Business Breakdowns

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Learn how companies work from the people who know them best. Each episode dissects a single business - from its origins and model to its financials and competitive edge. Join hosts Matt Reustle and Zack Fuss as they uncover the lessons behind every success story. Learn more at www.joincolossus.com.

1 DAY AGO

How Investors are using AI

Today we have a special episode breaking down how investors are using AI. This is a question I get from many of you, and while there is no shortage of content on the implications of AI, I know there's an appetite to learn more about tangible use cases, how to make sure you're getting the most out of these tools, how to think about advancements in the technology, and ensuring that you're keeping pace with the innovation curve. So my guest today is David Plon, Founder of Portrait Analytics. Now, David and Portrait have been partners of Business Breakdowns since last year, but I specifically asked David to do this episode because, one, he is really front and center to how investors are using and applying AI. But two, and maybe more importantly, he and his team come with a background in investing. So while the conversation doesn’t really focus on Portrait, you’ll hear references to what he and his team are building and how they’ve shaped it for investors, you’ll very much understand when you hear David talk that he is someone who understands the pain points of an investor. I think everyone will find something in this episode that will benefit them in their day to day, and I would love to hear the feedback. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Portrait Analytics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - your centralized resource for AI-powered idea generation, thesis monitoring, and personalized report building. Built by buy-side investors, for investment professionals. We work in the background, helping surface stock ideas and thesis signposts to help you monetize every insight. In short, we help you understand the story behind the stock chart, and get to "go, or no-go" 10x faster than before. Sign-up for a free trial today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠portraitresearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Business Breakdowns is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Business Breakdowns, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠joincolossus.com/episodes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Timestamps (00:00:00) Welcome to Business Breakdowns (00:04:05) Meet David Plon: Investor to Founder (00:05:54) Pain Points in the Investment Process (00:09:08) AI as a “Smart Filter” for News (00:11:54) AI’s Role in the Pre-Buy Process (00:14:34) How AI Enables Specific Quantitative Analysis (00:17:24) Using AI for Investment Idea Generation (00:21:42) How to Write Good Prompts for LLMs (00:25:27) Structured vs. Creative Tasks (00:27:47) The Value of Experimentation & Real-Time Feedback (00:32:28) Best Practices for Deploying AI in an Institutional Setting (00:35:57) Why Documenting Decision Making is Essential (00:39:19) How Models Have Improved at Using Provided Context (00:42:02) Memory in LLMs: Near-Term Limitations, Long-Term Potential (00:46:24) Applying Agentic AI in Investment Research

49 min
30 JAN

GamesWorkshop: The World of Warhammer

Today we are breaking down Games Workshop. This episode is another examination of the business of IP. Whether it's Disney, Electronic Arts, or Nintendo, there are so many businesses built around core IP. And while Games Workshop and its Warhammer franchise may not be as familiar to our North America listeners - this episode will tell you why that may be changing very soon. My guest is Todd Wenning, President and CIO of KNA Capital. Todd shares his own personal story uncovering Games Workshop many years ago, he gets into the fun evolution of this business which ties into the vertical integration today, and he shares what lies ahead as awareness of Warhammer’s loyal enthusiasts welcome more into their world. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Portrait Analytics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - your centralized resource for AI-powered idea generation, thesis monitoring, and personalized report building. Built by buy-side investors, for investment professionals. We work in the background, helping surface stock ideas and thesis signposts to help you monetize every insight. In short, we help you understand the story behind the stock chart, and get to "go, or no-go" 10x faster than before. Sign-up for a free trial today at⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠portraitresearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Business Breakdowns is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Business Breakdowns, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ colossus.com/episodes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Timestamps (00:00:00) Welcome to Business Breakdowns (00:03:55) Introduction to Games Workshop (00:05:31) History of the Warhammer IP (00:09:14) Games Workshop's Evolution (00:10:59) Warhammer Retail Stores (00:12:37) The Numbers Behind Warhammer's Popularity (00:14:03) Geographic and Demographic Concentration (00:16:36) Competition from Other Games & Hobbies (00:18:49) Events and Community: Hidden Network Effects (00:19:48) Margins and Cash Generation (00:21:31) Growth Drivers & Prime Potential (00:24:51) Licensing Model & Tariff Volatility (00:26:49) Why the Business is Defensible (00:28:33) The Relevance Risk (00:31:43) Games Workshop's Unique Flat Structure (00:32:52) Capital Allocation & Dividend Focus (00:34:16) Valuing Games Workshop (00:35:25) Three Man Risks for the Business (00:38:33) Riches in Niches & Other Lessons

