Savvy Capital

Join hosts Christopher Pruijsen and Ben Moore for a fascinating conversation with Matthias Smith of Pioneer Capital - an SBA loan advisory expert - on The Savvy Capital Show. In this episode, Matthias breaks down the latest SBA loan changes, sheds light on how tariffs and other economic factors are affecting the M&A landscape, and offers strategic tips for searchers looking to secure SBA financing. You’ll also gain insights into how AI innovations are impacting both diligence and deal structuring for search funds. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur-in-residence or a seasoned private equity professional, this discussion is packed with actionable takeaways and best practices. Don’t forget to subscribe for more interviews on M&A, private equity, and cutting-edge tech trends in the search fund space at thesavvycapital.com

Industrial-analytics entrepreneur turned ETA investor Mario Montag joins The Savvy Capital Show to explain how he scaled Predikto, exited to a Fortune 50 buyer, and now backs search-fund operators through Fruition Capital. In this episode Mario breaks down the human factors that make-or-break deals and shows where today’s AI tools already deliver roughly 4 times productivity gains.In this conversation you’ll learn00:01 Mario’s path from PwC, McKinsey and Hitachi to founding Predikto04:24 The 90-day, USD 100 k pilot that won Fortune 500 clients – and why simplicity sells  10:54 Mapping buyer psychology: tailoring the pitch to business leaders vs. engineers  19:58 AI in deal sourcing and diligence—how “chat-first” research shaves weeks off analyst time  37:55 Why AI is a 4× force-multiplier today (and what still breaks)  43:27 SBA rule changes, roll-ups and where venture capital is moving next 🔔 Subscribe for weekly deep-dives with founders, investors and corp-dev leaders redefining value creation - thesavvycapital.com

We interview John Dickenson, Chief Development Officer at Phynet - one of the largest dermatology platforms in the United States. Discover how Phynet grew to over 300 providers and 125 locations, learn about the shifting M&A landscape in dermatology, and hear John’s take on balancing acquisitions with organic growth in a high-interest-rate environment. This conversation covers recruiting challenges, the role of Mohs surgery, and the booming cosmetic segment that’s reshaping the market. Whether you’re an investor exploring healthcare opportunities, a clinician navigating consolidation, or simply interested in the business side of medicine, this interview offers actionable strategies for success. Don’t miss John’s insider tips on building a high-performing platform that supports dermatologists, patients, and PE partners alike. Subscribe for more insights on M&A, private equity trends, and strategic growth from at thesavvycapital.com

Join hosts Christopher Pruijsen and Ben Moore on The Savvy Capital Show for an in-depth interview with Eyal Cohen from Pet Resorts Hospitality Group - one of the leading players shaping the rapidly growing pet boarding industry. Discover how Eyal and his team are consolidating this highly fragmented market, creating premium experiences for pets and owners alike, and navigating the operational challenges unique to hospitality for our four-legged friends. Explore the group’s M&A strategy, consumer spending trends, and the best practices Eyal has gleaned from scaling pet resorts nationwide. Whether you’re an investor exploring recession-resilient sectors, an operator seeking proven tactics for expansion, or simply curious about the business behind pet care, this conversation offers practical insights and fresh perspectives. Don’t forget to subscribe for more on M&A, private equity, and strategic growth opportunities from The Savvy Capital Show at thesavvycapital.com

Ex‑Navy officer‑turned‑search‑funder Carter Eltzroth shows how AI slashes diligence time while military “ask‑then‑act” leadership and hand‑written outreach win owners’ trust. He breaks down real‑world deal saves, rapid niche sprints in overlooked water infrastructure, and the limits of AI when human relationships drive closings. Follow along with the Searchfunder × AI deep‑dive series at thesavvycapital.com.

00:23 – Why “ask‑then‑act” military leadership may trump Wall Street pedigrees in ETA
04:14 – Insights on porting naval process rigor straight into deal sourcing
06:14 – How ChatGPT Deep Research turns weeks of diligence into minutes
08:31 – Why one AI‑flagged blind spot killed a near‑signed LOI—and saved investors
11:55 – What AI still can’t replicate in owner outreach and trust‑building
13:34 – How handwritten letters are beating high‑volume email cadences
18:32 – Why overlooked water infrastructure could be the next PE frontier
23:45 – Insights on rapid‑cycle niche sprints to stay ahead of AI‑savvy rivals
26:26 – How mastering one business first sets the stage for smarter add‑ons
30:09 – Why the Wharton ETA conference is Carter’s capital‑raising Super Bowl
32:44 – What Carter wishes he’d known about balancing AI hype with human hustle
34:06 – How viewing search as a stepping‑stone—not an identity—keeps operators focused

In this episode, we're taking a no-nonsense look at how chargeback mitigation is getting a serious upgrade with the brain behind Chargeblast.

