private equity firms with capital and strategic guidance. The conversation covers th...

This episode of #TheLAB, Nick and Scott are joined by Neil Bansal, Managing Director at OMERS Private Equity. Neil shares his journey through investment banking, consulting, and leadership roles at major companies. Learn how he’s driving value creation with AI, data, and digital tools to transform portfolio companies. Perfect for finance and tech enthusiasts looking to understand the future of dig...

In this episode of The LAB, Scott and Nick chat with Dave Leyrer from 3L about Metropolis, a company transforming the parking industry with AI. Discover how Metropolis uses AI to boost efficiency and customer experience, driving significant growth and strategic acquisitions like Premier Parking and SP Plus. Dave shares insights into applying AI to traditional industries, highlighting the role of v...

In this episode, Jon Lemelman joins us as we explore AI's transformative role in private equity. We explore how AI is reshaping tasks like market research, replacing old-school methods with fast, data-driven insights. Jon shares key strategies for integrating AI successfully, stressing the importance of clear problem-solving and secure data handling. Discover the future of AI in private equity...

In this episode, The LAB hits the road! Join Scott down in Baltimore with Kevin McAllister, Founder of Access Holdings, as they discuss a wide range of topics: Revolutionary strategies redefining entrepreneurship and partnership in the middle market Deep market insights and cutting-edge technology utilization driving enduring value The ACE program: Developing leaders and fostering growth Data-driv...

In this episode with Paul Swaney, Managing Partner of Swaney Group Capital, Paul shares actionable insights on value creation and business transformation. From the urgency of strategic onboarding to the establishment of a robust governance structure, Paul delves into his methodology of taking the guess-work out of business transformation. Whether you're a seasoned investor or new to the field,...

In this episode, Nick and Scott are joined by Nadim Malik, CEO and Founder of SPS by Bain & Co, an information services firm that helps private equity firms, lenders, and M&A advisors and service providers optimize their business development effectiveness. The discussion centers on the transformative role of data in the Private Equity world and how value creation starts at deal sourcing. N...

In this episode, Nick and Scott are joined by Ray Carey, Operating Partner at Level Equity. The discussion revolves around the role of an operating partner, the challenges of being a CEO, and the importance of transparency and data in achieving successful outcomes. Ray shares insights from his experience as a CEO and an operating partner, emphasizing the need for a customized approach to each comp...

We are excited to release our #LIVE  event recording with three of the leaders in Private Equity Technology Value Creation as a podcast episode. Steven Faas, Operating Partner - Technology at Apollo Cory Eaves, Partner at BayPine Robert Sears, Principal at The Carlyle Group Our panel shared their thoughts and experience driving value creation initiatives across leading portfolios, and covered topi...

In this episode, Nick and Scott interviews Garrett Blank, former Principal at Abry Partners. Garrett shares insights for aspiring PE-backed executives and explains the strategies PE firms assess in potential investments. He emphasizes alignment of vision, qualities attractive to PE firms, and the adaptability to collaborative decision-making. The discussion shifts to structuring PE deals and the i...

Our latest guest on the LAB Podcast is Sean Mooney.  We were excited to bring him on because after spending a couple decades in Private Equity as an investing professional, he thought there must be a better way to help the industry drive higher returns more quickly. (sounds easy…)    At the LAB - we agree as our models look to achieve similar outcomes in different ways.  Sean developed a way to br...

Josh Fennig⁠ is currently the General Manager of a consulting business that advises companies regarding E-mobility for electric vehicles and Industry 4.0. In this episode he shares his experience and methodology when it comes to turnarounds of distressed companies.

Paul Stansik is an Operating Partner at ParkerGale, a small PE Firm where he serves as sales, marketing and growth advisor to their portfolio. He joins us to share his perspective on how he thinks about growth and where the opportunities exist in founder-led, profitable technology companies. In this episode, we spend time walking through the specifics around evaluation and execution of PE investme...