All Things Fundraising

In Episode 37 of The Emerging Manager Growth Show, Gui Costin unpacks the realities of cold outreach and city scheduling for emerging managers looking to raise capital. The conversation dives into why disciplined outreach—especially through the RIA channel—remains the most effective path to building a fundraising pipeline, no matter your track record or fund size.

Listeners will learn how to structure five-meeting days across key metro areas, craft high-conversion cold emails that make it effortless for allocators to say yes, and avoid common myths like “no reply means no interest.” Gui also share how to use CRM tracking, quarterly webinars, and weekly pipeline reviews to turn consistency into momentum.

Whether you’re an emerging manager just getting started or refining your distribution strategy, this episode provides a clear, actionable playbook for scaling outreach, managing your pipeline, and building long-term brand familiarity with allocators.

In this episode of the Rainmaker Podcast, Gui Costin sits down with Manish Khatta, CEO and CIO of Potomac, for a candid and insightful conversation about building and scaling a modern asset management firm through transparency, technology, and content.

Manish, a self-described quant and lifelong Potomac team member, shares his journey from programming mechanical trading systems straight out of college to now leading a fast-growing, multi-siloed investment business. At the heart of Potomac’s identity is a fierce commitment to risk management—reflected in their trademarked tagline, Built to Conquer Risk—and a bold content strategy that sets them apart in a traditionally conservative industry.

The episode explores how Potomac adopted the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to improve communication, accountability, and execution across all departments. Manish explains how EOS meetings, scorecards, and cross-functional transparency have fundamentally changed how the firm operates and drives growth. This operational discipline is mirrored in their use of CRM—specifically HubSpot—not just as a contact database, but as the central nervous system of their sales and marketing efforts. “If it’s not in the CRM, it doesn’t exist,” Manish says, underscoring the importance of tracking and acting on every client interaction.

But what truly sets this conversation apart is the deep dive into Potomac’s content engine. From producing as many as seven pieces of content a week to launching creative projects like “Industry Gossip” and a Seinfeld-inspired series featuring advisors in classic cars, Manish and his team have taken an unconventional, personality-driven approach to branding. He’s unapologetic about avoiding product talk in content, emphasizing that building trust and brand recognition always comes before the sales pitch.

Manish also reflects on leadership—how becoming a father shifted his perspective, and how he’s learning to blend hard-charging expectations with empathy and kindness. He opens up about the challenges of scaling people and culture alongside business growth and offers pointed advice for young professionals entering the industry: stay curious, stay visible, and never underestimate the power of showing up.

Whether you’re a CEO, a sales leader, or a content creator in the investment space, this episode is a masterclass in modern firm building. Manish’s blend of operational rigor, creative risk-taking, and cultural intentionality offers a fresh, actionable blueprint for success in a rapidly changing industry.

Tired of chasing outdated leads? Book a demo to see how Dakota Marketplace simplifies your fundraising process with accurate, up-to-date investor data. 

In today's episode of the Dakota Fundraising News Podcast, we cover acquisitions like Dakota Wealth Management, Wealth Enhancement, and Waverly Advisors. Hear updates on investments coming from Kansas City Police Retirement System and Indiana Public Retirement System. Hear updates on searches from The Attleboro Contributory Retirement System and Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund. We also share the latest fundraising efforts from CapitaLand Investment, Climate Fund Managers, and Danske Bank — plus a reminder to register for our next Dakota Cocktails event. 

Tired of chasing outdated leads? Book a demo to see how Dakota Marketplace simplifies your fundraising process with accurate, up-to-date investor data.

In today's episode of the Dakota Fundraising News Podcast, we cover RIA activity including AssetMark’s acquisition of Efficient Advisors from Fiduciary Services Group, OneAscent Financial’s addition of Houston-based Patron Partners to its platform, and Cetera’s new leadership hires within its RIA Blueprint team. Hear updates on investments coming from The Texas County & District Retirement System (CDRS), The North Carolina Retirement Systems, and New Mexico State Investment Council. Hear updates on searches from Swedish Fund Selection Agency (Fondtorgsnämnden) and Oklahoma Police Pension & Retirement System. We also share the latest fundraising efforts from Montagu, Arlington Capital Partners, and Hollyport Capital — plus a reminder to register for our next Dakota Cocktails event.

Tired of chasing outdated leads? Book a demo to see how Dakota Marketplace simplifies your fundraising process with accurate, up-to-date investor data.

In this episode of The Rainmaker Podcast, Gui Costin interviews Neda Jafar, a partner at Kimmeridge, to discuss her journey, leadership philosophy, and the evolution of investor relations within a growing private equity firm. Neda offers a unique perspective shaped by her technical background in engineering and her experience building Kimmeridge’s fundraising and investor communications platform from the ground up.

