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 the evolution of GP Stakes investing, the key challenges mid-market GPs face, and why a structured app...
Feb 04, 2025•32 min•Ep. 17
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 digital in private equity! Disclaimer: The remarks included in this Podcast are for information purpose...
Sep 11, 2024•29 min
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 visionary leadership and strategic partnerships. This episode offers valuable lessons on using AI to ...
Aug 06, 2024•36 min
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, from streamlining diligence processes to enhancing value creation. Jon offers expert advice on navigat...
May 29, 2024•35 min
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-driven decision-making for long-term success
May 14, 2024•28 min
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, this podcast provides valuable strategies for driving success and maximizing returns.
Mar 19, 2024•26 min
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. Nadim founded SPS in 2009 after six years in the business development group of American Capital, wher...
Feb 27, 2024•29 min
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 company's unique challenges. Ray was a three-time CEO and a private equity investment partner, before jo...
Dec 20, 2023•24 min
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 topics like: Best practices, challenges, and lessons learned around driving portfolio adoption in technol...
Dec 13, 2023•51 min
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 impact of economic changes, like rising interest rates. Garrett emphasizes industry specialization an...
Aug 28, 2023•33 min
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 bring in specialized consultancies to fit the precise need of PE portfolio company – every time while being...
Jul 24, 2023•35 min
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.
Jun 05, 2023•31 min•Ep. 6
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 investment opportunities. Paul highlights what he has learned at bulge bracket consulting firms like Bain &a...
Apr 26, 2023•42 min•Ep. 5
According to Forbes, there are close to 30 million private companies in the United States. In this episode, we get some great insights from one of these owners that grew his business over the course of almost three decades, then sold to a PE firm (twice) and is doing it again with another PE firm. Don Mershon joins us and discusses he could have achieved the same level of growth in five years (not 30) and how to pick the best PE firm if you are looking to do the same thing. A great Case Study fo...
Feb 21, 2023•25 min•Ep. 4
Mark Tarchetti joins us to discuss growth as a value driver. The guys cover growth strategy, managing to full potential, activity based management, “structure follows strategy”, and the culture of growth. (3:00) Growth as a value driver: PAI Tropicana case study (8:23) How to work with management teams to implement growth strategy (10:52) Diligence potential as much as performance (14:20) Activity based management thought process (18:53) Changing the mindset of internal team (23:30) Cultural of ...
Jan 03, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Chris Moye joins us to discuss Digital Transformation. The early days of building the RTS framework at McKinsey, the EQ/IQ/DQ methodologies for effective transformation, and ultimately what makes for a successful implementation of digital transformation. (2:25) Chris discusses foundation of the digital transformation implementation frameworks and the performance infrastructure to drive change (7:55) Digital transformation in the current inflationary enviornment (10:30) Defining digital transform...
Oct 12, 2022•28 min•Ep. 2
What makes an effective Chief Transformation Officer? Al Morales is a seasoned CTO effecting change and transformation at some of the largest privately and publicly held companies. (1:44) Where to look for a differentiated opportunity to generate growth and margin improvement and then actually go and deliver real operational value (3:30) Defining the role of a Chief Transformation Officer (4:25) The most critical attributes of a good transformational leader (5:50) What are some of the things tha...
Sep 20, 2022•28 min•Ep. 1
The LAB takes the ethereal to the practical. Our podcast acts like a business school case study for private equity professionals, CEOs, Operating Partners, and Chief Transformation Officers. We all know transformation is the key to differentiated alpha. Here's how you actually do it. Our audience tunes in to learn from those in the field, getting their fingernails dirty and driving meaningful growth through better operations, technology and data. We learn from going to business school, teaching ...
Sep 15, 2022•45 sec
