Sean Mooney, Founder and CEO of BluWave, shares the key takeaways from BluWave's 2025 Private Equity Insights Report and what they signal for the year ahead. Drawing on real-time data from hundreds of PE firms and thousands of portfolio companies, he outlines how the industry shifted from defense to offense, why diligence and value creation surged late in the year, and what separates winners from laggards entering 2026. Sean also delivers clear predictions on AI adoption, talent, software sprawl, and the accelerating deal rebound. This episode sets the context every private equity leader needs before leaning into the next cycle—press play.

Episode Highlights

• 0:58 – Why private equity shifted from defense to offense in 2025
• 4:48 – What GDP, inflation, and productivity data revealed about economic resilience
• 9:59 – The 41% diligence surge and why it's a leading indicator for deal flow
• 12:36 – Human capital's comeback and what new deals signal for leadership hiring
• 18:20 – 2026 predictions: AI moves from buzzword to execution tactic
• 27:58 – Avoiding AI pilot purgatory and prioritizing adoption that actually delivers ROI
• 37:21 – Why dry powder, LP pressure, and speed will define the next PE deal cycle

Geoff Faux, Partner at Clearview Capital, shares the principles that shape his approach to private equity investing, from evaluating management teams and industry dynamics to navigating adversity when deals go sideways. He reflects on lessons forged through competitive athletics, a career built inside one firm, and a defining portfolio company crisis that tested every assumption about value creation. Geoff also explains Clearview's first-in institutional playbook and how focus, prioritization, and people decisions drive durable outcomes. This is a grounded, hard-earned perspective on what it really takes to build winning businesses—hit play.

• 1:01 – How elite swimming shaped Geoff's discipline, focus, and investing mindset
• 4:17 – Growing up around lower middle market deals and choosing private equity early
• 13:02 – The four variables that matter most in private equity investment decisions
• 19:55 – Why industry stability and baseline management strength are non-negotiables
• 24:21 – A first deal gone wrong—and the crisis that nearly broke the investment
• 28:35 – Rebuilding through COVID and turning a near-zero into a top portfolio performer
• 47:29 – Advice to Geoff's 22-year-old self on teams, people judgment, and resilience

For more information on Clearview Capital go to https://www.clearviewcap.com/
For more information on Geoffrey Faux, go to https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-faux-27826518/

Sean Mooney curates the 2025 reading list recommended by private equity investors, operating partners, and portfolio company CEOs featured on Karma School of Business this year. The episode spans business strategy, capital allocation, leadership, happiness, mindset, and life design—through the lens of people actively building and scaling companies. From The Outsiders to Traction to unexpected personal favorites, the list reflects what serious operators are actually reading and rereading. If you're building for the long term, this one earns a spot in your queue.

• 1:12 – Casey Myers on shifting from achievement to fulfillment with From Strength to Strength
• 2:53 – Steve Hunter reframes money, time, and health through Die With Zero
• 4:04 – Jonathan Metrick on compounding time, skills, and careers via The Algebra of Wealth
• 7:35 – Ran Ding explains why great CEOs are elite capital allocators in The Outsiders
• 11:11 – Chris Scullin on dynamic competition and adaptation from The Innovator's Dilemma
• 14:01 – Micah Dawson on focus, ambition, and escaping the hedonic treadmill with The One Thing
• 18:20 – Dan Gaspar on operational discipline and change using Traction and Who Moved My Cheese?