Mark R Graham

  You nail   private equity interviews   by proving you can think like an investor, communicate with precision, and execute under pressure while fitting the firm’s operating culture. This article breaks down the exact preparation standards, thinking patterns, and execution details that private equity interviewers expect from top candidates. You’ll see how firms evaluate technical skill, judgment, and professional maturity—and how to position yourself as a low-risk, high-return hire. Tip 1: Master the Technical Core Interviewers Expect Private equity interviews test technical fluency because the role demands immediate contribution. You must explain accounting mechanics, valuation drivers, and leveraged buyout logic without hesitation. Interviewers expect clarity, not memorized formulas.  In-Depth Breakdown . 

  Wealthy investors use   alternative investments   to expand return potential, reduce reliance on public markets, and gain access to opportunities that most portfolios never touch. You can apply many of these same principles by understanding allocation discipline, risk control, and access strategy. This article explains how high-net-worth investors approach alternative investments, why they allocate heavily to them, and how you can adapt those methods without copying their balance sheets. You’ll see how real capital gets deployed, how decisions are evaluated, and where discipline matters more than size. What counts as alternative investments in wealthy portfolios? Alternative investments include assets outside publicly traded stocks, bonds, and cash. In wealthy portfolios, this usually means private equity, private credit, private real estate, hedge fund strategies, infrastructure assets, commodities, and select tangible assets.  See Full Article . 

  A   successful acquisition   follows a disciplined process — from setting a clear strategy and identifying the right targets to due diligence, negotiation, and integration. Each phase demands precision, speed, and strategic clarity. In this guide, you’ll walk through the complete acquisition process as it happens in real-world corporate finance. You’ll learn how to define acquisition objectives, evaluate opportunities, negotiate effectively, and ensure seamless post-merger integration. This is the same blueprint used by experienced dealmakers who consistently turn transactions into   long-term enterprise value . Define the Strategic Objective Every acquisition starts with purpose. Before you evaluate a single target, you need to define   why   you’re acquiring and   what   you expect to achieve.  View Details . 

  The difference between   private equity   and   venture capital   lies in the type of companies they target, the investment size, and the level of control they seek. Private equity focuses on established businesses, while venture capital invests in early-stage startups with growth potential. This article clarifies how these two major private market investment strategies differ — from structure and risk to returns and management control. You’ll gain a precise understanding of where each fits within the private markets, how they operate, and which aligns best with your goals as an investor or entrepreneur. What Is Private Equity? Private equity (PE) refers to investments made directly into established, privately held companies — or into public companies that are taken private through acquisition. These investments often aim to improve operations, restructure finances, and create measurable growth before exiting for profit.  Continued . 

Companies are staying private longer because private capital can now fund late-stage growth at IPO-scale, and because the public path often adds quarterly pressure, higher operating overhead, and valuation risk. It matters because more of a company’s biggest value creation now happens off public exchanges, shifting returns, access, and liquidity across founders, employees, and investors. This article gives you the real operating reasons behind “private for longer,” the specific mechanisms making it possible (late-stage rounds, secondaries, tender offers, private credit), and the trade-offs you need to manage. You’ll also see what changes for employees, customers, institutional investors, and everyday market participants when fewer companies choose the public route. Why Are Companies Staying Private Longer? Companies stay private longer because the private market can supply large checks and flexible deal structures without the obligations and scrutiny that come with being public. In 202...

  AI and big data   are changing how you identify and evaluate   alternative investments   by analyzing vast datasets that reveal opportunities invisible to traditional analysis. This article gives you a strategic playbook for using advanced analytics to spot patterns, assess risk, and uncover high-performing opportunities in private markets, real estate, credit, and emerging asset classes. You’ll see how leading firms apply these tools, what data sources matter most, and how to combine machine intelligence with human expertise for consistent, disciplined performance. What Is the Role of AI and Big Data in Alternative Investing? AI and big data have become the analytical backbone of modern investing, especially in non-traditional assets where information is scarce. You’re no longer limited to balance sheets or quarterly reports; machine learning can now evaluate loan books, project performance, and even social sentiment in real time. Learn more .