Investing in Automotive Tech with Real ROI (ft. Mike Allen)

In this episode, Tom Griffiths is joined by Mike Allen of Cambria Private Capital for an in-depth discussion on investing in automotive technology and building long-term value through operationally led capital.

Mike begins by outlining his career journey, from institutional fund management and investment banking at UBS to becoming a trusted advisor and board member across multiple automotive and financial services businesses. This experience led him to his current role at Cambria Private Capital, an investment arm created to support innovation across Cambria’s wider automotive group, which spans luxury dealerships, mainstream brands, fleet services, repair and maintenance, and property assets.

The conversation explores Cambria’s unique investment philosophy, which differs from traditional venture capital or private equity. Rather than backing ideas on instinct alone, Cambria focuses on revenue-generating businesses with proven products that solve real operational problems. Mike explains how “operational sponsorship” is central to their model—technology must be tested and validated within Cambria’s own businesses before investment is considered.

Practical examples bring this approach to life, including battery certification technology for used electric vehicles and customer-facing tools such as chatbots that improve the buying journey. These case studies highlight how Cambria prioritises measurable ROI, customer confidence, and seamless system integration in a complex automotive environment.

Mike also discusses the challenges founders face, particularly around system integration, stakeholder alignment, and scaling within a fast-changing industry. He shares what Cambria looks for in founding teams: adaptability, resilience, and the ability to work closely with experienced operators.

The episode concludes with a look at the fund’s long-term vision—building a focused portfolio of complementary businesses, supporting founders through hands-on guidance and capital, and helping shape the future of the automotive sector through disciplined, experience-led investing.

Contact Mike here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-allen218/