40 min
8 JAN

Databricks: From Data to Decisions

Today we’re breaking down Databricks, a $130B private company that helps companies collect, store, and process very large amounts of data, and then use that data to run analytics and train machine learning models. Databricks sits in the middle of modern data systems, connecting raw data pipelines to the tools teams use to analyze information and build AI. If you’ve worked on large-scale data or AI projects, there’s a good chance Databricks was part of the stack, often operating behind the scenes. My guest is Alan Tu, portfolio manager and analyst at WCM Investment Management, which invested in Databricks in late 2024. Alan explains what Databricks actually does for customers, why it remains one of the least understood large private software companies, and how its academic origins and founding team shaped its evolution from an early data-engineering product into a broad commercial platform. We also discuss common misconceptions about the business, how Databricks fits into the modern AI stack, what has changed since the last time we covered the company, and how its scale, product strategy, and capital position differentiate it from competitors. Note: This conversation was recorded on December 10, 2025, so all numbers are reflective of what was publicly available on that date. Please enjoy this breakdown of Databricks. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ —- This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Portrait Analytics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - your centralized resource for AI-powered idea generation, thesis monitoring, and personalized report building. Built by buy-side investors, for investment professionals. We work in the background, helping surface stock ideas and thesis signposts to help you monetize every insight. In short, we help you understand the story behind the stock chart, and get to "go, or no-go" 10x faster than before. Sign-up for a free trial today at⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠portraitresearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Business Breakdowns is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Business Breakdowns, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ joincolossus.com/episodes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Timestamps (00:00:00) Welcome to Business Breakdowns (00:02:34) Introducing Databricks and Guest Alan Tu (00:03:22) Understanding Databricks' Core Functionality (00:09:15) The Founding Story of Databricks (00:23:54) Databricks' Evolution and Product Expansion (00:30:06) Databricks vs. Snowflake: Market Competition (00:35:36) Databricks' Strategic Vision and Market Impact (00:38:14) The Rise of Big Data and Databricks' Core Value (00:39:27) Understanding Databricks Through a Credit Card Fraud Use Case (00:44:35) Databricks' Role in AI and Machine Learning (00:51:12) The Competitive Landscape and Cloud Partnerships (00:54:54) Financial Dynamics and Pricing Strategies (01:09:37) The Future of Databricks: Risks and Long-Term Vision (01:12:54) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

1h 15m
12/12/2025

Amadeus: The IT Backbone of Travel

Today we are breaking down Amadeus, the dominant infrastructure powering global travel bookings. If you've used a travel agent or corporate booking system, you've likely interacted with Amadeus's technology—though most of what they do happens behind the scenes in airline operations, hotel inventory management, and logistics coordination. Ben Needham, portfolio manager at Ninety One Asset Management, explains how Amadeus built its market-leading position, common investor misconceptions about the business, and the company's value proposition across the travel ecosystem. We also explore AI's potential impact on the industry and how Amadeus's balance sheet strength positions it relative to competitors. Please enjoy this breakdown of Amadeus. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ —- This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Portrait Analytics⁠⁠⁠⁠ - your centralized resource for AI-powered idea generation, thesis monitoring, and personalized report building. Built by buy-side investors, for investment professionals. We work in the background, helping surface stock ideas and thesis signposts to help you monetize every insight. In short, we help you understand the story behind the stock chart, and get to "go, or no-go" 10x faster than before. Sign-up for a free trial today at⁠⁠⁠ ⁠portraitresearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Business Breakdowns is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Business Breakdowns, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ joincolossus.com/episodes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Show Notes (00:00:00) Introduction to Amadeus (00:02:49) Understanding Amadeus' Business Model (00:04:11) Amadeus' Market Position and Competitors (00:05:35) Historical Background of Amadeus (00:07:25) Revenue Streams and Profitability (00:10:50) Impact of AI and Technology on Amadeus (00:13:07) Revenue Models and Pricing Mechanics (00:22:35) Growth Opportunities and Market Dynamics (00:25:47) Execution and Future Prospects (00:30:01) Financial Health and Capital Allocation (00:31:57) Valuation and Market Perception (00:34:21) Risks and Challenges (00:37:13) Lessons From Amadeus

