Spacinsider - Podcast Details

Shows

SPACInsider SPACs Halfway through 2025: What’s Working, What’s Changing, What’s NextHarry You, Brandon Sun, and Vik Mittal break down the SPAC landscape On this special edition of the SPACInsider Podcast, we bring together a panel of SPAC veterans to explore the state of the market from the perspectives of sponsors, investors, and underwriters. Joining us are serial SPAC sponsor Harry You, Brandon Sun, Head of SPAC Investment Banking at Cohen & Company, and Vik Mittal, Managing Director at Meteora Capital. Together, they unpack how the complexion of the 2025 SPAC market is shifting and which strategies are rising to the top. How have crypto-focused deals...

2025-07-2352 min

SPACInsider Inside Kyivstar’s $2.2B SPAC Deal: Rebuilding Ukraine, One Tower at a Time This week, we speak with Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov about the company’s $2.2 billion dollar combination with Cohen Circle Acquisition Corp. I (NASDAQ:CCIR). Few companies have been had to forge themselves in the flames recently quite like Ukraine’s leading telecom and digital services provider Kyivstar. Now, Kyivstar is not only telling that story but pitching it to public market investors. Oleksandr explains how the company has maintained high EBITDA margins despite the many disruptions unleashed by Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. He gets into why he decided now was the ri...

2025-07-1429 min

SPACInsider David Liu on Plus’ $1.3B SPAC Deal and the Future of Driverless FreightAfter years of investment and excitement, the dawn of self-driving cars and trucks is now here. The question now is which business model among autonomous driving technology companies will win out? This week, we speak with David Liu, CEO of autonomous trucking company Plus. Plus announced a $1.3 billion combination with Churchill Capital Corp. IX (NASDAQ:CCIX) last month. David explains how both Plus’ strategy and the autonomous driving landscape have changed since the company last considered a SPAC listing and why the company is betting on a software-first approach - partnering with truck manufacturers rather th...

2025-07-1025 min

SPACInsider Inside Colombier II’s $197M GrabAGun DealCEO Marc Nemati and Colombier II’s Omeed Malik break down the deal, timing, and the strategy. Despite its moniker as the “the everything store” you can’t buy everything on Amazon, and firearms are one of those things. But, GrabAGun has spent years building a platform for regulated online firearms purchases, and soon, consumers will be able to buy GrabAGun stock as well. This week, we speak with Marc Nemati, CEO of GrabAGun and Omeed Malik, CEO and Chairman of Colombier Acquisition Corp. II (NYSE:CLBR). The two announced a $197 million dollar combination in January of...

2025-06-2527 min

SPACInsider Replay: From Boom to Reset - Revisiting Harry Sloan’s 2022 SPAC OutlookOn this week’s SPACInsider REPLAY, we revisit a 2022 conversation with Harry Sloan of the Eagle SPACs. At the time, Harry had already completed seven SPACs and was closing in on his eighth. As markets cooled and the SPAC boom waned, Harry offered a prescient take on where the market was headed—and what a “post-boom” SPAC cycle might look like. Two years later, his words still resonate. Tune in for a thoughtful look back at a key inflection point in SPAC history.

2025-05-2337 min

SPACInsider Freightos CEO Zvi Schreiber on Digitizing Global Trade in a Volatile 2025Tariffs, Trade Routes, and Tech: Freightos’ View from the Cargo Frontlines 2025 is shaping up to be a wild year for global trade, and few companies have a vantage point on the impacts of every-changing tariff policy quite like digital cargo-booking platform Freightos (NASDAQ:CRGO). This week, we catch up with Freightos CEO Zvi Schreiber. He shares how the shifting trade flows are showing up in Freightos’ numbers, and how companies are adjusting to meet the new challenges. Zvi also discusses why the shipping industry has long resisted digitization and how Freightos has made headw...

2025-05-0728 min

SPACInsider Rick Hendrix and Adam Fishman from the Live Oak TeamThis week, we sit down with Rick Hendrix and Adam Fishman from the Live Oak SPAC team. Rick Hendrix is the Founder of Live Oak Merchant Partners, and Chairman and CEO of Live Oak Acquisition Corp. V (NASDAQ:LOKV). In addition, he is an operating executive at Crestview Partners, a New York-based middle market focused private equity firm. Adam Fishman is a Managing Partner at Live Oak Merchant and President and CFO of Live Oak V. Adam joined Live Oak right before Live Oak II was launched and has been an executive on each of the...

2025-04-3037 min

SPACInsider Replay: Revisiting Planet Labs (NYSE:PL) with Co-Founder and CEO, Will MarshallThis week, we return to another episode from 2021, when we spoke with Will Marshall, Co-founder and CEO of Planet Labs(NYSE:PL). Planet provides data services drawn from its fleet of about 200 satellites that generate a complete image of the earth's surface every day. It just celebrated its first quarter of EBITDA profitability, but at the time, it was still working to close its combination with dMY Technology Group IV. Niccolo de Masi, who at the time steered dMY IV, also joined to explain the investment case for Planet and the private space industry more broadly.

2025-04-1739 min

SPACInsider Replay: Revisiting Aurora (NASDAQ:AUR) and CEO Chris UrmsonIn this SPACInsider Podcast Replay, we go back to 2021, when we spoke with Chris Urmson, CEO and Chairman of autonomous truck technology firm Aurora (NASDAQ:AUR). At the time, Aurora was working to close its $10 billion business combination with Reinvent Technology Y. Chris laid out how the company planned to approach the commercialization of its self-driving heavy truck business model and what challenges still laid ahead for it and other developers of autonomous technology. Now, Aurora is preparing to debut its driverless trucks along the Dallas-to-Houston freight route later this month, with plans to extend...

2025-04-0342 min

SPACInsider Inside the Private Markets with Nick Fusco, Founder & CEO of PM InsightsThis week, in a special edition of the SPACInsider Podcast, we focus on the private markets with PM Insights Founder and CEO Nick Fusco. Nick weighs in with his thoughts on the major trends shaping private market valuations today and how the market has evolved since the pandemic years. Plus, how difficult is it to gain reliable data on private funding rounds and what lessons can be learned for SPACs making their own valuation decisions while on the hunt for a deal? PM Insights is a secondary market pricing and analytics provider focusing...

2025-02-2542 min

SPACInsider D-Wave's CEO, Alan Baratz, Discusses Quantum ComputingQuantum computing has been one of the hottest investment topics in the past two months and three of the leading listed companies in the space are de-SPACs. But, how close is quantum computing to generating real value and what capabilities are still years away? This week, we speak with Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave (NYSE:QBTS), which went public in a business combination with DPCM Capital in 2022. Alan explains how D-Wave’s quantum computers are already doing commercial work and generating revenue by solving complex business optimization problems for clients. He also gives a primer on wha...

2025-02-1426 min

SPACInsider 2025 SPAC Market Update with Dimitre Genov, Ed Kovary, and Nick SkiboIn this special follow-up edition of the SPACInsider Podcast, we check back in with Dimitre Genov, Ed Kovary, and Nick Skibo, who last joined us at the end of Q3 2024, to assess the state of the SPAC market in 2025 and the key dynamics shaping the landscape. Our panel brings together perspectives from across the SPAC ecosystem—banking, investing, and advisory—to provide a well-rounded view of the latest market shifts. Joining us are: Ed Kovary, Head of SPAC Capital Markets at BTIG Nick Skibo, Managing Partner at Gritstone Asset Management Dimitre Genov, Managing Director at B...