Born from a personal chargeback nightmare, this breakthrough tech is raising the bar—hitting 98% automation when the rest are stuck at 70%. We dive into real-world tactics like digital receipts, real-time representment, and a solid, numbers-driven approach that cuts risk and boosts revenue.

Check out our deep dive articles and follow along here: ⁠https://thesavvycapital.com

• (00:24) – An introduction to Qi, Chargeblast founder, who explains how a wildly diverse career led to launching a top-tier chargeback mitigation service.

• (01:04) – The spark behind Chargeblast: a personal chargeback headache from an AI tools business highlighted a massive industry problem.

• (02:09) – A reality check on current systems: existing chargeback solutions are clunky and manual, operating at only about 70% automation versus Chargeblast’s 98%.

• (03:37) – A surprising insight emerges—most chargebacks are “friendly fraud,” meaning consumers dispute charges and often win nearly 90% of the time.

• (04:52) – How Chargeblast fights back: using digital receipts, instantaneous alerts, and advanced predispute tactics to block chargebacks before they hit processors.

• (07:17) – A head-to-head on pre-auth versus post-auth: blocking transactions before they occur can lead to false negatives, while post-auth action zeroes in on real issues.

• (11:08) – Behind the scenes of operations: learn how Chargeblast’s data-driven model pinpoints just the right levers to pull to drive growth.

• (12:34) – Unpacking the sales engine: diverse channels—from ads and conferences to partnerships and outbound strategies—all measured by their cost-to-profit impact.

• (14:09) – Leveraging global teams like Brazilian engineers and Filipino support staff to keep operations efficient and costs down.

• (15:04) – Tackling growth without over-hiring: a strategy where the team scales organically, adding help only when the workload truly overwhelms.

• (20:41) – Big shifts in the payments world: a move from pre-auth to post-auth chargeback prevention and a fresh perspective on the role (and risks) of stablecoins.

• (24:53) – Proactively handling chargeback issues is vital—waiting too long could risk your entire revenue stream

In this episode, we're chatting with Andrés Störmann and Alex Koczor, the duo behind the Smart Senior Living joint venture. They're experts in real estate development, healthcare properties, and turning distressed assets into thriving spaces. Tune in as we dive into their creative approach to converting empty office buildings into smart, community-focused senior housing across Germany. Follow along with our Senior Living Deep Dive series and check out the detailed breakdown at https://thesavvycapital.com

• (00:58) - Andrés Störmann: Handles business development and capital market strategy within Smart Senior Living JV, integrating real estate, M&A, and insurance experience.

• (01:34) - Alex: Focuses on operational execution, leveraging expertise in repositioning stranded real estate assets and healthcare real estate management.

• (02:51) - Andrés: Origin of Smart Senior Living JV due to demographic aging in Germany, rising office vacancies, and shifting post-COVID office-space usage patterns.

• (05:12) - Alex: Highlights Germany's demographic challenge (1 in 3 Germans aged 60+ within 10 years), shifting demand from expensive nursing homes towards affordable, independent senior living alternatives.

• (07:11) - Alex: Office vacancy surge (7-11%+) across major German cities, with vacancies expected to increase sharply as leases expire; rising apartment rents (~60% increase in 8 years) exacerbate affordable housing crisis.

• (08:41) - Alex: Strategic focus on repurposing centrally located vacant office buildings into smart, accessible senior living communities.

• (12:02) - Alex: Favorable regulatory developments in Berlin easing office-to-residential conversions, including simplified permitting and beneficial public financing conditions.

• (14:46) - Andrés/Alex: Screening approach prioritizing asset quality based on location, zoning feasibility, and structural adaptability; zoning changes avoided due to multi-year regulatory complexity.

• (19:46) - Andrés: Defines "smart living" as digitally enabled, hospitality-oriented co-living targeting active, independent seniors (60-80 years), contrasting traditional nursing care models.

• (25:12) - Andrés/Alex: Minimal operational vertical integration; community management coordinates externally booked services (food, healthcare, laundry) to maintain lean cost structure.

