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  • Welcome to the 14th episode of the Monthly Alts Pulse, a collaboration between iCapital x Alt Goes Mainstream.

    Here’s the latest episode of the Monthly Alts Pulse, a live conversation in studio with Lawrence Calcano, the Chairman & CEO of iCapital. As the leader of a platform with over $200B of assets that is responsible for the majority of individual and advisor-led investment flows into the alts space, Lawrence and iCapital have their finger on the pulse of what’s happening in private markets.


    On this episode, Lawrence and I had a fascinating and lively discussion. We covered:

    Has private markets moved from access as table stakes to customization and differentiation?What are the different phases of private markets — and how has iCapital built solutions for each?Is data the oil for private markets?How will model portfolios fit into the wealth channel’s adoption of private markets?If advisors now have access to private markets, how do they differentiate?How does the trend of OCIOs being acquired by wealth managers factor into the continued evolution of wealth channel adoption of private markets?The nuances of diligence on fund managers.Why do private markets “start and stop at the advisor’s desktop?”What's the interplay between brand, access, and customization?

    Thanks Lawrence for a great episode … looking forward to next month’s conversation!

    Show Notes
    00:00 Introduction

    00:23 Trends in Wealth Management: Customization and Differentiation

    00:46 The Evolution of Private Markets Access

    01:28 Building Bespoke Programs for Advisors

    01:50 The Importance of Better Fit for Clients

    02:26 Infrastructure and Customization in Wealth Channels

    02:39 Phases of Evolution in Wealth Management

    03:29 Expanding Product Access and Automation

    03:49 Creating an Operating System for Wealth Management

    04:30 The Role of Model Portfolios

    04:56 The Role of Technology and Tools in Customization

    05:21 Differentiation Through Custom Solutions

    06:17 Understanding Customization in Wealth Markets

    07:11 The Role of Diligence in Wealth Management

    09:40 Reconciling Efficiency and Thoughtful Allocation

    09:59 Advisors' Role in Customization and Differentiation

    10:08 The Advisor's Role in Client Education

    11:01 The Future of Secondary Markets and Evergreen Products

    12:07 Tools for Advisors: Information and Fit

    14:57 The Importance of Education and Technology

    16:17 Product Innovation and Customization

    19:23 Conclusion: Balancing Tensions in Wealth Management

  • Everyone is talking about evergreens.

    Alt Goes Mainstream has collaborated with iCapital and Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Head of Portfolio Management Nick Veronis to dive into the evergreen question with some of the leading practitioners in private markets.

    This three part series with industry experts from Vista Equity Partners, KKR, and Hamilton Lane shines a light on one of the fastest-growing areas in private markets and its impact on the wealth channel.

    The three part series features:

    Vista Equity Partners Managing Director, Global Head of Private Wealth Solutions Dan Parant.KKR Managing Director, Head of Americas, Global Wealth Solutions (GWS) Doug Krupa.Hamilton Lane Managing Director, Co-Head US Private Wealth Solutions Stephanie Davis.

    Please enjoy the third episode of the series as Nick and I talk with Hamilton Lane's Stephanie Davis.

    Show Notes
    00:00 Introduction: Setting the Stage

    00:17 Early Days in the Evergreen Space

    00:33 Stephanie's Journey into Private Wealth

    00:40 From Merrill Lynch to Hamilton Lane

    01:15 The Evolution of Alternative Investments

    02:09 Success in Early Evergreen Structures

    02:23 Challenges and Innovations in Distribution

    03:01 Nick's Perspective on the Evergreen Space

    03:20 Hamilton Lane's Thought Leadership

    03:50 The Importance of Private Companies

    04:29 The Evolution of Evergreen Funds

    05:11 Optimal Structures for Evergreen Funds

    05:35 Target Audience and Distribution Strategies

    06:25 Commitment to Evergreen Structures

    06:50 Multi-Manager Approach and Diversification

    07:18 Adoption of Private Capital by Advisors

    07:49 The Role of Private Equity in Evergreen Funds

    08:50 The Importance of Fee Efficiency

    09:45 Educating Investors on Evergreen Structures

    15:00 The Power of Compounding in Evergreen Funds

    16:02 Institutional Interest in Evergreen Funds

    21:54 The Role of Liquidity in Evergreen Investments

    22:28 Educating Advisors and Clients

    25:48 Challenges in Advisor Education

    28:14 Allocation Strategies for Evergreen Funds

    31:22 The Future of Evergreen Structures

    31:36 3.0 in the Evergreen Space

    34:07 Manager Selection in Private Markets

    35:18 The Evolving Relationship of Public and Private Markets

    36:03 Closing Thoughts and Key Takeaways

    36:33 Disclaimer and Informational Purposes

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  • Everyone is talking about evergreens.

    Alt Goes Mainstream has collaborated with iCapital and Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Head of Portfolio Management Nick Veronis to dive into the evergreen question with some of the leading practitioners in private markets.

    This three part series with industry experts from Vista Equity Partners, KKR, and Hamilton Lane shines a light on one of the fastest-growing areas in private markets and its impact on the wealth channel.

    The three part series features:

    Vista Equity Partners Managing Director, Global Head of Private Wealth Solutions Dan Parant.KKR Managing Director, Head of Americas, Global Wealth Solutions (GWS) Doug Krupa.Hamilton Lane Managing Director, Co-Head US Private Wealth Solutions Stephanie Davis.

    Please enjoy the second episode of the series as Nick and I talk with KKR's Doug Krupa.

    Show Notes
    00:23 Doug's Background in Private Markets

    01:18 Early Career as a Financial Advisor

    01:55 Understanding Overfunded Pensions

    02:47 Focus on Making Private Markets Accessible

    03:12 Building Innovative Solutions at KKR

    03:25 Evolution of Wealth and Asset Management

    03:55 Challenges in Private Markets

    05:05 Partnering with KKR

    05:55 KKR's Commitment to the Wealth Channel

    06:04 Innovations in Fund Structures

    06:59 The Conglomerate Model

    07:15 KKR's Approach to Wealth Channel

    07:46 Expanding Access to Private Markets

    08:34 Delivering the Same Investment Experience

    09:36 Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs for Wealth Channel

    09:59 Legislation and Access to Private Markets

    12:56 Evergreen Structures vs. Conglomerate Model

    17:37 Investor Behavior in Evergreen Structures

    18:12 Adoption of Evergreen Strategies

    21:24 Educating the Industry on Evergreen

    22:55 The Shift from Public to Private Markets

    24:00 KKR's Educational Initiatives

    26:06 Rebranding Alternatives as Private Markets

    28:53 Partnerships and Hybrid Solutions

    29:04 Market Structure Evolutions

    31:11 Future of Private Markets

    32:32 Dominant Players in Private Markets

    34:18 Rapid Adoption of Evergreen Strategies

    34:59 Disruption in the Industry

    35:18 Final Thoughts on Private Markets

    38:58 Closing Remarks

    39:06 Disclaimer and Legal Information

    40:55 Copyright Information

  • Everyone is talking about evergreens.

    Alt Goes Mainstream has collaborated with iCapital and Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Head of Portfolio Management Nick Veronis to dive into the evergreen question with some of the leading practitioners in private markets.

    This three part series with industry experts from Vista Equity Partners, KKR, and Hamilton Lane shines a light on one of the fastest-growing areas in private markets and its impact on the wealth channel.

    The three part series features:

    Vista Equity Partners Managing Director, Global Head of Private Wealth Solutions Dan Parant.KKR Managing Director, Head of Americas, Global Wealth Solutions (GWS) Doug Krupa.Hamilton Lane Managing Director, Co-Head US Private Wealth Solutions Stephanie Davis.

    Please enjoy the first episode of the series as Nick and I talk with Vista Equity Partners’ Dan Parant.

