In this episode of The Private Equity Podcast, Alex Rawlings welcomes Scott Neuberger, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Karmel Capital, a private equity firm investing in late-stage software and AI companies. Scott shares deep insights into how Karmel Capital leverages AI within its investment process, how they identify and evaluate late-stage tech businesses, and why they’re placing strategic bets in the infrastructure layer of AI.

Scott explains the firm's capital efficiency-focused strategy, how they rank companies, and what metrics truly distinguish iconic businesses from the rest. He also discusses how AI is transforming internal operations and why firms must go beyond the hype to truly implement impactful AI solutions.

Later in the conversation, Scott offers practical advice to portfolio company leaders on how to begin leveraging AI meaningfully—starting with labor-intensive areas like customer support. He finishes by outlining Karmel’s top-down investment approach to sectors like cybersecurity and why infrastructure plays offer value and growth.

Whether you're investing in tech, operating a portfolio company, or just curious about how AI intersects with private equity, this episode is packed with real-world insight.

⌛ Episode Highlights & Time Stamps:

00:03 – Introduction to Scott Neuberger and Karmel Capital
01:00 – Scott’s journey: entrepreneur turned investor
02:19 – The mistake of investing too early in venture capital
03:47 – Why Karmel focuses on measurable, repeatable metrics
04:45 – How they assess capital efficiency in tech companies
06:41 – Key metrics and importance of experienced management teams
08:38 – Evaluating human capital and talent within portfolio companies
10:05 – Zooming out: The “mosaic theory” of identifying strong investments
10:33 – How Karmel Capital uses AI internally for data collection & analysis
13:22 – AI investing: why infrastructure is Karmel’s focus
15:49 – Pick-and-shovel strategy: betting on infrastructure vs. applications
17:44 – Advice for portfolio execs on where to begin with AI
18:43 – Customer support as a high-impact AI use case
21:09 – Navigating noise in AI investing: how Karmel decides where to play
22:34 – Case study: AI in cybersecurity and the top-down analysis approach
24:59 – The arms race in cybersecurity: AI on both offense and defense
25:29 – Scott’s reading and listening habits (inc. 20VC podcast)
26:56 – How to contact Scott

Connect with Scott Neuberger:
📧 Email: scott@karmelcap.com

🌐 Website: www.karmelcapital.com

Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.

🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/

🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com

Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides

for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

🗣️ Guest: Carola Kamuff – Presentation Coach | Author of Quick Guide Management Presentation
🎧 Host: Alex Rawlings, Founder of Raw Selection

⏱️ Key Topics & Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet Carola Kamuff
Former M&A exec turned expert in coaching management teams for exit presentations.

01:54 – Why Communication Matters
Carola explains her shift from numbers to narratives and why people—not just slides—drive deal success.

02:49 – The Biggest Mistake
Teams often prepare too little, too late—focusing on slides, not delivery or messaging.

04:15 – Rehearsal ≠ Training
Rehearsals test flow. Training transforms behavior, delivery, team dynamics, and confidence.

06:41 – Crafting a Powerful Story
From stats to storytelling—how real examples bring presentations to life and increase credibility.

09:35 – Even Experienced Execs Benefit
Exit presentations are high-stakes. Even confident leaders gain clarity, alignment, and polish from coaching.

12:51 – Does it Really Move the Needle?
Yes—Carola shares a real example where coaching turned around investor perception and revived interest.

14:47 – High Impact, Low Time Commitment
Just a few focused sessions over weeks can significantly improve presentation outcomes.

16:14 – Three Keys to Success

1. Storyline that resonates
2. Cohesive team delivery
3. Objective, external feedback

18:38 – Carola’s Recommended Reads & Listens
📚 Resonate, Slide:ology, Talk Like TED
🎧 Think Fast, Talk Smart, The Moth
📘 German: Quick Guide Management Presentation by Carola Kamuff

20:05 – Connect with Carola
Find her on LinkedIn: Carola Kamuff

Key Takeaway:
Your management presentation can boost—or break—your valuation. Great slides aren’t enough. Confidence, storytelling, and preparation make the difference.

Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.

🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/
🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com

Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides

for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

In this episode, Alex Rawlings speaks with Jamyn Edis, digital transformation expert, former VC-backed CEO, and NYU professor. Jamyn shares actionable insights on using AI, data, and automation to drive performance across private equity firms and their portfolio companies.

From dynamic pricing models and A/B testing to agentic AI and accelerating product cycles, Jamyn explains how to cut through the hype, identify real opportunities, and turn AI into measurable value.

