All Things Fundraising

In this episode of the Rainmaker Podcast, host Gui Costin speaks with Chase Bower, Senior Vice President and Head of Sales at Harbor Capital Advisors. The conversation explores Chase’s journey from his early days growing up in Philadelphia and playing college football at Dartmouth to his current leadership role in the financial services industry. Chase shares how his experiences on the football field shaped his approach to team building and leadership, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, culture, and putting people in positions to succeed.

Chase outlines Harbor’s investment philosophy, focusing on sourcing and partnering with specialized boutique/institutional managers to deliver compelling strategies through vehicles like ETFs and CITs. With a strong belief in the future of active ETFs, he discusses Harbor’s growth in this space, noting the firm's ETF assets have doubled in just nine months, signaling a major shift in investor preferences.

The discussion also dives into Harbor’s sales team structure, which includes 40 team members split between senior external professionals and internal staff. Chase highlights Harbor’s team-based, non-commission compensation model that fosters collaboration and shared success, as well as the firm’s commitment to constant communication and alignment through weekly meetings and bi-annual in-person strategy sessions.

Chase also talks about the importance of CRM systems, particularly Salesforce, as a critical tool in capturing and leveraging client interactions for sales intelligence. He advocates for simplifying the CRM experience to increase adoption and maximize value.

On leadership, Chase shares how he brings authenticity to his role, drawing inspiration from his brother’s military leadership experience. He sees his primary role as providing resources, eliminating obstacles, and supporting his team’s success rather than directing their every move. His advice to young sales professionals emphasizes continuous learning, passion, authenticity, and leveraging team strengths.

The episode wraps with a discussion on prioritization and the importance of focusing on what truly matters. Chase uses the Eisenhower Matrix to manage tasks effectively and encourages leaders to carve out time for important but not urgent initiatives that drive long-term impact. Throughout the episode, Chase offers a practical, thoughtful, and team-oriented perspective on sales leadership in today’s evolving financial landscape.

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 updates, acquisitions by Family Office of America, and mergers between India’s Equirus Group and Sapient Finserv Group. Hear updates on investments coming from Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund, Iowa Public Employees Retirement System, and The Louisiana State Police Retirement System (LSPRS). Hear searches coming from the Memphis Light, Gas & Water Corporation and Municipal Employees Annuity & Benefit Fund of Chicago. We also share the latest fundraising efforts from Integrum Holdings, Plexus Capital, and Shore Capital 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 newly registered RIAs like Veteran Commonwealth Financial Network and Advisor Compliance Partners as well as acquisitions by Creative Planning. Hear updates on investments coming from The San Antonio Fire & Police Pension Fund, Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County Employees Benefit Trust Fund, and Miami Beach Fire & Police Pension Fund. Additionally, hear searches coming from The Mendocino County Employees Retirement Association. We also share the latest fundraising efforts from Source Code Capital, Pantzer Properties, and ParaFi 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 Episode 36 of The Emerging Manager Growth Show, Gui Costin and Dan DiDomenico dive into best practices for cold email outreach and authentic communication with allocators.

The episode highlights why authenticity and personalization win over automation in today’s fundraising environment. Gui and Dan share how to craft thoughtful, human emails that cut through the noise, structure a consistent meeting cadence across top RIA markets, and use quarterly webinars as an effective brand-building engine.

Listeners will learn how to gamify their outreach schedule, avoid common fundraising myths, and treat cold outreach as a long-term relationship-building strategy. The conversation reinforces that success in fundraising isn’t about big budgets—it’s about discipline, consistency, and genuine connection.

Whether you’re launching your first fund or scaling your third, this episode provides a clear, actionable framework for mastering the art of outreach and building lasting relationships with investors.

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, host Gui Costin speaks with Mark Levy, a differentiation expert and founder of Levy Innovation, known for helping individuals and organizations stand out through what he calls “big sexy ideas.” Levy has worked with major companies and thought leaders, including Simon Sinek, and emphasizes the power of clarity, surprise, and storytelling in business communication.

The episode centers around the critical importance of differentiation in the investment business, especially for fundraisers and marketers constantly facing competition. Levy explains that being “better” than competitors often leads to vague or forgettable comparisons, whereas being “different” creates a unique category—a “category of one”—that sets a brand apart.

Levy shares techniques for uncovering differentiation, such as listing all industry assumptions and flipping them to find unconventional approaches. He illustrates this with the story of Schlitz Beer, which became a top brand after advertising its “ordinary” brewing process that, while standard in the industry, was unknown and impressive to the public. This story underscores Levy’s point that what’s obvious to insiders may be extraordinary to outsiders.

