Best of LinkedIn: Strategy, M&A & Investments

Thomas Allgeyer, Frenus GmbH

🎙️ Welcome to Best of LinkedIn: Strategy, M&A & Investments – your essential podcast bringing you insightful episodes distilled from LinkedIn’s top newsletter on strategic moves, mergers, acquisitions, and investment trends. Trusted by strategy leaders, investors, and corporate decision-makers alike, this podcast captures the best insights and critical updates in Strategy, M&A, and Investment developments—without the noise. We’re not just sharing insights—we’re building community. From carefully curated LinkedIn highlights to practical discussions on market shifts, we connect professionals committed to strategic growth and smart investing. If you’re ready to cut through the clutter and zero in on what truly drives value in the world of Strategy, M&A, and Investments, you’re in the right place. Let’s get started.

  1. 14h ago

    Best of LinkedIn: Private Equity: Exit Strategies CW 36/ 37

    We curate most relevant posts about Private Equity: Exit Strategies on LinkedIn and regularly share key takeaways. We at Frenus support PE-backed manufacturers with the market intelligence needed to unlock revenue from idle production capacity. You can find more info here: https://www.frenus.com/usecases/unlock-revenue-from-idle-production-capacity This edition examines the current grappling with a massive backlog of unsold companies, as average hold periods have extended significantly beyond traditional timelines. With trillions of dollars in unrealised assets trapped in portfolios, firms are increasingly turning to alternative liquidity strategies such as secondaries, continuation funds, and structured equity. This stagnation is also driving business owners toward alternative ownership models, including employee-owned structures and direct investment from family offices that offer more flexibility than private equity. Despite these pressures, a small number of high-value transactions continue to close, particularly for companies that maintain a constant state of exit readiness. Consequently, sponsors are shifting their focus toward governance and data transparency to ensure portfolio companies are prepared for sale whenever market windows open. Overall, the sector is being reshaped by the need to manage this clogged pipeline while seeking creative ways to return capital to investors. This podcast was created via Gemini Notebook.

  2. 2d ago

    Best of LinkedIn: Private Equity: Value Creation CW 36/ 37

    We curate most relevant posts about Private Equity: Value Creation on LinkedIn and regularly share key takeaways. We at Frenus support PE-backed manufacturers with the market intelligence needed to unlock revenue from idle production capacity. You can find more info here: https://www.frenus.com/usecases/unlock-revenue-from-idle-production-capacity This edition highlights a fundamental shift in the private equity industry, where operational excellence has replaced financial engineering as the primary driver of returns. Experts argue that high interest rates and falling exit multiples now require strategic execution and double-digit EBITDA growth to achieve traditional investment hurdles. This transition demands a new breed of portfolio leadership, prioritising "operational grit" and hands-on experience over traditional consulting credentials or accounting pedigrees. The texts further examine the role of artificial intelligence, noting that while it offers immense capacity for value creation, its success depends on rigorous workflow redesign and leadership alignment rather than mere adoption. Recurrent themes include the necessity of fixing operational leaks before chasing growth and the critical importance of integrating operating partners earlier in the deal lifecycle. Ultimately, the collection suggests that in a market defined by longer hold periods, sustainable value is captured by those who can effectively bridge the gap between boardroom strategy and floor-level implementation. This podcast was created via Gemini Notebook.

  3. Sep 10

    Best of LinkedIn: Private Equity: Fundraising CW 35/ 36

    We curate most relevant posts about Private Equity: Fundraising on LinkedIn and regularly share key takeaways. We at Frenus support PE-backed manufacturers with the market intelligence needed to unlock revenue from idle production capacity. You can find more info here: https://www.frenus.com/usecases/unlock-revenue-from-idle-production-capacity This edition examines details the current evolution of private equity fundraising, highlighting a transition from traditional narratives to strategies strictly aligned with investor mandates. It examines the rise of alternative liquidity mechanisms, such as continuation funds and collateralised fund obligations, which address the challenges of a sluggish exit environment. The report emphasizes a growing market divide, where massive established firms capture the majority of capital while smaller, first-time managers struggle to gain traction. Furthermore, it identifies a shift in the investor base as family offices and retail channels increasingly bypass traditional structures through direct investments and co-investment models. Sophisticated digital tools and administrative excellence are now presented as essential components for maintaining long-term relationships with allocators. Ultimately, the source illustrates a landscape where performance convergence with public markets is forcing the industry to innovate its structural and operational frameworks. This podcast was created via Gemini Notebook