2025-02-1241 min

SPACInsider Ed Nabrotzky, CEO of Industrial Technology Firm Dot AiAI assistance is finding its way into an increasing number of corners of the market, and the industrial supply chain is an area that could use help the most. This week, we speak with Ed Nabrotzky, CEO of industrial technology firm Dot Ai. Dot Ai announced a $130 million combination with ShoulderUp Technology Acquisition Corp. (OTC:SUAC) in March 2024. Ed explains how Dot Ai has given clients enhanced vision for their warehouse management through the use of both devices and AI software tools that keep products moving on time even when the human workers miss something. ...

2025-01-3030 min

SPACInsider Medera CEO Ronald Li & Keen Vision CEO and Chairman Kenneth WongInnovation in gene therapies is hard, but also potentially ground-breaking and biotechnology firm Medera is taking its decades-long journey in the space to the public markets just as hits its next steps in the clinical process. This week, we speak with Ronald Li, CEO of Medera, and Kenneth Wong, CEO and Chairman of Keen Vision Acquisition Corp. The two announced a $622 million dollar combination in September. Ron explains how Medera has leveraged years of innovations including the capacity to grow miniature human hearts for testing as it advances gene therapies for heart failure that do n...

2024-12-1128 min

SPACInsider Betsy Cohen and Max Smeal Discuss the SPAC MarketThis week, we speak with Betsy Cohen and Maxwell Smeal from the Cohen Circle Acquisition Corp. I team to get their views on the current SPAC landscape. Betsy Cohen is already a well-known figure in SPAC circles for having previously led the Fintech Acquisition and FTAC SPACs. Betsy and Max discuss the past, present and future of the SPAC product and how they have managed to craft such a successful string of deals, especially in difficult markets. Plus, Betsy gives us her view on some of the challenges surrounding SPACs over the past few years...

2024-11-0436 min

SPACInsider Will Gray, from New Era Helium, and John Lipman, from Roth CH V (ROCL)Most people don’t spend much time thinking about helium, but the resource is critical for some key industries and much of the supply lies with the US’ geopolitical adversaries. There are also no helium mining companies listed on a major worldwide exchange, but that could soon be changing. This week, we speak with Will Gray, co-Founder and CEO of New Era Helium and John Lipman, co-CEO and co-Chairman of Roth CH Acquisition V Co. (NASDAQ:ROCL). The two announced a business combination in January that would see New Era become a unique stock representing a resource that i...

2024-10-2932 min

SPACInsider SPACs and Taxes - What to Consider After the Election and Before the End of the YearThis week, the SPACInsider Podcast delves into some of the tax and accounting issues that SPAC teams and investors should be considering as we approach the Presidential election and the end of 2024. Mark Deters and Ryan Bixenman, partners at WithumSmith+Brown, join us to help break it all down. For example, what does it mean for SPACs searching overseas if Trump enacts a wide range of tariffs? What about the excise tax on SPAC redemptions if Kamala Harris wins and raises it to 4%? Will this result in increased SPAC liquidations before the end of 2024?

2024-10-1632 min

SPACInsider SPAC Market Update with Dimitre Genov, Ed Kovary, and Nick SkiboThis week, SPACInsider founder Kristi Marvin speaks with a panel spanning the banking, investing and advisory sides of SPAC transactions. She is joined by Ed Kovary, Head of SPAC Capital Markets at BTIG, Nick Skibo, Managing Partner at Gritstone Asset Management, and Dimitre Genov, a Managing Director at Brookline Capital Markets advising SPAC sponsors on IPOs and de-SPAC transactions. Kristi checks in on how recent trends like the resurgence of anchor investors is perceived by the various participants in a SPAC transaction through to close, and what the SPAC landscape looks like now with the...

2024-09-2459 min

SPACInsider Baird Medical Senior Advisor & CMO David Kaysen and Excelfin's COO Brian SunSPAC targets in the healthcare space typically are a few years away from full commercialization, but shareholders in Exelfin Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ:XFIN) will get to vote this week on a combination with a medical device company that is already churning out positive EBITDA. This week, we speak with Brian Sun, Chief Operating Officer of Excelfin and David Kaysen, Senior Advisor and Chief Marketing Officer for Baird Medical. The two announced a $279 million dollar combination in June 2023. Brian explains why Excelfin diverted its initial focus from fintech to medical devices. David lays out how B...

2024-09-2327 min

SPACInsider XCF Global's CEO Mihir Dange and Focus Impact BH3's Co-CEO Wray ThornThe world has a long way to go to meet climate goals, especially airlines. There is currently no alternative to jet fuel-powered passenger planes on the horizon, which puts the focus on sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF. This week, we speak with Mihir Dange, CEO of XCF Global and Wray Thorn, co-CEO of Focus Impact BH3 Acquisition Company (NASDAQ:BHAC). The two signed a $1.8 billion combination in March and aim to create one of the only pureplay SAF producers on the public markets. XCF is in the process of converting existing diesel facilities to produce...

2024-06-0533 min

SPACInsider Vertiv's David Cote and GS I's Tom Knott Discuss the Success of their SPAC CombinationThis week, in a special edition of the SPACInsider Podcast, we speak with David Cote, Executive Chairman of Vertiv, and Tom Knott, who was previously Head of Permanent Capital at Goldman Sachs, who joined forces in 2019 on GS Acquisition Holdings Corp. GS I combined with Vertiv (NYSE:VRT) in what has become the most successful SPAC deal of all time. We discuss what were the critical ingredients to the transaction's success and what is needed to achieve solid returns in SPAC deals under the current conditions. However, it wasn’t all roses from th...

2024-05-2938 min

SPACInsider One Energy's Founder and CEO, Jereme KentProviding dedicated power to industrial facilities is a task that has drawn in a variety of different energy technologies and, increasingly, a variety of SPAC transactions. This week I speak with Jereme Kent, founder and CEO of One Energy. One Energy provides dedicated clean power generation to industrial clients allowing them to lock in cheaper energy, sell power back to the grid or turn their operations into net zero facilities. Jereme explains One Energy’s 20-year vision for how this work will stack and why the time was right for it to ink a $384 million combi...

2024-05-2227 min

SPACInsider DevvStream Co-Founder/CEO Sunny Trinh & Carl Stanton, CEO of Focus Impact (FIAC)SPACs have brought a number of sustainability companies to market, but the economics of carbon credits have always been on the edge of those specific opportunities. Focus Impact Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ:FIAC) aims to change that with its $213 million combination with DevvStream, a Canadian company focused on generating carbon credits with proprietary technology-based approaches. This week, we speak with Sunny Trinh, co-founder and CEO of DevvStream and Carl Stanton, CEO of Focus Impact. Sunny explains how DevvStream has worked to build confidence in carbon assets by consulting its wide pipeline of clients on ge...

2024-04-1236 min

SPACInsider Sky Harbour CFO Francisco GonzalezSPAC deals have provided a variety of ways to try and ride the growth in the private aviation space. One of the most successful so far has been to approach it not through the aircraft or sales of flights, but as an infrastructure play. This week, we speak with Francisco Gonzalez, CFO of private hangar operator Sky Harbour (NYSE:SKYH). Francisco explains why he believes Sky Harbour has traded consistently up from its valuation in its $777 million combination with Yellowstone two years ago. Why are hangars such a high-demand and profitable part of the...

2024-04-0828 min

SPACInsider Stardust Power CEO Roshan Pujari and Global Partner II (GPAC) CEO & Chairman Chandra PatelSpot lithium prices may be down, but Stardust Power believes that makes now an even more important time to build new US-based lithium refineries. This week, we speak with Roshan Pujari, Co-founder and CEO of Stardust Power and Chandra Patel, CEO and Chairman of Global Partner Acquisition Corp. II (NASDAQ:GPAC). The two announced a $490 million business combination in November of 2023. Roshan explains how its plans to build its lithium refinery in Oklahoma are progressing and why he believes the company’s methods should command a premium for its resources. Chandra meanwh...

