Balentic Edge

Defence investing has quietly moved from exclusion to opportunity - reshaping private equity, venture capital, infrastructure, and private credit.

In this special solo edition of Balentic Edge, Kasper Wichmann, CEO and founder of Balentic, explores the drivers behind re-emergence of defence investment: shifting geopolitics, rising capital flows, and new technology layers from satellites to cybersecurity.

He unpacks the evolving manager landscape, LP risks and opportunities, ESG considerations, and why private markets, not public equities, are at the forefront of this transformation.

If you’re an LP, GP, or private markets professional, this episode offers a clear framework for approaching defence responsibly while capturing long-term value.

Listen now to understand how to approach defence effectively.

In this episode of Balentic Edge, host Kasper Wichmann is joined by Matt Evans, Partner at Bain Capital Special Situations, to explore the secular trends reshaping hard asset investing.

From aviation and supply chain disruption to U.S. manufacturing, Matt shares how Bain approaches opportunities in industries that are both capital-intensive and globally interconnected. The discussion also dives into risk management - why outcomes look more like a fan than a dot - and what that means for allocators navigating uncertainty.

If you’re interested in how LPs can think about aviation, industrials, and private credit in today’s market, this episode is for you.

What makes a venture manager truly stand out and why do so many LPs miss the winners?
In our latest episode, Jamie Rhode, Partner at Screendoor, joins Balentic CEO Kasper Wichmann to break down the misunderstood role of timing, the power of access, and what it really takes to succeed in early-stage VC.
A must-listen for anyone navigating fund-of-funds strategy and long-term capital compounding.

In this episode, Diana Tenkova, founder of Institutional Quality, joins Kasper Wichmann to unpack what it truly takes to stand out in today’s private markets. From the credibility gap in GP storytelling to the real risks and overlooked advantages of emerging managers, this is a clear look at how capital raising is evolving - and what both GPs and LPs need to do differently.

In this episode of Balentic Edge, Matt Curtolo - seasoned LP and private markets advisor - joins Kasper Wichmann to unpack why top-quartile chasing is a myth, how small LPs can turn agility into edge, and what smart sourcing looks like in a noisy, access-constrained market. From manager selection to AI, to inbox overload, this episode is packed with clarity for LPs and GPs alike.

In this special episode* of Balentic Edge, Kasper is joined by our Balentic in-house private markets expert Alex who unpacks the NAV loan revolution reshaping private equity. Learn why GPs are turning to NAV-based financing, the risks for LPs, and how this trend could redefine fund liquidity strategies.

*This is an AI generated podcast based on the Balentic Insights blog post of the same name

n this episode of Balentic Edge, Gaurav Bhandari, Managing Partner & CIO at Long Arc Capital, joins Kasper to discuss building capital-efficient, high-conviction platforms in fintech and enterprise software. From avoiding the hype cycle to scaling with precision, Gaurav shares what sets Long Arc apart and why the best firms are still to come.

In this episode of Balentic Edge, host Kasper Wichmann is joined by veteran equity analyst Simon Powell to unpack the $50 trillion opportunity at the heart of energy transition. With themes driving capital allocation across private markets, energy is quickly emerging as the most urgent—and investable—theme of all. From EVs and green infrastructure to adaptation strategies and mitigation plays, Simon shares why much of this isn’t yet priced in, how LPs can position themselves along the entire value chain, and why patient capital may have the edge. If you want to understand where the real alpha lies in climate-focused investing—and what private markets might be overlooking—this episode is for you.

In this special edition* of Balentic Edge, we share our insights from SuperReturn International Berlin - Europe’s flagship private equity gathering.

From LP liquidity concerns to continuation vehicles, from Berlin street parties to geopolitical tailwinds - SuperReturn 2025 had it all.

We break down the biggest themes shaping private markets today:

• Why infrastructure and private debt are drawing record commitments
• How continuation vehicles became mainstream (and controversial)
• What Bono, socks, and riot police say about the state of the industry

A candid take on what really went down, and what it means for GPs, LPs, and everyone navigating today’s increasingly complex landscape.

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*This is an AI generated podcast based on the Balentic Insights blog post of the same name.

In this conversation, Thomas Friedberger, Group Deputy CEO and Co-CIO of Tikehau Capital, discusses the evolution of Tikehau Capital, its investment philosophy, and the strategic focus on aerospace and defense sectors. He highlights the changing landscape of defense investments, the importance of resilience in economic value creation, and the potential for high growth in these sectors. Friedberger emphasizes the need for European collaboration to build champions in defense and the role of expertise in navigating market challenges. The discussion also touches on the long-term trends in investment strategies and the significance of dual-use technologies for European sovereignty.