Beyond The Exchange

Ben Sinclair
  • 5.0 (2)
  • INVESTING

The Beyond The Exchange podcast delivers in-depth conversations with the people shaping private markets in Canada, featuring insights from asset managers, technology providers, and other industry leaders who are opening up access to this evolving space. Listeners gain unique perspectives on how private markets have developed over time and how investment strategies are evolving. Benjamin Sinclair is a representative of Designed Securities Ltd, which is is regulated by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (ciro.ca) and is a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (cipf.ca).

Episodes

  1. David Gens, Merchant Growth

    FEB 1

    David Gens, Merchant Growth

    In this episode, Ben Sinclair, CFA, CAIA, talks with David Gens, founder and CEO of Merchant Growth and manager of the Merchant Opportunities Fund, about building a fintech lender for Canadian small businesses in a market dominated by the big five banks. David explains how he spotted the gap in 2009, why he chose a fund structure to finance loans, and how the strategy aims to deliver uncorrelated, short-duration private credit exposure with over 10,000 diversified loans.​ They discuss: How Canadian bank structure leaves many asset-light, cash-flowing small businesses under-servedUsing a fund to separate lending capital from the fintech operating companyPositioning small business loans alongside stocks and bonds as a source of consistent incomeCOVID as the fund’s first major macro stress test and the importance of transparent, formulaic loss provisioningWhy investor bearishness on Canada may be misplaced, and why small business owners’ resilience is often underestimated​Listen to learn how debanking, digital origination, and disciplined underwriting are reshaping small business finance in Canada, and what that means for allocators looking at private credit today.

    36 min
  2. Andrea Gruza, Bonnefield

    JAN 25

    Andrea Gruza, Bonnefield

    Farmland is the world’s oldest asset class, and a lot more investable than most people realize. This episode, featuring Andrea Gruza of Bonnefield, dives into this story. A few highlights from the conversation:​ How climate change, water availability, and limited arable land globally are creating a structural tailwind for Canadian farmland. The capital challenges facing farmers today (input costs, rates, modernization) and how land-lease financing can support succession, consolidation, and growth. Why farmland behaves differently than traditional real estate, and what that means for diversification, inflation protection, and long-term return expectations. The very real ESG angle: supporting Canadian operators and food security while maintaining and improving land quality over time.  If you’re an advisor, allocator, or curious investor who’s been hearing more about “real assets” and wondering where farmland fits, this episode is for you.​

    29 min
  3. John Fisher, Bridgeport Asset Management

    2025-12-21

    John Fisher, Bridgeport Asset Management

    John Fisher founded Bridgeport in 2007 and is the chief architect of Bridgeport's investment strategy, with ultimate responsibility for all aspects of the investment process and client relations. Prior to Bridgeport, John spent 10 years at private equity company Clairvest Group, and he also has past experience in investment banking at one of the big five Canadian banks, and in accounting at one of the big four accounting firms. John shared his entrepreneurial journey, the evolution of Bridgeport’s offerings, and his perspective on today’s investment landscape.

    23 min
  4. Elroy Gust, Newlook Capital

    2025-12-14

    Elroy Gust, Newlook Capital

    Elroy Gust, CEO of Newlook Capital, joined me for a wide-ranging conversation about the origins of Newlook, how the firm operates, and what led a private equity company to launch a strategy focused on dentistry.

    31 min
  5. Sean O'Hara, Obsiido

    2025-12-07

    Sean O'Hara, Obsiido

    Sean O'Hara, Chief Investment Officer of Obsiido, talks about about what led him to join a startup, what Obsiido offers investors, and how he selects funds in the private markets space, among many other topics.

    37 min
  6. Tom Johnston, iCapital

    2025-11-27

    Tom Johnston, iCapital

    In this conversation, Tom Johnston, Managing Director and Canadian Market Head at iCapital, discusses the evolution of private markets, the challenges faced during iCapital's founding, and the current landscape of alternative investments in Canada. He emphasizes the importance of due diligence, the role of Canadian banks, and the misconceptions surrounding private markets. Johnston also highlights the need for transparency and the future potential of private markets in Canada.

    28 min
  • 6 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Beyond The Exchange podcast delivers in-depth conversations with the people shaping private markets in Canada, featuring insights from asset managers, technology providers, and other industry leaders who are opening up access to this evolving space. Listeners gain unique perspectives on how private markets have developed over time and how investment strategies are evolving. Benjamin Sinclair is a representative of Designed Securities Ltd, which is is regulated by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (ciro.ca) and is a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (cipf.ca).

Information

  • Creator
    Ben Sinclair
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ben Sinclair
  • Show Website
    Beyond The Exchange