Rick Apple built Upside Growth Partners out of Nashville after starting his career in the finance grind of New York. A Princeton grad turned entrepreneur, he has scaled 12 platforms while raising 5 kids at home. From a breakout children’s clothing brand to roofing and beyond, Rick has proven that smart sourcing, deliberate underwriting, and rolled-up sleeves can compound into lasting success.

References and how to contact today's guest:
Rick Apple | LinkedIn

Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.

Connect with Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas James
• Visit Minds Capital

Credits:

• Edited by Anton Rohozov

Stenning Schueppert, based in Austin, leads Evolution Strategy Partners, one of the most transparent and high-performing independent sponsors west of the Mississippi. A private equity veteran and zinger machine, Stenning shares refreshing insights on why the independent sponsor model beats traditional funds, how radical alignment drives better outcomes, and the simple math behind his portfolio’s 10x MOIC markup.

References and how to contact today's guest:
Stenning Schueppert | LinkedIn

Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.

Connect with Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas James
• Visit Minds Capital

Credits:

• Edited by Anton Rohozov

Zack Miller and his high school friend Johnny Lieberman combined their distinct backgrounds to launch Worklyn Partners, a dual platform marrying the VC-style upside of cybersecurity with the proven PE roll-up playbook in managed service providers (MSPs). Backed by $50m in committed capital, they have executed 7 acquisitions, keeping their IT services and cybersecurity businesses operationally separate, preserving the flexibility to merge or exit individually.

References and how to contact today's guest:
Zack Miller | LinkedIn

Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.

Connect with Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas James
• Visit Minds Capital

Credits:

• Edited by Anton Rohozov

Celebrating 25 episodes, the founders of Minds Capital pull back the curtain on lessons from deploying Fund 1 capital, why they’re bullish on US private equity, how they evaluate deals and sponsors, and the strategy taking shape for their upcoming Flagship 2 fund.

References and how to contact today's guest:
Minds Capital | LinkedIn

Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.

Connect with Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas James
• Visit Minds Capital

Credits:

• Edited by Anton Rohozov

Luis Reyes, an exited SaaS founder, is building a fire safety market leader in Spain through full-time focus on operations and rapid M&A with 24+ acquisitions in just 24 months. Assembling a mosaic of micro-targets, the platform now generates €8m in EBITDA, with industry-leading efficiency stemming from Luis' consulting background and AI-first mindset. Fun fact (or maybe not so fun...): Luis grew up in rural Mexico and got his first pair of shoes at age 5.

References and how to contact today's guest:
Luis Reyes | LinkedIn

Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.

Connect with Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas James
• Visit Minds Capital

Credits:

• Edited by Anton Rohozov

David Acharya has been an independent sponsor since the great financial recession His most notable deal, a 9.5-year investment in experiential marketing firm Impact XM, delivered an extraordinary 20x MOIC. Along the way he navigated a smooth separation from former partners, and today he chairs the Independent Sponsor Alliance, a 55-member peer network shaping best practices in the industry.

References and how to contact today's guest:
David Acharya | LinkedIn

Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.

Connect with Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas James
• Visit Minds Capital

Credits:

• Edited by Anton Rohozov

Doug Song reflects on 25 years of experience as an independent sponsor, having co-founded Prodos Capital in 2003. He explains how Prodos views co-sponsoring as a strategic path to scale, enabling experienced sponsors to take on more deals while supporting emerging talent. Doug also discusses the growing role of capital placement agents and family offices, and emphasizes why getting the first deal right is the single most important step in building a lasting independent sponsor career.

References and how to contact today's guest:
Doug Song | LinkedIn

Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.

Connect with Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas James
• Visit Minds Capital

Credits:

• Edited by Anton Rohozov

Former theater director Cory Sandrock explains how independent sponsorship is just stagecraft in a different suit: cast great people, raise funds for each production, and deliver standout performances. Cory shares how he struck gold in home services, why he avoids herd behavior in crowded sectors, and how leaning in on terms like turning off fees or yielding economics attracts the right partners and builds long-term value.

References and how to contact today's guest:
Cory Sandrock | LinkedIn

Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.

Connect with Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas James
• Visit Minds Capital

Credits:

• Edited by Anton Rohozov

When Neal Doshi got within inches of closing a $40m+ transaction, his anchor investor rewrote the deal. Management fees and carry were stripped. Neal was left with a consolation closing fee, cashed out. This episode is a raw look at what happens when power shifts at the final hour, and what independent sponsors can do to protect themselves. Neal eventually used the closing fee to propel his subsequent successful career as an independent sponsor.

References and how to contact today's guest:
Neal Doshi | LinkedIn

Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.

Connect with Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas James
• Visit Minds Capital

Credits:

• Edited by Anton Rohozov

Renaud Besançon is the founder of Ceres Industries Capital, one of Europe's leading independent sponsor firms. Free from the constraints of traditional funds, Renaud's team targets "non-vanilla" mid-market acquisitions (€20m-€75m EBITDA), often closing them at 30-40% discounts. After 20 years as a sponsor, with a 30-year WIP investor database, Renaud details how he blends "back-to-basics" PE centered on operational value creation with deal-by-deal pioneership in France.

References and how to contact today's guest:
Renaud Besançon | LinkedIn

Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors.

Connect with Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas James
• Visit Minds Capital

Credits:

• Edited by Anton Rohozov