AI Pathfinder for Private Equity Podcast

Steve Budd
  • 0.0 (0)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • MONTHLY

I'm on a mission to guide private equity from AI uncertainty to empowerment by building a network for successful AI adoption. It's giving me firsthand access to PE leaders and experts across the AI value chain. 

  1. Zuzana Manhart: Break Workflows, Build Foundations

    28 APR

    Zuzana Manhart: Break Workflows, Build Foundations

    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 the portfolioQuick wins like transcription and chat automation land first, the harder stuff comes laterAI bolted onto tools people already use tends to get ignoredAgents are stuck less on model capability and more on visibility into what they're actually doingHire someone technical, then let them own the roadmap from the data upLinks Zuzana's LinkedInZuzana's CBPE profileCBPE AI Pathfinder Private Equity AI Strategy Meet-ups:  https://www.aipathfinder.co/private-equity-ai-events Have a question or would like to suggest improvements, please contact steve@aipathfinder.co

    31 min
  2. Aris Valtazanos: Start with the Pain Point, AI Isn't Always the Answer

    21 APR

    Aris Valtazanos: Start with the Pain Point, AI Isn't Always the Answer

    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 solutions are creating more value than cross-cutting tools, the critical importance of finding small self-contained problems to avoid becoming a bottleneck, and why firms must start with business pain points rather than asking "where can we use AI?" Takeaways Bespoke sector-specific AI solutions are creating more value than cross-cutting tools like marketing automationAvoid becoming a bottleneck by focusing on small self-contained problems that can scale across the portfolioStart with the biggest business pain points first, then determine if AI is the right solutionThe gap between what AI can do and where companies actually are has widened despite technological progressSuccessful adoption requires C-suite vision meeting ground-level champions in the middleLinks Aris's LinkedIn Aris's Oakley Capital profile Oakley Capital AI Pathfinder Private Equity AI Strategy Meet-ups:  https://www.aipathfinder.co/private-equity-ai-events Have a question or would like to suggest improvements, please contact steve@aipathfinder.co

    30 min
  3. John Gunn: The AI Maturity Gap is Your First-Mover Advantage

    14 APR

    John Gunn: The AI Maturity Gap is Your First-Mover Advantage

    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 importance of formalizing workflows to survive platform transitions, and why the current gap between AI-mature and AI-immature companies creates a compounding advantage for those who move decisively now. Takeaways Second and third-order data relationships are massively underexplored in due diligenceGenerative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the new SEO for competitive advantageThe current maturity gap creates a compounding first-mover advantage windowFormalizing workflows through agents creates transferable IP across platformsAI coding agents have quadrupled technical productivity in three monthsLinks John's LinkedInJohn's IK Partners profileIK PartnersAI Pathfinder Private Equity AI Strategy Meet-ups:  https://www.aipathfinder.co/private-equity-ai-events Have a question or would like to suggest improvements, please contact steve@aipathfinder.co

    32 min
  4. David Whitcombe: Exit Prep Is Now AI Readiness - Why PE Needs to Start Earlier

    1 APR

    David Whitcombe: Exit Prep Is Now AI Readiness - Why PE Needs to Start Earlier

    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 readiness” and should happen earlier in the hold period. Takeaways Move beyond chatbots by embedding AI into core workflows.Biggest blockers: people, unstructured data, and sensible governance.Fast value: churn prediction, outreach triggers, pricing and packaging.Dashboards aren’t enough; push insights to frontline decision-makers.Exit prep is AI readiness; start earlier to compound valueChapters 00:00 Introduction 02:39 The Shift from Chatbots to AI Integration 05:33 Overcoming Barriers to AI Adoption 08:09 Cultural Factors in AI Implementation 10:48 Commercial Opportunities in Private Equity 12:39 Transforming Pricing and Revenue Models 15:21 Democratizing Insights through AI 18:01 Impact on Manufacturing and Reporting 20:39 AI Readiness and Exit Preparation Links David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-whitcombe-4a3bb331/Data Vision Services - https://datavisionservices.comAI Pathfinder Private Equity AI Strategy Meet-ups:  https://www.aipathfinder.co/private-equity-ai-events Have a question or would like to suggest improvements, please contact steve@aipathfinder.co

    26 min
  5. Maria Rosenstand Bruun: How AI Could Reshape Financial Due Diligence in Mid-Market Deals

    12 JAN

    Maria Rosenstand Bruun: How AI Could Reshape Financial Due Diligence in Mid-Market Deals