⏱️ Episode Highlights

00:00 – Meet Jamyn Edis
30+ years in consulting (Accenture), corporate (HBO, Take-Two), startups, and teaching at NYU. Focused on the intersection of tech, data, and private equity.

02:23 – Common Mistake in PE
Most firms treat data as plumbing, not strategy. Shift from backward-looking reporting to predictive and prescriptive analytics.

03:48 – AI That Delivers ROI
AI must be embedded into daily operations, not stuck in R&D. Productize, operationalize, and commercialize—or risk irrelevance.

05:15 – How AI Builds on Data
AI is powered by historical data but creates forward-looking insights. Use it to improve pricing, marketing, and operations.

06:42 – Case Study: Take-Two Interactive
Jamyn led data science initiatives to optimize pricing and marketing—replacing gut decisions with data-driven experimentation.

08:08 – AI as PE’s Next Value Driver
AI is the new operating system for PE. After leverage and digital transformation, the next edge is intelligence at scale.

09:31 – Advice to PE Firms
Skeptical? “Get out before the business gets out of you.” Overwhelmed? Start small, build prototypes, and focus on real use cases.

11:04 – Agentic AI in Action
Jamyn shares examples of cutting development cycles, boosting campaign ROI, and improving customer service with AI agents.

13:26 – From Problem to Prototype
Diagnose real pain points, create business and technical requirements, and build targeted AI tools that solve specific problems.

14:50 – AI Won’t Replace Humans, But...
Those who use AI will outperform those who don’t. Jamyn explains Jevons Paradox and why productivity leads to new jobs.

18:46 – How Jamyn Diagnoses Opportunities
Structured discovery process, stakeholder interviews, and clear roadmaps to identify where AI and tech can drive value.

22:10 – Every PE Firm Needs an AI Stack
Soon, AI tools will be as essential as data teams or web developers. Invest now in people, platforms, and processes.

23:06 – The Future is AI + Human Judgment
Firms that embed AI deeply—and pair it with operator judgment—will unlock the next generation of alpha.

24:21 – Jamyn’s Book: The Fifth Horseman
An exploration of how AI mirrors humanity and transforms the way we live and lead. AI is trained by us—and reflects us.

29:07 – What Jamyn Reads & Recommends
Books: The Hard Thing About Hard Things, Understanding Media
Podcasts: Pivot, Ezra Klein
TV: Succession – “Still the best corporate training program ever made.”

🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/
🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com

Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides

for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

Guest: Brian Gustason, Operating Partner at Craig Group
Host: Alex Rawlings, Founder of Raw Selection

🔍 Episode Summary:

In this episode, Brian Gustason shares practical insights on building scalable go-to-market (GTM) strategies for lower-middle-market, PE-backed companies. With over 25 years of operating and advisory experience, Brian explains how to move beyond traditional, backward-looking due diligence and implement forward-focused GTM strategies across marketing, sales, and customer success.

He walks through a real-world case study of transforming a $30M founder-led business—covering ICP development, sales process creation, lead qualification, and customer retention. Brian also discusses how marginal gains across key sales metrics (win rates, ACVs, churn) can compound into significant growth and how CEOs, sales leaders, and boards can drive accountability and execution.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Brian’s background and role at Craig Group
01:30 – Why traditional due diligence often fails to assess growth
03:00 – Real-world GTM transformation of a founder-led distributor
06:00 – Building ideal customer profiles (ICPs) and prioritising markets
09:00 – Improving lead qualification and using pre-suasion techniques
14:00 – Structuring an effective, trainable sales process
17:30 – Playbooks, documentation, and AI tools to support sales
20:00 – Importance of coaching and ongoing process evolution
23:00 – Growth 2.0: Compounding small improvements across KPIs
27:00 – Who owns GTM? Role of CEO, sales leaders, and the board
29:00 – Brian’s content recommendation: The 80/20 Principle and his LinkedIn series

📚 Resources:

• Craig Group: www.craiggroup.io
• Connect with Brian on LinkedIn: Brian Gustason
• Book Recommendation: The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch

Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.

🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/
🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com

Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides

for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

🎙️ The Private Equity Podcast — Niklas James, Founder of Minds Capital
Host: Alex Rawlings | Guest: Niklas James

In this episode, Alex is joined by Niklas James, Founder of Minds Capital, an independent sponsor investment platform. They explore what sets successful sponsors apart, why industry specialization matters, and how media can supercharge inbound deal flow.