2024-03-2121 min

SPACInsider Abpro Chairman & CEO Ian Chan and Shahraab Ahmad, Chairman & CEO of Atlantic Coastal IIDeveloping new medical treatments takes time and money, which is generally where investors come in. But, Abpro has managed to resolve many of those questions before SPAC investors will join the show. This week, we speak with Abpro Chairman and CEO Ian Chan and Shahraab Ahmad, Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Coastal Acquisition Corp II (Nasdaq: ACAB). The two announced a $500 million combination in January. Shahraab explains how Abpro came onto Atlantic Coastal II’s radar after the SPAC had originally been fishing in the mobility space, and why the particularities of its capital needs could be a...

2024-03-1324 min

SPACInsider Solidion and Nubia Brand International CEO Jaymes WintersNot all SPAC officers get involved in order to ride the process all the way to a seat as CEO of the combined company, but Jaymes Winters walks us through his journey of how he started Nubia Brand International Corp as a newcomer to the asset class and why he is now leading its target company, Solidion (Nasdaq: STI). This week we’ll speak with Jaymes about the changing set of options SPACs have at their disposal to raise funding and find a deal the market can appreciate in the current climate. And, how Solidion has...

2024-03-0832 min

SPACInsider Abacus Life Chairman and CEO Jay JacksonShould de-SPAC’d companies consider buying back their shares rather than making offers for their warrants? Abacus Life (NASDAQ:ABL) believes the answer is yes. This week, we catch up with with Abacus Life Chairman and CEO Jay Jackson. He tells us why he thinks his company’s stock has managed to perform well in the six months since closing its SPAC combination and why he has taken the unorthodox decision to buy back shares rather than deal immediately with Abacus Life’s warrant overhang. We also discuss the future of the company’s business of acquir...

2024-02-0234 min

SPACInsider Breaking Down the New SEC SPAC Rules with Legal ExpertsIn this special edition of the SPACInsider podcast on the SEC’s new SPAC rules, Kristi Marvin, from SPACInsider, spoke with a panel of SPAC legal experts to help unpack the hefty 581 pages included in the release. This originally aired as a live webinar, which may be viewed on SPACInsider's website HERE. Joining Kristi is Derek Dostal, a partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, Doug Ellenoff, partner at Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, and Christian Nagler, partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. The panel discusses which new measures are likely and unlikely to provoke changes in a...

2024-01-2657 min

SPACInsider Michael Zacharski, CEO of BEN and Chris Gaertner, Co-CEO & CFO of DHC Acquisition Corp.AI was one of the big themes for SPACs in 2023. Now in 2024, investor appetite and the market opportunity around AI is just as strong. This week, we speak with Michael Zacharski, CEO of BEN and Chris Gaertner, Co-CEO and CFO of DHC Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: DHCA). The two announced a $358 million combination in September. Michael explains how BEN has built an AI customer engagement tool focused on the auto sales and health care spaces and why those sectors were particularly ripe for disruption. Chris describes DHC’s process in pulling together a PIPE with...

2024-01-2227 min

SPACInsider Zapata AI's CEO & Co-Founder Christopher SavoieBuzz around generative AI has been off to the races lately and that is exactly where Zapata AI has put many of its tools to work. This week, we speak with Christopher Savoie, CEO and Co-founder of Zapata AI and Bill Sandbrook, Co-CEO and Chairman of Andretti Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: WNNR). The two announced a $283 million deal in September. Bill explains how the Andretti team’s experience with Zapata AI on the competitive racetrack grew into the decision to take them public, while Christopher walks us through how Zapata’s number-based generative AI can create desi...

2024-01-1729 min

SPACInsider Omeed Malik, Chairman & CEO of the Colombier SPACsThis week, in a special edition of the SPACInsider Podcast, SPACInsider founder Kristi Marvin speaks with Omeed Malik, Chairman and CEO of the Colombier SPACs. She asks Omeed what brought him into the SPAC market and how his first SPAC, Colombier I, navigated the rapidly changing market as it closed in on its combination with PublicSquare (NYSE:PSQH). He discusses the opportunity and risks at play in targeting companies in the "patriot economy" in a politically-charged environment. And, as a part of the new crop of serial SPAC sponsors that recently priced a second IPO w...

2023-12-1844 min

SPACInsider iLearningEngine’s CEO Harish Chidambaran & Matt Safaii, Chairman/CEO of Arrowroot Acq. Corp.This week, we speak with iLearningEngine’s CEO Harish Chidambaran and Matt Safaii, Chairman and CEO of Arrowroot Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: ARRW). The two announced a $1.4 billion deal in April. AI may be the major buzzword of 2023, but iLearningEngines has been working on AI tools since 2010. Now, it hopes to use a SPAC transaction as its next step. Harish explains how the company has developed a profitable AI platform with very little outside funding through the years, and how SPAC cash and public share capital can accelerate its growth through an M&A campaign.

2023-12-0628 min

SPACInsider Royalty Management Holdings CFO Kirk TaylorThis week, we get into both sides of a SPAC transaction in the form of Kirk Taylor. He helped steer American Acquisition Opportunity and now serves as CFO of Royalty Management Holdings (Nasdaq: RMCO), with which the SPAC merged in early November. Royalty Management has crafted a portfolio of royalty streams from mining operations as well as some industries like water treatment where such financings are novel. Kirk discusses how the engagement with investors has gone as the teams advanced their transaction through the de-SPAC process and what new opportunities Royalty Management is seeking now...

2023-12-0424 min

SPACInsider LatAm Logistics Properties CEO Esteban Saldarriaga, and two SPAC Chairman, Tom HennessyThis week, we speak with Esteban Saldarriaga, CEO of LatAm Logistics Properties and Tom Hennessy, Chairman and CEO of the SPAC, two (NYSE: TWOA). The pair announced a $578 million combination in August. Esteban explains why the timing is particularly attractive to do a SPAC deal to accelerate his company’s portfolio expansion in the current market climate and what opportunities and challenges lie in the industrial real estate space in the Latin American region. Tom also explains how the deal came together for his team, which used a unique approach of taking over an existing SPA...

2023-10-3026 min

SPACInsider X-Energy’s CEO, J. Clay Sell, Discusses Smaller-Reactor Nuclear PowerThis week, we speak with J. Clay Sell, CEO of X-energy, which announced a $1.18 billion combination with Ares Acquisition Corporation in December 2022. Wind and solar have each seen big booms in adoption in the 21st century due to a mix of technology and incentives aligning at the same time. Could it once again be nuclear power’s turn? Clay tells us how innovative smaller-reactor designs can carve out a new place in the energy mix for utilities and industrial clients alike. And, how X-energy’s focus on proprietary nuclear fuel has brought a new business model...

2023-10-2018 min

SPACInsider Tim Moran of Avertix, and Ross Haghighat of BioPlus Acquisition Corp.Biotech firms tend to come on to SPACs’ radar when they still have some clinical work to complete to get to an approved medicine or device, but Avertix is ahead of that particular curve. This week, we speak with Tim Moran, President and CEO of Avertix, and Ross Haghighat, CEO and CFO of BioPlus Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: BIOS). The two announced a $195 million dollar combination in May of this year. Tim tells us how Avertix’s Guardian heart monitoring implant has performed in its initial commercial rollout, having already been approved by the FDA and for...

