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.


More recent episodes

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.

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.

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.