Excellence in Software Investing: JMI Equity’s Larry Contrella

In this episode we speak with Eric Byunn, Co-Founder and Partner of Centana Growth Partners, a growth equity firm with deep, relevant sector experience investing in and working with companies in financial services, fintech, and related enterprise software. Eric is a three-time awardee of GrowthCap’s Top Software Investors. He co-founded Centana in 2015 and previously worked over 20 years in growth equity and technology.  He spent 13 years at FTV Capital, a multi-billion dollar growth equity fund, where he was a partner, served on the management committee and led investments in enterprise technology.  In the earlier part of his career, Eric held positions at Netscape, mCFO and McKinsey. Eric supports Smithsonian Institution. To learn more about this organization click here. I am your host RJ Lumba.  We hope you enjoy the show.  If you like the episode, click to follow.

In this episode we speak with Larry Contrella, Partner at JMI Equity, a growth equity firm focused on investing in leading software companies. Today, the Firm’s portfolio represents $9 billion in combined revenue, $75 billion in aggregate enterprise value, and over 37,000 jobs. Larry joined the firm in 2010 and focuses on investments in B2B software businesses. For the sixth consecutive year, Larry has been recognized by GrowthCap as a Top 40 Under 40 Growth Investor, in addition to being recognized as a Top Software investor for the past two years. Larry supports Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Friends of Patterson Park. I am your host RJ Lumba.  We hope you enjoy the show.  If you like the episode, click to follow.

In this episode we speak with Elizabeth Betten, Partner and Co-Head of Healthcare at Madison Dearborn Partners. Elizabeth was recognized by GrowthCap as a Top Woman Leader in Growth Investing of 2024. Madison Dearborn has a history in Chicago that dates back to the early 1980s when its founders built a $2.6 billion management buyout and venture capital portfolio at First Chicago Venture Capital. In 1992, the founders established MDP as an independent firm, and, since then, the firm has raised aggregate capital of over $31 billion, and has completed investments in more than 160 companies. Elizabeth joined MDP in 2004 as an Associate and re-joined after business school in 2008. Prior to MDP, she worked in healthcare investment banking at J.P. Morgan. Elizabeth supports Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute and Lincoln Park Zoo. I am your host RJ Lumba.  We hope you enjoy the show.  If you like the episode, click to follow.

In this episode we speak with Jeff Haywood and Steve LeSieur, Managing Directors and co-heads of Spectrum Equity’s healthcare investments since 2015. For the past two years, Jeff and Steve have been recognized by GrowthCap as Top 25 Healthcare Investors. Spectrum Equity is a leading growth equity firm providing capital and strategic support to innovative companies across the information economy. Since its founding in 1994, the firm has partnered with proven entrepreneurs and management teams to build long-term value in market-leading software and data services companies. Jeff’s areas of investment focus include Internet-enabled healthcare IT, software and information services. Prior to joining Spectrum, Jeff worked at Thoma Cressey Equity Partners and Goldman Sachs. Steve’s areas of investment focus include Internet-enabled software and information services serving vertical end markets such as healthcare, education and travel & hospitality. Prior to joining Spectrum, Steve worked at Trident Capital, Thomas Weisel Partners and The Beacon Group. Jeff supports Utah Athletics. To learn more about this organization click here. Steve supports World Bicycle Relief and Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition. I am your host RJ Lumba.  We hope you enjoy the show.  If you like the episode, click to follow.

In this episode we speak with Mike Ettling, the CEO of Unit4, a software company that specializes in the professional services, public services, education, and nonprofit sectors.  Mike was recognized by The Software Report as a Top 50 SaaS CEO of 2023. Unit 4’s integrated suite of AI-powered ERP software solutions built on a robust platform helps elevate businesses, delivering visibility and control over finances, projects, procurement, reporting, forecasting and payroll. The company has 2,700 colleagues across the globe and serves more than 5,100 customers. Mike is a CEO, investor, builder of world class teams, champion of diversity and continuous learner, and he’s passionate about people.  From his first leadership role in the Boy Scouts, to exec positions in the tech industry, his career has revolved around elevating, engaging and enabling people. I am your host RJ Lumba.  We hope you enjoy the show.  If you like the episode, click to follow.