2023-09-1540 min

SPACInsider Brian Gordon of Verde Bioresins and Jin-Goon Kim of TLGY Acquisition Corp.Sustainable materials are starting to take a bite out of the share of single-use plastics in circulation, but replacing the full $600 billion plastics market is going to take more innovation and much more capital. This week, we speak Brian Gordon, President and COO of Verde Bioresins and Jin-Goon Kim, Chairman and CEO of TLGY Acquisition Corporation (Nasdaq: TLGY). The two announced a $433 million combination in June. Brian explains why he believes Verde is closer to scaling up a viable plastic replacement than many of its competitors, while Jin-Goon explains how TLGY designed this transaction to b...

2023-09-1329 min

SPACInsider Vast CEO Craig Wood & Nabors Energy Transition (NETC) VP Guillermo SierraRenewable energy sources have long been pressed on the fact that most can only supply power for certain portions of the day. But, what if you could combine multiple renewable technologies into a refinery that had round-the-clock output? This week we speak with Craig Wood, CEO of Vast, and Guillermo Sierra, VP of Strategic Initiatives at Nabors Energy Transition Corp. (NYSE: NETC). The pair announced a $250 million business combination in February. Craig explains how Vast is fine-tuning its concentrated solar power platform to work in conjunction with traditional solar, batteries and hydrogen to put forward a...

2023-08-0934 min

SPACInsider Rohan Malhotra, CEO and Co-Founder of RoadzenAs companies find new ways of automating business processes with AI, a new AI-driven approach to auto insurance is heading West from India with the help of a SPAC deal. This week, we speak Rohan Malhotra, CEO and co-founder of Roadzen and Steven Carlson from the sponsor of Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. (Nasdaq: VHNA) The two announced a $965 million combination in February. Rohan discusses how Roadzen’s disruptive technology cultivated in India is already making major improvements to its margins as it enters more lucrative Western markets. And, how this combination can fuel both...

2023-08-0233 min

SPACInsider Brandon Mintz, CEO of Bitcoin DepotThis week, we get an update from Brandon Mintz, CEO of Bitcoin Depot, which recently closed its SPAC combination with GSR II Meteora Acquisition Corp. in June. Brandon shares what advice he has for other companies considering a SPAC merger in the current market and discusses how Bitcoin Depot is hitting the ground running with its acquisition pipeline now that it has public capital at its disposal. Plus, we hear how Bitcoin Depot's position as the sole public company in the Bitcoin ATM space will give it strategic advantages moving forward. Give it a...

2023-07-2721 min

SPACInsider AtlasClear’s Craig Ridenhour and Quantum Fintech’s (QFTA) John SchaibleSPAC structures can provide unique opportunities to bring together many pieces to a new puzzle, which is very much the case with this week’s deal. This week, we speak with John Schaible, Chairman and CEO of Quantum Fintech Acquisition Corporation (NYSE: QFTA), and Craig Ridenhour, Chief Business Development Officer at AtlasClear. John and Craig explain how they have crafted a three-way merger to give AtlasClear a unique set of competencies combining trading, clearing, settling and banking with financial products that are generally unavailable to its middle market clients. They discuss why this ma...

2023-07-2024 min

SPACInsider Hervé Tessler, CEO of Noventiq, and Jerry Letter, CFO and COO of Corner Growth Acquisition Corp.The London Stock Exchange has seen several of its companies decamp for Wall Street and SPACs have become a new avenue for those companies to skip across the pond. This week, we speak with Hervé Tessler, CEO of Noventiq (LSE:NVNQ) and Jerry Letter, CFO and COO of Corner Growth Acquisition Corp. They explain why they think Noventiq will be better valued on the Nasdaq following the close of their $800 million combination announced in May, and how Noventiq’s own operations as a digital transformation facilitator are ramping up in the developing world.

2023-07-1422 min

SPACInsider Carbon Revolution CEO Jake DingleCar enthusiasts have been bolting carbon fiber wheels onto high performance vehicles for years. But, the hitherto luxury add-on brings real benefits to vehicle weight and energy economy, both of which have a new importance in the age of EVs. This week, we speak with Carbon Revolution CEO Jake Dingle. Carbon Revolution is working to scale up its carbon fiber wheel production to provide the wheels as a mass-produced staple in the industry. It announced a $270 million combination with Twin Ridge Capital Acquisition Corp. (NYSE:TRCA) in November to accelerate these plans. He de...

2023-06-2834 min

SPACInsider Critical Metals Chairman Tony SageWith lithium supply for EVs and other batteries tight and much of it coming with geopolitical baggage, one new SPAC deal is looking to put forward a lithium stock with less baggage. Australia and Frankfurt-listed miner European Lithium (ASX:EUR) announced an $838 million deal in October to spin off its Wolfsberg lithium mine in Austria in a combination with Sizzle Acquisition Corp. The new Nasdaq-listed entity called Critical Metals would represent a pure Europe-based lithium mining play that already has offtake and processing agreements in hand. This week, we speak with Critical Metals Chairman Tony S...

2023-06-2320 min

SPACInsider ZeroNox President and Co-Founder Robert CruessSPAC transactions have taken a variety of Electric Vehicle (EV) business models to the public markets. ZeroNox brings another new approach to the EV story with its focus on retrofitting fleets of off-highway vehicles for sustainability. This week, we speak with ZeroNox President and Co-Founder Robert Cruess and Yana Kakar, CEO of the Growth for Good Acquisition Corporation (Nasdaq: GFGD). The pair announced a $306 million dollar combination in March. Yana explains why the off-highway segment of the EV market was attractive for the Growth for Good team. And Robert notes how...

2023-05-2429 min

SPACInsider OpSec Security CEO Selva SelvaratnamThere are new things happening in brand security from the physical marks that track products through their supply chains to digital tools to prevent online piracy. This week we speak with with Selva Selvaratnam, CEO of OpSec Security. It provides a variety of these services and it announced a $426 million combination with Investcorp Europe Acquisition Corp. I (NASDAQ:IVCB) in April. Selva tells us how OpSec approaches cross-selling among its clients and how M&A plays into its efforts to expand EBITDA margins. And, how its SPAC deal could accelerate that path.

2023-05-1123 min

SPACInsider SilverBox Capital’s Stephen Kadenacy and Joe ReeceThis week, we speak with Joe Reece and Stephen Kadenacy, from the SilverBox team. Joe and Stephen led the Boxwood Merger Corp. and SilverBox Engaged Merger Corp. I transactions, as well as recently priced the SilverBox Corp. III IPO. We dig into their perspective, having priced SPACs in three very different market environments. Joe and Steve explain why and how they maintained their value priorities while IPOing their third SPAC in the difficult market of early 2023. The pair also discuss the relative of advantages of having committed capital from forward purchase agreements at IPO versus t...

2023-04-2742 min

SPACInsider Sudhir Panikassery, Founder & CEO of Aeries Technology, and Daniel Webb, CEO/CFO of Worldwide WebbSPACs have been searching hard for combination targets with lean balance sheets and strong cash flow. So, why not combine with a company that helps other companies develop lean balance sheets and strong cash flow? Aeries Technology does just that, working frequently in conjunction with private equity firms to find efficiencies in their target companies amid a turnaround. This week, we speak with Sudhir Panikassery, founder and CEO of Aeries. It announced a $391 million combination with Worldwide Webb Acquisition Corp in March. Sudhir explains why sourcing clients through private equity firm partners has h...