    Show Notes
    00:19 Welcome and Guest Introduction

    00:39 Vista's Founding and Early Days

    02:05 Vista's Growth and Achievements

    03:11 Dan's Background and Role at Vista

    04:07 Enterprise Software Investment Thesis

    05:11 The Resilience of Enterprise Software

    07:11 The Private Market Advantage

    07:25 Constructing Portfolios for Wealth Channels

    08:13 The Shift from Public to Private Markets

    09:52 Evergreen Funds and Their Benefits

    11:06 Evergreen Strategies in Software Investing

    12:01 Advantages of Evergreen Structures

    13:09 The Role of Private Equity in Evergreen Funds

    13:17 Private Companies Staying Private Longer

    19:25 Vista's Approach to Different Company Sizes

    20:28 Growth vs. Yield in Evergreen Strategies

    21:11 The Importance of Scale in Evergreen Funds

    24:24 Challenges of Managing Evergreen Structures

    26:12 The Discipline of Manager Selection

    28:41 Educating Investors on Evergreen Structures

    30:08 Omnichannel Education Strategies

    31:04 Product-Specific Education

    32:00 Understanding Liquidity in Evergreen Funds

    33:37 Structuring Liquidity Parameters

    36:17 The Future of Evergreen Strategies

    39:45 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts
    40:17 Legal & Compliance Information

  • Welcome back to Going Public with Evercore’s Glenn Schorr.

    On the latest episode of Going Public, we drop the beat on F.R.E.A.M.

    Paying homage to Wu-Tang Clan’s song “C.R.E.A.M.” (“Cash rules everything around me”), Glenn discusses why “Fees rule everything around me” in asset management.

    We cover some of last quarter's most pressing topics in alternative asset management, including:

    How alternative asset managers balance fee generation with returns.Does major growth still lie ahead for alternative asset managers?Why “fees rule everything around me,” but so does alpha generation.Why does distribution (almost always) win in asset management?What’s the most valuable aspect of a publicly traded alts manager having a public currency?What is Glenn keeping his eye on for next quarter?

    Making private markets more public — with expert analysis

    Alt Goes Mainstream has partnered with an expert who has seen the evolution of alternative asset managers from their early days.

    Glenn Schorr is a Senior MD and Senior Research Analyst at Evercore ISI, where he covers brokers, banks, asset managers, and trust banks as an analyst.

    He has covered financials since 2000 and started coverage of alternative asset managers when the first firms went public.

    He’s consistently come up as one of the most thoughtful and well-respected analysts in the space. He balances deep research with a creative flair (just read one of the titles of his research reports and you can see his love of the game). He’s been named to Institutional Investor’s All-America Research Team for his coverage, most recently ranking #2 and runner up in 2023, #1 and #2 in 2022. Prior to Evercore, Glenn was a Senior MD at Nomura, serving as the lead financials analyst.

    Listen in as Glenn shares market stories, the evolution of alternative asset managers as businesses, the biggest and most exciting trends in private markets based on what the industry’s largest players are doing, and we go “around the horn” for his analysis on the publicly traded firms.

    Show Notes

    00:00 Introduction

    00:38 Meet Glenn Schorr

    01:52 Wu-Tang Clan and Asset Management

    02:40 F.R.E.A.M.: Fees Rule Everything Around Me

    02:49 Public Investors and Revenue Streams

    03:47 Balancing Fee Growth and Investment Returns

    05:50 Talent Migration and Fee Justification

    06:38 Migration to Private Markets

    07:07 Deregulation and Its Impact

    09:31 Structural Challenges for Banks

    09:58 Growth in Alternative Asset Management

    12:19 Wealth Channel and Private Markets

    13:13 Private Equity Performance

    15:37 Education Process for Investors

    16:27 Perpetual Private Equity Products

    17:35 Model Portfolios: The Next Frontier

    21:00 Distribution and Asset Management

    24:24 Corporate Strategy and Partnerships in Asset Management

    27:10 Public vs. Private Firms

    29:56 Acquisitions and Growth Strategies

    31:09 Specialty Managers and Market Trends

    33:12 Big TAMs and Investment Opportunities

    36:15 Consolidation in the Industry

    38:16 Surprises and Trends in the Quarter

    39:44 Deployment and Investment Grade Private Credit

    40:03 Credit Cycles and Market Concerns

    41:15 Data Centers and AI Investments

    41:54 Size and Scale in Asset Management

    45:19 Bank and Asset Manager Partnerships

    46:15 Looking Ahead: Thoughts on the Next Quarter

    47:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    Company Coverage and Disclosures

    Evercore ISI

    Glenn Schorr

    | Ticker | Company
    | APO | Apollo Global Management, Inc.
    | BAC | Bank of America Corporation
    | Glenn Schorr holds a long position in equity securities of Bank of America Corporation.
    | BK | Bank of New York Mellon Corp.
    | Glenn Schorr holds a long position in equity securities of Bank of New York Mellon Corp.
    | BLK | BlackRock, Inc.
    | BlackRock, Inc. is a client of Evercore LLC, and Evercore LLC has provided investment banking services to BlackRock, Inc. in the last 12 months.
    | Evercore ISI or an affiliate expects to receive or intends to seek compensation for investment banking services from BlackRock, Inc. within the next three months.
    | Glenn Schorr holds a long position in equity securities of Blackrock Inc.
    | BX | Blackstone, Inc.
    | Blackstone, Inc. is a client of Evercore LLC, and Evercore LLC has provided investment banking services to Blackstone, Inc. in the last 12 months.
    | Evercore ISI or an affiliate expects to receive or intends to seek compensation for investment banking services from Blackstone, Inc. within the next three months.
    | An employee, employee's immediate family member, director or consultant of Evercore ISI or one of its affiliates (but not the covering research analyst or a member of the covering research analyst's household) is an officer, director or advisory board member of Blackstone, Inc.
    | Evercore ISI or an affiliate has received compensation from Blackstone, Inc. for investment banking services in the last 12 months.
    | Analyst has a financial interest in a private equity fund managed by Blackstone, Inc.
    | Glenn Schorr holds a long position in equity securities of Blackstone, Inc.
    | OWL | Blue Owl Capital, Inc
    | Evercore ISI or an affiliate has acted as a manager or co-manager of a public offering of securities by Blue Owl Capital, Inc in the last 12 months.
    | Blue Owl Capital, Inc is a client of Evercore LLC, and Evercore LLC has provided investment banking services to Blue Owl Capital, Inc in the last 12 months.
    | Evercore ISI or an affiliate has received compensation from Blue Owl Capital, Inc for investment banking services in the last 12 months.
    | BSIG | BrightSphere Investment
    | C | Citigroup, Inc.
    | An employee, employee's immediate family member, director or consultant of Evercore ISI or one of its affiliates (but not the covering research analyst or a member of the covering research analyst's household) is an officer, director or advisory board member of Citigroup, Inc.
    | Glenn Schorr holds a long position in equity securities of Citigroup, Inc.
    | BEN | Franklin Resources, Inc.
    | Glenn Schorr holds a long position in equity securities of Franklin Resources, Inc.
    | GS | Goldman Sachs Group Inc.
    | IVZ | Invesco Ltd.
    | JPM | JPMorgan Chase & Co.
    | Glenn Schorr holds a long position in equity securities of JPMorgan Chase & Co.
    | KKR | KKR & Co. Inc.
    | KKR & Co. Inc. is a client of Evercore LLC, and Evercore LLC has provided investment banking services to KKR & Co. Inc. in the last 12 months.
    | Evercore ISI or an affiliate has received comp...

  • Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.

    Today’s guest is an expert in financial services and capital markets who has experience as both a strategic investor and a VC.