🕒 Episode Highlights

00:00 – Niklas’ background: Bain, VC, HBS, and independent sponsor journey
01:17 – Founding Minds Capital: investing $1–$3M in sponsor-led platforms
01:42 – The biggest PE mistake: poor self-marketing and lack of differentiation
02:34 – Why “founder-friendly” isn’t enough — real differentiation is key
04:24 – Using podcasting and LinkedIn for inbound deal flow
05:21 – Why niche expertise drives better deals and exits
06:20 – Case study: investing in an eyewear veteran
07:14 – Why Minds Capital favors independent sponsors over traditional funds
10:03 – Value creation via EBITDA growth and multiple expansion
11:59 – Deal evaluation: downside protection, upside, and conviction
13:53 – Red flags, realistic base cases, and what sets great deals apart
16:17 – How Minds Capital assesses sponsors: 5 key criteria
18:07 – Sponsors need transparency, gravitas, and skin in the game
19:53 – Becoming a media-first PE firm: lessons from podcast success
22:13 – Content strategy: LinkedIn cadence and community building
23:10 – How media enhances deal flow and selectivity
24:32 – Niklas’ reading picks: The Compounders in Private Equity, Alex Hormozi’s books
25:58 – Connect with Niklas on LinkedIn

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Stand Out: With 19,000 PE firms in the U.S., a generic pitch won’t cut it. Sponsors must articulate clear differentiation.
• Media = Inbounds: Minds Capital uses podcasting and LinkedIn to generate proprietary deal flow and investor interest.
• Industry Fit Wins: Deep sector knowledge translates into better deals, stronger exits, and investor confidence.
• Diligence Matters: Every deal is vetted through a rigorous process of risk checks, valuation analysis, and sponsor alignment.
• People First: The sponsor’s experience, character, and skin in the game are just as important as the numbers.

🎧 Listen to the Minds Capital Podcast
Weekly episodes with top independent sponsors.

📨 Connect with Niklas James
🔗 LinkedIn

Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.

🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/
🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com

Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides

for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

🎙️ The Private Equity Podcast — Episode with Cyril Aboujaoude, Co-Founder of TioPo Capital

In this episode, Alex Rawlings is joined by Cyril Aboujaoude, Co-Founder of TioPo Capital, a hands-on private equity firm investing in SMEs across the UK and France. Cyril shares the journey of launching TioPo, their operationally driven approach to investing, and how young, entrepreneurial grit fueled their path from deal number one to a thriving portfolio.

They explore the nuances of deal origination, value creation, and the power of people in private equity. From ERP frustrations to navigating downturns and structuring creative deals, Cyril breaks down the real-world lessons of building a firm from scratch—while staying laser-focused on operational excellence.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:03 – Introduction to Cyril Aboujaoude and TioPo Capital’s mission
00:30 – TioPo’s founding story, operational mindset, and portfolio growth
01:24 – What TioPo really looks for beyond standard investment criteria
01:57 – The importance of vision alignment and execution capability
03:24 – How they assess management teams during diligence
04:35 – Why slow decision-making is riskier than a bad hire
05:29 – Biggest value creation levers: hiring an operating partner over fundraising
06:46 – Building a 100-day transformation plan post-deal
07:45 – One thing target companies should fix pre-investment: ERP systems
08:55 – How TioPo evaluates companies during downturns and market volatility
10:20 – Analyzing long-term performance and identifying macro-inflated businesses
12:51 – Most creative deal structure: partnering with the seller’s son as CEO
14:50 – Reflections on the challenges and naivety of doing their first deal
16:11 – Cyril’s top recommendations: FT, WSJ, Aswath Damodaran, and local gazettes
17:10 – How to connect with Cyril and learn more about TioPo Capital

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• People over projections: Execution ability, humility, and shared vision are more important than just strategy.
• Operations-first philosophy: Value is built in the engine room—TioPo hires operating partners before fundraising staff.
• 100-Day Plan Discipline: They begin value creation planning during diligence, long before Day 0.
• ERP readiness = smoother scale: ERP systems are the most overlooked growth barrier.
• Smart structuring builds trust: Their first deal involved bringing in the founder’s son as CEO and co-investor.
• Past ≠ future, but it’s all we’ve got: Cyril emphasizes analyzing 20+ years of company performance to identify real resilience.

Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.

🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/
🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com

Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides

for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

Guest: Greg Nieuwenhuys – PE Operator & Founder, Generative AI Strategy
Host: Alex Rawlings – CEO, Raw Selection

🔍 Episode Summary:

Greg Nieuwenhuys returns to share a practical, step-by-step AI Playbook for hiring. From writing job descriptions to automating follow-ups, Greg breaks down how PE firms and portfolio companies can integrate generative AI into recruitment. Packed with tools, tactics, and workflow tips, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to hire faster, smarter, and with less bias.