2023-04-0527 min

SPACInsider Bonus Episode: What’s Driving SPACs Offshore?Between the various recent cases in the Delaware courts, such as Boxed, which involved the different SPAC voting classes, or the Multiplan case, or Arrival, all of which are in addition to the 1% excise tax on share buybacks, there has been a noticeable trend of SPACs moving to off-shore domiciles. We spoke with Derek Dostal, from the law firm of Davis Polk, and Christian Nagler, from Kirkland & Ellis, to help explain these trends in greater detail and if the pending SEC proposal could affect some of these considerations going forward. Give it a listen.

2023-03-2334 min

SPACInsider Greg Moran, Co-Founder and CEO of ZoomcarFighting for digital services market share in developed markets can be uphill sledding, but what if what you are offering has no legacy competitor to replace? This week, we speak with Greg Moran, Co-Founder and CEO of Zoomcar. Zoomcar runs a ride-sharing marketplace in India, where traditional short-term rental options are rare and it announced a $456 million combination with Innovative International Acquisition Corporation (Nasdaq: IOAC) in October. Greg explains how Zoomcar has quickly built a strong position in the market without heavy marketing spend, while still maintaining a 40% take-rate on rides rented through its platform....

2023-03-2228 min

SPACInsider Tim Sheehy, Founder and CEO of Bridger AerospaceFor better or worse, fighting fires is big business. This week, we speak with Tim Sheehy, Founder and CEO of Bridger Aerospace (NASDAQ:BAER). Bridger operates a fleet of firefighting airplanes and support vehicles in the Western United States and it closed a combination with Jack Creek Investment Corporation on January 25th. Tim explains how this age-old business is built on steady government contracts, but its needs and sophistication are growing and why its SPAC merger gives Bridger some unique opportunities for consolidation in a space that has been structurally resistant to such changes.

2023-03-1531 min

SPACInsider Zapp Founder & CEO Swin Chatsuwan, and CIIG II Co-Ceo Gavin CuneoWhether you’re bullish on the North American EV car boom or not, there are exciting things happening on two wheels in Europe and Asia. This week, we speak with Swin Chatsuwan, Founder and CEO of Zapp. Zapp has developed a line of electric motorcycles manufactured in Thailand that have some unique features, like being able to plug in anywhere. To help fuel Zapp’s drive into European and Asian markets, it announced a $573 million dollar combination with CIIG Capital Partners II (Nasdaq:CIIG) in November. CIIG II Co-CEO Gavin Cuneo also joins to d...

2023-03-1329 min

SPACInsider Complete Solaria CEO Will Anderson and Freedom I CEO Adam GishenVisions of a self-sufficient energy future with solar panels on every household roof have been around for decades. But, it may take companies able to bring the full package of design, construction and financing to get more homeowners on board. This week, we speak with Complete Solaria CEO Will Anderson. Complete Solaria is the merger of two peer residential solar companies, Complete Solar and Solaria, that together announced a business combination with Freedom Acquisition I Corp. (NASDAQ:FACT) in October. Will describes how the combined company will be poised to more efficiently cover e...

2023-02-2332 min

SPACInsider Newsight Imaging Co-Founder, CEO & Chairman, Eli AssoolinThe chip shortage has been a serious headwind to many tech companies, but what has it been like for the chip makers themselves? This week we speak with Eli Assoolin, Co-founder CEO and Chairman of Newsight Imaging. Newsight announced a $380 million dollar combination with Vision Sensing Acquisition Corp. in August of last year. It provides the critical semiconductor components for lidar sets as well as industrial quality control and medical imaging equipment. Eli discusses how the company’s diverse use cases and position as a chip supplier make it a unique pla...

2023-02-2223 min

SPACInsider Wejo’s CEO Richard Barlow and TKB Critical Technologies 1 Co-CEO & CFO Angela BlatteisWhy stop at one SPAC deal when you can do two SPAC deals. This week we speak with Wejo (NASDAQ:WEJO) CEO Richard Barlow. Wejo announced a business combination with TKB Critical Technologies 1 (NASDAQ:USCT) in January, about 15 months after it closed an earlier combination with Virtuoso Acquisition Corp. Richard walks us through how Wejo weathered challenging market conditions 2022 and provides an update on its new business plan. TKB 1 Co-CEO and CFO Angela Blatteis also joins and gives the behind-the-scenes look at how her team reached into the 2010 playbook to make this deal’s...

2023-02-1026 min

SPACInsider Tempo Automation President & CEO Joy Weiss and Chairman Behrooz AbdiElectronics manufacturing is a huge sector, but it's also fragmented, particularly at the early stages of a new product's lifecycle. With its SPAC deal, Tempo Automation (NASDAQ:TMPO) is hoping to change that. This week, we speak with Tempo Automation President and CEO Joy Weiss and Chairman Behrooz Abdi. Tempo combined with ACE Convergence Acquisition Corporation in November 2022, and Joy explains the advantages of the SPAC route for Tempo’s consolidation strategy. Behrooz, who led ACE Convergence's team before the merger, walks us through the technology landscape from a SPAC’s pers...

2023-02-0134 min

SPACInsider LanzaTech CEO Dr. Jennifer HolmgrenCarbon capture technology has long been talked about, and it is finally in operation with LanzaTech among the pioneers. Its plants are turning potential emissions into clothing, household goods and sustainable fuels. SPAC cash is now also an accelerant in this new process as the company announced a $1.7 billion combination with AMCI II last March. This week, we caught up with LanzaTech CEO Dr. Jennifer Holmgren. She explained how LanzaTech has worked to strengthen its SPAC transaction since announcement and why it was a strategic decision from the start. She also discusses how Lan...

2023-01-2716 min

SPACInsider Brandon Mintz, CEO of Bitcoin Depot & Gus Garcia, from GSR II MeteoraIt has been a bumpy year for crypto, but what if there was a way to invest in the space while dodging the volatility? Bitcoin Depot hopes to be that stock and announced a $755 million dollar combination with GSR II Meteora Acquisition Corp. in August. This week, we speak with Brandon Mintz, CEO of Bitcoin Depot. Brandon tells us how Bitcoin Depot has managed to build a crypto business without holding any crypto by serving customers through thousands of Bitcoin-trading cash ATM. Its recent financial performance has seen it continue to grow through the...

2023-01-2632 min

SPACInsider Plastiq Founder & CEO Eliot BuchananSmall and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are hard to market to and are routinely under-banked, so how can financial services firms reach them? This week, we speak with Plastiq Founder and CEO Eliot Buchanan. Plastiq specializes in providing payments services to SMBs and it signed a $480 million combination with Colonnade Acquisition Corp II (NYSE: CLAA) in August. Eliot tells us how Plastiq has made inroads in this slice of the market and managed to dodge the impacts of the pandemic on its customer base. We also discuss how some of the macro he...

2023-01-0626 min

SPACInsider Abacus Life President and CEO Jay JacksonWhat is your life insurance policy worth while you’re still living? This week, we speak with Abacus Life President and CEO Jay Jackson who may just want to buy yours. Abacus Life has made a business of buying consumer life insurance policies for upfront payments and holding them until maturity. To help bring this particular kind of transaction more into the mainstream, Abacus Life announced a $618 million combination with East Resources Acquisition Company on August 30. He explains how these policies can be bundled together to create uncorrelated assets that are attractive to inst...

2022-12-0735 min

SPACInsider De-SPACs and Projections - A Discussion with Jim Zukin and Christian NaglerSPACs and the use of projections have gotten a fair amount of attention this year from both the media and the SEC. And, the pending SEC SPAC Rule could have an additional effect on how bankers and SPAC teams handle projections in the future. However, Jim Zukin, of Zukin Certification Services ("ZCS"), and Christian Nagler, a partner at Kirkland & Ellis, join us to break it all down and give us some context as to how projections have been used in the past, as well as how they're currently being addressed given the current regulatory landscape. ...

