Many founders reach a point where their business is clearly on a growth path, but the right capital option isn’t obvious. They have traction, improving metrics and real opportunities to scale, but raising equity too early can create tradeoffs they don’t need to make. On the latest episode of the Private Equity Value Creation podcast, Shiv Narayanan speaks with Vik Thapar of Cypress Growth Capital about how founders can evaluate whether non-dilutive, royalty-based capital is the right tool at this stage in their journey. You’ll learn: - How to interpret early signs that a company can productively deploy royalty-based capital - Why some bootstrapped businesses see outsized gains from this model - What to look for in a sales and marketing engine before adding fuel - How to identify when this structure isn’t appropriate, even for strong businesses Tune in to hear how this type of capital can accelerate an already-working motion. The link to the full episode is in the comments.

Royalty-based growth capital offers a different path for B2B SaaS founders who want to scale without giving up ownership or control. This approach is designed for bootstrap founder-owned companies that are growing steadily and hitting an inflection point where capital and hands-on support can unlock the next stage of growth. The focus is on investing $1 to $5 million into businesses with real revenue and early product-market fit, not idea-stage startups. For founders who are dilution sensitive and control conscious, non-dilutive financing can be a powerful alternative to traditional venture capital when the timing is right. Vik Thapar of Cypress Growth Capital explains who royalty-based financing is for, why revenue matters and when founders should consider or avoid this type of capital. 🎙️ Tune into the Private Equity Value Creation Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gxkEsH3Z 👇🏽 Find Us Here https://lnkd.in/gTdPMk8P #privateequity #privateequitypodcast #privateequityvaluecreation

Founders are often optimistic about growth. Sometimes, that confidence leads to funding ideas that don't fully pan out. Royalty-based growth capital is structured to limit downside risk compared to traditional venture-backed paths. Vik Thapar of Cypress Growth Capital explains that, even if outcomes fall short of early expectations, founders often still exit with meaningful results because they retain the majority of ownership. 🎙️ Tune into the Private Equity Value Creation Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gxkEsH3Z 👇🏽 Find Us Here https://lnkd.in/gTdPMk8P #privateequity #privateequitypodcast #privateequityvaluecreation

Capital efficiency is no longer optional. When a startup raises more than it generates in revenue, the entire investment profile shifts from opportunity to risk. In this clip the speaker breaks down why efficient growth, disciplined spending and a clear path to break even now matter more than ever. The macro economy has forced founders to do more with less, sharpen focus and prove they can scale without burning endless cash. Investors are finally seeing stronger fundamentals, cleaner execution and tighter operations in their deal flow. 🎙️ Tune into the Private Equity Value Creation Podcast: https://lnkd.in/eKSuC4xi 📚 Grab a copy of of Exit-Ready Marketing: https://lnkd.in/g-K5RsB7 👇🏽 Find Us Here https://www.howtosaas.com/ #privateequity #privateequitypodcast #privateequityvaluecreation

There’s a big difference between advising a company based on a spreadsheet and applying first-hand practical operating experience. In the latest episode of the Private Equity Value Creation Podcast, Scott Adams of Soul Street Ventures speaks with Shiv Narayanan to share the common mistakes and opportunities he sees from working closely with growing companies. Tune in to learn about the execution gaps that show up again and again—bloated teams, unclear priorities and spending that outpaces understanding—and how to avoid them before they start draining resources. Learn how to make better decisions by understanding where revenue actually originates, how to apply data with discipline and how businesses can stand out in an increasingly AI-driven environment. The link to the full episode is in the comments.

Early-stage investing is fundamentally different from private equity. For companies at valuations in the $2 to $4 million range, business models change, founders pivot and many of the most successful outcomes look nothing like the original idea. Dave Lambert of Right Side Capital Management explains how, instead of betting on individual outcomes, this approach focuses on investing in profiles. The key question becomes whether a specific company profile at a given price is attractive when viewed across a large portfolio. By investing in dozens of companies with similar characteristics, the math begins to work in your favor. 🎙️ Tune into the Private Equity Value Creation Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gxkEsH3Z 👇🏽 Find Us Here https://lnkd.in/gTdPMk8P #privateequity #privateequitypodcast #privateequityvaluecreation

The move from early traction to scale forces a different set of capital decisions. In today's episode of the Private Equity Value Creation Podcast, Jonathan D. Drillings of Riverside Acceleration Capital talks with Shiv Narayanan about how B2B software companies fund that in-between phase—and why the wrong structure at the wrong moment creates problems later. Tune in to learn: - The role of growth lending in hitting milestones - How early equity affects dilution, valuation and future flexibility - What durability actually looks like before scaling - How AI affects risk without changing the fundamentals And much more. The link to the episode is in the comments below.

In growth investing, being competitive on price is necessary but not sufficient to win a deal. You also need a strong sector thesis and the ability to see something in the company that others don't. In the latest episode of the Private Equity Value Creation Podcast, Tyler Newton from Catalyst Investors talks with Shiv Narayanan about what a disciplined approach to growth investing looks like in practice—how to price deals, build companies and create multiple paths to exit. Hear how to underwrite to multiple compression rather than expansion, what it takes to win deals when there's always competition and how to create value between entry and exit. The link to the full episode is in the comments.

For many PE firms, there's a lot of pressure to get early wins in a fund to help you raise the next one. When you're not working within a conventional fund timeline, that fundamentally shifts how you approach investment and value creation. On the latest episode of the Private Equity Value Creation Podcast, I talked with Ian Ross from Concentric Equity Partners about their approach as a family backed private investment firm, and how that impacts buying, growing and selling companies. We also discuss how to work with management teams navigating AI-driven shifts in marketing, and why building trust with leadership matters more than dictating strategy from the top. Listen to the full episode - the link is in the comments.

Enduring outcomes in PE rarely come from a single deal or operating playbook. In my conversation with Alan Taetle of Noro-Moseley Partners for the Private Equity Value Creation Podcast, we discussed how to build a firm that has the foundations for long-term success. That looks like:  - Clear intent on what you’re building - Aligning incentives inside the firm - Apprenticeship-driven culture  - Founder relationships grounded in trust rather than templates And lots more. This episode is packed with approaches that PE firms can put into practice - check it out via the link in the comments.