Tag: Private Equity

Feature Image Ep 15
Improving Alpha: Russ Carson on the ‘lucky accident’ of a career in Venture Capital, Private Equity, and Philanthropy

Improving Alpha: Russ Carson on the ‘lucky accident’ of a career in Venture Capital, Private Equity, and Philanthropy

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Be careful what you wish for, is a critical statement for those entering the field of private equity, and venture capital today. As the industry accelerates, increased government scrutiny, regulation, and a greater need to prove that your business is providing a productive service to society will come into play.

In our latest episode of the Improving Alpha podcast, our host, Michael Oliver Weinberg, sits down with Russell L. Carson, Founder & General Partner of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, and Chairman of The Carson Family Charitable Trust. 

Russ explores his own journey in both venture capital and private equity, what led him to create the Carson Family Charitable Trust, succession planning for his business, and why he’s become a student of improving the human condition.

Further highlights include: 

 

  • how his career evolved from managing $5 million in Citibank’s Venture Capital arm to leading his own firm managing over $31 billion in AUM through investments in healthcare and information technology sectors.

  • the objectives and structure of the Carson Family Charitable Trust, and how Russ balances the investments that he’s making today and the returns he can expect to get to zero out the trust by the end of 2050.

  • his involvement in the unique institution, Rockefeller University, and how he’s helping the university with funding solutions to mankind’s largest healthcare mysteries.

  • how he helped to create the New York Genome Center and how the cost to sequence a human genome has declined from $10,000 to $500 in the course of 10 years due to things like Nvidia GPUs, cloud computing, and machine learning.

  • his strategic view of making smaller acquisitions that create a much larger business out of a series of smaller parts and how it has been successfully applied to both healthcare and the information technology space.

  • differences between a public market investor and being a venture capital or private equity investor, and how Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe combine the two disciplines at times.

  • the creative tension between LPs and GPs across the Private Equity industry.

  • the “red flag” of a manager being unfocused in his approach to investing, and how having focus gave Russ a competitive advantage in the sectors that he serves.

  • thoughts on whether we’re getting too far when it comes to AI venture capital investments. Is it overvalued and overhyped?

  • his thoughts on Elon Musk and the impact on our world.

  • And more!

Connect with Michael Oliver Weinberg: 

Connect with Russ Carson:

About Russ Carson:

Russell L. Carson is Chairman of The Carson Family Charitable Trust, a private foundation that he started, along with his immediate family members, in 1991. The foundation is focused on New York City and supports non-profit organizations in the fields of education, poverty, healthcare, medical science, and culture. Mr. Carson is currently Chairman of The Rockefeller University, Chairman of the Partnership for Inner-City Education, co-Chairman of the New York Genome Center, Vice Chairman of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a Trustee of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, a Director of the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum and a Director of the Coalition for Opportunity in Education. He is also Chairman Emeritus of Columbia Business School and a Trustee Emeritus of Dartmouth College.

Since 1978 Mr. Carson has been a Founding Partner of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (WCAS), one of the country’s largest private equity firms. Over the past 38 years, WCAS has raised sixteen institutionally funded limited partnerships with a total capital of approximately $20 billion and has invested in over 250 companies. He led the firm’s healthcare investment practice for many years and is currently the Lead Director of Select Medical Corporation, a NYSE listed owner of long-term acute care hospitals, physical rehabilitation hospitals, and outpatient rehabilitation clinics which was founded by WCAS and the company’s management in 1987.

Mr. Carson attended public high school in Toledo, Ohio prior to receiving a BA degree in Economics from Dartmouth College in 1965 and an MBA from Columbia Business School in 1967. He received an honorary degree from Dartmouth College in 2015. He resides in New York City with his wife Judy and their two children, Cecily and Edward; all family members are Trustees of the foundation and active in its affairs.

The information covered and posted represents the views and opinions of the guest and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Vidrio Financial, and/or our host, Michael Oliver Weinberg. The Content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional investing advice. Always seek the advice of your financial advisor or other qualified financial service provider with any questions you may have regarding your investment planning.

The release date may not correspond to the recording date.

Feature Image Ep 14
Improving Alpha: Sandro Salsano exploring synergies in investments, philanthropy and deep value strategies

Improving Alpha: Sandro Salsano exploring synergies in investments, philanthropy and deep value strategies

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

When it comes to geopolitical risk, company risk, or even balancing the costs of capital with the desire for quick profits, institutional investors are now taking a long-term approach to their future investments. How does this perspective impact the risk-reward dynamic for future returns, and are there sectors that may not be as flashy but offer better opportunities for generating alpha?

