Private Equity Value Creation Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Shiv interviews Raj Bakhru, CEO and Co-Founder at BlueFlame AI.

In this episode, Shiv and Raj discuss how generative AI is transforming private equity operations. Learn how AI agents are already reshaping workflows across sourcing, diligence, and portfolio value creation. Hear how PE firms can leverage proprietary data and build internal AI committees to capture smarter, faster outcomes across the firm.

Shiv interviews John Stewart, Founder and Managing Partner at MiddleGround Capital.

In this episode, John shares his expertise in investing in the industrial B2B manufacturing space — from his two decades at Toyota, to moving to the investment side of the equation. Learn about underwriting the value creation plan and creating enterprise value for industrial portcos, as well as investing in and optimizing manufacturing companies in the current landscape and how this can translate into quick returns for the fund and LPs.

Shiv interviews Josh Schwartz, Operating Principal at Growth Factors.

In this episode, Josh talks about the unique operating partner model between Growth Factors and Bregal Sagemount. Learn his approach to value creation from the GTM side, how to look for growth levers during diligence, and how to navigate the political dynamics between operating partners and a portco’s leadership team.

Shiv interviews Todd Morrissey, Partner at Hidden River Strategic Capital. 

In this episode, Todd shares alternative avenues for founders and entrepreneurs other than a growth equity buyout and private credit deals. Learn how they help companies determine how much capital they need to scale, the opportunities for combining debt and equity as an investment avenue, and why some types of companies are best suited for this approach.

Shiv interviews Brad Armstrong, Partner at Lovell Minnick Partners (LMP). 

In this episode, Shiv and Brad talk about LMP’s approach to supporting their portfolio companies with a robust operating partner bench, as well as how to prioritize where to allocate budget, resources, and advisors when making value creation plans. Learn about weaponizing the value creation team and other benefits outside of the initial capital investment, and how to get your advisors’ support before the deal is done.

The information contained in this podcast is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice.

Shiv interviews Stephen Marks, Managing Director, Emmersion Capital.

In this episode, Shiv and Stephen discuss the benefits and challenges of nearshoring, including the economies of scaling your workforce in Latin America, onboarding and company culture, as well as macroeconomic risks and political challenges. Learn about labor arbitrage opportunities, the complexities of dealing with foreign taxes and legal systems, and more.

Shiv interviews Diamond Innabi, Principal at Software Equity Group. 

In this episode, Diamond shares how investment banks can help founders position their companies to increase the likelihood of transactions. Learn how successful founders think about the process of exiting, as well as how to maximize the valuation of a transaction and ensure the interests of founders and investment banks are aligned. 

Shiv Narayanan, Founder and CEO at How To SaaS, shares his presentation from Silicon Y’All 2024. Learn about the nine critical marketing problems most companies face, from poor gross revenue and net retention problems to not generating enough traffic or leads. Shiv also shares the five most common value creation scenarios and the four major marketing mistakes companies make.

Shiv interviews John Bailey, Co-Founder at OneFund Investments.

In this episode, John shares how he runs his fund of funds, how he vets the PE firms they invest in, and the pros and cons of how PE firms approach operating teams. Learn about key differences between the three models for operating teams within PE firms, how to build a lean (but impactful) ops team, as well as how an integrated ops team can drive an investment forward for everyone.

The information contained in this podcast is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice.

This episode is sponsored by scaleMatters.

In this episode, Shiv Narayanan interviews Scott Stouffer, CEO and Founder at scaleMatters, to talk all about data – data hygiene, data infrastructure, and the insights that come from data to make those important value creation decisions.

Learn how scaleMatters – a firm that specializes in go-to-market analytics – reviews and audits client data, why it’s important for companies and PE firms to take on this work, how to establish the metrics you need in your dashboards, and more.  The information contained in this podcast is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice.