In this special edition of the Karma School of Business, Sean Mooney, Founder and CEO of BluWave, breaks down key findings from BluWave’s Q3 2025 Private Equity Insights Report. Drawing parallels between his son’s fencing lessons and today’s economic climate, Sean explains how the best investors are shifting from a defensive stance to an offensive one. Seeing through the noise, leaning forward, and playing to win.He shares fresh data showing that deal activity, due diligence spending, and AI investment are all surging—signs of an industry on the offense. From the manufacturing renaissance to the rise of flatter, AI-enabled organizations, Sean offers a grounded, data-backed view of where private equity and the broader economy are heading next.Episode Highlights1:07 – The Sport of Fencing and PE: what private equity can learn from shifting from defense to offense4:40 – Why the U.S. economy is “good enough” and accelerating despite the noise11:45 – Deal data shows confidence returning:...

Sean Mooney speaks with Bob Morse, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Strattam Capital, about the changing playbook in private equity, especially in tech.Morse traces his path from Morgan Stanley and Oak Hill to founding Strattam, then lays out a no-surprises model: turn cards face-up pre-signing, align on a founder-written five-point plan, and opt-in support with real accountability. He explains why AI threatens seat-based SaaS economics, where outcome pricing wins, and how PE firms should push portfolios to experiment while keeping the founder’s innovative spark alive.Clear-eyed and practical, this conversation arms business builders with a framework to act now.Episode highlights:1:26 – An engineer’s path into private equity7:15 – Why tech needed a dedicated, specialized PE fund and the genesis of Strattam13:03 – Solving the “first board-meeting surprise”19:45 – The founder persona Strattam backs: industry operators with proven product-market fit27:15 – AI as invention vs. innovation...

The second quarter of 2025 showcased one of the most compelling periods for private equity, revealing how firms responded to disruption through strategic action and decisive adaptation.Join BluWave Founder and CEO Sean Mooney as he unpacks the insights from BluWave's Q2 Private Equity Insights Report, including data showing rolling recovery trends, reshoring efforts in manufacturing, and technology investments.This episode dives into the unique frameworks private equity applies to thrive amid uncertainty, setting the stage for long-term growth. Confidently engage with insights that matter to your business.Episode Highlights1:21 – Navigating stop-and-go economic disruptions: Key Q2 observations5:45 – How private equity firms utilize OODA loops for decision-making12:30 – April 2nd tariffs: A black swan reshaping manufacturing and trade18:20 – Technology investments surge: AI and data projects skyrocket27:05 – Resilience returns: PMI and consumer sentiment rebound in June34:50 – The deal...

In this episode of Karma School of Business, Sean Mooney speaks with Ben Gaw, Partner and Head of Portfolio Operations at Cross Rapids Capital. Ben shares stories from his journey as a first-generation immigrant to becoming a sought-after private equity leader, highlighting lessons learned from turnarounds, rapid decision-making, and building successful companies.Episode Highlights:1:03 - Ben’s background: From chemical engineering to corporate turnarounds, restructuring, and private equity.10:03 - What makes a good company great: Identifying defensible markets, customer relationships, and opportunities hidden in mismanagement.12:20 - The Cross Rapids playbook: Leveraging pattern recognition, providing resources, and empowering management teams to execute.18:13 - Advice for uncertain times: The importance of assembling the right team, moving quickly, and focusing on growth from day one.22:27 - Soft skills and leadership: How servant leadership and bedside manner help operating...

This Karma School of Business feed drop from our sister podcast, Best But Never Final, explores the private equity approach to board meetings. Sean Mooney sits down with Lloyd Metz of ICV Partners and Doug McCormick of HCI Equity Partners to unpack how to turn board meetings into strategic powerhouses that drive real outcomes.Episode Highlights:02:24 - Why private equity board meetings focus on strategic impact over routine reporting.10:33 - The structure of PE boards: Who’s on them, the role of independent directors, and the value of concentrated ownership.15:25 - How independent board members are chosen to address specific business needs and enhance executive decision-making.35:55 - Avoiding tactical readouts: Making board meetings a forum for actionable strategy and meaningful discussions.42:37 - Tactical details: Frequency, in-person vs. virtual meetings, committee structures, and agenda planning.To listen to more Best But Never Final episodes, go to...

In this episode of Karma School of Business, Sean Mooney continues the Elements of Value series, exploring what private equity professionals focus on when evaluating businesses that have the potential to thrive.You’ll hear from:0:49 - Vinay Kashyap of MainSail Partners on identifying bootstrap B2B software companies with strong growth potential, durable customer value propositions, and resourceful entrepreneurs.6:19 - Kristin Johnson of Altamont Capital Partners on how her firm assesses market opportunities, team capabilities, alignment with founders, and introduces the concept of a "red team" to bring rigor to investment processes.12:19 - Trent Hickman of VSS on partnering with founder-led businesses, the importance of management integrity, shared vision, and identifying "multiple ways to win."20:50 - Misha Logvinov of MGX on the critical role of leadership quality, adaptability during change, and building a robust technology infrastructure that supports scalability and innovation.To...

Brooke Ablon, Co-Founder and Partner at Fort Point Capital, joins Sean Mooney to share how his firm scales lower middle market companies through a precise mix of strategy, data, and partnership. From executing disciplined add-on acquisition plans to transforming founder-led businesses into institutional-grade operations, Brooke walks through a real-world private equity playbook that’s built for today’s competitive landscape.🔑 Key Topics Covered:[00:01:09] How a psychology major and distressed investor found his way into private equity[00:10:22] What distressed investing teaches you about cash flow, value, and conflict[00:19:27] Fort Point’s investment criteria: value proposition, management excellence, and fit[00:24:48] How to create value with strategic add-ons, board governance, and growth alignment[00:29:09] Using data analytics and utilization tracking to uncover hidden margin[00:32:34] Advice for management teams: think proactively, act decisively, use your data[00:40:24] Why...