The conversation begins with Neda’s origin story—growing up in Connecticut in a multicultural family, studying operations research at Cornell, and entering finance through roles at GE and HSBC. She later joined Kimmeridge in its early stages, where she initially handled everything from accounting to IT. Over time, she found her niche in investor relations, eventually becoming a strategic leader within the firm. Her early exposure to both technical and financial disciplines laid the foundation for her ability to engage deeply with complex investments and communicate them effectively to investors.

Neda discusses the philosophy behind Kimmeridge’s investment strategy, which emphasizes a technical, data-driven approach to energy investing. With $6 billion in assets under management, the firm is diversified across upstream energy, public activism, and energy transition strategies—including Chestnut Carbon, a nature-based carbon removal business that Neda helped incubate. Her involvement in underwriting and scaling portfolio companies gives her credibility and fluency in investor discussions, enabling her to build trust through substance and insight.

A recurring theme in the episode is the importance of communication—both internal and external. Neda shares how she structured Kimmeridge’s investor relations team by client type, tailoring outreach to the specific needs of pensions, sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and other investor categories. She emphasizes the value of storytelling in simplifying complex investment theses without losing nuance, noting that connecting authentically with investors is more effective than giving polished lectures.

Internally, she highlights the importance of clear, consistent communication across teams, especially in a scaling organization. Tools like Salesforce and Tableau have been game-changers, helping the firm track engagement, manage investor relationships, and build institutional memory. Neda candidly acknowledges that implementing CRM systems is a “new muscle” for many teams but argues it's essential for scaling with discipline and visibility.

On leadership, Neda speaks about transitioning from an individual contributor to a team leader, emphasizing authenticity, resilience, and high standards. She believes great fundraisers and investors need to understand each other’s roles deeply, and encourages more real-time exposure for investment professionals to investor feedback.

The episode closes with reflections on company culture, growth challenges, and advice for young professionals entering the industry. Neda encourages newcomers to be curious, take risks, and build relationships across their organizations. Her parting wisdom—“don’t hide at your desk”—captures the spirit of her approach: proactive, relational, and grounded in continuous learning.

Overall, the episode is a rich look at what it takes to build and lead a high-performing investor relations function, with practical insights on scaling, communication, leadership, and strategy.

Tired of chasing outdated leads? Book a demo to see how Dakota Marketplace simplifies your fundraising process with accurate, up-to-date investor data. 

In today's episode of Dakota's Fundraising News Podcast, we cover newly registered RIAs like Xception Advisory Services and acquisitions by MAI Capital Management and Farther Finance Advisors. Hear updates on investments coming from The Illinois Firefighters’ Pension Investment Fund (FPIF), LGPS Central Ltd, and Ventura County Employees’ Retirement Association. We also share the latest fundraising efforts from Greystar, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), and EnCap Investments — plus a reminder to register for our next Dakota Cocktails event.

Tired of chasing outdated leads? Book a demo to see how Dakota Marketplace simplifies your fundraising process with accurate, up-to-date investor data.

In today's episode of the Dakota Fundraising News Podcast, we cover acquisitions by the likes of Turicum, Choice International, and Madison Dearborn Partners. Hear updates on investments coming from Houston Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund, Concordia University Inter-generational Fund, and the Oregon Common School Fund. Hear searches coming from LD Fonde, Alifond, and Plymouth County Retirement Association. We also share the latest fundraising efforts from Astarte Capital Partners and Toesca Asset Management, Andera Partners, and Dawson Partners — plus a reminder to register for our next Dakota Cocktails event.

Tired of chasing outdated leads? Book a demo to see how Dakota Marketplace simplifies your fundraising process with accurate, up-to-date investor data.

In today's episode of the Dakota Fundraising News Podcast, we cover acquisitions from the RIAs like Creative Planning. Hear updates on investments coming from Fort Worth Employees Retirement Fund, Minnesota State Board of Investments, and Hollywood Employees Retirement Fund. Hear searches coming from Meketa Investment Group. We also share the latest fundraising efforts from Declaration Partners, Lifeline Ventures, and Fidelity International — plus a reminder to register for our next Dakota Cocktails event.

Tired of chasing outdated leads? Book a demo to see how Dakota Marketplace simplifies your fundraising process with accurate, up-to-date investor data.

Master sales with four game-changing principles: Focus on what matters, target the right people, craft the perfect pitch, and follow up like a pro. Packed with actionable tips, this guide helps you turn meetings into deals—fast! 💼🔥

In this episode of the Dakota Fundraising News Podcast, we cover newly registered RIAs like Hermitage Wealth Management and Waypoint West. Hear updates on investments coming from The Los Angeles Fire & Police Pension System. Hear searches coming from the Los Angeles City Employees' Retirement System and Saugus Contributory Retirement System. We also share the latest fundraising efforts from Enko Capital,  Advantage Partners, and Patria Investments — plus a reminder to register for our next Dakota Cocktails event. 

Tired of chasing outdated leads? Book a demo to see how Dakota Marketplace simplifies your fundraising process with accurate, up-to-date investor data.