In this episode we speak with Peter Chung, CEO and Managing Director of leading global growth investment firm Summit Partners.  For over 40 years, Summit has partnered with profitable, category-leading companies and their leadership teams seeking to build best-in-class businesses by leveraging their deep industry expertise and their Peak Performance Group value enhancement platform. With over 80 growth equity investment professionals in their offices across North America and Europe, Summit has invested in more than 550 companies in the technology, healthcare, financial services, business services and consumer sectors. Peter joined Summit Partners in 1994 and during his tenure has invested in more than 30 companies, including 18 currently or formerly publicly traded companies. He has served as the Firm’s CEO since 2015. Summit Partners was recognized by GrowthCap as a Top Private Equity Firm and Top Growth Equity Firm of 2024. Peter supports Salvation Army, Mercy Ships and Athletes in Action. I am your host RJ Lumba.  We hope you enjoy the show.  If you like the episode, click to follow.

In this episode we speak with Jim Quagliaroli, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Silversmith Capital Partners, a Boston-based growth equity firm focused on partnering with, and supporting, the best entrepreneurs in growing technology and healthcare companies.  Founded in 2015, the firm has $3.3 billion under management across four funds. Jim has served as Managing Partner of the firm since inception.  He partners with passionate founders of growing SaaS companies focused on product leadership.  Over his career, he has served on the board of over 25 tech companies and over 15 boards as the first institutional investor. Jim has been recognized by GrowthCap as a Top Software Investor in each of the last four years.  Silversmith currently sits at the top of GrowthCap’s Leaderboard for Best Growth Investment Firms. I am your host RJ Lumba.  We hope you enjoy the show.  If you like the episode, click to follow.

In this episode, we speak with Chris Crosby, the CEO of Compass Datacenters, a company that designs and constructs data centers for some of the world’s largest hyperscalers and cloud providers on campuses across the globe. The company has taken in over $4 billion of capital and is backed by Ontario Teachers and Brookfield, among others. In 2011, Chris’ vision was to focus on greenfield projects and deliver customizable, scalable, sustainable, and low-cost data centers in an expedited time frame.  Since its inception, Compass Datacenters has embraced sustainability with the efficient use of land, green energy, water-free cooling, and building materials. I am your host RJ Lumba.  We hope you enjoy the show.  If you like the episode click to follow.

In this episode we speak with Mike Uchrin, CEO & Co-Founder of Monogram Health, a leading multispecialty value-based provider of in-home, evidence-based care and benefit management services for patients living with polychronic conditions, notably, chronic kidney and end stage kidney disease. Backed by Frist Cressey, Norwest, and TPG Capital, Monogram Health has numerous value-based partnerships with leading health plans, integrated delivery systems, and risk-bearing primary care platforms to care for patients across 35 states and all insurance products. Previously, Mike led the growth of Health Choice, the managed care and insurance business unit of private equity sponsored IASIS Healthcare. I am your host RJ Lumba.  We hope you enjoy the show.  If you like the episode, click to follow.

In this episode we speak with Petri Oksanen, a Partner with Francisco Partners and Co-Head of the firm's European investing efforts focused on enterprise application software companies, with a particular interest in industrial, manufacturing, and other vertical sectors.  Based in London, he joined the firm in 2005.  Petri previously held positions at Morgan Stanley and Microsoft. Francisco Partners is a leading global investment firm that specializes in partnering with technology and technology-enabled businesses. With approximately $45 billion in capital raised, the firm invests in opportunities where its deep sectoral knowledge and operational expertise can help companies realize their full potential. Francisco Partners was recognized by GrowthCap as among the Top Private Equity Firm of 2024. I am your host RJ Lumba.  We hope you enjoy the show.  If you like the episode, click to follow.