To answer these questions and more, Michael Oliver Weinberg, host of the Improving Alpha podcast invited Sandro Salsano, President of the Salsano Group, to get a sense of what he’s seeing in the world of emerging markets, private equity, philanthropy, and more.

Sandro discusses: 

  • the fascinating story behind his family office and Goldman Sachs interactions, and his insights into his innovative global strategies in the realm of private equity, emerging markets, and more.
  • his core sectors and investment horizon, and how they’re delivering alpha and positive cash flows in this market.
  • how he views partnerships with larger institutions to assist in putting capital to work for longer periods of time.
  • his view of the Latin American markets (including Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Peru) and how inflation plays a role in his strategic investments across the region.
  • balancing investments across philanthropic ideas and how these moves led him to a seat on the Board of Trustees at the University of San Diego. 
  • how he applies a measure of psychology to investing, and how being humble in life and investing has led to his overall success.
  • And more!

Connect with Michael Oliver Weinberg: 

Connect with Sandro Salsano:

About Sandro Salsano:

Sandro Salsano has been at the forefront of successful initiatives in investments, philanthropy, and education for more than two decades. Forbes called him the Warren Buffett of Central America on its cover and one of the world’s most iconic visionary and financial titans. The World Economic Forum named him Young Global Leader for his exceptional vision, courage, and influence to drive positive change in the world. In 2014 he formalized his philanthropy by co-founding the Salsano Shahani Foundation to focus on education. He is a Chairman of Global Dignity, a Member of the Judging Academy for the World’s Best School Prize, a Partner of the Tent Partnership for Refugees, a Member of the Academy for Global Teacher Prize, a Steering Committee member of 1640 Society, and pledged his support to TerraCarta. Sandro is President of Salsano Group, a multi-billion dollar private conglomerate holding company investing in private equity, real estate, and technology globally and he is President of Salsano Family Office. Sandro serves as a Trustee for the University of San Diego California and is on the Investment Committee for the Endowment of the University. A graduate of Bocconi University Milan with full grades, he also studied at Harvard, Oxford, and Princeton University. He and his wife Johanna have been married since 2014 and have two children.

The information covered and posted represents the views and opinions of the guest and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Vidrio Financial, and/or our host, Michael Oliver Weinberg. The Content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional investing advice. Always seek the advice of your financial advisor or other qualified financial service provider with any questions you may have regarding your investment planning.

The release date may not correspond to the recording date.

Feature Image Ep 13
Improving Alpha: William J. Kelly, CAIA on disrupting data transparency in the institutional markets

Improving Alpha: William J. Kelly, CAIA on disrupting data transparency in the institutional markets

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

As institutional investments become increasingly intricate, it is crucial to bring transparency (and perhaps even enlightenment) to both GPs and LPs. Large data sets and the scale of innovative technology shows no signs of decelerating for those seeking alpha. Serving as a cautionary tale for this installment of Improving Alpha, a famous quote by renowned British Economist Ronald H. Coase once said, “ if you torture the data long enough, it will confess to anything”.

Join Michael Oliver Weinberg as he sits down with William (Bill) J. Kelly, CAIA, President & CEO of the CAIA Association, in this captivating episode. In just :40 minutes, Bill shares his insightful perspectives on the ever-increasing regulation of private markets and the importance of data transparency. Dive into the fascinating world of AI and large language models, and explore the latest trends in ESG. Don’t forget to click on the audio play button at the top of this page to uncover even more valuable insights.

Further highlights cover: 

  • a brief overview of CAIA and FDP, explaining their origins and their roles in the alternative investments industry
  • the critical importance of being able to upskill and cross-skill the cast of characters that define the investment process, and how the process has changed over the last 10 years.
  • will artificial intelligence ever be able to build a comprehensive mosaic around cash flow, manager letters, and more.
  • learning what’s on the minds of larger allocators when it comes to increasing regulation by the SEC, and would real opinions be presented better with a ‘truth serum’ cocktail on data transparency.
  • the huge potential of doing well at one pillar of ESG, while simultaneously nuking another pillar. 
  • And more!