Costin and Levy agree that every investment strategy has a story, even if the portfolio managers don’t immediately see it. They discuss how identifying moments of surprise, change, or passion can reveal a firm’s uniqueness. A practical tip from Costin involves asking fund managers, “What gets you out of bed in the morning?” to uncover authentic motivation and inspiration behind a strategy.

Levy stresses that in fundraising, where clients must sell strategies internally, numbers alone won’t stick—memorable stories will. The goal is to tell a story so compelling that someone can repeat it to others and sound insightful. Storytelling becomes essential not only in marketing materials but also in meetings, pitches, and quarterly updates. These stories should reflect how the firm thinks, why decisions are made, and how anomalies or blips lead to insights and improvements.

The conversation concludes with a strong message: in a crowded, noisy, and data-heavy investment world, your differentiation is your brand. To stand out, you must communicate how you think, not just what you do, through stories that show how your approach uniquely benefits clients.

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 Luedtke & Associates and acquisitions by Mercer Global Advisors and Beacon Pointe Advisors. Hear updates on investments coming from El Paso Firemen & Policemen's Pension Fund, Pennsylvania State Employees Retirement System, and Wyoming State Loan and Investment Board as well as searches from New Castle County Employees Pension. We also share the latest fundraising efforts from Main Capital Partners, CapRock Partners, and Brookfield Asset Management — 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 Dakota's Fundraising News Podcast, we cover newly registered RIAs like Schlegel Dunn and LCW Services acquisitions by Opera Group. Hear updates on investments coming from the Texas ERS, San Francisco Employees’ Retirement System (SFERS), and New York State Common Retirement Fund. Hear searches coming from the Town of Lexington Retirement System, Connecticut Retirement Plans and Trust Funds, and Plymouth County Retirement Association. We also share the latest fundraising efforts from Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners, RCP Advisors, and Incus 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 sits down with Afzal M. Tarar, Founder and Managing Partner at Quartus Capital Partners LLC, to discuss his journey in AI and technology, management consulting, venture capital, strategies for capital raising, and building a high-performance investment platform. Afzal shares his insights on the evolving landscape of alternative investments, the importance of disciplined investment processes, and the techniques that have allowed Quartus to differentiate itself in a competitive market.

Afzal opens by detailing his professional journey, including his early experience in AI and technology, management consulting, finance, wealth and investment management, which provided him with a solid foundation in portfolio strategy, risk management, and investor relations. He emphasizes that a deep understanding of client needs, coupled with the ability to anticipate technology, industry and market shifts, has been crucial in shaping his approach to building a successful investment firm.

A central theme of the episode is relationship-driven fundraising. Afzal highlights the importance of developing trust with investors, particularly family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and institutional clients. He discusses how Quartus approaches each relationship with tailored communication, transparency, and a consultative mindset, ensuring investors understand both the strategy and the risk-reward profile of the firm’s offerings. According to Afzal, building a strong, long-term network of investors is just as critical as generating strong returns.

Afzal also delves into team building and leadership philosophy. He underscores the importance of hiring talented, disciplined individuals who align with the firm’s culture and values. By fostering collaboration, mentorship, and accountability, Quartus has been able to scale operations while maintaining high standards of client service. Afzal emphasizes that leadership in venture capital is not just about directing strategy but about empowering teams to take ownership of their work.

The episode explores Quartus’ investment approach, focusing on growth-stage venture capital deals and value creation strategies that involve both operational improvement and strategic guidance. Afzal explains how the firm identifies opportunities, performs rigorous due diligence, and works closely with management teams to unlock growth potential.

Finally, Afzal offers guidance for young professionals entering the investment space: prioritize relationship-building, continuous learning, and operational discipline. He emphasizes that persistence, preparation, and a strong ethical foundation are key to long-term success in fundraising and venture capital.

This episode provides actionable insights into capital raising, investor relations, and leadership in venture capital, making it a valuable listen for fundraisers, portfolio managers, and emerging investment professionals.

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 Dakota's Fundraising News Podcast, we cover newly registered RIAs like FortisPath Advisors and mergers like the one between Oakmont Capital Management and BilkeyKatz Investment Consultants. Hear updates on investments coming from The Wyoming State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) and allocation updates from the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation and Charlotte Firefighters’ Retirement System. We also share the latest fundraising efforts from Verdane, BMC Investments, and Avenue Capital Group — 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, Gui Costin and Tim Dolan dive into the best practices for leveraging Salesforce as a CRM tool for investment sales teams. Drawing from Dakota’s expertise, they emphasize the transformative potential of Salesforce when configured properly, debunk myths around its usability, and share actionable
strategies for sales professionals to maximize productivity. They also highlight the dakota marketplace app, which simplifies Salesforce usage for financial services by integrating industry-specific data and pre-configured fields.