2022-11-2336 min

SPACInsider Getaround Founder & CEO Sam Zaid and Interprivate II Chairman & CEO Ahmed FattouhIs it possible to do to the car rental industry what Airbnb has done for travel accommodation? That is Getaround’s thesis as it runs a marketplace where people can rent out their personal cars for short trips, and it announced a $900 million combination agreement with Interprivate II Acquisition Corp. in May. This week, we speak with Getaround founder and CEO Sam Zaid about how the pandemic accelerated shifts in the way we drive and how car sharing fits into future. Interprivate II Chairman and CEO Ahmed Fattouh also joins to discuss why Getaround fits the...

2022-11-0235 min

SPACInsider FiscalNote Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder Tim HwangThe market is down, but so are valuations for private companies looking at their strategic options. There are now bargains to be had for recent de-SPACs looking to execute a post-listing roll-up strategy, according to FiscalNote Chairman, CEO and co-founder Tim Hwang. This week, we catch up with Tim to talk about how his company has kept busy in the two months since closing its combination with Duddell Street. Tim reflects on how FiscalNote was able to prioritize key conditions in getting the right SPAC deal and how it is already taking advantage of being a...

2022-10-2727 min

SPACInsider Selina CEO/Co-Founder Rafael Museri and BOA President /CFO Ben FriedmanPeople are traveling again, but not many hotel chains focused on Millennial and Gen Z customers have achieved a global scale. Selina is hoping to be that company. It signed a $996 million combination agreement with BOA Acquisition Corp. in December 2021 and it is now approaching its close. This week we speak with Selina CEO and Co-Founder Rafael Museri and BOA President and CFO Ben Friedman. They talk about why Selina has such a unique pitch to both customers and investors in this moment where the market is jumping from the pandemic to a...

2022-10-2029 min

SPACInsider Gorilla Technology’s Jay Chandan & Raj Natarajan Discuss AI solutions in the Edge Computing SpaceThis week we speak with Jay Chandan, Chairman and CEO of Gorilla Technology, and Raj Natarajan, its Chief Innovation Officer. Gorilla closed a $720 million combination with Global SPAC Partners in July and has since been a bright spot among recent de-SPACs, consistently trading in the $11 to $12 range. Jay and Raj explain how the 20-year-old video intelligence company is meeting the growing demand for new AI solutions in the edge computing space, and how its mix of public readiness and a willingness to make changes to the initial deal to meet the changing market have helped G...

2022-10-1235 min

SPACInsider Gastón Paladini, Co-founder and CEO of Moolec ScienceWe all know you can make alternative meats out of plants, but what about growing meat from plants? This week, we speak with Gastón Paladini, Co-founder and CEO of Moolec Science, which announced a $504 million dollar combination with LightJump Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: LJAQ) in June. Moolec is pioneering a new way to achieve plant-based foods by taking dairy and meat proteins and programming the soy and pea-plant seeds to grow it themselves. Paladini discusses how his background in the conventional foods industry gives Moolec the upper hand in proving its technology, and how its jo...

2022-10-0629 min

SPACInsider Len Liptak, CEO of ProSomnus, and Bill Chen, CEO & Chairman of Lakeshore Acquisition I Corp.This week, we speak with Len Liptak, CEO of ProSomnus Sleep Technologies, which announced a $168 million combination with Lakeshore Acquisition I Corp. (Nasdaq: LAAA), in May. ProSomnus has developed a new device to treat obstructive sleep apnea that disrupts the need for its millions of sufferers to be connected to ventilators at night. Len explains how the COVID-19 pandemic increased the need for sleep apnea treatments, and how this deal will help power its continued commercialization. Lakeshore I CEO and Chairman Bill Chen joins to tell us why it was important that ProSomnus is already...

2022-09-2226 min

SPACInsider Appreciate & PropTech II (PTIC) Discuss the Single-Family Rental MarketWe spoke with real estate investment marketplace Appreciate, which announced a $416 million deal with PropTech Investment Corp II (Nasdaq: PTIC) in May. CEO Chris Laurence and President Kevin Ortner explain how they built a unique end-to-end platform for real estate investors looking to buy properties to rent out far afield from their local market, be they institutions or moms and pops. They also give us the lowdown on what the single-family rental market looks like from inside the machine and how capital can best be put to work in the current climate. PropTech...

2022-09-0825 min

SPACInsider Raj Suri, Founder & CEO of PrestoThis week, we speak with Raj Suri, Founder and CEO of Presto. Presto entered into a $634 million combination agreement with Ventoux CCM Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ:VTAQ) in November 2021. If you’ve ordered a fast-food meal using a smart touch screen or talking to a voice AI recently, there’s a good chance Presto made that order happen. The company has developed both hardware and software that serve to automate quick-service ordering and it counts some of America’s biggest fast-food chains among its clients. Raj talks about how Presto plans to expand within its clients' chains...

2022-08-3119 min

SPACInsider Stu Landesberg, Founder & CEO of Grove CollaborativeThis week, we speak with Stu Landesberg, Founder and CEO of Grove Collaborative (NYSE:GROV). Grove produces a line of sustainable and plastic-free home and personal care goods and it closed a $1.5 billion combination with Virgin Group Acquisition Corp. II in June. Stu talks about how getting to cleaner home goods isn’t just about ingredients, but rethinking everything down to whether they are a liquid or a solid. He gets into how much of this innovation comes from the feedback loop Grove has with its DTC customers. He also reflects on Grove’s decision to go f...

2022-08-2632 min

SPACInsider Nogin Co-Founder & CEO Jan-Christopher Nugent and Software Acq. Group III’s Jon HubermanThis week, we speak with Jan-Christopher Nugent, Co-Founder and CEO of Nogin and Jon Huberman, Chairman, CEO and CFO of Software Acquisition Group Inc. III. The two announced a $658 million combination agreement in February of 2022. Nogin provides commerce-as-a-service for ecommerce clients – putting their marketing, payments and shipping process all under a single umbrella. Jan talks about how the current market conditions have driven a greater demand for efficiencies among ecommerce players, while Jon describes how the Software SPAC team has shifted strategy with the changing market tides in its third combination since 2020.

2022-08-1819 min

SPACInsider Scott Ford, CEO and Co-founder of Westrock CoffeeThis week we speak with Scott Ford, CEO and Co-founder of Westrock Coffee. Westrock entered into a $1.1 billion combination agreement with Riverview Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: RVAC) in April of 2022, and has grown into the #1 wholesale provider of coffee and tea to US restaurants. Westrock is now looking to use its SPAC deal to make a big move into cold brew, made in the United States. Scott explains how the company has worked to insulate itself from supply chain and commodity disruptions and why a SPAC deal was preferable to an IPO or more trips to t...

2022-08-1724 min

SPACInsider Dr. Denis Phares, CEO of Dragonfly Energy and Jonas Grossman, CEO/President of Chardan NexTech 2This week, we speak with Dr. Denis Phares, CEO of Dragonfly Energy and Jonas Grossman, CEO and President of Chardan NexTech Acquisition 2 Corp. (Nasdaq: CNTQ). The two announced a $501 million combination agreement in May. Dragonfly has been attacking a less-talked-about corner of the energy storage market by providing lithium-ion solutions for boats, RVs and off-grid homes. Although this has been profitable work for several years running, Dragonfly’s operations in this niche have always been designed to set the stage for a much bigger technological and organizational transition into solid state systems. We talk about the are...