    We welcome Rana Yared, a General Partner at Balderton, where she co-leads their Growth Fund. She came to Balderton in 2020 from across the pond, where she was a Partner at Goldman Sachs, first in the Principal Strategic Investments Group, a balance sheet investing team, and later in GS Growth, when the group became part of the GS Growth efforts that began to take in outside LP capital. At Goldman, Rana oversaw investments in Financial Technology and Enterprise Technology as well as the commercialization of Goldman’s technology assets in both NYC and London. She represented Goldman on the boards of Tradeweb, NAV, Vestwell, New York Shipping Exchange, and Swapclear @ LCH. She currently serves on the board of Tradeweb in an independent capacity.

    Coming off of a fundraise of $1.3B in new capital across early and growth stage funds at Balderton, Rana and I discussed what LPs were interested in and why Europe is a compelling investment ecosystem. We had a fascinating discussion about:

    Revolutionary and evolutionary innovations in financial services and private markets, including the likes of iCapital, Tradeweb, Revolut.Why global tech companies can be built in Europe, with Revolut, a Balderton portfolio company, as an example.Why London and Europe are compelling fintech and financial services ecosystems.How LPs should look at the European investment opportunity.Differences and benefits / drawbacks of being a strategic / permanent capital investor versus being an independent VC fund.The importance of being a risk manager in venture.

    Thanks Rana for coming on the show to share your wisdom and views on Europe, venture, and private markets. We hope you enjoy.

    A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund Solutions

    This episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.

    To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.

    Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at [email protected].

    We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.

    Show Notes

    00:00 Introduction and Ultimus Sponsor Message

    01:59 Introducing Balderton Capital Partner, Rana Yared

    04:16 Rana's Journey from Goldman Sachs to Balderton

    04:25 Transition from Investment Banking to VC

    06:26 Insights on Financial Services and Market Structure

    06:37 Investing in Market Structure

    09:05 Disruptive vs. Evolutionary Innovations in Fintech

    12:53 Partnering with Incumbents

    14:31 The Importance of Durability and Product Velocity

    18:11 Strategic Investing vs. Venture Capital

    21:21 Investing in the European Ecosystem

    27:06 The Exciting Potential of Revolut and European FinTech

    27:21 FinTech Giants in Germany

    27:54 European Companies' International Advantage

    28:55 Investor's Perspective on European Expansion

    29:48 The Role of Venture Capital in Europe

    29:22 Challenges and Strategies for European Investors

    30:20 The Importance of Local Presence

    30:55 The Future of European Ecosystems

    31:28 US VCs Entering Europe

    32:15 Bridging the Talent Gap

    34:02 Mentorship and Expertise

    35:52 The Role of LPs and European Investment Opportunities

    37:23 Challenges for European Pensions and Endowments

    38:49 Innovations in Fund Structures

    41:27 The Impact of Governmental Participation in Venture

    42:22 Exciting Opportunities in European Venture

    43:10 FinTech's Massive Potential

    43:59 Europe's Unique Financial Services Advantages

    44:53 Geopolitical Concerns for Investors

    45:51 Lessons from War Studies Applied to Investing

    47:11 The Future of Retirement Investments in Europe

    49:13 The Importance of Patience in Investing

  • Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.

    Today’s episode is with someone who has experienced the growth and evolution of the credit space from different vantage points.

    We welcome Alona Gornick, a Managing Director, Senior Investment Strategist, and Co-Head of the Chicago Office for Churchill Asset Management, a firm with $50B committed capital that is a provider of financing solutions to middle market private equity firms and their portfolio companies. Churchill is an investment-specialist affiliate of Nuveen, the asset manager of TIAA.

    Alona provides investment insights across the private capital spectrum to the investment community – and has a particular focus on working with the Private Wealth and Retail channels. She works closely with Nuveen’s global distribution team to deepen relationships with and educate Churchill’s investors and partners.

    Alona leverages her experience in capital markets, investor relations, and credit investing from working at the likes of Nuveen, Golden Gate Capital, and Oaktree Capital Management.

    Alona and I had a fascinating conversation. We discussed:

    The evolution of credit investing.The opportunities and risks in private credit. Are we in a private credit bubble?Why the product specialist role is critical for working with the wealth channel.The power of scale, particularly in private credit, and how it helps alternative asset managers win deals and invest.The strategic benefit of platforms and permanent capital.

    Thanks Alona for coming on the show to share your views and wisdom on private markets. We hope you enjoy.

    A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund Solutions

    This episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.

    To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.

    Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at [email protected].

    We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.

    Show Notes

    00:00 Introduction to Ultimus Fund Solutions

    01:18 Welcome to the Podcast

    02:00 Guest Introduction: Alona Gornick

    03:45 Alona's Career Path and Experience

    06:59 Growth of Middle Market Direct Lending

    07:41 Changes in the Credit Landscape

    10:21 The Importance of Size and Scale in Private Credit

    13:27 Deal Structuring and Market Evolution

    14:46 Impact of High Rate Environment

    16:06 Private Credit Returns and Underwriting

    20:53 Investor Questions and Market Insights

    21:24 Educating Investors on Private Credit

    23:43 Private Credit in Wealth Portfolios

    24:09 Diversification Benefits of Private Credit

    24:24 Yield Premium in Private Credit

    26:40 Private Credit vs. Private Equity

    27:06 Exploring Private Equity and Private Debt

    27:24 Transitioning from Public to Private Credit

    27:49 The Role of a Product Specialist

    28:09 Balancing Risks and Benefits

    28:49 Relating to Advisors with Real Examples

    29:40 The Importance of Education in Allocation

    30:25 Diverse Viewpoints on Alternative Asset Managers

    31:48 Challenges in Access to Capital

    33:26 The Significance of Hiring Quality People

    34:12 Non-Traditional Backgrounds in Specialist Roles

    36:29 Patience and Commitment in Educating Investors

    39:13 The Hardest Part of Educating the Wealth Channel

    40:47 The Role of Structure in Education

    44:21 Concerns About the Future of Private Credit

    47:00 The Growth Potential of Private Credit

    49:38 The Most Interesting Alternative Investment

    50:15 The Opportunity in Private Equity Secondaries

    52:47 Private Credit Secondaries: A Nascent Space

    54:17 Primary and Secondary Considerations in Credit

    54:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

  • Today marks the launch of a new show on Alt Goes Mainstream: What’s Your Edge?

    Every person, every company, every fund has something that makes them special.

    Makes them stand out from the crowd.

    Gives them an unfair advantage.

    Tips the scales in favor of success.

    In this episode, I ask our special guest, Bob Long, “What’s Your Edge?”

    Bob Long is CEO of StepStone Group’s Stepstone Private Wealth. He has three decades of experience in the private markets and has led investment teams for global firms in both the general partner and the limited partner role. He has served as the CEO of two publicly-traded companies focused on expanding private market access for high net worth investors.

    Prior to StepStone Private Wealth, Bob was the CEO of OHA Investment Corporation, a publicly-traded specialty finance company. Previously, he co-founded Conversus Capital, the largest publicly traded fund of third-party private equity funds with $3 billion of AUM and served as its CEO. Previously, he led Bank of America’s $7 billion strategic capital division. Early in his career, Bob served as the lead in-house counsel for a large portion of Bank of America’s Investment Banking Division and worked as a securities lawyer for a major law firm.

    A recognized industry leader, Bob was named one of 50 “GameChangers” by Private Equity International, has been profiled in the WSJ, and hosted CNBC Squawk Box Europe on numerous occasions.

    On today’s podcast, Bob and I discuss the nuances of evergreen funds and the unique features and offerings of StepStone Private Wealth’s evergreen strategies.

    Thanks Bob for coming on the show to share your wisdom, experience, and your edge.

    Show Notes
    00:00 Introduction

    00:38 Welcome to What's Your Edge?

