AI Pathfinder for Private Equity Podcast

Эпизоды

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  Miles Rowland: Why Every Portfolio Company Needs an AI Engineering Team 30.07.2026 27мин

  AI Pathfinder Private Equity AI Strategy Meet-ups: https://www.aipathfinder.co/private-equity-ai-events AI Pathfinder websiteAI Pathfinder on SubstackAI Pathfinder on LinkedInSend your questions or suggestions: [email protected] this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd talks with Miles Rowland, Head of Data and AI at Searchlight Capital, a transatlantic mid-market private equity firm. Miles has built data analytics functions from scratch three times,...
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  Ties Boukema: Why Relationship Data Beats AI Sourcing Models 28.07.2026 34мин

  Contact AI Pathfinder AI Pathfinder websiteSubscribe to our SubstackFollow AI Pathfinder on LinkedInJoin our next AI Pathfinder Private Equity Event: https://www.aipathfinder.co/private-equity-ai-events In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd brings a venture capital perspective into the AI Operator series, speaking with Ties Boukema, Head of Data Tech and AI at Dawn Capital, one of Europe's leading B2B software investors. Ties shares his path from law...
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  Zuzana Manhart: Break Workflows, Build Foundations 28.04.2026 31мин

  Steve Budd speaks with Zuzana Manhart, Portfolio Manager for Data and AI at CBPE, about how the AI operator role has grown from solving narrow technical problems to shaping strategy across a portfolio. Zuzana explains where quick wins are landing, why AI features bolted onto familiar tools keep getting ignored, what's really holding agents back, and what to look for when hiring your first AI operator. Takeaways The AI operator job has grown from technical fixer into a strategic role across th...
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  Aris Valtazanos: Start with the Pain Point, AI Isn't Always the Answer 21.04.2026 30мин

  In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd speaks with Aris Valtazanos, Head of Data and Analytics at Oakley Capital, about navigating AI across a diverse portfolio of 30-40 companies. Aris shares his journey from a PhD in robotics at the University of Edinburgh through nearly six years at Quantum Black to his current role supporting founder-led businesses in tech, education and consumer sectors. The conversation explores why bespoke sector-specific AI so...
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  John Gunn: The AI Maturity Gap is Your First-Mover Advantage 14.04.2026 32мин

  In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd speaks with John Gunn, Lead Data Science and AI at IK Partners, about building the AI operator role from scratch. John shares his journey from mechanical engineering through AI consultancy into private equity, where he now works across 30-40 portfolio companies as a specialist on the operating team. The conversation explores the untapped potential of second-order data relationships in due diligence, the importanc...
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  David Whitcombe: Exit Prep Is Now AI Readiness - Why PE Needs to Start Earlier 01.04.2026 26мин

  Summary David Whitcombe (Founder & Managing Director, Data Vision Services) explains what it takes for private equity-backed businesses to move beyond “AI as a chatbot” and start embedding it into day-to-day workflows. We discuss why the real bottlenecks are people, unstructured data, and governance, and where the most immediate commercial upside sits, especially around revenue retention, churn, and pricing. David also makes the case that what used to be “exit prep” is increasingly “AI r...
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  Maria Rosenstand Bruun: How AI Could Reshape Financial Due Diligence in Mid-Market Deals 12.01.2026 25мин

  Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder podcast, host Steve Budd speaks with Maria Bruun, founder and CEO of Seecon, about the transformative potential of AI in financial due diligence for private equity firms. Maria shares her extensive background in M&A and highlights the inefficiencies in traditional due diligence processes and her current purpose to build an AI business to redefine financial due diligence and deal preparation. The conversation explores how AI can automate data g...
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  Graeme Cox & Sarah Clarke: AI Governance as the Strategic Enabler 10.12.2025 34мин

  Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd discusses the critical role of AI governance with experts Graeme Cox and Sarah Clarke from Attercop. They explore the misconceptions surrounding AI governance, emphasising its importance as a value enabler rather than a hindrance to innovation. The conversation covers various themes, including the risks associated with AI liability, the parallels between AI governance and cybersecurity, and the necessity...
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  Eleanor Hobson: The AI Liability Squeeze for Portfolio Companies 25.11.2025 29мин

  Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, Steve Budd and Eleanor Hobson discuss the growing liability concerns surrounding AI technologies, particularly for mid-market companies. They explore the risks associated with GenAI, the challenges in contractual agreements, and the implications of the EU AI Act. Eleanor provides insights on how portfolio companies can mitigate risks and emphasises the importance of AI literacy and compliance in navigating this evolving...
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  Brian Briggs: Diligence in the Era of AI 14.11.2025 28мин

  Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd and guest Brian Briggs discuss the evolving landscape of AI in private equity, particularly focusing on due diligence processes. They explore how AI is reshaping investor inquiries, the risks and opportunities it presents, and the importance of integrating AI considerations into investment strategies. The conversation highlights the need for a robust framework for AI due diligence, the significance of ex...
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  Margo Polishchuk: AI Won’t Replace Expert Networks, It Will Supercharge Them 24.09.2025 30мин

  Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd speaks with Margo Polishchuk, co-founder and president of ProSapient, about the evolution of primary research in private equity. Margo shares her journey from the expert networking industry to founding ProSapient, emphasising the importance of customer-centric innovation and the integration of technology in research workflows. The conversation explores the impact of generative AI on the industry, the nec...
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  Al Cattell: Practical First Moves for Safe AI Adoption in Private Equity 24.09.2025 31мин

  Summary In this episode Steve Budd speaks with Al Cattell, founder of GiantKelp, about the practical applications of AI in private equity and business processes. They discuss the importance of using AI to automate workflows, the challenges of managing expectations, and the role of subject matter experts in successful AI deployment. Al shares insights from his experience in helping firms identify use cases for AI and the significance of starting small with controlled projects to build momentu...
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  Simon Walker: Forget 'AI Strategy' How PE Firms Can Drive Real AI Impact Across Portfolios 23.07.2025 30мин

  Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, Steve Budd speaks with Simon Walker, co-founder of Kubrick Group, about the critical role of AI in private equity and portfolio companies. They discuss the evolution of AI capabilities, the urgency for private equity firms to adopt AI, and the importance of collaboration among portfolio companies. Simon shares insights on real-world applications of AI in sales and finance, the necessity of measuring AI success, and the c...
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  Phil Westcott: From 'Batch Job' to 'Continuous Intelligence' in Deal Origination 16.07.2025 28мин

  Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, Steve Budd interviews Phil Westcott, CEO and co-founder of Filament Syfter. They discuss the transformative role of AI in private equity, focusing on how Filament Syfter helps firms build proprietary market intelligence to enhance deal origination. Phil shares insights on the inefficiencies in traditional processes, the importance of integrating data, and the competitive edge that AI can provide. The conversation also to...
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  Dan Thompson: Using AI to Solve Forecasting’s Hidden Problems 03.07.2025 33мин

  Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd speaks with Dan Thompson, CEO of Kluster, about the critical role of accurate forecasting in private equity. They discuss the challenges faced by private equity firms in forecasting, the concept of private equity grade forecasting, and how Kluster's unique approach leverages AI and data integration to enhance forecasting accuracy. The conversation also touches on the importance of data quality, the dynami...
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  Richard Nicholas: Legal Foundations for AI in Private Equity 26.06.2025 32мин

  Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd talks to technology lawyer Richard Nicholas to explore the intersection of AI, legal governance, and risk management in private equity. They discuss the challenges and opportunities that AI presents, particularly in terms of legal compliance, data privacy, and the importance of effective governance structures. Richard shares insights on how private equity firms can navigate the complexities of AI implemen...
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  Tom Hewitson: How to Build AI Literacy in Organisations 01.06.2025 34мин

  Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, Steve Budd and Tom Hewitson discuss the journey of firms in adopting AI technologies. They explore the evolution of AI, the importance of building AI literacy, and the challenges organisations face in moving from experimentation to structured capability. Tom emphasises the need for leadership alignment, effective incentives, and metrics to measure success. The conversation also talks about the concept of 'vibe coding' an...
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  Athena Peppes: The three P's of AI Success 05.11.2024 30мин

  Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd engages with Athena Peppers, a thought leadership expert, to discuss the critical components of successful AI mobilisation in private equity. They explore the current state of AI adoption, the importance of understanding its impact on various industries, and the challenges organisations face in implementing AI strategies. Athena emphasises the need for a clear problem definition, the role of people and cu...
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  Hazem Abolrous: The three pillars for AI mobilisation 04.11.2024 32мин

  Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd discusses the critical role of AI in private equity with Hazem Aboris, Managing Partner at RingStone. They explore the importance of AI mobilisation, the evolution of AI technology, and the necessary steps for successful implementation. The conversation highlights the significance of data quality, the need for a top-down approach, and the challenges organisations face in adopting AI. They also discuss the...
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  Johann Van Tonder: Exploring the role of leadership and experimentation in successful AI mobilisation 04.11.2024 33мин

  Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, Steve Budd engages with Johann van Tonder, CEO of AWA Digital (E-commerce CRO specialists), to explore the complexities of AI mobilisation. They discuss the high failure rates of AI projects, the importance of embracing failure as part of the learning process, and the necessity of identifying specific problems that AI can solve. Johann shares insights on how AI could transform the conversion rate optimisation industry, t...