    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 gathering, enhance analysis, and ultimately streamline the due diligence workflow. Maria emphasises the importance of human insight in interpreting data and discusses the challenges of adopting new technologies in a conservative industry. The episode concludes with a vision for the future of financial due diligence, where AI plays a central role in preparing companies for successful exits. Takeaways AI can significantly enhance the efficiency of financial due diligence processesAutomation can reduce manual errors and speed up data gatheringHuman insight is still crucial for contextualising financial dataCompetitive advantages can be gained by leveraging AI in deal evaluations.Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI Pathfinder and Seecon 01:28 Maria's Background and Experience in Financial Due Diligence 03:13 Identifying Inefficiencies in Financial Due Diligence 05:56 The Role of AI in Enhancing Due Diligence Processes 09:56 Automation vs. Human Insight in Financial Analysis 11:53 Adoption Challenges and the Importance of User Experience 15:02 Building Trust in AI Solutions for Financial Teams 15:59 Future of Exit Readiness for PE-Backed Companies 17:08 The CFO's Role in Financial Due Diligence 18:46 Preparing for AI Adoption in Financial Processes 21:17 Competitive Advantages of Using AI in Due Diligence 22:45 Envisioning the Future of Financial Due Diligence 24:20 The Evolving Role of Advisors in Financial Transactions Links Maria on LinkedIn Seecon website AI Pathfinder Private Equity AI Strategy Meet-ups:  https://www.aipathfinder.co/private-equity-ai-events Have a question or would like to suggest improvements, please contact steve@aipathfinder.co

    26 min
  6. Graeme Cox & Sarah Clarke: AI Governance as the Strategic Enabler

    10/12/2025

    Graeme Cox & Sarah Clarke: AI Governance as the Strategic Enabler

    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 for private equity firms to understand and manage AI risks within their portfolio companies. The guests highlight the importance of visibility, education, and a structured approach to governance to leverage AI effectively while mitigating risks. Takeaways AI governance is often misunderstood as a cost rather than a value enablerAI governance is becoming essential, akin to cybersecurity hygieneAI governance frameworks are still developing and need to be prioritisedUnderstanding AI risks requires a focus on use cases rather than toolsEffective governance can lead to competitive advantagesChapters 00:00 Introduction to AI Pathfinder and Governance 03:34 Understanding AI Liability and Governance Risks 08:39 AI Governance as Cybersecurity Hygiene 11:09 The Evolution of AI Governance 14:41 Visibility and Management of AI Risks 21:33 The Role of Private Equity in AI Governance 23:50 Linking AI Use Cases to ROI and Risk 26:40 AI Governance as a Competitive Differentiator 31:20 First Steps in AI Governance Implementation Links Attercop website Graeme Cox on LinkedIn and Sarah Clarke on LinkedIn AI Pathfinder Private Equity AI Strategy Meet-ups:  https://www.aipathfinder.co/private-equity-ai-events Have a question or would like to suggest improvements, please contact steve@aipathfinder.co

    34 min
  7. Eleanor Hobson: The AI Liability Squeeze for Portfolio Companies

    25/11/2025

    Eleanor Hobson: The AI Liability Squeeze for Portfolio Companies

    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 landscape. The conversation highlights the need for a strategic approach to AI adoption and the potential future trends in the industry. Takeaways AI is not just an opportunity; it also brings significant liabilityMid-market companies are feeling squeezed between AI providers and customer demandsGenerative AI tools create a complex risk landscape for businessesContractual obligations are shifting, placing more risk on AI usersThe EU AI Act introduces new expectations for documentation and complianceAI literacy is essential for both providers and customersLinks Kemp IT Law website Eleanor Hobson on on LinkedIn AI Pathfinder Private Equity AI Strategy Meet-ups:  https://www.aipathfinder.co/private-equity-ai-events Have a question or would like to suggest improvements, please contact steve@aipathfinder.co

    30 min
  8. Brian Briggs: Diligence in the Era of AI

    14/11/2025

    Brian Briggs: Diligence in the Era of AI

    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 executive buy-in, and the necessity of aligning AI initiatives with core business metrics. Additionally, they provide insights on preparing for AI integration and the importance of education within private equity firms. Takeaways AI is transforming the questions investors ask during due diligenceDisruption risk is a significant concern for investors in AIInvestors should assess the maturity of a company's AI initiativesA strong framework for AI due diligence is necessary for investorsMetrics for AI initiatives should align with core business objectives Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI Pathfinder and Today's Topic 02:45 Insights from the AI Diligence Panel 05:16 AI's Impact on Investor Questions 08:18 The Human Element in AI Adoption 10:53 Identifying Opportunities Amid Disruption 13:46 Evolving Diligence Frameworks for AI 16:03 Red Flags in AI Readiness 18:42 Value Creation Post-Deal with AI 21:16 Short-Term vs Long-Term AI Strategies 24:04 Building AI Capabilities in Private Equity 25:54 Conclusion and Key Takeaways Links RingStone website Brian Briggs on LinkedIn AI Pathfinder Private Equity AI Strategy Meet-ups:  https://www.aipathfinder.co/private-equity-ai-events Have a question or would like to suggest improvements, please contact steve@aipathfinder.co

    29 min
See All (23)

About

I'm on a mission to guide private equity from AI uncertainty to empowerment by building a network for successful AI adoption. It's giving me firsthand access to PE leaders and experts across the AI value chain. 

Information

You Might Also Like