    01:01 Meet StepStone Private Wealth CEO Bob Long: A Leader in Private Markets

    03:09 Lessons from Public Markets

    04:34 Evergreen Fund Structure

    05:27 Benefits of Evergreen Funds

    06:25 Immediate Investment Advantage

    07:20 Evergreen Funds and Financial Advisors

    07:35 Evergreen Fund Liquidity

    08:04 StepStone's Approach to Evergreen Funds

    09:09 StepStone's Strategy and Structure

    09:32 Balancing Inflows and Outflows

    10:34 Importance of Deal Flow

    11:04 Balancing Liquidity and Returns

    11:56 StepStone's Competitive Advantage

    13:52 Portfolio Construction

    14:57 Diversification in Private Markets

    16:06 Evergreen Fund Structures

    19:44 Liquidity in Private Markets

    27:57 Key Takeaways for Investors

    29:53 Operational Due Diligence Essentials

    30:13 Key Questions for Evergreen Fund Structures

    30:36 Understanding Fee Structures

    30:42 Management Fees and Leverage

    31:33 Incentive Fees Explained

    32:19 Administrative Costs and Transparency

    32:34 Fee Compression in Evergreen Funds

    34:11 Portfolio Construction Strategies

    34:24 Investing in Secondaries

    37:10 Psychology of Allocators

    38:04 Accessibility and Minimum Investments

    38:43 Investor Profiles and Strategies

    40:36 Transparency and Performance

    41:40 Rebalancing and Evergreen Funds

    43:10 Model Portfolios and Private Markets

    45:19 StepStone's Investor-Centric Approach

    46:15 StepStone's Competitive Edge

    48:31 Growth of Secondaries and Private Markets

    51:37 Future Trends in Private Markets

    55:30 Philanthropy and Purposeful Stewardship

  • Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.

    Today’s show features a guest who brings a wealth of common sense to wealth management and asset allocation.

    We talk with Ben Carlson, the Director of Institutional Asset Management at Ritholtz Wealth Management, a $5B AUM wealth management firm. He’s managed institutional portfolios for his entire career. He started out with an institutional investment consulting firm, where he deployed portfolio strategies and created investment plans for foundations, endowments, pensions, hospitals, insurance companies, and HNW individuals. More recently, he was part of the portfolio management team for an investment office that managed a large endowment fund for a charitable organization.

    Ben is a student of markets and asset allocation, which is clear from the knowledge he shares daily and weekly with his blog, A Wealth of Common Sense, and his podcast Animal Spirits with Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson. He’s also authored four books about saving, investing, and money. He was named to the Investment News 40 Under 40 list of top financial advisors in 2017.

    Ben and I had a fascinating conversation about the adoption of alternatives in the wealth channel and the whys and hows of asset allocation. We discussed:

    Why asset allocation is the most important aspect of an investment plan.The question of whether or not investors now have too much choice?Why Ben documents every investment decision he makes.The benefits of private markets and the pitfalls of private markets.His biggest lesson learned in investing.Why crypto has helped younger investors become more comfortable with volatility (for better or worse).The future of wealth management and what won’t change about the advisor / client relationship.The power of content creation and how it helps him approach investing.

    Thanks Ben for coming on the show to share your wisdom and experience in investing and asset allocation. We hope you enjoy.

    A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund Solutions

    This episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.


    To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.

    Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at [email protected].

    We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.

    Show Notes
    00:00 Sponsor: Introduction to Ultimus Fund Solutions

    01:56 Meet Ben Carlson: Wealth Management Expert

    02:17 Ben Carlson's Career Journey

    02:55 Insights on Asset Allocation

    03:11 The Importance of Documenting Investment Decisions

    03:14 Private Markets: Benefits and Pitfalls

    04:34 Early Career Lessons

    04:58 Asset Allocation Strategies

    06:06 Navigating Investment Choices

    07:10 The Complexity of Investment Strategies

    09:46 Institutional vs. Wealth Management

    10:19 Communication in Institutional Investing

    12:35 The 60/40 Portfolio Debate

    23:20 Advisors and Alternatives

    27:17 Thresholds for Investing

    27:48 Differentiating Through Culture

    28:41 Defining and Evaluating Culture

    29:20 Transparency and Client Relationships

    29:57 Partnering with the Right Clients

    30:19 Qualitative Manager Selection

    31:53 Content Creation and Transparency

    34:22 Building a Brand from Scratch

    37:49 Advice for Young Advisors

    39:31 Compounding in Private Markets

    40:06 Behavioral Benefits of Private Markets

    41:17 Excitement in Private Markets

    41:56 Evolving Fund Structures

    42:28 Defining Alternatives

    43:48 Younger Investors and Volatility

    46:55 Future of Wealth Management

    47:53 Private Equity in Wealth Management

    48:58 Favorite Alternative Investments

    51:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

  • Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.

    Today’s podcast illustrates just how far private markets have come. We dive into the world of GP stakes with Sean Ward, Senior Managing Director from Blue Owl’s GP Strategic Capital Platform, where he was a founding partner and is responsible for helping to oversee the firm that has done the lion’s share of GP stakes investing.

    Blue Owl’s GP Strategic Capital business, which started out as Dyal Capital Partners, has accounted for over 61% of the total capital raised in the GP stakes space, closing on over $33.3B across their 7 funds and managing $57.8B AUM. They’ve taken minority ownership stakes in many of the industry’s leading alternative asset managers, accounting for 85%+ of all GP stakes deals $600M or greater in size.

    Sean is a Senior Managing Director of Blue Owl Capital, Inc. and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. He also serves as a member of the GP Strategic Capital Investment Team. Prior to joining Dyal Capital Partners, the predecessor firm to Blue Owl’s GP Strategic Capital platform, Sean was a Vice President at Lehman Brothers and held several roles at Neuberger Berman after it became an independent firm, including Senior Counsel for Neuberger’s alternatives business. Sean was also a lawyer at Covington & Burling LLP and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP.

    Sean and I had a fascinating conversation about the evolution of private markets through the parallel evolution of the GP stakes space. We discussed:

    The early days of the GP stakes industry.What it was like to convince GPs and LPs why stakes made sense.How the $1B GP commitment by Bain Capital in their fund post-GFC really opened everyone’s eyes to the need to tap into financing as firms grew their fund size and their business.A “cash in” rather than a “cash out.” Why GP stakes investing is mainly about positive selection since managers are choosing to sell a stake in their business.How alternative asset management has evolved as a business.How GP stakes investments have elements of bond-like coupons from cashflows due to management fees and option value from the upside of carry.Why GP stakes investments are “the most diversified single line item investment one can make in private markets.”Where allocators bucket GP stakes investments.What makes a great GP stakes investor.The power of permanent capital.The different paths to liquidity in GP stakes investments.

    Thanks Sean for coming on the show to share your views and wisdom on private markets. We hope you enjoy.

    A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund Solutions

    This episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.

    To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.

    Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at [email protected].

    We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.

    Show Notes

    00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message

    01:17 Podcast Opening and Theme

    02:00 Guest Introduction: Sean Ward from Blue Owl GP Strategic Capital

    04:21 Sean Ward's Career Journey

    05:14 The Evolution of GP Stakes Investing

    06:23 The Start of GP Stakes at Blue Owl

    06:57 Raising the First Fund

    07:09 The Growth of Blue Owl's GP Stakes

    07:31 The Importance of Legal Background in GP Stakes

    09:48 Convincing LPs and GPs

    11:14 The Importance of GP Commitments

    15:23 Strategic Value Beyond Capital

    24:45 Succession Planning in Private Equity

    26:02 Impact of Market Conditions on GP Stakes

    29:26 Underwriting and Returns in GP Stakes

    36:33 Cash Flow and Diversification in GP Stakes Investments

    37:48 Understanding the Trade-offs in GP Stakes Investing

    38:35 Narrow Distribution of Potential Outcomes

    40:09 The Importance of Diverse Professional Backgrounds

    40:45 Collaborative Partnerships in GP Stakes

    41:34 Traits of a Great Alternative Asset Manager

    43:49 The Next Frontier: Private Wealth

    45:13 Middle Market Strategy and Partnerships

    49:34 The Evolution and Future of Private Markets

    53:19 Liquidity in GP Stakes Investments

    58:26 The Power of Permanent Capital

    01:00:28 Is GP Stakes Better Than SaaS?

