Dakota Live! Podcast: Inside GP Stakes Investing with Wafra

In this episode of the Dakota Live! Podcast, we sit down with Gustavo Cardenas, Managing Director at Wafra, a global investment firm with over $30 billion under management. Headquartered in New York, Wafra has clients around the globe and is owned by the Public Institution for Social Security of Kuwait (PIFSS).

Gustavo specializes in strategic partnerships, also known as GP stakes investing. This asset class, involving backing asset management businesses, has garnered significant interest in the past few years. Wafra was one of its pioneers – it carried out its first GP stakes deal back in 2012.

Wafra focuses on two different types of strategic partnership deals: seeding and staking. The firm backs both established firms as well as the most promising next-generation alternative investment managers. Typically, it regards established firms as those with AUM of more than $5 billion. Anything below that would classify as an emerging business.

Join host Robert Morier as he delves into Gustavo’s unique journey from Nicaragua to New York City, and how he became a leading force in GP stakes investing at Wafra.

We explore the intricacies of strategic partnerships, the future of private equity, and the role of catalytic capital in emerging markets. Gustavo shares valuable insights on what it takes to succeed in the ever-evolving landscape of private markets, offering a deep dive into Wafra’s investment strategies and the firm's vision for the future.

Whether you're an institutional investor, asset manager, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes dynamics of private equity, this episode is packed with expert advice and thought-provoking discussions.

Tune in to learn more about Gustavo’s personal and professional journey, the mentors who shaped his career, and his perspective on the future of GP stakes investing.