In the first podcast episode of 2025, we are excited to welcome Nico Zeifang, Co-Founder and Partner at Penguin Capital.

Penguin Capital is an investment firm with a competitive edge in the Lower-Mid Market. Backed by 50 entrepreneurial families, we combine data-driven expertise with firsthand entrepreneurial experience, offering our investors unique access to top-tier, oversubscribed Private Equity funds and Co-Investments across North America, Europe, and select global markets.

This podcast episode discusses key topics in private equity and investment strategies. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of IPOs, the role of data analysis in investment decisions, and the growing influence of AI on the business landscape. Nico also shares insights into portfolio diversification, the importance of human intuition in technology, and success factors for funds and co-investments, offering a comprehensive view of the evolving investment world.

In this week's podcast episode, we are excited to welcome Richard Kunzer, Founding Partner at Integrum.

Integrum is a mission-driven, technology-focused investment firm founded by experienced leaders with diverse backgrounds. The firm invests in sectors like Insurance Services, Payments, Business & Professional Services, and Capital-Light Financial Services across North America. Integrum seeks scalable, profitable companies with strong client relationships and innovation potential. Their value creation approach focuses on strategic partnerships, accelerating growth, attracting top talent, and implementing best practices.

In this podcast episode, the current economic situation in the U.S. is highlighted, along with insights into the impact of AI on the economy. The founding and vision of Integrum are explored, along with discussions on investment strategies and the importance of strong management teams. Key success factors for companies and investments are examined, as well as growth strategies focused on mid-sized businesses. Market opportunities and geographical focus areas are identified, and exit strategies and investor relations are discussed. The episode concludes with market forecasts and predictions for future developments.

In this week's podcast episode, we are excited to welcome Richard Clarke, Managing Director of Private Equity & Venture Capital at ODDO BHF.

ODDO BHF is a European financial group with over 180 years of history, managing €142 billion in assets across Private Wealth Management, Asset Management, and Corporate & Investment Banking. Serving 60,000 clients, the group emphasizes an entrepreneurial spirit, aligning employee and client interests by offering staff the chance to become shareholders alongside the ODDO family, who own 90% of the group. With a focus on talent development, ODDO BHF delivers tailored financial solutions, aiming to create a world where every day brings new opportunities.

This episode explores the key differences between institutional and private investors, offering insights into the evolving landscape of venture capital. It analyzes current market trends and examines the impact of artificial intelligence on investment strategies. A detailed overview of ODDO BHF and its unique approaches is provided, along with a focus on technology investments and portfolio allocation. Investment strategies across different sectors are discussed, as well as opportunities in secondary markets. The episode also delves into the evaluation and due diligence processes, the democratization of private equity and venture capital, and the future of technology ventures and liquidity trends.