    01:02:43 Exemplary Models for Growth in Asset Management

    01:05:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

  • Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.

    Today’s episode welcomes two elite performers in Steve Young of HGGC and Scott Wood of True North Advisors, where they talk about how they formed a partnership based on shared values.

    Steve’s private equity firm, $7B AUM HGGC, took a minority stake in Scott’s independent wealth management firm, $3.9B AUM True North Advisors, as part of their broader wealth management investment thesis.

    After an illustrious 15 year Hall of Fame career as a three-time Super Bowl winning quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, Steve embarked on second act to found HGGC that has rivaled his career on the field. Over the past 17 years, HGGC has grown to a $7B private equity firm that has completed 600 portfolio investments.

    After working on Wall Street where clients were not being fiduciarily served, Scott's journey as a registered independent advisor started in 2000, when he and his partner Mark Gehlbach decided to pioneer the fee-only model to eliminate conflicts of interest in the client advisor relationship. The foundation they built has led to the growth of a firm that now stands at over 3.9B in AUM, with a large portion of that capital, $812M allocated to alternatives.

    Steve, Scott, and I had a fascinating conversation about how they’ve built their respective investment firms, the importance of values and culture, and how they create abundant, fulfilling relationships. We discussed:

    Why “the score takes care of itself.”How and why defining the relationship up front is key in advisor M&A.How to assess culture fit when merging or acquiring advisors and wealth management firms.The importance of alternatives for better serving the client in an advisor’s practice.The concept of “decading” and why long-term thinking is critical in business and life.

    Thanks Steve and Scott for sharing your thoughts and decades of wisdom on business building, investing, and partnership.

    A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund Solutions

    This episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.

    To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.

    Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at [email protected].

    We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.

    Show Notes

    00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message

    01:17 Welcome to the Podcast

    01:59 Meet the Guests: Steve Young and Scott Wood

    02:22 Steve Young's Journey from the NFL to Private Equity

    06:13 Scott Wood's Path to Founding True North Advisors

    09:13 Building a Scalable and Collaborative Wealth Management Firm

    12:22 Need for a Partner

    12:57 Choosing HGGC: The Importance of Culture and Values in Business

    13:30 HGGC's Investment Philosophy

    15:03 Cultural Alignment in Partnerships

    22:25 Evaluating Cultural Fit in Partnerships

    22:40 Evaluating Cultural Fit

    27:12 Governance and Day Two Operations

    27:53 Commitment to Cultural Integrity

    28:19 Navigating Cultural Fit in Wealth Management

    28:55 Wealth Management Growth and Consolidation

    29:40 The Role of Private Equity in Wealth Management

    30:03 Changing Wealth Management Engagement

    31:07 Challenges and Opportunities in Wealth Management Consolidation

    32:22 True North's Unique Business Model

    33:01 The Impact of Private Equity on Wealth Management

    34:42 Exit Strategies and Long-Term Vision

    39:39 Building an Alternatives Platform

    40:31 Decading: Long-Term Thinking

    40:53 Evolution of Alternatives Strategy

    45:13 Simplifying Complex Investments

    46:37 Fee Structures and Client Alignment

    47:24 M&A Opportunities and Relationships

    48:37 Mentorship and Professional Relationships

    52:56 Future of Alternative Investments

    55:56 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

  • Today marks the launch of a new show on Alt Goes Mainstream: Going Public with Evercore’s Glenn Schorr.

    17 years ago, there wasn’t a single alternative asset manager that was part of the public markets. Today, not only are a number of the industry’s largest firms public, but in 2024, the industry’s largest alternative asset manager, Blackstone, entered the S&P 500.

    Understanding the inner workings, strategic moves, and financial performance of the industry’s largest players can help to explain many of the trends that are making alternatives become mainstream and these firms become mainstays in the financial services ecosystem.

    Going Public will make private markets more public with expert analysis.

    Glenn Schorr is a Senior MD and Senior Research Analyst at Evercore ISI, where he covers brokers, banks, asset managers, and trust banks as an analyst.

    He has covered financials since 2000 and started coverage of alternative asset managers when the first firms went public.

    He’s consistently come up as one of the most thoughtful and well-respected analysts in the space. He balances deep research with a creative flair (just read one of the titles of his research reports and you can see his love of the game). He’s been named to Institutional Investor’s All-America Research Team for his coverage, most recently ranking #2 and runner up in 2023, #1 and #2 in 2022. Prior to Evercore, Glenn was a Senior MD at Nomura, serving as the lead financials analyst.

    Listen in as Glenn shares market stories, the evolution of alternative asset managers as businesses, the biggest and most exciting trends in private markets based on what the industry’s largest players are doing, and we go “around the horn” for his analysis on the publicly traded firms.


    Show Notes

    00:38 Introduction to the Going Public Series and award-winning Wall Street Analyst, Glenn Schorr

    01:54 Glenn's Career Journey

    03:08 The Early Days of Alts Managers Going Public

    03:26 Skepticism and Challenges in Going Public

    04:06 Investor Skepticism and Challenges

    07:00 Transformation and Tipping Points

    09:03 Structural Tailwinds and Market Trends

    10:57 The Decision to Go Public vs. Staying Private

    12:39 Ambition and Vision in Asset Management

    14:51 The Distribution vs. Manufacturing Debate

    17:03 Lessons from Traditional Asset Management

    18:55 Discipline and Growth in the Alts Market

    20:03 The Future of Public and Private Markets

    20:50 The Role of Distribution in Asset Management

    21:59 Success Stories and Acquisition Strategies

    23:02 Manufacturing Competency vs. Acquisitions

    24:40 The Rise of Private Markets

    26:07 How Alternative Managers Make Money

    27:02 Valuation Factors for Alternative Managers

    28:44 Profitability and Margins in Asset Management

    29:23 Building a Business: Costs and Competitive Advantages

    29:50 The Moat of Success in Business

    30:15 Challenges for Traditional Asset Managers

    30:56 The Importance of Vision and Technology

    31:22 Scaling a Business with Proven Success

    31:40 Insurance Asset Management: Strategic Moves and Structural Advantages

    32:17 Structural Advantages in Asset Management

    33:05 The Rise of Private Credit Managers

    34:43 The Impact of Interest Rates on Private Credit Managers

    35:32 Navigating Rate Sensitivity in Capital Markets

    38:25 Deployment and Monetization in Asset Management

    39:08 The Challenge of Dry Powder in Private Equity

    41:14 The Role of Deployment in Investment Success

    41:46 The Resilience of Publicly Traded Alts Managers

    43:26 Spotlight on Blackstone's Growth and Innovation

    46:38 KKR's Global Expansion and Innovation

    48:41 Apollo's Market Leadership and Challenges

    50:11 Blue Owl's Strategic Investments and Challenges

    53:56 TPG's Public Transition and Growth

    55:11 Carlyle’s Progress and Future Challenges

    56:11 Looking Ahead: Key Trends and Expectations


    Disclosures

    Evercore ISI

    Glenn Schorr

    Company Coverage and Disclosures

    Ticker Company

    APO Apollo Global Management, Inc.

    BAC Bank of America Corporation

    Glenn Schorr holds a long position in equity securities of Bank of America Corporation.

    BK Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

    Glenn Schorr holds a long position in equity securities of Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

    BLK BlackRock, Inc.

