Funds that Won

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.

For today's episode of "Funds That Won," I sit down with Michael Swensson, co-founder of M 31 Capital, a global investment firm specializing in AI and blockchain technologies. Michael discusses the unique investment strategies of M 31 Capital, emphasizing their focus on decentralized finance and Web3 as pivotal elements shaping the future of finance and technology. He provides insights into the firm's growth, highlighting its global team and decentralized operations, which contribute to its dynamic market presence.

In this episode of Funds That Won, I sit down with Kate Beardsley from Hannah Grey. Kate discusses Hannah Grey's focus on pre-seed and seed investments, emphasizing their commitment to backing customer-obsessed founders who redefine everyday experiences. She provides insights into their investment strategy, highlighting their approach to portfolio construction, cultural trends analysis, and their emphasis on team dynamics and market timing. Kate also shares the story behind the founding of Hannah Grey and offers advice for aspiring fund managers, underscoring the importance of strong partnerships and thorough preparation.

In this episode of "Funds That Won," Arthur Roulac from Three Court discusses their investment strategy, focusing on middle market and lower middle market credit investing, primarily through purchasing discounted loans and bonds. Arthur emphasizes the value in these often overlooked markets, noting the firm's methodical approach to finding opportunities for returns through interest and price appreciation. He also highlights the firm's lean structure, founded in 2012, which manages over $100 million in assets with a small, dedicated team. Lastly, Arthur shares insights on the importance of having a clear point of view, strong partnerships, and the right client expectations for fund management success.

In this episode of "Funds That Won," we sit down with Alexis Morgan from Peach State Capital, a real estate investment firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. Alexis shares the unique aspects of Peach State Capital, including their focus on providing short-term bridge loans to real estate investors and their competitive advantage of quick transaction execution. Additionally, we dive into Alexis's journey from wholesaling real estate to managing a fund with over six million dollars in investor capital by 20 years old. Alexis discusses the importance of forming strong partnerships, the challenges of fund management, and his vision for scaling Peach State Capital. Finally, she also emphasizes the value of surrounding oneself with experienced mentors and constantly learning to achieve success in the finance industry.

In this episode of "Funds That Won," Kristian Hanelt from Ultra Capital discusses the firm's unique approach to energy transition investments. He explains that Ultra Capital focuses on businesses that are asset-heavy and execution-oriented, filling a gap between traditional venture capital and large-scale private equity. Kristian shares insights into Ultra Capital's strategy, highlighting their focus on proven technologies like solar, batteries, and electric vehicle infrastructure. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of mentorship, strong judgment of character, and a disciplined investment approach in achieving success.