Flexible Capital for Fintech: Portage Capital Solutions’ Devon Kirk

AI Value Creation in Growth Equity: Bregal Milestone's Jan Bruennler and Visar Shabi

In this episode, we speak with Jan Bruennler, Managing Partner, and Visar Shabi, Portfolio CTO at Bregal Milestone, a leading European growth equity firm investing in fast-growing, mission-critical software businesses across Europe. With approximately €2.3 billion of capital and more than 60 investments completed since inception, Bregal Milestone provides growth capital and operational support to help build market-leading software companies. The firm is part of Bregal Investments, a leading global investment platform with over €24 billion in assets under management. As software companies navigate a rapidly evolving technology landscape, Jan and Visar discuss Bregal Milestone's approach to value creation, including how the firm supports portfolio companies through technology, product, and AI expertise. Jan co-founded Bregal Milestone and is a member of its Investment Committee, overseeing the firm’s AI initiatives. As Portfolio CTO, Visar works closely with portfolio companies on technology, product, and AI strategy, drawing on prior experience at Bain & Company and Brainlabs. Bregal Milestone was recognized as a Top Growth Equity Firm of 2025 and Top Private Equity Firm of 2025 by GrowthCap. I am your host, RJ Lumba. We hope you enjoy the show. If you like the episode, click to follow.

Leading AI Infrastructure Investor: SIP's Co-Founder and CEO Brian Barlow

In this episode, we speak with Brian Barlow, Co-Founder and CEO of Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners (SIP), a company focused on building and scaling businesses that support the next generation of critical energy and digital infrastructure. As demand for energy and computing power continues to grow, existing infrastructure systems are facing increasing strain. SIP develops businesses and projects designed to help modernize these systems and enable more intelligent, scalable infrastructure for the future. Brian has spent more than three decades as a private markets investor across technology and infrastructure. Prior to co-founding SIP, he served as Director of Infrastructure Investments for Alphabet's urban innovation platform.  Prior to that, he was a Managing director at American Infrastructure Funds.  Earlier, Brian was a senior member of Scion Capital, the investment firm founded by Dr. Michael Burry and featured in The Big Short. I am your host, RJ Lumba. We hope you enjoy the show. If you like the episode, click to follow.

Bespoke Capital for Growth Companies: Sixth Street Growth’s Mike McGinn

In this episode, we speak with Mike McGinn, Partner and Co-Head of Growth at Sixth Street.  He is based in New York and focuses on private investments in growth-oriented companies. Sixth Street Growth provides growth equity and bespoke capital solutions to mid- and late-stage technology companies. It is the dedicated growth investing platform of Sixth Street, a leading global investment firm with over $130 billion in assets under management and committed capital. Through its Growth strategy, Sixth Street has invested over $13 billion in more than 90 companies. Prior to Sixth Street, Mike was a Managing Director in AmSSG at Goldman Sachs. Previously, he was Co-Head of PCI, AmSSG’s growth capital business, and worked in AmSSG’s multi-strategy investing group and specialty lending group. Earlier in his career, Mike worked in the Global Investment Research division at Goldman Sachs. Sixth Street Growth was recognized as a Top Growth Equity Firm of 2025 by GrowthCap. I am your host, RJ Lumba. We hope you enjoy the show. If you like the episode, click to follow.

Flexible Capital for Fintech: Portage Capital Solutions’ Devon Kirk

In this episode, we speak with Devon Kirk, General Partner at Portage Capital Solutions, the flagship growth strategy within Portage, focused on providing flexible capital solutions to later-stage fintech and financial services companies. Portage is a global investment platform with $6.4 billion in assets under management and more than 25 investment professionals across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. The firm has invested in over 100 companies since inception and invests across stages through Portage Ventures and Portage Capital Solutions. Portage is part of Sagard, a global multi-strategy alternative asset manager with over $46 billion in assets under management. Devon joined the firm in 2022 and co-leads growth equity, structured equity, and special situations investments across financial technology and financial services companies globally, and helps drive the fund’s overall strategy. She is based in Toronto. Previously, Devon spent over a decade at CPP Investments, and earlier in her career worked at BMO Harris Nesbitt and Linklaters. Portage Capital Solutions was recognized as a Top Growth Equity Firm of 2025 by GrowthCap. I am your host, RJ Lumba. We hope you enjoy the show. If you like the episode, click to follow.

Leader in Direct Lending: Deerpath’s Reed Van Gorden

In this episode, we speak with Reed Van Gorden, Managing Director of Deerpath Capital, a leading provider of cash-flow based senior debt financing to lower middle market companies across a diverse range of industries and transaction types. Founded in 2007, Deerpath’s mission is to be the premier direct lending firm in the middle market, built on long-term relationships with investors, borrowers, private equity sponsors, and management teams. The firm has invested over $14.5 billion across more than 1,200 transactions and manages approximately $9 billion in assets, supported by a scaled origination platform across key U.S. markets and a global presence in Europe and Asia. Reed is a Managing Director, member of the Investment Committee, and Head of Origination. He joined Deerpath in 2015 and brings 18 years of industry experience, with prior roles in leveraged finance and private equity at Golub Capital, Abingworth Management, and JPMorgan. Deerpath Capital was recognized as a Top Private Credit Firm of 2025 by GrowthCap. Reed supports Make-A-Wish. To learn more about this organization click here [https://wish.org/]. I am your host, RJ Lumba. We hope you enjoy the show. If you like the episode, click to follow.