    Glenn Schorr holds a long position in equity securities of BlackRock Inc.

    BX Blackstone, Inc.

    Blackstone, Inc. is a client of Evercore LLC, and Evercore LLC has provided investment banking services to Blackstone, Inc. in the last 12 months.

    Evercore ISI or an affiliate expects to receive or intends to seek compensation for investment banking services from Blackstone, Inc. within the next three months.

    An employee, employee's immediate family member, director or consultant of Evercore ISI or one of its affiliates (but not the covering research analyst or a member of the covering re advisory board member of Blackstone, Inc..

    Evercore ISI or an affiliate has received compensation from Blackstone, Inc. for investment banking services in the last 12 months.

    Analyst has a financial interest in a private equity fund managed by Blackstone, Inc.

    Glenn Schorr holds a long position in equity securities of Blackstone, Inc.

    OWL Blue Owl Capital, Inc.

    Evercore ISI or an affiliate has acted as a manager or co-manager of a public offering of securities by Blue Owl Capital, Inc in the last 12 months.

    Blue Owl Capital, Inc is a client of Evercore LLC, and Evercore LLC has provided investment banking services to Blue Owl Capital, Inc in the last 12 months.

    Evercore ISI or an affiliate has received compensation from Blue Owl Capital, Inc for investment banking services in the last 12 months.

    BSIG BrightSphere Investment

    C Citigroup, Inc.

    An employee, employee's immediate family member, director or consultant of Evercore ISI or one of its affiliates (but not the covering research analyst or a member of the covering re advisory board member of Citigroup, Inc.

    Glenn Schorr holds a long position in equity securities of Citigroup, Inc.

    BEN Franklin Resources, Inc.

    Glenn Schorr holds a long position in equity securities of Franklin Resources, Inc.

    GS Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

    IVZ Invesco Ltd.

    JPM &nb...

  • Welcome to the 12th episode of the Monthly Alts Pulse, a collaboration between iCapital x Alt Goes Mainstream.

    This month’s episode features one of iCapital’s senior executives, Eileen Duff, Managing Partner & Chief Client Success Officer, and a private markets veteran who was Head of Alternative Investments, North America for Credit Suisse for a number of years. At iCapital, she oversees Investor Relations, Enterprise Integration, and Client Operations teams to optimize the client experience. Eileen has had a number of senior and instrumental roles at iCapital. She's also a member of iCapital's Operating Committee. She was previously Head of Fund Management & Research for iCapital, where she was responsible for origination and development of new investment products and lifecycle management of existing offerings. She also led Distribution for iCapital, leading the sales and relationship management function after joining from Credit Suisse.

    iCapital, as the leading platform that is responsible for the majority of individual and advisor-led investment flows into the alts space, has its finger on the pulse of what’s happening in private markets.

    Eileen and I had a fascinating and lively discussion about how technology innovation, and AI and automation in particular, are revolutionizing alternative investments and how technology can drive growth and operational efficiency.

    We covered:

    How and why alternatives distribution has evolved. The importance of meeting clients where they are.The evolution of wealth channel strategies.How much does structure matter?When and why Eileen saw registered funds as a major driver of the future growth of private markets well before they became mainstream.The impact of registered and evergreen funds on operations and fund administration.Where will the biggest efficiencies come from in the automation of post-investment processes?How AI and automation will enhance operational efficiency?

    Thanks Eileen for a great episode … looking forward to next month’s Monthly Alts Pulse conversation!

  • Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.

    Today’s podcast dives into the continued innovation in the GP stakes space with someone who has advised some of the industry’s largest firms on their businesses and going public.

    We are joined by Todd Owens, the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Cantilever Group.

    Cantilever is an independent firm focused on providing capital solutions to middle market asset managers. Their capital can be used to accelerate growth, support acquisitions or liftouts, fund GP commitments, seed new strategies, facilitate generational ownership transfer, and provide liquidity to founders. They focus on businesses that have enterprise values between $50mm and $500mm. The team has executed on over $500M of GP stake, financing, and seeding transactions as both investors and principals. Their advisory experience working with stakes funds includes over 15 GP stakes transactions, multiple GP stakes portfolio financings, numerous GP and BDC IPOs, and dozens of asset management financing and control transactions.

    Cantilever is working with two strategic partners as they build their firm: BTG Pactual, the near $30B market cap Brazilian bank and wealth and asset manager has committed 9 figures into Cantilever’s fund, and Broadhaven Ventures, the venture capital arm of Broadhaven Capital Partners.

    Todd has over 30 years of experience as an advisor covering financial institutions and as a senior financial services executive. Prior to founding Cantilever, Todd has been a partner at Broadhaven Capital Partners, an independent financial services focused investment bank that’s completed over $90B in announced M&A transaction volume, as well as the former CEO of Fifth Street Finance. Todd began his career at Goldman, Sachs & Co, spending 24 years including as a Managing Director and Partner in the Investment Banking Division.

    Todd and I had a fascinating discussion about how funds are becoming firms and why there’s an investment opportunity around that transformation. We discussed:

    The evolution of alternative asset managers from Todd’s perspective as a banker to many alternative asset managers.Why GP stakes has become a solution for alternative asset managers.Why and how alternative asset managers are businesses and why it can make sense for them to take investment to grow.The benefits of GP stakes for investors and why the growing AUM of private markets means investors could benefit from exposure to GP ownership.The risks and challenges with GP stakes as an investment strategy.Why the middle market is an underserved and attractive segment in alternative asset management.What the currency of consolidation will look like in alternative asset management.What it means to grow and evolve a business as an alternative asset manager.

    Thanks Todd for coming on the show to share your wisdom and experience on the evolution of asset management from your 30 years in the industry. We hope you enjoy.

    A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund Solutions

    This episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.

    To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.

    Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at [email protected].

    We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.

    Show Notes
    00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message

    01:18 Podcast Opening and Theme

    01:59 Introduction to Todd Owens and Cantilever Group

    03:10 Todd Owens' Career Background

    04:39 Early Days of Alternative Asset Management

    08:28 Challenges and Opportunities in Alternative Asset Management

    10:00 Cantilever's Focus on the Middle Market

    11:35 Investment Opportunities in the Middle Market

    13:50 Identifying and Investing in Promising Managers

    16:24 Insights from Working with Founders

    18:42 Sizing Up the Middle Market Opportunity

    19:49 Sourcing and Structuring Investments

    21:16 Offering Diverse Financial Solutions

    23:15 Evaluating and Picking the Right Managers

    25:54 Identifying Investment Opportunities

    26:16 Winning Deals: Strategies and Insights

    26:51 Providing Strategic Capital and Advisory

    27:58 Focusing on Growth and Diversification

    29:18 Underwriting and Growth Expectations

    31:15 Exit Strategies and Market Dynamics

    33:13 Diversification and Portfolio Construction

    34:29 Revenue Streams and Valuation

    35:54 Cantilever's Market Edge

    37:33 Strategic Partnerships and Support

    39:01 Founders' Perspective and Industry Insights

    41:01 Cantilever's Unique Value Proposition

    42:40 Leadership and Influences

    43:34 Concerns and Challenges

    46:05 Reflections and Future Outlook

  • Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.

    Today’s episode is a special show with Ben Harrison, the Co-Founder of DealCloud, which is now part of Intapp, where he is President, Industries.

    Ben is a former banker and private equity professional at Falfurrias Capital Partners who went on to co-found DealCloud to make the process of managing deals and relationships for alternative asset managers and related industry service providers more streamlined and seamless.

    Ben and team have done just that at Intapp DealCloud. They’ve built a unified deal and relationship management software business that is more than just a CRM. They’ve integrated a CRM function with business development, marketing, pipeline, deal management, fundraising, and investor relations features into a single platforms to enable firms in private markets to better run their day to day processes. They have a roster of over 2,500 customers, which includes many of the industry’s leading alternative asset managers.

