The SPAC Podcast

How can SPACs evolve to better serve investors and ensure long-term success after the merger?

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, co-hosts Michael Blankenship and Joshua Wilson are joined by Dr. Daniele D’Alvia, Lecturer in Banking and Finance Law at Queen Mary University of London and Deputy Director of the Institute of Banking and Finance Law. Dr. D’Alvia shares his view on how the SPAC model could be improved — focusing especial...

In this SPAC Podcast Spotlight, Managing Director Dimitre Genov of Brookline Capital Markets explains how small- and mid-cap equity markets directly affect SPAC redemptions and aftermarket performance. He highlights how “risk-on” market conditions can lower redemptions, while volatility and rising interest rates often drive investors to redeem shares rather than hold post-merger equity.

Dimitre also discusses how sector trends, valu...

DCF or Market Approach? Ryan McGuire explains how analysts decide which valuation method carries more weight in SPAC transactions and when financial forecasts can (or can’t) be trusted.
Guest: Ryan McGuire: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanquinnmaguire/

Let’s Connect on LinkedIn:
👉 Michael J. Blankenship - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/
👉 Joshua Bruce Wilson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabr...

Chris Sorrells shares why Spring Valley remains committed to the energy and decarbonization sectors. From AI infrastructure to power security, he discusses how global shifts are reshaping the energy landscape and where the next opportunities lie.

Guest: Chris Sorrells – Chairman and CEO of Spring Valley
Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-sorrells-5a6a836/

Watch more episodes at: YouTube.com/@UCiOCVRrR...

From taking NuScale Power public to launching Eagle Energy Metals, Chris Sorrells explains how nuclear energy and SMRs (small modular reactors) are reshaping the energy sector. He connects decades of experience to the growing nuclear and uranium opportunity.

Guest: Chris Sorrells – Chairman and CEO of Spring Valley
Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-sorrells-5a6a836/

Watch more episodes at: YouTube.co...

What’s next for the SPAC market? Chris Sorrells predicts a period of rationalization, cleaner vehicles, and more experienced sponsors. He also shares why greater skin in the game could drive healthier deals and investor trust.

Guest: Chris Sorrells – Chairman and CEO of Spring Valley
Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-sorrells-5a6a836/

Watch more episodes at: YouTube.com/@UCiOCVRrRqqmq20QNV9I43Zg 

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Seth Farbman shares a cautionary tale that underscores the importance of responsive and modern transfer agents in the SPAC ecosystem. Drawing from personal experience, Seth recounts a scenario where outdated communication practices—from requiring physical mail to issuing inaccurate shareholder statements—resulted in costly delays. The lesson? Technology, speed, and accuracy aren’t just convenien...

In this SPAC Podcast Spotlight, Managing Director Dimitre Genov of Brookline Capital Markets explains why SPACs provide a level of flexibility that traditional IPOs often lack. He shares how SPACs allow sponsors and companies to agree upfront on valuation, customize capital structures, and incorporate earnouts or contingent payouts to align interests.

Dimitre also highlights the value top sponsors bring beyond capital — including st...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Michael Blankenship asks legal scholar Daniele D’Alvia a provocative question: are European SPACs more trustworthy than those in the U.S.?

Daniele explains that the answer isn’t found in geography but in governance. While U.S. markets are often at the forefront of financial innovation and carry a higher risk appetite, European markets tend to be more risk-averse and disclosure-focused. Ultimately...

Looking ahead, Chris Sorrells shares his “crystal ball” on where Spring Valley and the SPAC market are headed. From nuclear and AI to rare earths and defense tech, he outlines where the next generation of SPAC opportunities will emerge.

Guest: Chris Sorrells – Chairman and CEO of Spring Valley
Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-sorrells-5a6a836/

Watch more episodes at: YouTube.com/@UCiOCVRrRqqmq20QNV9...

Chris Sorrells discusses how reshoring, critical minerals, and energy security are shaping U.S. investment trends. He shares how investor sentiment is aligning around domestic production, rare earths, and defense resilience.

Guest: Chris Sorrells – Chairman and CEO of Spring Valley
Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-sorrells-5a6a836/

Watch more episodes at: YouTube.com/@UCiOCVRrRqqmq20QNV9I43Zg 
L...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, we sit down with Seth Farbman, Chairman of Vstock Transfer, to explore the evolving landscape of international SPAC activity. Seth shares real-world observations from regions like Singapore, Japan, and Israel, offering insight into how global interest is reshaping the role of U.S.-based service providers.

From language barriers to jurisdictional nuances, Seth explains the operational challenges t...

In this SPAC Podcast Spotlight, Managing Director Dimitre Genov of Brookline Capital Markets explains how the SPAC investor base has evolved over the last five years. While event-driven and arbitrage-focused funds remain core participants, other groups now approach SPACs as yield-oriented products or equity opportunities through warrants and rights.

Dimitre also highlights recent shifts in PIPE activity, including growing participat...

What signals should investors watch for in SPAC valuations? Ryan McGuire highlights the key red flags, from difficulty attracting PIPE investors to high redemption rates, that can point to declining sentiment or questionable deal terms.

Guest: Ryan McGuire: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanquinnmaguire/

Watch more episodes at: YouTube.com/@UCiOCVRrRqqmq20QNV9I43Zg 
Let’s Connect on LinkedIn:
👉 Michael J. B...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Mohammad Hasham, Partner and West Region Leader for Capital Markets & IPO at CohnReznick, shares best practices for sponsors and management teams considering a SPAC transaction. He emphasizes the importance of engaging experienced advisors early in the process, rather than waiting until issues arise during audits.

Mohammad explains how hiring the right accounting advisors, auditors, and legal...

In this SPAC Podcast Spotlight, Managing Director Dimitre Genov of Brookline Capital Markets breaks down the rise, fall, and correction of the SPAC market. He explains how SPACs were once primarily used for special situations, but during the 2021 boom became a go-to path for late-stage private companies, especially in tech, EV, and biotech.

Dimitre highlights the factors that fueled the boom, including low interest rates and investo...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, co-hosts Michael Blankenship and Joshua Wilson are joined by Alexandra Low, Counsel at Appleby Global in the Cayman Islands. Alexandra leads the SPAC team at her firm and brings a wealth of experience from both Canadian and offshore legal markets. She walks us through the critical role Cayman legal counsel plays in preparing for S-1 filings—whether confidential or live—and the importance of stro...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Candice Beaumont, Chief Investment Officer of L Investments, shares her advice for women pursuing leadership roles in finance and investment. She emphasizes the importance of confidence, assembling strong teams, and recognizing that women are excelling in today’s financial landscape just as much — and sometimes more — than men.

Her message is clear: with determination and the right support, women...

Chris Sorrells explains his disciplined approach to evaluating and structuring SPAC transactions. From prioritizing unique assets to ensuring two years of cash at close, Chris outlines what separates lasting companies from overhyped deals.

Guest: Chris Sorrells – Chairman and CEO of Spring Valley
Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-sorrells-5a6a836/

Let’s Connect on LinkedIn:
👉 Michael J. Blankenship - http...