S2 | Episode 11: The Evolution of Private Equity - From Wizards to Artisans with Jacob Kotzubei

Financial engineering or operational value add? As private equity's growth has evolved over several decades, the mechanics of deal structure, capital structure, and motivations have undergone changes across several eras. No longer just the barbarians at the gate anymore, many private equity firms have turned their attention from balance sheet gymnastics to delivering actual operating expertise for portfolio companies. In this episode of Capital Decanted, we answer important questions - what is driving this evolution? How are deal structures different today vs. in the late 1980s? And what is the playbook for a segment of the industry trying to deliver true value? To help us answer these questions, we are joined by Jacob Kotzubei, Co-President of Platinum Equity.Introduction: (0:48)Halftime: (52:00)Guest: (58:31)Guest: Jacob Kotzubei, Co-President, Platinum EquityEpisode Sources

Asset-based lending has come of age, but its evolution has made it challenging to put it in a homogeneous category or asset class, given its complexity and diversity of the underlying universe. From receivables and real estate to royalties and R&D, the range of collateral backing these loans raises questions about ABL's position within the broader private credit complex. In this episode, we attempt to define the history and parameters of ABL, including how loans are structured, as well as crucial due diligence and portfolio construction considerations. To help us explore these topics, we're joined by Greg Turk, Deputy CIO of Illinois Police Officers' Pension Investment Fund, and Cedric Henley, Partner and Chief Risk Officer of Specialty Finance at SLR Capital Partners.Introduction: (0:48)Halftime: (57:12)Guest: (1:02:45)Guests:Cedric Henley, Partner and Chief Risk Officer of Specialty Finance at SLR Capital PartnersGreg Turk, Deputy CIO, Head of Private Markets, Illinois Police Officers Pension Investment FundEpisode Sources

Despite being thousands of years old, China’s current economic and political system began to take shape only in the late 20th century, particularly following the economic reforms initiated in the late 1970s. Today, China represents one of the largest economies in the world, a breeding ground for innovation, and an exciting capital market increasingly open to foreigners. However, recent policy swings and geopolitical events have called many items into question - is China investable? Is it possible to develop a long-term view despite short-term geopolitical headwinds? And, most importantly, will the many years of progress toward economic and political pragmatism win the day? We're joined by China private capital investor pioneer, Ed Grefenstette, CEO and CIO of the Dietrich Foundation.Introduction: (0:48)Halftime: (1:20:43)Guest: (1:28:52)Guest:Ed Grefenstette, CEO and CIO, The Dietrich FoundationEpisode Sources

With the tectonic plates in trade, geopolitics, economics, and national security seemingly shifting under our feet in real time, we stepped back to talk about some of the major themes defining the future of this industry. With a lens towards the current uncertainty and risk of global regime change, we examined where our profession, and particularly private capital, is likely to evolve. No one was better equipped to guide us than Casey Quirk co-founder and current Global Head of Investor Relations at Bain, Kevin Quirk.Introduction: (0:48)Guest: (6:50)Guest:Kevin Quirk, Global Head of Investor Relations, Bain CapitalEpisode Sources

After many booms, busts, and shakeouts in crypto markets, the pump seems primed for broader adoption in institutional portfolios. Are we really doing this? How might a seemingly crypto-friendly Trump Administration fuel further adoption in the largest capital market in the world? In this episode, we use history as a guide, exploring the phases of crypto adoption and wrestling with whether we're truly in a new era or if the headlines are overhyping reality. Join us and our guests, Robbie Mitchnick of BlackRock and Greg Tusar of Coinbase, to explore further.Introduction: (0:48)Halftime: (1:01:46)Guests: (1:07:58)Guests:Greg Tusar, Head of Institutional Product, CoinbaseRobert Mitchnick, Head of Digital Assets, BlackRockEpisode Sources

Greedy sinners or enterprising saints? The growth of private equity's influence on the economy can no longer be ignored. Like it or not, private equity's reach surrounds our daily lives and its impact on society can be felt across all sectors of the economy. In this episode, we outline a more balanced middle between the extremes of proponents and detractors and highlight two virtuous examples of how private capital is being used for social and financial good.Introduction: (0:48)Halftime: (46:25)Guests: (52:13)Guests:Pete Stavros, Co-Head, Global Private Equity, KKRDaryn Dodson, Founder, Managing Partner, Illumen CapitalEpisode Sources

What do co-investments, secondaries, joint ventures, and NAV lending have in common? To some, they sound like complex investment vehicles - to us, they represent the cutting-edge tools reshaping how asset owners build portfolios. Gone are the days of relying solely on the binary choice between insourcing or outsourcing investment capabilities. Today’s institutional investors have a dynamic, customizable toolkit at their fingertips, empowering them to craft strategies that truly serve their stakeholders. Join industry leaders Scott Chan and Molly Murphy as they dive into this exciting evolution, unpack the innovative investment vehicles driving change, and discuss the challenges and opportunities in implementation. Introduction: (0:48) Halftime: (59:28) Guests: (1:05:57) Guests: Molly Murphy, Chief Investment Officer, OCERS Scott Chan, CFA, Chief Investment Officer, CalSTRS Episode Sources

How does a legacy private capital partnership who has thrived solely in the institutional draw down LP ecosystem, assemble the apparatus to begin distributing those strategies to the individual investor? When client acquisition and conversations, investor sophistication, product design, culture, operational support etc. are all fundamentally different...where do they start in this overhaul? What challenges and pitfalls have they experienced along the way? What battle scars and advice can they share with others that are considering the same or in the early stages themselves. Join us as we draw a blueprint in a very applied and practical manner. Introduction: (0:48) Halftime: (54:00) Guests: (59:39) Guests: Shane Clifford, Managing Director–Partner and Head of Global Wealth, Carlyle Doug Krupa, Managing Director, Global Client Solutions, KKR Episode Sources

AI dominates headlines and investment conferences these days…often to excess.  Sensational stories like “Here’s the robot that will steal your job” and charges of “Disrupt, transform or die” fill our feeds and raise fearmongering narratives that channel Issac Asimov’s I-Robot or James Cameron’s Skynet--of course from the Terminator series.  Quant shops, hedge funds, and algorithmic trading firms have embedded AI in their models for over a decade.  But have we hit a tipping point where applications of these accelerated computing capabilities are ready to invade the more traditional asset management business?  What are those use cases and which are most promising?  And how should we think about peaceful future co-existence of the human and the machine in managing portfolios.  Martin Escobari and Dave Morehead join us to unpack this provocative topic. Introduction (0:48) Halftime (42:35) Guests (50:44) Guests: Martin Escobari, Co-President, Managing Director, Head of Global Growth Equity, General AtlanticDave Morehead, Chief Investment Officer, Marketable Investments, Baylor University Episode Sources

Today’s asset management business has quickly transformed into a race to build out a stable of thoroughbreds--investment strategies across a spectrum of conventional public equity and debt as well as offerings across the continuum of private capital--equity, credit, secondaries, real estate, infrastructure etc. What makes recent history particularly unique are the crossover deals from traditional managers with alternative managers.  For several decades, traditional long only mutual fund shops and institutional firms stayed in their lane and idiosyncratic, complex private capital partnerships lived in a different world---there was a peaceful co-existence and mutual exclusivity. Those distinctions and parallel worlds have evaporated.  We explore why with two of the most revered leaders in the industry and compare and contrast their different approaches to meeting this challenge. Introduction (0:47) Halftime (47:03) Guests (53:15) Guests: Jean Hynes, CEO, Wellington Management Jenny Johnson, CEO, Franklin Templeton Episode Sources