    Ben and I had a fascinating conversation about the evolution of enterprise software that serves private markets and why it’s such a large and growing opportunity, which was shared through the lens of an experienced and successful operator in this space who has grown his business to hundreds of millions in ARR that both alternative asset managers and founders and operators in private markets software will find interesting.

    We discussed:

    Why scale matters in enterprise software just like it does in alternative asset management.The strategic question of building a comprehensive end-to-end software solution versus building a point solution.What are alternative asset managers looking for when building or buying software solutions for their business?How are alternative asset managers thinking about data and tech differently?Why and how the TAM for software solutions for private markets is growing in lockstep with AUM industry growth.How data helps investors make better decisions.Where AI can help automate processes for alternative asset managers.Is AI over- or under-hyped?

    Thanks Ben for sharing your thoughts and wisdom of building an industry-leading software company for private markets and for Intapp and DealCloud’s partnership with Alt Goes Mainstream. We hope you enjoy.

    Show Notes
    00:00 Introduction and Background
    03:54 Building Industry-Specific Software Solutions
    08:02 Strategic Approach: Point Solutions vs. End-to-End Solutions
    13:11 Evolution of Alternative Asset Management and its Impact on Software Solutions
    16:24 Benefits of Technology for Large and Small Firms
    19:11 Building Software for Large Managers vs. Small Managers
    23:10 Technology's Impact on Firms' Efficiency and Productivity
    25:49 The Role of Technology in Professional Development
    28:24 Key Features and Benefits of DealCloud's Software Platform
    32:00 The Future of Technology in the Alternative Asset Management Industry
    35:49 Unlocking the Potential of Technology
    38:46 The Shift Towards a User-Friendly and Automated User Experience
    45:18 The Importance of Data-Driven Decision-Making
    52:21 Growth Opportunities in the Private Markets Industry
    01:04:16 The Role of AI in Enhancing Software Capabilities

  • Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.

    Recently, AGM partnered with Pangea to bring together a group of executives in private markets and wealth management in London for a live AGM podcast featuring Cheri Belski of T. Rowe Price, one of the largest asset managers in the world with over $1.59T AUM.

    Cheri is the Global Head of Product at T. Rowe Price, where she's responsible for setting the vision for T. Rowe Price's product development and their strategy in private markets.

    Cheri also chairs the Product Strategy Committee and is a member of the Investment Management Steering Committee. She is also a vice president of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. Cheri has been with T. Rowe Price since 1997.

    Cheri and I had a wide-ranging conversation on private markets. We discussed:

    Why did T. Rowe Price look to add alternatives offerings?How traditional asset managers have approached adding private markets capabilities.Why T. Rowe Price acquired Oak Hill Advisors.Build, buy, or partner to add alternatives?Who will win the distribution battle in the wealth channel — traditional asset managers or alternative asset managers?Opportunities and challenges with product construction and innovation for the wealth channel.What the future holds for private markets.

    Please enjoy this fascinating conversation with Cheri. Thanks Cheri for sharing your wisdom and experience. We hope you enjoy.

    Show Notes


    00:00 Introduction: Going Mainstream

    00:40 Welcome to Alt Goes Mainstream Podcast

    00:43 Live Podcast in London with Cheri Belski

    00:54 Cheri Belski's Role at T. Rowe Price

    01:19 Discussion on Private Markets and Traditional Asset Managers

    01:37 Podcast Begins: Marylanders in London

    01:59 Host Introduction: Michael Sidgmore

    02:31 T. Rowe Price's Venture into Alternatives

    04:35 Why T. Rowe Price is Entering Alts

    05:46 Building, Buying, or Partnering in Alts

    07:09 Acquisition of Oak Hill Advisors

    07:13 Integration Challenges and Successes

    12:06 Brand Strategy in Alternatives

    14:36 Distribution Strategies for Alts

    16:20 Traditional vs. Alternative Asset Managers

    19:36 Challenges and Opportunities in Private Markets

    19:41 Advisor Relationships and Education

    22:29 Product Construction and Client Needs

    24:36 Challenges in Private Markets

    25:44 Future of Alternative Investments

    26:20 Conclusion and Farewell

  • Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.

    Today’s episode is with Alex Chaloff, the CIO of a large and sophisticated private wealth management firm that is very active in private markets.

    Alex is Chief Investment Officer of Bernstein’s $125B+ private wealth management unit within $725B AUM AllianceBernstein. He was previously the Head of Alternative Asset Strategies. Prior to joining Bernstein in 2005, he was a MD for Wilshire Associates, serving on the firm’s investment committee. Prior to that, he worked in fund accounting operations at a global custodian in Boston.

    Alex and I had a fascinating conversation about:

    How to approach private markets asset allocation.Why he’s doing the job that he always wanted to do.How to think about portfolio construction.The importance of patience.The questions about liquidity.Why structure matters.

    Thanks Alex for coming on the show to share your wisdom and views.

    A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund Solutions

    This episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.

    To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.

    Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at [email protected].

    We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.


    Show Notes
    00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message

    01:18 Podcast Theme Song

    01:35 Welcome to the Podcast

    01:59 Introducing Alex Chaloff

    03:01 Alex Chaloff's Career Jurney

    03:49 Transition to Bernstein

    04:16 Current Role and Responsibilities

    05:26 Investment Strategy and Market Insights

    06:58 Active vs Passive Investment

    11:35 Middle Market Focus

    14:26 Evaluating Fund Managers

    18:28 Lessons Learned in Fund Management

    20:51 Allocating to Private Markets

    22:38 Liquidity and Risk Management

    27:01 Current Market Opportunities

    31:01 The Perception of Infrequent Reporting

    31:38 Private Wealth and Market Fluctuations

    32:21 Understanding Liquidity Concerns

    32:54 The Future of Private Market Investments

    33:38 Challenges in Public Market Benchmarks

    34:45 GP and LP Dynamics in Private Markets

    36:58 Product Innovation in Private Markets

    38:30 Evergreen Structures and Asset Allocation

    39:20 Vintage Diversification Strategy

    42:07 Lessons from the Current Market Cycle

    42:30 Next Generation Investors and Impact Investing

    46:13 Double Bottom Line Investing

    48:24 Concerns in Private Debt Markets

    51:33 Opportunities in Venture Capital

    54:36 Favorite Alternative Investments and Future Trends

  • I went into The Compound and came out alive.

    Recently, I joined Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson of Ritholtz Wealth Management on their Animal Spirits podcast by The Compound. It is a fantastic show that produces frank and thoughtful conversations on markets and the wealth management world. They invited me on their show to discuss why alts are going mainstream.

    We had a great conversation on the animal spirits of alts and we unpacked the opportunities and challenges ahead for private markets, wealth managers, and the alternative asset managers looking to work with the wealth channel.

    We covered:

    Why I don’t like the term “downstreaming of alts.”The size and scale of the opportunity with the wealth channel.Why and how it can make sense for the wealth channel to allocate to alts.The changing nature of asset allocation from slices of a pie to buckets and spectrums.The concept of liquidity.The attractiveness of evergreen funds for both GPs and LPs.Are private markets in a bubble?Why GP stakes are a compelling investment opportunity given structural trends in private markets.Can private markets be indexed (and should they be)?

    Thanks Michael and Ben for having me on the show. Really enjoyed the conversation and it was a pleasure to join you.

    Michael and Ben are fantastic and thoughtful asset allocators and commentators in investing and wealth management. If you don’t already listen to their podcast or read their commentary on markets, you can check out their blogs below:

    Michael Batnick’s The Irrelevant Investor.

    Ben Carlson’s A Wealth of Common Sense.

  • Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.

