In this episode of Funds That Won, we sit down with John Bernard of Southview Timberland Investments to uncover how a fund manager turned entrepreneur built a timberland fund in one of the most overlooked asset classes. John shares his journey from Wall Street to launching Southview, the unique economics of timber investing, and how biological growth provides consistent returns regardless of market conditions. We explore land appreciation, harvesting strategies, and the challenges of scaling a fund in such a relationship-driven industry. John also opens up about fundraising lessons, managing risk, and what it really takes to grow a billion-dollar fund in a niche market.

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In this episode of "Funds That Won," I sit down with Peter Birk from Catalyst Partners, a subsidiary of Moelis Asset Management, focused on seeding new and emerging private equity managers. Peter discusses the strategy behind Catalyst Partners, which includes backing debut private equity funds with sizable checks ranging from $50 to $100 million. He shares insights into how they support managers through first-close capital and revenue share arrangements, and the importance of talent and grit in building a successful asset management firm. The conversation offers a deep dive into the world of private equity seeding and the challenges and opportunities it presents.

In this episode of "Funds That Won," Lincoln interviews Jack Selby from AZ-VC, a venture fund focused on supporting Arizona-based entrepreneurs. Jack shares the challenges Arizona startups face in securing Series A funding locally and how AZ-VC aims to fill that gap by leveraging his extensive network from his PayPal days. They discuss the current state of the venture capital market, the importance of timing, and how Jack's deep commitment to Arizona's tech ecosystem drives the fund's strategy. Jack also reflects on the personal motivations and experiences that led him to launch AZ-VC.

In this episode of "Funds That Won," I sit down with Andrew Smith from the Savory Fund to discuss their unique investment strategy in the food and beverage industry. Andrew shares how the Savory Fund targets emerging food brands with 5 to 15 units and supports their growth with a robust operating team and dedicated capital. He delves into the fund's success, raising and deploying substantial funds to scale promising brands, and the importance of disciplined investment and active management. Tune in to hear insightful stories and practical advice on navigating and thriving in the dynamic world of food and beverage investments.

In this episode of "Funds That Won," I sit down with Brock Mogensen from Smart Asset Capital to discuss the inception and growth of their company. Brock shares how Smart Asset Capital evolved from a property management and brokerage firm into a syndication and private equity business, leveraging existing infrastructure to scale quickly. He delves into their strategic focus on industrial real estate, highlighting the opportunities and returns in this sector. Brock also explains their decision to shift from syndication deals to launching their first fund, aiming to diversify investor risk and capitalize on multiple deals simultaneously.

In this episode of "Funds That Won," I sit down with Brent Mott of Bow Tie Capital, a firm specializing in commercial real estate syndications and funds. Brent shares insights into Bow Tie Capital’s unique approach, including their focus on raising funds from non-accredited investors and their diverse portfolio spanning self-storage, medical office buildings, and affordable housing developments. He also discusses the firm's ambitious goal of managing a billion dollars in assets by the end of the decade. Tune in to hear Brent's inspiring journey from leaving his corporate job to controlling nearly $200 million in assets and his vision for the future of Bow Tie Capital.

In this episode of "Funds That Won," Colin Greenspon from Narya discusses his venture capital firm's unique focus on funding companies addressing critical societal issues like GDP growth, improving American lives, and protecting sovereignty. He explains how Narya prioritizes investments in industrial sectors such as agriculture, energy, and defense, often in overlooked regions like Ohio and Illinois. Colin shares insights into their strategic partnerships, including co-founders JD Vance and Peter Thiel, and their concentrated investment strategy. Highlighting successful investments like a gene therapy company and a faith-based app, he demonstrates Narya's commitment to impactful, long-term investments. Colin also offers advice for emerging fund managers, emphasizing the importance of a clear thesis, a strong network, and genuine conviction in their choices.

For today's episode, I sat down and did a winners circle on Ares Capital Management. Ares Capital Management is a major asset manager specializing in private credit, managing over $428 billion, with more than $300 billion in this asset class. Founded in 1997 as a spin-out from Apollo, they quickly grew through acquisitions and went public in 2004. Known for consistent, strong returns and low downside risk, Ares caters to large endowments and pension funds. Despite controversies, such as their handling of PPP loans during COVID-19, Ares remains a leader in the private credit market.

Enjoy!

In this episode of Funds That Won, I sit down with Nitin Pachisia from Unshackled Ventures, a fund focused on supporting immigrant founders by managing their immigration processes. The Unshackled team consists of immigrant founders that understand the stress of navigating visas, government agencies, and the intense start-up atmosphere. Nitin explains their unique approach of investing in founder potential rather than business plans, emphasizing early-stage investments. The discussion highlights the importance of maintaining a disciplined investment thesis and following intuition in venture capital.