“I’m an ex-athlete who played 11 years in Europe and a former Wall Street banker. Today I run a venture capital firm investing across FinTech, AI, and software.”

On this episode, Mike Blankenship sits down with SPAC leader and venture investor Delon Turner, founder and managing partner of a venture capital firm focused on emerging technology sectors.

Delon shares how his journey from professional sports to Wall Street shaped his approach to investing and why his firm is preparing to launch a SPAC in 2026.

Key Topics

• Transitioning from professional sports to venture capital

• Investing across FinTech, AI, and software

• Building a SPAC team with capital markets expertise

• Why SPACs remain an important capital markets tool

Disclaimer: Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and partner at Winston Taylor. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let's Connect on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ 

To Contact Us, Please Visit: 

https://www.TheSPACPodcast.com/contact/

In this clip, Roland Austrup discusses research from an upcoming white paper comparing modern public operating conglomerates to private equity performance. Companies like Danaher, Constellation Software, Brookfield, Roper, and Berkshire Hathaway have demonstrated that public markets can deliver strong long-term returns while maintaining operational flexibility.

Roland explains why some companies may actually face more constraints under private ownership than in public markets, where capital access and broader investor participation can create stronger alignment and long-term growth opportunities.

Disclaimer: Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and partner at Winston Taylor. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let's Connect on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ 

To Contact Us, Please Visit: 

https://www.TheSPACPodcast.com/contact/

Roland explains why capital markets will play a critical role in supporting this next generation of transformative companies. He also discusses how SPACs can provide a more efficient pathway for high-growth businesses to access public capital compared to traditional IPO processes.

With innovation accelerating globally, the ability to connect capital with emerging technologies will shape the next decade of economic growth.

Disclaimer: Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and partner at Winston Taylor. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let's Connect on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ 

To Contact Us, Please Visit: 

https://www.TheSPACPodcast.com/contact/

Roland Austrup, Chief Growth Officer at Inventure Inc., joins The SPAC Podcast to discuss how SPACs have evolved into a more disciplined and efficient path for companies to access the public markets.

Roland shares insights from his background in hedge funds, public markets, and building operating companies, explaining why SPAC 2.0 has matured with stronger regulation, better sponsor quality, and tighter timelines.

The conversation explores how SPACs can help high-growth companies access capital, why public markets may see a resurgence compared to private equity structures, and why innovation-driven companies may benefit from going public earlier in their lifecycle.

If the next decade is defined by AI, infrastructure buildout, and Industry 4.0 innovation, the capital markets will play a critical role in financing that growth.

Disclaimer: Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and partner at Winston Taylor. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let's Connect on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ 

To Contact Us, Please Visit: 

https://www.TheSPACPodcast.com/contact/

Ranjeet Sundher explains why Tactical Resources selected the SPAC path to go public in the U.S. With MP Materials serving as a successful template for rare earth production via DESPAC, Tactical aims to become the second producing rare earth company in the U.S. He also shares why partnering with the Plum team made strategic sense after nearly a year of collaboration on structure and financing.

Disclaimer: Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and partner at Winston Taylor. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let's Connect on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ 

To Contact Us, Please Visit: 

https://www.TheSPACPodcast.com/contact/

Ranjeet Sundher explains how vertical integration in West Texas reduces operational risk and strengthens domestic production. From direct leach processing onsite to producing mixed hydroxides in Texas, this strategy aims to keep critical mineral value creation inside the United States.

Disclaimer: Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and partner at Winston Taylor. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let's Connect on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ 

To Contact Us, Please Visit: 

https://www.TheSPACPodcast.com/contact/

Rare earths aren’t abstract commodities. They power daily life and national defense.

In this clip, Ranjeet Sundher explains how rare earth magnets sit behind nearly every electronic device from smartphones and laptops to AI chips and advanced defense systems. 

With China historically supplying over 95% of global rare earth magnets, domestic production carries significant economic and national security implications.

Disclaimer: Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and partner at Winston Taylor. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let's Connect on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ 

To Contact Us, Please Visit: 

https://www.TheSPACPodcast.com/contact/

In this clip, Ranjeet Sundher explains why Tactical Resources’ hard rock, direct-leach mineralization is such a rare technical advantage. By bypassing multiple expensive and environmentally intensive processing steps, the project offers a faster, cleaner, and potentially more cost-effective path to producing mixed rare earth products.

Mother Nature did the hard work and that changes the economics.

Disclaimer: Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and partner at Winston Taylor. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let's Connect on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ 

To Contact Us, Please Visit: 

https://www.TheSPACPodcast.com/contact/

Ranjeet Sundher explains why uniform mineralization at the Peak Project is a major technical advantage.

Processing facilities are engineered for specific grades and product types. When mineral grades vary widely across a site, processing becomes more complex, more expensive, and higher risk.

Peak’s homogenous mineralization means:

• More predictable processing

• Lower operating costs

• Reduced technical risk

• Smoother scale-up to commercial production

Disclaimer: Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and partner at Winston Taylor. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let's Connect on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ 

To Contact Us, Please Visit: 

https://www.TheSPACPodcast.com/contact/

Ranjeet Sundher, CEO of Tactical Resources, explains what makes the Peak Project fundamentally different from early-stage rare earth developments in the United States.

Unlike projects that require a decade of exploration and billions in capital before proving viability, Peak already has materials on site, existing infrastructure, and decades of groundwork completed. The focus now shifts from exploration risk to commercial application and scale.

Disclaimer: Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and partner at Winston Taylor. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let's Connect on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ 

To Contact Us, Please Visit: 

https://www.TheSPACPodcast.com/contact/