Stay ConnectedGet behind-the-scenes access to the minds shaping the world of Private Equity, hear captivating stories about transactions and investments, and learn about the innovative approaches leading investors, operators, advisors and bankers employ to drive sustainable growth and create enterprise value.
https://www.howtosaas.com/pevaluecreation
Shiv interviews Amanda Good, Partner and Head of Value Creation at Searchlight Capital Partners.
In this episode, Amanda shares practical strategies to transform good companies into great ones through operational excellence, team enhancements, and a disciplined planning process. Learn how to balance quick-win initiatives with longer-term strategic plays, the importance of linking value creation plans directly to EBITDA impact, and how to overcome resource constraints through talent planning and external partnerships. Plus, find out why smaller, highly experienced value creation teams can often outperform larger ones by staying close to the investment thesis and company leadership.
Shiv interviews Andrew Weinberg, Founder, CEO & Co-Chair at Brightstar Capital Partners.
On this episode, Andrew talks about transforming traditional private equity through an “invest and operate” or ”us and us” model. Learn how AI is becoming an integral value creation lever alongside traditional strategies and about practical examples of applying this technology to industries like auto auctions and roofing. Hear about the importance of preserving institutional memory, empowering teams, and balancing growth with operational discipline.
Shiv interviews Bradford Pilcher, Partner at Bonaccord Capital Partners.
In this episode, Brad unpacks the GP stakes strategy – what it is, how it works, and why it’s more than just a passive investment. Learn how mid-market private equity firms can grow through capital formation, thoughtful product diversification, and talent strategy. Learn what LPs should look for, why marketing and positioning matter, and what makes a PE firm truly stand out.
Shiv interviews Lloyd Metz, Managing Partner at ICV Partners.
In this episode, Shiv and Lloyd discuss investing in legacy or family-owned businesses in sectors like consumer goods (CPG), food and beverage (F&B), and business services. Learn how to drive transformation in these companies by modernizing operations, embracing digital, and scaling go-to-market strategies. Hear about using EQ to drive leadership support and the importance of preserving founder legacies.
Shiv interviews Jon Nuger, Managing Director at Berkshire Partners.
Shiv and Jon discuss the importance Berkshire Partners places on culture within the firm and the impact this has on the way they invest and create value. Learn how a focus on culture can be a differentiating strategy, how it shapes your relationships and conversations (particularly in difficult circumstances), and how to avoid the challenges of over-indexing on culture.
Shiv interviews Hilary Gosher, Managing Director at Insight Partners.
In this episode, Shiv and Hilary discuss how Insight’s 120-person Onsite team gives the firm a competitive edge across its portfolio. Learn how having an in-house operations team can be a force multiplier for portfolio companies by bringing deep functional expertise and strategic support at every stage from sourcing and due diligence to scaling and exits. Hear about how AI and operational innovation are reshaping PE as well as Hilary’s approach to AI transformation and embedding AI workflows for portcos.
Shiv interviews Richard Erickson, Co-Founder and Managing Director, and Stan Bikulege, Principal, at Lightview Capital.
In this episode, Richard and Stan discuss how they invest in and scale founder-led B2B services-based businesses. Learn about the benefits of recurring and reoccurring revenue, their value creation strategy, and how to align with founders through collaborative planning. Hear about the firm’s operating advisor model and the areas where there is the most opportunity for growth.
Shiv interviews Raj Bakhru, CEO and Co-Founder at BlueFlame AI.
In this episode, Shiv and Raj discuss how generative AI is transforming private equity operations. Learn how AI agents are already reshaping workflows across sourcing, diligence, and portfolio value creation. Hear how PE firms can leverage proprietary data and build internal AI committees to capture smarter, faster outcomes across the firm.
Shiv interviews John Stewart, Founder and Managing Partner at MiddleGround Capital.
In this episode, John shares his expertise in investing in the industrial B2B manufacturing space — from his two decades at Toyota, to moving to the investment side of the equation. Learn about underwriting the value creation plan and creating enterprise value for industrial portcos, as well as investing in and optimizing manufacturing companies in the current landscape and how this can translate into quick returns for the fund and LPs.
Shiv interviews Alex Russ, Senior Managing Director & Head of North America at Evercore’s Private Funds Group.
In this episode, Alex shares his experience helping private equity GPs raise funds from LPs. Learn how to approach fundraising in the current market, the characteristics that successful fundraisers have in common, and the importance of a strong narrative, sector specialization, and/or operational expertise to make you stand out from other PE firms.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
