Minds Capital Podcast

New York-based Neel Bhargava breaks down how a minority investment into a Crunch Fitness franchisee turned into a home run, scaling from 10 to 74 locations with multiple recapitalizations along the way. Neel explains the value of thematic focus, outlines the opportunity of franchises, and spotlights the importance of strong management teams.

References and how to contact today's guest:
Neel Bhargava | 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

“Eat infrequently, eat well,” says Ramiro Alfaro, whose Paltus Capital goes slow, strikes big, and is pioneering deal-by-deal private equity in Central America. They have had to overcome stigma, educate market participants, and obtain creative financing to close deals. As a first mover, however, they enjoy favorable market dynamics (e.g., good valuations, inbound deal flow, cold outreach success) and ample whitespace for continued growth, while customizing a long-term hold strategy to solve for the lackluster exit opportunities in the region. 

References and how to contact today's guest: Ramiro Alfaro | 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

Straddling the line between independent sponsor and self-funded searcher, MIT-educated operator Nick Haschka breaks down how to go beyond market terms and engineer a carried interest well north of 20%. He outlines 12 factors that can tilt negotiations in the sponsor’s favor such as raising from retail, prioritizing quick paybacks, backloading sponsor economics, and more.
 
References and how to contact today's guest:
Nick Haschka | LinkedIn

For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. 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

In less than 3 years, Ben Hughes and Blue Ridge Construction Capital have acquired 4 platform companies in the building products industry, deploying over $100 million of equity. Their pace is the result of more than a decade spent in industry-focused investment banking. Due to their industry focus, Blue Ridge delivers value through deep vertical expertise and superior access to deal flow, strategic capital, and key relationships.
 
References and how to contact today's guest:
Ben Hughes | LinkedIn

For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. 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

Serial entrepreneur and independent sponsor, Jory Caulkins, gives a tactical masterclass on how to build trust with sellers, partners, investors, and team members - and why this is so important. He also deep-dives into his company's three deal criteria: moat, longevity, and asymmetry.
 
References and how to contact today's guest:
Jory Caulkins | LinkedIn

For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. 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

Benjamin Graham-inspired value investor, Matt Bodnar, views deal flow and valuation discipline, specifically 4-5x, as the two mission-critical components in creating long-term alpha. He is also a believer in permanent holdings, where annual cash flows, rather than exit proceeds, are a source of evergreen capital for future acquisitions.
 
References and how to contact today's guest:
Matt Bodnar | LinkedIn

For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. 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

From playing against FC Barcelona at Nou Camp to negotiating with chain-smoking veterinarians, Nikolay Dimitrov at Unity Investment Partnership is trailblazing the path of independent sponsor firms in Eastern Europe.

References and how to contact today's guest:
Nikolay Dimitrov | LinkedIn

For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. 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

Zinger-machine Jay Fuquay is an EVP at Trinity Investors. Trinity was formerly an independent sponsor and is now a private equity and alternative investments powerhouse. They've curated an active investor database of 4,000 high net worth individuals, which has propelled Trinity into a leading capital partner for independent sponsors.

References and how to contact today's guest:
Jay Fuquay | LinkedIn

For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. 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

Where many newly established independent sponsors "fake it 'till they make it", Shreveport-native Edward Crawford used his "Mission & Margin" principles to raise working capital for real infrastructure and a team at Coltala Holdings before chasing deals. He shares about their monthly newsletter that reaches 30,000 stakeholders and generates 14-15 deals, Coltala's relationship-based scoring system for deal flow, and Coltala Enterprise Systems for driving operational efficiency in PortCos.
 
References and how to contact Edward:
Edward Crawford 🇺🇸 | LinkedIn

For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. 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

Alex de Pfyffer and Ross Porter of Heritage Holdings share their journey from searchers (bringing a $45m revenue company to $140m) to sponsors (achieving 99% gross IRR (68% net IRR) across 5 platforms) to fund managers (closing a $225m fund closed in 2024). They engage in a vivid debate about the pros and cons of the fund model versus deal-by-deal private equity.

References and how to contact Alex and Ross:
Alex de Pfyffer | LinkedIn
Ross Porter | LinkedIn

For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. 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