Connect with Michael Oliver Weinberg: 

Connect with William (Bill) Kelly:

About William (Bill) Kelly:

William (Bill) J. Kelly, CAIA is the President & CEO of the CAIA Association. Bill has been a frequent industry speaker, writer, and commentator on alternative investment topics around the world since taking the leadership role at the CAIA Association in January 2014. Previously, Bill was the CEO of Boston Partners and one of seven founding partners of the predecessor firm, Boston Partners Asset Management which, prior to a majority interest being sold to Robeco Group in Rotterdam in 2002, was an employee-owned firm. Bill’s career in the institutional asset management space spans over 30 years where he gained extensive managerial experience through successive CFO, COO, and CEO roles. In addition to his current role, Bill is a tireless advocate for shareholder protection and investor education and is currently the Chairman and lead independent director for the Boston Partners Trust Company. He has previously served as an independent director and audit committee chair for ’40 Act Mutual Funds and other financial services firms. He is also currently an Advisory Board Member of the Certified Investment Fund Director Institute which strives to bring the highest levels of professionalism and governance to independent fund directors around the world. A member of the board of the CAIA Association, Bill also represents CAIA in similar capacities via their global partnerships with other associations and global regulators. Bill began his career as an accountant with PwC and is a designated Audit Committee Financial Expert in accordance with SEC rules. 

The information covered and posted represents the views and opinions of the guest and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Vidrio Financial, and/or our host, Michael Oliver Weinberg. The Content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional investing advice. Always seek the advice of your financial advisor or other qualified financial service provider with any questions you may have regarding your investment planning.

The release date may not correspond to the recording date.

Feature Image Ep 12
Improving Alpha: Paul C. Sohn on targeting the ‘fat pitch’ in institutional investing

Improving Alpha: Paul C. Sohn on targeting the ‘fat pitch’ in institutional investing

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Mastering the timing of investment markets is a formidable challenge that demands unwavering commitment to a well-defined methodology. It entails navigating through risks, optimizing volatility, and steering clear of managers who adopt a reckless “spray and pray” approach. 

Today, allocators must carefully consider the current market cycle, strategically position their incentives, and strike the right balance between liquid and illiquid assets. By embracing this approach, they can shield themselves from the anguish of overallocating in underperforming asset classes.

Join Michael Oliver Weinberg as he engages in a captivating conversation with Paul C. Sohn, Chief Investment Officer at Mont Alto Capital, in the latest episode of the Improving Alpha podcast. Paul provides his front-row insight and expertise on what he has observed over the last 20 years in hedge fund investing, macro portfolio management, and the formation of his family office, Mont Alto Capital. Listen to Paul as he discusses:

  • his background and what strategies he’s specifically leveraging to capitalize on ‘fat pitches’ in institutional investing.
  • his thesis on the Greek recovery trade, what Kyriakos Mitsotakis leadership means for the future of the country, and what the US could learn from his examples.
  • how his family’s timber business influenced Paul’s beliefs on ESG and why ESG in its current form is very similar to child brain thinking.
  • where is private equity allocations moving now that the wind in the sails has died down in comparison to the last decade of returns.
  • if commercial real estate will be a ‘whimper’ or a ‘bang’ in the coming years and does that create an opportunity for distressed buyers.
  • And more!

Connect with Michael Oliver Weinberg: 

Connect with Paul C. Sohn:

About Paul Sohn:

Mont Alto Capital is the family office of Paul Sohn. Paul spent 15 years as a portfolio manager at Soros Fund Management, Kingdon Capital Management, and Duquesne Capital Management. Areas of focus included tech, media, consumer, and macro. Mont Alto Capital seeks out proprietary deal flow in early and growth-stage private companies. Basic investment tenets include a search for asymmetric return profiles, a contrarian desire to be active in areas where other pools of capital are not, and an ability to execute a time arbitrage strategy that can focus on long-term returns. 

Paul Sohn takes an active role in a variety of investment projects. Vertical areas of focus include tech, media, natural resources, intellectual property, and real estate. The portfolio page includes a sample of projects where Paul Sohn has either a founding, board, investment, or advisory role.

The information covered and posted represents the views and opinions of the guest and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Vidrio Financial, and/or our host, Michael Oliver Weinberg. The Content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional investing advice. Always seek the advice of your financial advisor or other qualified financial service provider with any questions you may have regarding your investment planning.

Archives

Categories