2022-08-1022 min

SPACInsider Anil Mathews, Founder & CEO of NearThis week, we speak with Anil Mathews, Founder and CEO of Near. Near announced a $754 million combination agreement with KludeIn I Acquisition Corp (Nasdaq: INKA), in May of this year. We discuss how Near has built a data platform capable of tracking the activity of 1.6 billion consumers and how it has grown this platform geographically from the global East to West. Anil also describes the work that goes into protecting and enriching this data to ensure regulatory compliance and drive further insights. He also talks about what it has been like to pull...

2022-08-0334 min

SPACInsider Bonus Episode: Jim Zukin discuss his new Reasonable Basis Review (”RBR”) productOn this special edition, SPACInsider’s founder Kristi Marvin and Nick Clayton speak with Jim Zukin, Chairman and Founder of Zukin Certification Services. Zukin Certification Services has recently expanded its offerings from examining the public-company readiness of potential SPAC targets to providing a reasonable basis review for companies’ financial projections. Jim describes why he thinks SEC has essentially invented a new service with its proposed SPAC rule changes and how such reviews of company projections could become a standard practice in other M&A transactions. Give it a listen

2022-07-2927 min

SPACInsider American Acquisition Opportunity, Inc. CFO, Kirk TaylorThis week, we speak with Kirk Taylor, President and CFO of American Acquisition Opportunity Inc. It announced a $97 million combination agreement with Royalty Management Corporation in June. Royalty Management has pulled together a range of unique financing deals that give it royalties on business activities ranging from water treatment utilities to coal exploration and land renewal. Kirk discusses how the available PIPE terms for SPACs have changed over the past year, and how redemptions turned from an impediment to an unexpected advantage as his SPAC sought out a right-sized target.

2022-07-2722 min

SPACInsider Freightos CEO Zvi Schreiber and Gesher I Acquisition Corp. CEO Ezra GardnerThis week, we speak with Zvi Schreiber, CEO of Freightos, and Ezra Gardner, CEO of Gesher I Acquisition Corp. The two companies entered into a $436 million business combination last month. Freightos provides a freight-shipping marketplace that works much like a flight-booking website. Zvi Schreiber talks about why the freight shipping space remains largely un-digitized and how the visibility his digital platform has achieved has spun into financial derivatives and sustainability metrics. Ezra also gets into why Gesher I made sure early in its process that it lined up enough committed capital for its...

2022-07-2022 min

SPACInsider Voltus CEO Gregg DixonThis week, we will be speaking with Voltus CEO Gregg Dixon. Voltus entered into a $822 million combination agreement with Broadscale Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: SCLE), in December of 2021. Voltus runs software that allows customers to manage their distributed energy resources in a way that both monetizes the energy they have stored and reduces the strain on the wider grid. We talk about how much of the market is already available for these kinds of services and how the rest can be tapped into over time, and how the market will change once there is more power...

2022-07-1326 min

SPACInsider Nauticus Robotics Founder & CEO Nic Radford and CleanTech Acquisition Corp’s Eli SpiroThis week, we speak with Nic Radford, Founder and CEO of Nauticus Robotics and Eli Spiro, CEO of CleanTech Acquisition Corp (Nasdaq: CLAQ). The two announced a $377 million dollar combination agreement in December of 2021. Leveraging experience developing robotics for use in space for NASA, Nic and his team are deploying a fleet of state-of-the-art underwater robots that can perform inspection and maintenance tasks on energy installations, ports and telecom infrastructure among other use cases. He talks about how Nauticus’ robot-as-a-service business model has potential to disrupt the $30 billion market the company is attacking. ...

2022-07-0633 min

SPACInsider Semantix GM Andre Frederico and Alpha Capital’s Co-Founder & CEO Rafael SteinhauserThis week, we spoke with Andre Frederico, general manager for Latin America data firm Semantix and Rafael Steinhauser, co-founder and CEO of Alpha Capital. Semantix entered into an $693 million dollar combination agreement with Alpha Capital Acquisition Company in November. Semantix is becoming a leading regional player in the Latin American cloud and data services market out of its base in Brazil. We also get into Alpha Capital’s search process and the benefits it found in focusing on the Latin American market exclusively from the start.

2022-06-2248 min

SPACInsider Wag CEO Garrett Smallwood & CHW Acquisition Corp’s Jonah RaskasThis week, we speak with Garrett Smallwood, CEO of Wag. Wag entered into an $350 million dollar combination agreement with CHW Acquisition Corporation (Nasdaq: CHWA) in February. It has created a marketplace for connecting pet owners to dog-walkers and other pet services near them that works like Uber, except for our furry friends. We talk about Wag’s strategy for stacking predictable revenue streams and how the company aims to translate the short-term challenges of the pandemic into a long-term boon. CHW Co-CEO Jonah Raskas also joins to discuss how Wag stands out among the growing coh...

2022-06-1522 min

SPACInsider Rubicon Founder & CEO Nate MorrisThis week we are speaking with Nate Morris, Founder and CEO of Rubicon, the "Uber" of trash collection. Rubicon entered into an $1.7 billion deal with Founder SPAC in December. Rubicon is bringing digitization to a sector that has long resisted change in waste management. We discuss how visibility is key in the new ESG landscape. Nate also walks through how garbage could be the next big tech play and how the digital garbage man can reap dividends as the holder of new commodities.

2022-06-0727 min

SPACInsider Blackstone Products Founder & CEO Roger DahleThis week we will be speaking with Roger Dahle, Founder and CEO of Blackstone Products, which signed a $900 million combination agreement with Ackrell SPAC Partners I in December. Blackstone has channeled the power of TikTok to popularize its line of outdoor griddles and found ways to capture efficiencies by vertically integrating its supply chain in China. We talk about the future of backyard products in a post-pandemic world, and how Blackstone initially embarked on a private equity path that became a SPAC path.

2022-05-1922 min

SPACInsider Mondee CEO Prasad Gundumogula and ITHAX CEO Orestes FintiklisThis week we speak with Prasad Gundumogula, CEO of Mondee. Mondee entered into an $842 million combination agreement with ITHAX Acquisition Corporation in December 2021. It sells excess inventory in the travel and hospitality industries to closed groups within its network, while also managing a meaningful swath of travel-related marketing space. Mondee has also used the lull of the pandemic to blaze a path into higher-margin verticals, like fintech and insurtech, through M&A. ITHAX CEO Orestes Fintiklis also joins to talk about the various value propositions at play for retail investors at this stage o...

2022-05-0630 min

SPACInsider D-Wave CEO Alan Baratz and DPCM Capital Chairman & CEO Emil MichaelThis week, we will be speaking with Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave, and DPCM Capital Chairman and CEO Emil Michael. D-Wave has developed quantum computing machines that are already powering cloud-based applications to solve business problems today. We talk about the new directions those applications could go and how this technology will scale in the near term. DPCM Capital Chairman and CEO Emil Michael also talks about how his background as an executive at Uber and Klout drew him to D-Wave, and the possibilities he sees for the partnership moving forward. D-Wave and...

2022-04-2029 min

SPACInsider Brivo CEO Steve Van Till & Crown PropTech Acquisitions CEO Rick CheraThis week, we speak with Steve Van Till, CEO of Brivo, and Crown PropTech Acquisitions CEO Ricky Chera. Brivo entered into an $808 million combination agreement with Crown PropTech Acquisitions (NYSE:CPTK) in November. It is a technology firm providing cloud-connected hardware allowing clients to remotely manage their properties. Customers also gain access to data and business intelligence insights from the aggregate activity across Brivo’s network. We discuss how the pandemic changed the proptech business in lasting ways and what new tech layers Brivo plans to add to its growing portfolio.

