The Private Equity Podcast, by Raw Selection

🎧 Guest: Maxwell Nee – Chairman, Family Office Insider & Managing Partner, Black Mountain Capital 🌍 Episode Theme: 10X Deals, Market Gaps & Global Investing In this episode, Alex Rawlings is joined by Maxwell Nee to explore how thinking bigger—10X bigger—can simplify investing and unlock outsized returns. Maxwell shares his 3-leg framework for identifying high-potential opportunities and...

In this powerful episode, Marc Adams shares his remarkable journey from a stage 4 cancer diagnosis to a full recovery—and how that experience inspired him to rethink private equity. Now leading Acquisitions for You, Marc helps business owners double their company’s value and cash out tax-free —without debt, dilution, or outside capital. With 40+ years in leadership, IPOs, and M&A, Marc discuss...

Overview: In this high-energy episode, Alex Rawlings is joined by Brad Pilcher , Partner and Co-Founder at Bonaccord Capital Partners , a leading mid-market GP Stakes investor. Brad shares his fascinating journey from aspiring concert pianist to private equity investor, and dives deep into how the private equity world is evolving — particularly around culture, capital, talent, and growth. They exp...

In this episode, host Alex Rawlings speaks with Eric Wiklendt , Managing Director at SpeySide Equity , a private equity firm focused on lower middle-market manufacturing businesses. Eric shares his “fix and build” value creation strategy, the key elements of successful human capital alignment , and why cost accounting is the hidden killer in many portfolio companies. With deep operational experien...

📍 Episode Overview: Alex Rawlings welcomes Taavo Godtfredsen and Sam Allison , co-founders of Advantage CEO , to discuss insights from their two-year research study of over 50 private equity-backed CEOs who averaged 6.2x MOIC . They break down the habits, systems, and mindset that separate high-performing CEOs from the rest—and introduce their proven 5X CEO Model . ⏱️ Key Timestamps: 00:00 – Intr...

Note: The securities mentioned in this podcast are not considered a recommendation to buy or sell and once should not presume they will be profitable. In this episode of The Private Equity Podcast , Alex Rawlings welcomes Scott Neuberger , Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Karmel Capital , a private equity firm investing in late-stage software and AI companies. Scott shares deep insights into how...

🗣️ Guest: Carola Kamuff – Presentation Coach | Author of Quick Guide Management Presentation 🎧 Host: Alex Rawlings, Founder of Raw Selection ⏱️ Key Topics & Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Carola Kamuff Former M&A exec turned expert in coaching management teams for exit presentations. 01:54 – Why Communication Matters Carola explains her shift from numbers to narratives and why people—not just s...

In this episode, Alex Rawlings speaks with Jamyn Edis , digital transformation expert, former VC-backed CEO, and NYU professor. Jamyn shares actionable insights on using AI, data, and automation to drive performance across private equity firms and their portfolio companies. From dynamic pricing models and A/B testing to agentic AI and accelerating product cycles, Jamyn explains how to cut through...

Guest: Brian Gustason, Operating Partner at Craig Group Host: Alex Rawlings, Founder of Raw Selection 🔍 Episode Summary: In this episode, Brian Gustason shares practical insights on building scalable go-to-market (GTM) strategies for lower-middle-market, PE-backed companies. With over 25 years of operating and advisory experience, Brian explains how to move beyond traditional, backward-looking du...

🎙️ The Private Equity Podcast — Niklas James, Founder of Minds Capital Host: Alex Rawlings | Guest: Niklas James In this episode, Alex is joined by Niklas James, Founder of Minds Capital , an independent sponsor investment platform. They explore what sets successful sponsors apart, why industry specialization matters, and how media can supercharge inbound deal flow. 🕒 Episode Highlights 00:00 – N...

🎙️ The Private Equity Podcast — Episode with Cyril Aboujaoude, Co-Founder of TioPo Capital In this episode, Alex Rawlings is joined by Cyril Aboujaoude , Co-Founder of TioPo Capital , a hands-on private equity firm investing in SMEs across the UK and France. Cyril shares the journey of launching TioPo, their operationally driven approach to investing, and how young, entrepreneurial grit fueled the...

Guest: Greg Nieuwenhuys – PE Operator & Founder, Generative AI Strategy Host: Alex Rawlings – CEO, Raw Selection 🔍 Episode Summary: Greg Nieuwenhuys returns to share a practical, step-by-step AI Playbook for hiring. From writing job descriptions to automating follow-ups, Greg breaks down how PE firms and portfolio companies can integrate generative AI into recruitment. Packed with tools, tact...

