In this episode, our Brisbane-based Partner, Ryan Loehr, speaks with Phil Cummins, Managing Director of Stepstone Group. They discuss the challenges that most private investors have in venture and growth equity, particularly around diversification of fund underlying, vintage, and manager. Access to top-quartile managers is generally reserved to the largest institutions, are often significantly oversubscribed. Phil provides an overview of the Stepstone Group Platform; key business and industry advisors that help it evaluate opportunities; the importance of longstanding relationships and exploring a genuine information advantage to drive performance outcomes. Also, the benefits of new structures, such as open-ended or ‘evergreen’ vehicles vs. more traditional capital-called closed-end structures.

Before joining Stepstone, Phil was a venture partner at Greenspring Associates, a venture capital and growth equity investment firm that merged with StepStone in 2021. Prior to that, Phil spent 13 years with QIC Global Private Equity, where he played a pivotal role in leading their private equity program. His career also includes significant roles at BT Alex. Brown, Deutsche Bank, and Thomas Weisel Partners in San Francisco. Phil holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is a Chartered Financial Analyst, as well as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. Stepstone manages over $176B on behalf of a diverse range of clientele that includes institutional investors, family offices and high-net-worth individuals.

Disclaimer:
The information in this podcast series is for general financial educational purposes only, should not be considered financial advice and is only intended for wholesale clients. That means the information does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider if the information is appropriate for you and your needs. You should always consult your trusted licensed professional adviser before making any investment decision.

In this episode of the Exchange, Craig Emanuel, Tim Whybourne and Ryan Loehr reflect on the 2024 year that’s been and discuss possibilities for 2025.

Trump 2.0; ballooning global deficits; interest rate policy; protectionist policy, geopolitical tension and global equity valuations that look expensive.

There’s a lot to take in. So how should investors be positioning? Tune in to this partners episode to learn more.

Disclaimer:
The information in this podcast series is for general financial educational purposes only, should not be considered financial advice and is only intended for wholesale clients. That means the information does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider if the information is appropriate for you and your needs. You should always consult your trusted licensed professional adviser before making any investment decision.

In this episode, Managing Partner Tim Whybourne catches up with serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist and TV personality Steve Baxter. They discuss everything from Steves's background, his early wins in business through to his latest venture investing in anything defence-related where many other funds are not able to.

Steve grew up in north QLD before joining the Military at the age of 15 taking on a military apprenticeship in engineering, electronics, and telecoms. His career in the Army spanned 9 years before he left to launch his first start-up called SE Net from his bedroom. This business was eventually acquired by OZemail under the stewardship of ex-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. In 2001 Baxter teamed up with his schoolmate and serial tech entrepreneur, Bevan Slattery to launch his second start-up in Pipe Networks before selling that to TPG in 2010. Steve founded River City Labs, Brisbane’s well-known co-working hub in 2012 and has been championing Australian startups and entrepreneurs ever since. He has appeared as a ‘Shark’ on Channel 10’s Shark Tank Australia since 2014.

In this episode, we discuss Steves's latest venture in his new fund called Beaten Zone Ventures which aims to invest in early-stage defence businesses that are developing weapons and systems to assist with holding, aiming and controlling weapons in addition to training soldiers to protect them from opposition lethality.

Disclaimer:
The information in this podcast series is for general financial educational purposes only, should not be considered financial advice and is only intended for wholesale clients. That means the information does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider if the information is appropriate for you and your needs. You should always consult your trusted licensed professional adviser before making any investment decision.