2022-04-1329 min

SPACInsider Bonus Episode: Mach Millet and Andrew Pendergast Discuss SPAC Litigation and D&O InsuranceThis week, we speak with two leaders in the field of D&O insurance - Mach Millet, who is Managing Director and Marsh’s SPAC Practice Leader, as well as Andrew Pendergast, SPAC Practice Leader at NFP. We discuss SPAC litigation and how the rolling waves of the SPAC market have impacted D&O insurance rates and what teams should be considering moving from this cycle to the next. Mach and Andrew also share their views on the Multiplan suit in the Delaware courts and how it may shape rates in the future.

2022-03-3047 min

SPACInsider ZeroFox CEO James C. Foster and L&F Acquisition Corp. CEO Adam GerchenThis week, we speak with James C. Foster, CEO of cybersecurity firm, ZeroFox. ZeroFox entered into a $1.3 billion dollar combination agreement with L&F Acquisition Corporation in December. We discuss how the Russia-Ukraine war has ushered in a new era for cybersecurity and what types of companies face the biggest threats in this new environment. L&F CEO Adam Gerchen also joins us to discuss the investment side of the cybersecurity sector as well as what attracted it to ZeroFox over the long term.

2022-03-2324 min

SPACInsider Waldencast Acquisition Corp. CEO Michael BroussetThis week, we speak with with Michel Brousset, CEO of Waldencast Acquisition Corp. Waldencast announced a $1.2 billion three-way combination with skincare and cosmetics brands Obagi and Milk Makeup in November. Michel has taken a different approach to SPACs, using Waldencast as a vehicle to create a platform company. Waldencast’s management will continue to operate the combined company over a longer term while tucking in additional acquisitions to its portfolio. We discuss the potential advantages to that strategy within the cosmetics space as well as how its first two targets, which ar...

2022-03-1630 min

SPACInsider FiscalNote Founder & CEO Tim HwangThis week, we speak with Tim Hwang, Founder and CEO of FiscalNote. FiscalNote entered into a $1.2 billion dollar combination agreement with Duddell Street Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: DSAC) in November 2021. FiscalNote provides data products that track a broad range of legislation and regulatory actions at the federal, state and local level. These are used by companies and government institutions themselves to try and keep a handle on the constant swings and incremental changes in regulation in the US and abroad. We discuss how FiscalNote landed on Duddell Street as its preferred partner in a t...

2022-03-0922 min

SPACInsider Bonus Episode: Mark Stone, CEO of the Gores SPAC TeamAs another special bonus episode, we spoke with Mark Stone, the CEO of the Gores Team SPACs. Mark discusses how both the SPAC market and the Gores playbook have evolved over their transactions dating back to the Team's first deal with Hostess Brands, back in 2016. We also talk about how the Gores team dealt with difficult macro conditions in 2021, and what Mark thinks the SPAC market will look like in the future.

2022-03-0234 min

SPACInsider Rezolve Founder & CEO Dan WagnerThis week, we speak with Dan Wagner, Founder and CEO of Rezolve. Rezolve entered into a $1.8 billion dollar combination agreement with Armada Acquisition Corp. I, in December of 2021. Rezolve has partnered with some of the world’s largest payments processors to provide AdTech tools in China and India with entries into the US and Latin American markets on the horizon. We discuss how mobile advertising is under-utilized, particularly by small businesses and why retailers are missing out. Wagner also talks about how Rezolve engaged with multiple SPACs but ultimately narrowed down on Armada I...

2022-02-2333 min

SPACInsider Gett CEO & Founder and Rosecliff Acquisition Corp. CEO Mike MurphyThis week we'll be speaking with Dave Waiser, CEO and Founder of Gett, which agreed to a $1 billion merger with Rosecliff Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ:RCLF) in November. Gett is pioneering a new form of ground transportation software to help companies manage their travel policies and expensing, and individual trips both locally and internationally. Gett also operates its own consumer-focused ride-hailing service. Rosecliff CEO Mike Murphy also joins us to discuss his team’s process and why he likes Gett as a bet on a return to post-pandemic travel.

2022-02-1630 min

SPACInsider Transfix CEO & President Lily Shen, and G Squared Ascend I CEO Ward DavisThis week, we speak with Lily Shen, CEO and President of Transfix. Transfix entered into a $1.1 billion dollar combination agreement with G Squared Ascend I in September. It is disrupting the freight trucking industry with software tools helping both shippers and carriers manage their operations. We talk about how the past year’s supply chain challenges have put a spotlight on the logistics technology space. G Squared Ascend I CEO Ward Davis also joins us to discuss some of the longer-term financial alignment features that his SPAC included in the deal and why Transfix stood out from the pack.

2022-02-0923 min

SPACInsider Energy Vault Co-Founder & CEO Robert Piconi Discusses Their Unique Energy Storage TechnologyThis week we speak with Robert Piconi, co-founder and CEO of Energy Vault. Energy Vault entered into a $1.1 billion combination agreement with Novus Capital II in September. It has developed a unique energy storage technology that uses simple gravity and pulleys to hold and release stored energy from renewable sources. We discuss Energy Vault’s process for rolling out its first projects this year and how it has added financial security to the transaction despite the challenging market.

2022-02-0235 min

SPACInsider Bonus Episode: Niccolo de Masi, CEO of the dMY Technology SPACs, is back to discuss the current SPAC MarketAs another special bonus episode, Niccolo de Masi, the CEO of the dMY Technology SPACs, is back to discuss the 2022 SPAC market. Niccolo previously spoke with us in November to give us his views on the challenging SPAC environment in the fourth quarter of 2021. However, the first quarter of 2022 has proven to be even more difficult so Niccolo returned to gives us his thoughts on why and where he thinks the SPAC market will be headed.

2022-01-2843 min

SPACInsider Terran Orbital CEO & Co-Founder Marc Bell, and Tailwind Two Co-CEO & CFO Matt EbyThis week, we speak with Marc Bell, CEO and co-founder of Terran Orbital. Terran Orbital entered into a $1.5 billion combination with Tailwind Two Acquisition Corp. (NYSE:TWNT) in October. Terran is building the world’s largest satellite manufacturing facility in Florida and it aims to be the first pure play space company that is vertically integrated all the way from its supply chain to the cosmos. Tailwind Two Co-CEO and CFO Matt Eby also joins us to discuss the SPAC side of the transaction and its unique mix of financing tools. We also get into how to best evaluate sp...

2022-01-2618 min

Absolute Return Podcast #177: State of the Markets 3 with SPACGuru, SPACInsider and SPACWarrantsOn today’s podcast we have a discussion between Julian and three market experts, SPACGuru (G), SPACInsider (Kristi) and SPACWarrants (Jeff), for an in-depth discussion on the state of the blank check market: - What to make of high redemption rates and low float meme stock short squeezes? - How are IPO terms evolving? - What will be the future of PSTH and the SPARC structure? - Lawsuits, the SEC and the future of SPACs - And more

2021-10-0158 min

Absolute Return Podcast #177: Leadership Chat: State of the Markets 3 with SPACGuru, SPACInsider and SPACWarrantsOn today’s podcast we have a discussion between me and three market experts, SPACGuru (G), SPACInsider (Kristi) and SPACWarrants (Jeff), for an in-depth discussion on the state of the blank check market: -What to make of high redemption rates and low float meme stock short squeezes? - How are IPO terms evolving? - What will be the future of PSTH and the SPARC structure? - Lawsuits, the SEC and the future of SPACs - And more

2021-10-0158 min