🎙️ The Private Equity Podcast – Mark Strauch, Founding Partner & President, Alpine Investors ⏱️ Key Takeaways & Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro Alex welcomes Mark Strauch to discuss Alpine’s unique leadership-driven approach in private equity. 01:00 – From CEO to PE Leader Mark shares his journey from operator to co-founding Alpine, now with $20B+ AUM. 02:08 – The Industry’s Problem: Lack of Dif...

In this episode, Alex Rawlings speaks with Amias Gerety , Partner at QED Investors , a leading fintech-focused VC firm managing nearly $1B in assets . Amias shares insights on venture capital strategy, staying disciplined during market hype, sourcing deals, and how lessons from his time at the U.S. Treasury shape his investment decisions today. ⏱ Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Intro & QED Overvie...

Episode Overview In this episode, Alex Rawlings welcomes Michael Von Bevern, Co-Managing Director for Sunterra Fund Services, to discuss the evolving landscape of fund administration in private equity. Michael shares nearly two decades of experience, working with over 500 fund managers, and offers invaluable insight into common mistakes first-time managers make, the growing role of fund administra...

In this episode, host Alex Rawlings is joined by Joe Basrawy , Managing Director at Partners Capital , a global multi-asset investment firm serving some of the world's most sophisticated investors — including private equity founders, endowments, and family offices. Joe offers a rare and in-depth look at the Limited Partner (LP) perspective — covering common pitfalls private equity firms make,...

In this episode, Alex Rawlings is joined by Jeremiah Wanzell, a seasoned consumer brand executive with leadership roles at Hugo Boss and Calvin Klein, and now an operating partner working with private equity firms to drive growth in the consumer sector. Jeremiah shares his insights into the evolving role of the operating partner, value creation beyond financial engineering, the importance of omnic...

🔹 Episode Overview: In this episode, we’re joined by William Quartner, Partner at Prelude Growth Partners, a New York-based private equity firm dedicated to the high-growth consumer space. William shares insights from his impressive journey through investment banking and private equity at firms like Goldman Sachs and TowerBrook Capital, to now helping build Prelude Growth from its inception to th...

Guest: Greg Moran – Multi-exit founder, investor, and Managing Partner at Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners Host: Alex Rawlings, Founder of Raw Selection ⏱️ Timestamps & Topics 00:00 – Introduction to Greg Moran Alex welcomes Greg Moran, a multi-exit founder turned investor, and Managing Partner at Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners. Greg introduces his background in scaling businesses, raisi...

🕒 Episode Timestamps & Show Notes 00:00 – Introduction Alex welcomes John Dwyer, Founder of The Institute of WOW , to explore how direct response marketing can drive real results for private equity firms and their portfolio companies. 00:53 – What is WOW Factor Marketing? John explains his flipped model: get prospects to try your product so they fall in love with your brand—not the other way...

Episode Summary: In this insightful episode, Alex Rawlings is joined by Brett Hickey, the CEO and founder of Star Mountain Capital. Brett shares his unique journey from humble beginnings in Northwestern Canada to leading a multi-billion-dollar asset management firm in the U.S. With deep reflections on leadership, value-based investing, building collaborative ecosystems, and what truly drives susta...

🧠 Episode Summary: In this insightful episode, Alex Rawlings is joined by Brian Reavell, Founder of R-Squared Advisors and seasoned Private Equity Operating Partner, to dive deep into the world of go-to-market (GTM) strategies. Brian shares a comprehensive GTM playbook for PE-backed portfolio companies—spanning from due diligence and customer segmentation to talent evaluation and post-investment...

🔍 Episode Overview: In this episode, Alex Rawlings is joined by David Rowley , Operating Partner at Diversis Capital , to explore how private equity can drive value creation through smarter product strategies and the integration of artificial intelligence. With a career spanning back to the 1980s in software product development, David shares practical insights into aligning executive teams with P...

🎙️ The Private Equity Podcast — Episode with Graham Bachman, Hidden River Strategic Capital Guest: Graham Bachman, Managing Director & Head of Business Development at Hidden River Strategic Capital Host: Alex Rawlings In this episode of The Private Equity Podcast , Alex Rawlings is joined by Graham Bachman , who shares how Hidden River Strategic Capital is reshaping lower middle-market investi...

The Private Equity Podcast – Show Notes Guest: Otis Spencer Host: Alex Rawlings Episode Title: Lessons in Leadership: From Army Logistics to PE Operating Partner & CEO Success 🎙 Episode Overview: In this episode, Otis Spencer, a former U.S. Army logistics officer turned private equity operating partner and CEO, shares a compelling journey of leadership, operations, and transformation. From man...