  4. Sep 9

    Best of LinkedIn: Venture Capital CW 35/ 36

    We curate most relevant posts about Venture Capital on LinkedIn and regularly share key takeaways. We at Frenus support General Partners in identifying relevant Limited Partners across multiple sources, researching tailored connection strategies, coordinating event participation, and executing structured outreach campaigns that convert cold lists into meaningful conversations and committed capital. You can find more info here: https://www.frenus.com/usecases/account-based-lp-engagement-from-database-to-committed-capital This edition explores the shifting dynamics of the global venture capital landscape, highlighting a transition toward extreme capital concentration in mega-firms despite the strong performance of first-time managers. Artificial intelligence remains the primary driver of funding volume, though emerging sectors like quantum computing and deep tech are achieving unprecedented investment milestones. The report also examines the rise of secondary markets and private listings as preferred exit strategies in an era where traditional public offerings have significantly slowed. Geographically, while established hubs like San Francisco maintain dominance, new ecosystems in the Middle East and Asia are successfully attracting substantial capital through local infrastructure and tailored regulation. Furthermore, the source addresses critical structural inequities, noting the persistent funding gap for female-led teams despite their innovative contributions to specialised sectors like health tech. Ultimately, the industry is portrayed as undergoing a period of profound self-reflection, as traditional fund models and labels are being renegotiated to suit a more complex financial environment. This podcast was created via Gemini Notebook

  5. Sep 8

    Best of LinkedIn: M&A Insights CW 35/ 36

    We curate most relevant posts about M&A Insights on LinkedIn and regularly share key takeaways. Against that backdrop, CDD engagements don't forgive slow starts. We embed directly into your consulting team as a white-label market and competitive intelligence partner, slide-ready, fully adapted to your client's design, and operational within 24 hours. You can find more info here: https://www.frenus.com/usecases/cdd-market-intelligence-embedded-white-label-ready-in-24-hours This edition is brought to you by our partner pemacom. Don't miss out on pemacom 2026 in Munich on September 22nd, themed "It's Geopolitics, Stupid!" - use code FRENUS25 for 25% off. Find the link below: https://pemacom.com/ This editions provide a comprehensive analysis of the 2026 M&A landscape, focusing on the strategic drivers and operational hurdles of modern dealmaking. Expert perspectives highlight that successful exits often require a balance between durability and growth, specifically identifying the five-to-ten-year mark as the optimal age for brand sales. Beyond valuation, the texts emphasise the critical role of human capital, post-merger integration, and rigorous due diligence in preventing deal failure. Regional updates and sector-specific reports illustrate a rebounding market, particularly within technology, financial services, and specialty trades. Emerging trends like AI-native valuation models and leveraged financing strategies are also explored as essential tools for navigating complex acquisitions. Collectively, the contributors advocate for early preparation and transparent communication to ensure long-term value creation for both buyers and sellers. This podcast was created via Gemini Notebook.

About

🎙️ Welcome to Best of LinkedIn: Strategy, M&A & Investments – your essential podcast bringing you insightful episodes distilled from LinkedIn’s top newsletter on strategic moves, mergers, acquisitions, and investment trends. Trusted by strategy leaders, investors, and corporate decision-makers alike, this podcast captures the best insights and critical updates in Strategy, M&A, and Investment developments—without the noise. We’re not just sharing insights—we’re building community. From carefully curated LinkedIn highlights to practical discussions on market shifts, we connect professionals committed to strategic growth and smart investing. If you’re ready to cut through the clutter and zero in on what truly drives value in the world of Strategy, M&A, and Investments, you’re in the right place. Let’s get started.