The $600M Bet on Independent Sponsors

Grant Kornman co-founded NCK Capital as an independent sponsor in 2013, then moved to the capital side with Align Collaborate in 2023. Align now manages $600m+ across 2 dedicated funds and writes $10-40m equity checks into sponsor-led LMM deals. Grant has watched the independent sponsor market evolve from both sides.

Grant Kornman

More recent episodes

Jim Buldoc
EP.
65
with
Jim Buldoc

The Family Office Independent Sponsor

Jim Bolduc operates the independent sponsor arm within his family's Family Office. As a former investment banker at Merrill Lynch, Jim walks us through the nuances of their approach, which includes a focus on the retail industry built on decades of entrepreneurial experience.

Bruce Lipian
EP.
64
with
Bruce Lipian

Steak & Sizzle with a Side of Fundless

Bruce Lipian coined "independent sponsor" at a NYC conference. Learn how the deal-by-deal model thrives in lower-middle market PE with creativity over capital.

Jim Tapp
EP.
63
with
Jim Tapp

50% Carry on 50x MOIC

Jim Tapp left corporate life for M&A after meeting a wealthy business owner. Now he runs an independent sponsor shop with his sons, including a 50x MOIC software exit.

new episode every week
new episode every week
new episode every week
new episode every week
new episode every week
new episode every week

Be the first to know about new episodes!

Receive summaries of our weekly interview drops:
Thank you! You've subscribed to our podcast list.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Want to recommend a guest for the Minds Capital Podcast?
Send an email to podcast@mindscapital.co.