AI Infrastructure Builder: Chalk’s Marc Freed-Finnegan

In this episode, we speak with Marc Freed-Finnegan, Co-Founder and CEO of Chalk, a data platform that powers machine learning and generative AI with real-time, Python-native infrastructure for developers and data teams. Chalk recently raised a $50 million Series A round at a $500 million valuation. The round was led by Felicis, with participation from Triatomic Capital, General Catalyst, Unusual Ventures, and Xfund. The funding will accelerate Chalk’s efforts to scale its Rust-based feature engine and support a growing number of enterprise AI teams building real-time systems. 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 Piotr Tomasik, Co-Founder and President at TensorWave, a cutting-edge cloud platform purpose-built for AI workloads that delivers high-performance computing with AMD MI300X accelerators and a best-in-class inference engine. TensorWave recently raised $100 million from Magnetar, AMD Ventures, Maverick Silicon, Nexus Venture Partners, and Prosperity7. The capital infusion strengthens the company’s ability to scale its infrastructure for memory-intensive AI workloads and expands its reach as a next-gen alternative in the AI and HPC cloud space. Piotr supports Startup Vegas. 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 Mark Gormley, Partner at Lee Equity Partners, a middle-market private equity firm that partners with entrepreneurs and management teams primarily in the financial and healthcare services sectors. Going on nearly two decades, the firm leverages a thematic investment strategy and deep sector expertise to collaborate with talented management teams, accelerate growth, and build market-leading businesses. Lee Equity currently manages $5 billion in assets. Mark joined the firm in 2006. Prior to that, he was a Partner and co-founder of Capital Z Financial Services Partners, served as a Managing Director at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, and was a founding member of the Insurance Group at Merrill Lynch. Mark supports Conservation International.  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 Chris Hadley, Managing Director at Berkshire Partners, a 100% employee-owned investor in private and public equity. The private equity team invests in well-positioned, growing companies across business & consumer services, healthcare, industrials, and technology & communications. Founded in 1986, Berkshire is currently investing from its Fund XI, which closed in 2024 with $7.8 billion in commitments. The firm has completed over 150 investments and is known for partnering closely with management teams to drive growth across market cycles. A leader within the firm’s healthcare investment team, Chris has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic insight over his 27-year tenure. Known for his unique ability to build trust and foster collaboration, he has earned the respect of peers and portfolio company management teams alike, and was recognized by GrowthCap as a Top Healthcare Investor of 2025. Chris supports Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and McLean Hospital. 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 Dina Said Dwyer, Founder and Managing Partner of Eden Capital Management, a New York-based private equity firm focused on scaling private companies at critical inflection points in technology, business services, and education. Founded in 2015, Eden Capital partners with founders and management teams to grow businesses with proven, scalable models, deploying $20–$75 million through flexible investment structures. Drawing on over 40 years of international investment expertise, Eden provides strategic and operational support to drive growth and value creation. With more than two decades in the private equity industry, Dina was recognized by GrowthCap as a Top Healthcare Investor of 2025. 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 Tyler Wolfram, a Managing Partner at Oak Hill Capital, a longstanding private equity firm that has been investing in the North American middle market for nearly 40 years. Oak Hill applies a specialized, theme-based approach to investing across services and digital infrastructure.  Since 1986, Oak Hill and its predecessors have raised over $23 billion in initial capital commitments and co-investments and have invested in more than 110 companies. Tyler has been a Managing Partner at Oak Hill Capital since 2012 and has been with the firm since 2001. Previously, he was a Managing Director at J.H. Whitney and spent the early part of his career at DLJ.   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 Marc Bhargava, Managing Director at General Catalyst, an investment and transformation firm partnering with entrepreneurs to build global resiliency and applied AI. Founded in 2000, General Catalyst has $36B in assets under management and recently raised an additional $8B to accelerate investments in early-stage ventures, company creation, and ecosystem transformations. With a focus on innovation, GC is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs navigate the next frontier of technology and industry evolution. Marc leads GC’s Creation strategy, focusing on incubations, transformations, and venture buyouts. He also invests early in both crypto and fintech and contributes to GC’s expanding AI initiatives. Marc’s core areas of interest include AI-driven rollups in services and software businesses, fintech innovation in bookkeeping, accounting, and insurance, and early-stage crypto incubation. Marc supports UNICEF. 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 Michael Dominguez, Chief Investment Officer and Senior Managing Director at Providence Equity Partners — a leading private equity firm specializing in growth-oriented media, communications, education, and technology companies across North America and Europe. Since its founding in 1989, Providence has combined deep industry expertise with a collaborative investment approach, deploying over $40 billion across more than 180 portfolio companies to help build exceptional businesses and generate attractive returns. Michael joined the firm’s Providence office in 1998. He is the chair of the investment committee and a member of the executive and portfolio review committees. He oversees the firm’s portfolio operations group and serves as co-chair of Providence’s responsible investing committee. 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 Brendan Carroll, Co-Founder and Senior Partner at Victory Park Capital (VPC), a global leader in alternative asset management specializing in private asset-backed credit. Founded in 2007 and now a majority-owned affiliate of Janus Henderson Group, VPC offers comprehensive financing and capital markets solutions through its affiliate platform, Triumph Capital Markets. With a global presence across 25 cities, VPC is at the forefront of innovative investment strategies. Brendan leads strategic initiatives, firm operations, and the sourcing of high-impact investment opportunities at VPC. As a key member of VPC’s Investment and Valuation Committees, Brendan’s leadership is integral to driving the firm’s success and delivering exceptional value to its investors. Brendan supports Lurie Children's Hospital. 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 Brian Dudley, Partner at Adams Street Partners, a global private markets investment manager with investments in more than 30 countries across five continents. Adams Street is 100% employee-owned and has $62 billion in AUM across primary, secondary, growth equity, credit, and co-investment strategies. The firm strives to generate actionable investment insights across market cycles by drawing on over 50 years of private markets experience, proprietary intelligence, and trusted relationships. Since joining Adams Street’s Growth Equity Team in 2013, Brian has led the firm’s application software investments, focusing on growth equity in software, fintech, and consumer sectors, while actively contributing to thought leadership, industry events, and several key committees. Brian supports RallyCap Sports. 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.