48 min
05/12/2025

Doximity: The Hub of Healthcare

Today, we are breaking down one of the more impressive B2B media businesses I have come across, Doximity. It's been called “the LinkedIn for doctors.” Jim Jones, partner and analyst at William Blair Asset Management, helped explain exactly how Doximity works as a business. Jim gets into the community engine that works for and around medical professionals. And yes, there is a social network, but it's the add-ons, such as the required continued education that doctors can complete on the platform, including script signing, and all of those little tools that make a doctor's or medical professional's life much easier. The revenue engine is advertising, and Jim delves into the nuances of how that spend works, explaining why this is the business model they've chosen. Please enjoy this Breakdown of Doximity. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ —- This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠ ⁠Portrait Analytics⁠⁠⁠ - your centralized resource for AI-powered idea generation, thesis monitoring, and personalized report building. Built by buy-side investors, for investment professionals. We work in the background, helping surface stock ideas and thesis signposts to help you monetize every insight. In short, we help you understand the story behind the stock chart, and get to "go, or no-go" 10x faster than before. Sign-up for a free trial today at⁠⁠ ⁠portraitresearch.com⁠⁠⁠ — Business Breakdowns is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Business Breakdowns, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ joincolossus.com/episodes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Show Notes (00:00:00) Welcome to Business Breakdowns (00:02:52) Overview of Doximity (00:03:46) Doximity's Business Model and Revenue Streams (00:07:25) History and Evolution of Doximity (00:08:33) Competition and Market Position (00:13:27) Advertising Trends and Digital Shift (00:20:20) Doximity's Financials and Profitability (00:22:39) AI Integration and Future Prospects (00:29:32) Valuation and Market Perception (00:32:40) Lessons From Doximity

33 min
14/11/2025

GE Aerospace: Full Throttle

Today we are breaking down GE Aerospace. We did cover GE several years ago, but that episode focused on Larry Culp's turnaround of the conglomerate. Ramesh Narayanaswamy, co-founder and portfolio manager of Tourbillon Partners, joins me to explore what is now a pure-play aerospace business. We discuss the unique dynamics of the aerospace supply chain and the long-cycle nature that differentiates this industry. We also explore the complexity of aircraft engine manufacturing and how GE exemplifies the powerful model of selling services attached to equipment. Please enjoy our conversation on GE Aerospace. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ —- This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠ ⁠Portrait Analytics⁠⁠⁠ - your centralized resource for AI-powered idea generation, thesis monitoring, and personalized report building. Built by buy-side investors, for investment professionals. We work in the background, helping surface stock ideas and thesis signposts to help you monetize every insight. In short, we help you understand the story behind the stock chart, and get to "go, or no-go" 10x faster than before. Sign-up for a free trial today at⁠⁠ ⁠portraitresearch.com⁠⁠⁠ — Business Breakdowns is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Business Breakdowns, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ joincolossus.com/episodes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Show Notes (00:00:00) Welcome to Business Breakdowns (00:01:52) Overview of GE Aerospace (00:04:01) Commercial Jet Engines: Market and Segments (00:08:16) Military and Defense Applications (00:10:07) Financials and Revenue Streams (00:15:57) The Legacy and Transformation of GE (00:20:31) Jet Engine Industry and GE's Role (00:22:04) Challenges and Partnerships in Jet Engine Manufacturing (00:28:39) Revenue Models and Customer Segments (00:30:29) Understanding the OE and Aftermarket Revenue Models (00:31:50) The Profitability of Aftermarket Services (00:34:25) Revenue Models in the Aftermarket (00:36:11) Growth Strategies and Market Dynamics (00:39:38) Impact of Economic Cycles and Resilience (00:43:33) Capital Intensity and Return on Capital (00:47:12) Competitive Landscape and Technological Risks (00:55:07) Valuation Approaches and Market Perception (00:57:39) Key Takeaways and Lessons from GE