    On today’s episode, we are joined by Mercer Investments’ US Financial Intermediaries Leader Gregg Sommer and CAIS’ MD and Head of Investments Neil Blundell.

    Gregg and Neil bring deep experience and backgrounds in private markets to discuss how alternatives can be further adopted by the wealth channel.

    Gregg is Mercer’s US Financial Intermediaries Leader, serving US wealth management and family office clients. He is a member of Mercer’s Wealth Leadership Team, Wealth Management Strategic Research and Investment Committees, and the Investment Policy Committee. He joined Mercer’s Investments business in 2009 and is based in Denver. Gregg began his career at U.S. Trust and over the last 35 years has held several executive positions in the investment industry. He has a comprehensive investment, business, and risk management background and has managed many successful investment teams focused on risk assessment, asset allocation, due diligence, portfolio management, organizational evaluation, and financial analysis across both private and public investment strategies. Gregg served as Chief Financial and Operating Officer of a firm that managed real estate and private equity and debt portfolios and has been a Principal and Portfolio Risk Officer for RCM, a Commodity Trading Advisor. Additionally, he was a founding Partner at Global Trading Partners, a trading firm focused on global market relationships.

    Neil brings over 20 years of experience in private markets to CAIS. He recently worked at Invesco as the Global Head of Client Solutions and Alternatives for the Investment Solutions team. He was responsible for developing and managing over $90B in customized multi-asset investment strategies spanning both traditional and alternative solutions and was a member of the team’s executive committee, investment committee, and chair of the alternative investment committee. Prior to Invesco, Neil was at BlackRock for 10+ years, where he was most recently Managing Director and Alternatives Platform Head within the Institutional Client Business.

    Gregg, Neil, and I had a fascinating discussion about how the wealth channel can approach alternatives and how they can think about both diligence and customization. We covered:

    The case for alternatives.How advisors currently approach alternatives and how they can think about it differently going forward.How to think about portfolio construction that includes alternatives.How alts can help advisors differentiate their practice and attract clients.Following the fast river in a career and why alternatives are “the fast river.”The meaning of “structure over strategy.”The rise in popularity of evergreen funds.

    Thanks Gregg and Neil for coming on the show to share your views and experience in private markets. We hope you enjoy.

    A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund Solutions

    This episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.

    To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.

    Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at [email protected].

    We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.

    Show Notes

    00:00 Introduction to Sponsor, Ultimus Fund Solutions

    01:17 Podcast Opening and Guest Introduction

    01:58 Guest Backgrounds and Career Highlights

    03:43 Discussion on Wealth Channel and Alternatives

    03:51 The Case for Alternatives

    07:47 The Evolution of Private Debt

    08:23 The Moment It Clicked for Alts

    12:08 Institutional vs. Wealth Channel Approaches

    13:54 Educating the Wealth Channel

    15:47 Evergreen Funds and Wealth Channel

    19:29 Generational Wealth Transfer

    20:04 Current Market Trends and Private Markets

    25:29 Importance of Due Diligence in Alternatives

    26:33 Advisor Allocation Trends

    26:53 Expected Allocations in the Next Year

    27:07 Private Equity and Credit Insights

    27:17 Real Estate and Hedge Funds Outlook

    27:27 Emerging Infrastructure Strategies

    27:47 CAIS Platform Overview

    28:17 Transactional Volume Trends

    28:36 Registered Funds Growth

    29:30 Institutional vs. Wealth Channel Behavior

    30:25 Customization in Private Markets

    31:22 Technology's Role in Wealth Management

    35:52 The Importance of Brand in Investments

    39:26 Strategic Partnerships in Wealth Management

    39:56 Concerns About Private Markets Growth

    43:36 Evaluating Manager's Edge

    45:54 Future of Alternative Investments


    Disclosure

    This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions.

  • Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.

    Today’s episode features a guest who has consistently and astutely figured out the growth areas in private markets.

    We are joined by Manulife’s new Global Head of Private Markets Anne Valentine Andrews. She’s responsible for the strategy, business development, and growth of Manulife Investment Management’s private markets business. Manulife has a platform that spans real estate, infrastructure, timber, agriculture, private equity, and credit.

    Anne has a comprehensive and informed purview of both private markets trends and of the different asset classes. She brings together the CIOs from each asset class in the Manulife business and works with the global product group to drive private markets product innovation across the institutional, retail, and retirement channels.

    Anne has a wealth of experience in private markets and in infrastructure in particular. She joined Manulife from BlackRock, where she was most recently Global Head of Infrastructure and Real Estate. Previously, she was Co-Head and Chief Operating Officer for the Morgan Stanley infrastructure platform and was a Director at Macquarie Bank.

    Anne and I had a fascinating conversation about the evolution of private markets and how to build out a private markets investment platform and its brand. We discussed:

    How to approach building a private markets investment platform at an industry behemoth.Why culture matters at an investment firm.The continued consolidation of alternative asset managers.What it means to connect real assets with real money.How to build a brand and educate investors.How to bring private markets investment opportunities into retirement accounts.The opportunity in infrastructure investing.

    Thanks Anne for coming on the show to share your experience and wisdom on private markets. We hope you enjoy.

    A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund Solutions

    This episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.

    To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.

    Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at [email protected].

    We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.

    Show Notes

    00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message from Ultimus Fund Solutions

    01:18 Podcast Opening and Guest Introduction

    03:39 Anne Valentine Andrews' Career Journey

    04:42 Evolution of the Infrastructure Investments

    05:41 Infrastructure’s Resilience and Growth

    06:27 Building a Private Markets Platform

    14:28 Challenges and Strategies in Making Acquisitions

    17:12 Evaluating Culture and Integration in Asset Management

    18:47 Building a Comprehensive Platform

    20:20 Educating Investors and Expanding Access

    23:29 Future of Alternatives in Retirement Accounts

    26:43 Platformization of Alternatives

    28:01 Building and Marketing a Trustworthy Brand in Financial Services

    29:30 Learning from Other Industries: Amazon's Influence

    31:15 The Evolution of Asset Management

    31:57 Adapting to Market Changes and Mega Trends

    33:34 The Importance of Long-Term Investment Strategies

    34:33 Decarbonization and Natural Capital

    35:32 The Importance of Long-Term Thinking

    40:02 Connecting Real Assets to Real Money

    45:42 Risks and Opportunities in Infrastructure Investment

    48:03 The Role of Scale in Private Markets in Infrastructure

    49:21 Future of Alternative Investments


    The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers, are subject to change as market and other conditions warrant, and do not constitute investment advice or a recommendation regarding any specific product or security. There is no guarantee that the investment strategy discussed will be successful or achieve any particular level of results. Any economic or market performance information is historical and is not indicative of future results, and no forecasts are guaranteed. Investing involves risks, including the potential loss of principal.

    Financial markets are volatile and can fluctuate significantly in response to company, industry, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments. The information provided does not take into account the suitability, investment objectives, financial situation, or particular needs of any specific person.

    All overviews and commentary are intended to be general in nature and for current interest. While helpful, these overviews are no substitute for professional tax, investment or legal advice. Clients and prospects should seek professional advice for their particular situation. Neither Manulife Investment Management, nor any of its affiliates or representatives (collectively “Manulife Investment Management”) is providing tax, investment or legal advice.

    Manulife Investment Management paper titled U.S. farmland investment returns: continued gains in 2022; 5/19/23. NCREIF collects U.S. farmland property-level performance realized by institutional investments and reports the aggregated results within its Farmland Property Index (FPI). Manulife Investment Management is a participating member in the FPI. The index requires participating managers to report all eligible properties. Usage of this data is not an offer to buy or sell properties.

    Manulife, Manulife Investment Management, Stylized M Design, and Manulife Investment Management & Stylized M Design are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it, and by its affiliates under license.

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