• (27:48) - Andrés: Deal origination through direct relationships with property owners, asset managers, operating companies, and local chambers of commerce to address regional economic challenges and vacancies.

• (32:20) - Alex: Highlights data acquisition challenges; robust market data available for major German cities, with gaps present for smaller municipalities, potentially complicating later-stage expansion.

This interview with Shawn Rodricks, an M&A professional with over 200 transactions to his name in. the veterinary space, joins us for part 2 of our Veterinary Consolidation Deep Dive series. Follow along with the series and read our in-depth industry analysis on https://thesavvycapital.com

• 01:28 – Vet industry consolidation trends and growth outlook.

• 05:54 – Regulatory challenges for large veterinary consolidators (FTC scrutiny).

• 08:22 – Customer impacts from vet industry consolidation; price and quality trade-offs.

• 11:02 – Effects of inflation on pet care spending and premium veterinary services.

• 13:44 – Distinguishing between vet health services vs. pet retail/fashion.

• 15:34 – Preventative veterinary health services and potential innovations (e.g., pet MRIs, wearables).

• 17:00 – Geographical consolidation strategies in the US and Canada.

• 21:01 – Key red flags when evaluating vet clinics for acquisitions.

• 22:22 – Vet consolidators shifting to organic growth strategies due to capital constraints.

• 25:34 – Evolution in veterinary marketing, leveraging social media.

• 27:35 – Pet-owner loyalty dynamics and impact of price sensitivity.

• 30:24 – Leveraging veterinarians as influencers to drive brand loyalty and growth.

• 34:26 – Managing challenges at different consolidation growth stages (scaling teams, standardizing tech).

• 37:23 – Proposal for internalizing financial diligence (QoE) processes.

• 42:25 – Future of internal software systems (PIMs) for consolidators.

• 45:12 – Roll-Up Roast: Cremation services as top growth adjacency; skepticism around in-store retail vets.

This interview with Nick Uva (Senior Vice President of Business Development at Southern Veterinary Partners) is the first in our Veterinary Consolidation Deep Dive series. Follow along with the series and read our in-depth industry analysis for free on https://thesavvycapital.com00:56 – Transition: Moved from finance/pharma into stable veterinary industry.02:18 – Business Insight: Animal hospitals profitable but often lack strategic management.03:31 – Keys to Improvement: Combat complacency through investment in management and facilities.05:10 – Growth Factors: Expanded via reputation, culture, and local clinic autonomy.08:03 – Scaling Challenges: Emphasis on trust, adaptable processes, and localized management.12:01 – Acquisition Strategy: Strategic geographic density, transparent culture.14:09 – Market Dynamics: Multiples normalizing; moderate consolidation expected.17:36 – Market Trends: Strong consolidators to thrive; weaker may exit or consolidate.20:38 – Growth Strategies: Exploring complementary services and strategic de novo clinics.24:04 – Broker Influence: Increased brokers impact dynamics; SVP maintains direct relationship advantage.33:13 – Post-Merger Outlook: Aggressive growth continues after MVP merger.38:41 – Operational Risks: Leadership loss or dissatisfaction negatively impacts clinics.41:13 – Financial Risks: Underperformance due to unmet demand or client loss.42:39 – Marketing/Data Analytics: Centralized analytics driving local growth.45:12 – Future Trends: Vet surplus stabilizing wages; fewer consolidators, more startups expected.

• (01:58) Exploring AI's transformative role in regulatory compliance amid increasingly complex regulations.

• (03:46) Developing AI agents to enhance compliance efficiency and manage extensive policy knowledge.

• (04:36) Challenges of deploying AI across countries with diverse regulatory frameworks.

• (05:28) Importance of quality data ecosystems to avoid AI pitfalls like hallucinations or breaches.

• (06:21) Warning against superficial AI consultancy—building robust in-house AI is critical.

• (08:08) The evolution toward empowering employees directly with AI tools, beyond traditional fintech approaches.

• (10:34) Importance of internal ambassadors and awareness-building for AI adoption success.

• (12:44) AI evaluation challenges, especially in highly regulated environments.

• (15:21) Collaborative, cross-functional approaches to validating and scaling AI use cases.

• (18:40) Customer-focused AI: Enhancing customer experience without losing the human touch.

• (23:16) Consumer resistance and acceptance: Finding the right balance for customer-facing AI.

• (28:31) Risks and human oversight in deploying fully automated AI financial advisors.

• (32:17) Core lessons learned from high-scale AI projects—mindset and change management matter more than technology alone.