🕒 Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & Why AI in Hiring Matters
Speed, accuracy, and competitive advantage in recruitment.

01:25 – Greg’s Background
CEO in multiple PE-backed firms; now leads Generative AI Strategy.

05:17 – Where AI Improves Hiring
From job specs to onboarding, AI supports every stage.

06:43 – Quick Wins

• Write job descriptions in minutes using ChatGPT
• Use AI note-takers for transcripts & summaries (e.g. Fireflies)
• Screen CVs faster & more objectively

09:58 – Tools Greg Uses
ChatGPT, Fireflies, Perplexity, Zapier, N8n

12:43 – Building Automation Without a People Team
Use Zapier or N8n to connect email, CRM, and AI tools.

14:35 – Custom GPTs & Human Oversight
Create consistent outputs and reduce manual work—always review.

18:25 – Using AI for Better Decision-Making
Compile notes, CVs, and feedback to spot gaps & flag concerns.

19:21 – Interview Coaching & Advanced Tools

• Assessio: Team chemistry prediction
• FinalRound AI: Candidate coaching tool
• Ovida: Feedback on communication style

23:06 – Better Candidate Outreach
Use AI to create relevant, personalized messages.

25:02 – Improve Candidate Experience with Automation
AI-written follow-ups, regular updates, CRM reminders.

27:55 – Greg’s AI Stack
ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Zapier/N8n, Fireflies, Perplexity

29:24 – AI Makes You a Better Human
Use tools like Ovida to improve interviewing skills & self-awareness.

💡 Takeaways:

• Start simple: job specs, summaries, feedback emails
• Don’t over-engineer—focus on solving real bottlenecks
• Train hiring managers with AI-generated insights
• Improve candidate experience with speed & clarity

📲 Connect with Greg:
LinkedIn – Greg Nieuwenhuys
🌐 www.thegregstar.com

Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.

🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/
🌐 Visit Raw Selection www.raw-selection.com

Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides

for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

🎙️ The Private Equity Podcast – Mark Strauch, Founding Partner & President, Alpine Investors

⏱️ Key Takeaways & Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro
Alex welcomes Mark Strauch to discuss Alpine’s unique leadership-driven approach in private equity.

01:00 – From CEO to PE Leader
Mark shares his journey from operator to co-founding Alpine, now with $20B+ AUM.

02:08 – The Industry’s Problem: Lack of Differentiation
Alpine avoids the “deal shop” model, focusing instead on mission-driven, talent-led investing.

05:24 – Talent as Strategy
Alpine’s core philosophy: talent wins. Their “Unleashing Heroes” mantra puts leadership at the heart of every investment.

06:50 – Add-On Acquisitions at Scale
Over 1,000 deals to date, using each as an opportunity to deploy great talent and drive integration.

08:39 – Alpine’s Internal Playbook
Quarterly OFI (Opportunities for Improvement) projects, one-page strategic plans, and a long-term vision define how Alpine operates like a portfolio company.

10:59 – Lessons from Failure
Fund 1 struggled, prompting a shift to talent-first strategy during the 2008 crisis, guided by executive coach Tom Vacola.

15:00 – Building the CEO Bench
Programs like CEO-in-Residence and CEO-in-Training (CIT) bring in and develop top talent—Alpine is now the top recruiter at elite business schools.

18:31 – Attributes Over Resumes
They hire for grit, humility, and emotional intelligence—qualities highly correlated with CEO success.

20:00 – Real-Time Leadership Development
CITs train on the job with structured learning in both hard and soft skills, plus internal peer-learning pods.

24:00 – What Great CEOs Do
Traits include pace, clarity, resilience, focus, and the ability to inspire and win.

27:37 – Alpine’s Ongoing Constraint: Talent
Even now, talent remains the #1 priority across Alpine and its talent-constrained portfolio sectors.

30:47 – Lessons in Building Alpine
Create a strategy only you can win—play a different game, not the same one better.

32:38 – Operator Empathy = Better Investing
Being a former CEO helps Mark bring realism and focus to underwriting and board roles.

34:05 – Book & Coaching Insights
Recent reads include Boyd, The Bible, and classic philosophy. Coaching tip: great coaches help you unlock your own answers.

39:50 – Connect with Mark
💼 Alpine Investors

Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.

🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/

🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com

Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides

for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.