59 min
07/11/2025

Alternative Investing: Alts For All

This is Matt Reustle. Today, we are back to talk about increased access to alternative investing. My guest is Josh Clarkson, managing director at Prosek Partners. You may remember that Josh joined us last year in our primer series on private credit. He is back today to discuss what this development could mean for all the counterparties involved. We put some numbers around the opportunity, cover what asset managers might be best positioned to capture it, the strategies that most naturally fit, and some of the risks to the investor base. It is a fascinating theme that I expect to continue gaining momentum. Please enjoy this Breakdown on Alternative Investing. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page⁠⁠⁠⁠ here.⁠⁠⁠⁠ —- This episode is brought to you by⁠ ⁠Portrait Analytics⁠⁠ - your centralized resource for AI-powered idea generation, thesis monitoring, and personalized report building. Built by buy-side investors, for investment professionals. We work in the background, helping surface stock ideas and thesis signposts to help you monetize every insight. In short, we help you understand the story behind the stock chart, and get to "go, or no-go" 10x faster than before. Sign-up for a free trial today at⁠ ⁠portraitresearch.com⁠⁠ — Business Breakdowns is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Business Breakdowns, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠ joincolossus.com/episodes⁠⁠⁠⁠. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠⁠⁠⁠). Show Notes (00:00:00) Welcome to Business Breakdowns (00:02:47) The $4 Trillion Opportunity in Alternative Investments (00:04:13) Headlines and Market Concerns (00:07:09) Regulatory Changes and Historical Context (00:09:31) Private Wealth Channel and Product Evolution (00:10:29) Investor Education and Liquidity Considerations (00:15:34) Future of Private Markets and Alternative Investments (00:27:27) The Role of Major Players and Market Dynamics (00:45:18) Lessons From the Alternative Investing Industry

50 min
31/10/2025

Robinhood: Mobile First, Margins Later

This is Matt Reustle. Today we are breaking down Robinhood. My guest is Arthur Olson, founding partner at Ravenswood Partners. We get into how Robinhood grew from a mobile-native brokerage idea that faced many challenges along the way into the third-largest broker in the USA. Arthur educates on how the business model has evolved and diversified away from a pure pay-for-order market. We discuss how product velocity is the foundation behind everything in Robinhood’s continued penetration and how new talent has made a material difference. Please enjoy this Breakdown of Robinhood For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page⁠⁠⁠⁠ here.⁠⁠⁠⁠ —- This episode is brought to you by⁠ ⁠Portrait Analytics⁠⁠ - your centralized resource for AI-powered idea generation, thesis monitoring, and personalized report building. Built by buy-side investors, for investment professionals. We work in the background, helping surface stock ideas and thesis signposts to help you monetize every insight. In short, we help you understand the story behind the stock chart, and get to "go, or no-go" 10x faster than before. Sign-up for a free trial today at⁠ ⁠portraitresearch.com⁠⁠ — Business Breakdowns is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Business Breakdowns, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠ joincolossus.com/episodes⁠⁠⁠⁠. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠⁠⁠⁠). Show Notes (00:00:00) Welcome to Business Breakdowns (00:01:51) Founding Story of Robinhood (00:04:29) The Rise of Mobile Trading (00:11:37) Payment for Order Flow Explained (00:15:39) Robinhood's Competitive Edge (00:22:28) Adapting to Market Changes (00:24:52) Product Evolution and Customer Retention (00:29:32) Analyzing Robinhood's Growth and Investor Behavior (00:30:16) Historical Parallels: Robinhood vs. Charles Schwab (00:31:19) Crypto and Regulatory Challenges (00:32:41) The Role of Prediction Markets and Sports Betting (00:34:41) Revenue Streams and Future Prospects (00:36:54) Banking and Financial Services Expansion (00:41:32) Cost Structure and Competitive Advantages (00:44:30) Account Growth and International Opportunities (00:50:10) Regulatory Relationships and Risks (00:55:15) Lessons from Robinhood

1 hr

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Jesse Pujji

Host
Patrick O'Shaughnessy

Host
Zack Fuss

Host
Arthur Olson

Guest
Krishna Mohanraj

Guest

Learn how companies work from the people who know them best. Each episode dissects a single business - from its origins and model to its financials and competitive edge. Join hosts Matt Reustle and Zack Fuss as they uncover the lessons behind every success story. Learn more at www.joincolossus.com.