Private Equity Value Creation Podcast

On this episode, Shiv is joined by Rafael Telahun, Managing Director at Altaline Capital Management, to discuss value creation that is built on strategy, rather than just institutionalization. Rafael breaks down how to meaningfully rerate a business by getting hands-on to make improvements like increasing mission criticality, making strategic pricing changes and raising gross and net retention. Plus, learn how why creativity, custo...

Josh Christensen, Director at Mercato Partners, shares how minority growth investors can turn ecosystem-building into a true competitive advantage—without taking control or over-engineering outcomes. Drawing on his experience scaling Mercato’s playbook across non-coastal markets, Josh breaks down what it takes to embed sales, marketing, and human capital excellence from first touch through IPO, and how to focus resources where they...

Riccardo Basile, Operating Partner, Head of Value Creation at Permira, shares how firms can turn value creation into a true competitive advantage—without overcomplicating the model. Drawing on his experience building and scaling Permira’s 24-person value creation team, Riccardo breaks down what it takes to embed operating excellence from diligence through exit, and how to focus resources where they actually drive growth.

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On this episode Shiv interviews Rita Fiorentino, Co-Founder of Arc Capital Development, to unpack a battle-tested playbook for steering portfolio companies through economic downturns—especially when AI disruption, political volatility, and geopolitical shocks are compressing growth.

Rita lays out a disciplined sequence that starts with risk assessment and financial hygiene, then moves to locking down customers, building an all-A-pla...

On this episode Shiv interviews Jeremy Schein, Partner and Member of the Buyouts Investment Committee at Corsair Capital, to discuss how private equity firms can drive enterprise value in financial services through collaborative operating expertise.

Jeremy shares Corsair’s approach to partnering with management teams in fintech, payments, and adjacent sectors, emphasizing the importance of aligning on value creation strategies early...

On this episode Shiv Narayanan interviews Ed Byrne, co-founder of Scaleworks, a venture equity firm based in San Antonio.

Ed shares his background as a software entrepreneur and the lessons learned from his experiences that led to founding Scaleworks ten years ago with partner Lou Moorman. The discussion explores the concept of "venture equity" as a hybrid model between traditional VC and private equity, emphasizing susta...

On this episode Shiv interviews Lindsay Gray, Partner at Pacific Lake, to explore how the firm backs entrepreneurs through the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) or search fund model—an approach that turns traditional private equity on its head by starting with the entrepreneur before the company.

Lindsay walks through Pacific Lake’s industry thesis–driven search process, explaining how they identify and support first-time C...

On this episode, Shiv interviews Kelly Ford Buckley, General Partner at Edison Partners, a growth equity firm with over 39 years of experience investing in high-growth software companies in secondary markets.

Kelly dives into Edison's hands-on approach to value creation, emphasizing their preference for taking on execution risk over product or market risk, and how they use maturity assessments across five centers of excellence—...

In this solo episode of the Private Equity Value Creation Podcast, Shiv Narayanan breaks down the challenges facing portfolio companies in today’s market—and shares a clear roadmap for investors, CEOs, and revenue leaders to drive growth.

From slowing sales pipelines to rising competitive pressures and the impact of AI, many companies are underperforming compared to previous years. Shiv outlines actionable strategies to:

• Cut wast...

On this episode Shiv Narayanan interviews Craig Jones of TPE Boulder to discuss value creation in lower middle market private equity, focusing on smaller companies with $2-5 million in EBITDA.

Craig shares TPE Boulder’s approach to scaling businesses through organic growth, emphasizing diversification by location and provider, strengthening management teams, and addressing technology deficits. He explains how they align with founder...

On this episode Shiv interviews Gus Araya, Co-Founder and Co-Managing Partner of Cordillera Investment Partners, to discuss how PE firms can generate alpha by investing in alternative assets like marinas, music royalties, and spirits.

Gus shares Cordillera’s approach to targeting niche, less correlated markets, using a repeatable process to source, diligence, and professionalize non-traditional assets. He explains how their flexible...

On this episode, Shiv Narayanan interviews Andy Lund, Managing Director and Global Co-Head of Primary Capital Advisory at Houlihan Lokey, to discuss strategies for private equity firms navigating today's challenging fundraising and liquidity environment.

Andy shares insights on how GPs can differentiate themselves in a crowded market, leveraging tools like secondary transactions, continuation vehicles, and direct investments to ...

On this episode Shiv interviews Eliot Kerlin, Co-Founder of Broadwing Capital, to explore how PE firms can create value in the lower middle market by combining a systematic playbook with deep operational resources.

Eliot explains Broadwing’s five-part framework—from fortifying the foundation and scaling for growth to talent development, stakeholder impact, and exit preparation—and how their ops team works side by side with managemen...

Shiv interviews Michael Wilkins, Partner at Shamrock Capital, to explore the opportunities PE firms can unlock through deep expertise in sectors including media, entertainment and sports.

Michael explains how industry focus and long-term networks translate into proprietary deal flow, why value creation plans need to be tailored to each company rather than run from a single playbook, and how to balance partnership with hands-on s...

In this episode, Shiv Narayanan sits down with members of the How To SaaS client services team to talk about the most common marketing challenges inside PE-backed portfolio companies—and how to solve them.

Chief Client Officer Farhad Chikhliwala, VP of Marketing Taylor Moore and Director of Marketing Tatiana Morand discuss why poor tracking and misaligned spend can drain ROI, how to prioritize the right order of operations for ...

Shiv interviews Garrett Marsilio, Partner at Delta-v Capital. 

On this episode, Garrett dives deep into the evolving landscape of secondaries in private markets. Learn how secondary investments are creating new liquidity pathways for venture-backed companies and why this is becoming a preferred strategy. Hear about adding post-investment value through targeted operational support and Delta-v Capital’s unique ‘flight plan’ approach.

Shiv interviews Amanda Good, Partner and Head of Value Creation at Searchlight Capital Partners. 

In this episode, Amanda shares practical strategies to transform good companies into great ones through operational excellence, team enhancements, and a disciplined planning process. Learn how to balance quick-win initiatives with longer-term strategic plays, the importance of linking value creation plans directly to EBITDA impact, and ...