Today is an exciting day on Alt Goes Mainstream as we unveil a brand new show called "What’s Your Edge?" In the competitive world we live in today, everyone—whether a person, a company, or a fund—has something unique that sets them apart. It’s that special something that gives them a leg up, an edge that sometimes feels almost like an unfair advantage, tipping the scales towards success. In this premiere episode, we sit down with our special guest, Bob Long, to explore this very concept.
Bob Long is at the helm of StepStone Group’s StepStone Private Wealth, bringing an impressive three decades of experience in the private markets to the table. Bob has not only led investment teams for major global firms but has also served as CEO for two publicly traded companies that focus on bringing private market opportunities to high net worth investors.
Before his time at StepStone Private Wealth, Bob was the CEO of OHA Investment Corporation, a public company specializing in finance. And even before that, he co-founded Conversus Capital, which became the largest publicly traded fund of third-party private equity funds, managing a whopping $3 billion. Plus, he played a key role at Bank of America in their strategic capital division, which was valued at $7 billion. Early in his career, Bob cut his teeth as a securities lawyer and served as lead in-house counsel for parts of Bank of America’s investment banking division.
If you’re keen to hear more from Bob Long, you can listen to this episode of "What’s Your Edge?" on your favorite podcast platforms, whether it’s Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Transistor.
Bob’s influence is well-recognized in the industry. He was named one of the 50 "GameChangers" by Private Equity International, profiled in the Wall Street Journal, and has hosted CNBC’s Squawk Box Europe multiple times. In our conversation, we dive deep into the distinctive aspects of evergreen funds and what StepStone Private Wealth brings to the table with its evergreen strategies.
In a comprehensive chat, Bob shares crucial insights about his journey and the wisdom he has gathered over the years. We touch on various subjects, such as learnings from running businesses in public markets, the purpose and structure of evergreen funds, and the essentials a sponsor needs for these kinds of funds.
Here’s a sneak peek at some of the highlights from the podcast’s timeline:
- Learn about Bob’s background and leadership at StepStone starting at 01:01.
- Dive into lessons from public markets at 03:09.
- Explore the benefits of evergreen funds beginning at 04:34.
- Hear about the immediate investment advantages and a deep dive into StepStone’s unique approach to evergreen funds.
And we also delve into topics like portfolio construction, the psychology of allocators, and the future trends of private markets. So much to unpack with valuable takeaways for investors interested in evergreen structures and what they mean in today’s market landscape.
Finally, if you’re eager to share what makes you stand out, you can fill out this form to discuss your edge on Alt Goes Mainstream.
