In the latest episode of the Dakota Live! Podcast, Robert Morier sits down with Daniel Pogue, Vice President at Moelis Asset Management, and a pivotal member of the Catalyst Partners team. Join us as we delve into the nuances of private equity seeding and the critical role Catalyst Partners plays in empowering emerging private equity managers.

Moelis Asset Management is a global investment management firm providing asset management services across various strategies, including private equity, credit, and real assets. Moelis Asset Management is a New York city based asset management firm with approximately 8 billion in assets under management across strategies, such as broadly syndicated loans, direct lending, venture capital, and more. Within the firm, the Catalyst Partners team focuses on partnering with emerging private equity managers, providing strategic capital, operational support, and extensive networks to help these managers grow and succeed.

Daniel focuses on partnering with emerging private equity managers, encompassing responsibilities such as manager research, investment sourcing, and capital formation.

Key Takeaways:

Strategic Anchor Capital: Daniel emphasized the importance of providing early, scalable capital to emerging managers. Catalyst Partners doesn't just bring funding; they offer strategic value-add services that help managers build their firms and navigate the complexities of the market.

Focus on Emerging Managers: Catalyst Partners is particularly focused on Fund I opportunities, where they see the most potential for growth and partnership. By providing foundational support, they help these managers transition from concept to reality.

Value-Add Beyond Capital: Beyond financial backing, Catalyst Partners acts as a true partner, offering guidance on back-office operations, networking opportunities, and introductions to LPs. Their approach is hands-on, ensuring that managers are well-equipped to succeed in a competitive landscape.

Human Capital and Team Dynamics: A significant part of Catalyst’s evaluation process is understanding the team dynamics and personality traits of the managers they back. Daniel discussed how they look for qualities like humility, decisiveness, and adaptability, which are crucial for long-term success.

The Independent Sponsor Space: Daniel shed light on the evolving landscape of independent sponsors and how Catalyst Partners views this space as a fertile ground for sourcing high-quality opportunities.

If you're interested in private equity, emerging manager programs, or investment management solutions, this episode is a must-listen. Daniel’s insights provide a comprehensive understanding of the seeding process and how Catalyst Partners is shaping the future of private equity.