Gregory Borchardt

The Middleby Corporation has acquired JC Ford, a leading manufacturer of tortilla and chip production equipment, based in Columbia, Tennessee. JC Ford, founded in 1945, generates $70 million in annual revenue and specializes in automated solutions. The acquisition strengthens Middleby's position in the fast-growing snack food market, aligning with its Food Processing Group’s strategy. Middleby CEO Timothy FitzGerald highlighted the synergies and growth opportunities this acquisition offers, as JC Ford’s innovative solutions have become industry standards with a strong customer base and recurring revenue. Read More Here: https://lnkd.in/ebxE8zTA PerishableNews.com Branded Hospitality Ventures Hospitality Hangout Podcast #production #hospitality #automation #marketing Steve Spittle Scott Heim Timothy FitzGerald Sarah Tresser Jaime Nau Darcy Bretz Krishna R. Valerie Hanson, CFSP Shawn M. Lange

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The success of a Fund boils down to DPI (distributions back to LPs in relation to how much capital was deployed). The industry often gets infatuated with TVPI, which accounts for paper gains. However, these numbers are frequently not worth the paper they are printed on. Knowing when to stick or twist is always a challenge, so I favor a balanced approach: the third-third-third strategy. Sell a third of the investment at the first opportunity. Gradually sell the second third. Hold onto the final third for potential upside. Even this model needs adjustments based on market conditions, requiring a mix of aggressive selling or patience. The real issue for LPs is the industry's recent obsession with maximizing TVPI without enough attention to DPI. This can lead to portfolio imbalances and potentially disappointing (or zero) cash returns. 🎙 Listen to my full episode of Fintech Leaders with good friend Miguel Armaza for more on data as the new gold, secrets behind successful VCs, and the importance of founder-market fit: Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3KitB4b Apple: https://apple.co/4bXmmuC Youtube: https://bit.ly/3Vh4HIz

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I recently saw this metric from Carta’s 1Q24 VC Fund Report, which is very concerning. DPI... is nowhere to be found in earlier vintages that probably should start showing DPI. Funding early-stage projects is great, but ultimately, these venture dollars need to exit their investments and pay back their limited partners. That’s where the metric Distributed to Paid-In Capital (DPI) comes in. While managing a fund, we get interim measures during the life of the fund (e.g. IRR, MOIC), but ultimately, “you can’t eat IRR.” If you want to build a lasting venture capital organization, you need to start showing DPI for your fund. Keep in mind that this is traditional VC data from Carta, and is not strictly crypto venture. Crypto venture tends to get liquidity earlier (tokens) and things tend to go parabolic sooner (faster, more unicorns) - but I’d wager that the data here is somewhat similar for Crypto VCs… Not as much DPI as there should be from these earlier vintages. Read the full article, as well as a recap of all the crypto fundraising rounds for August, here: https://lnkd.in/g3eVJ-iF

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Part of the DPI squeeze visualized: Fewer tech IPOs in 2022-2024 than during both the post dot-com bubble (2001-2002) and the financial crisis (2008-2009). Various reasons for this - more private capital, prohibitive regulations, too lofty valuations, etc. - but the end result is fewer exits via public markets. The IPO window is still pretty closed. 🪟 via Coatue.

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📈🏢 Aby Rosen's RFR Holding is facing a staggering $2.5B debt bill as defaults pile up! 💥 🔎 According to a recent Bisnow article, RFR Holding, a prominent NYC real estate firm, is grappling with mounting debt and defaults. The company, led by billionaire Aby Rosen, has a portfolio of high-profile properties, including the iconic Seagram Building and Lever House. 🏢🏦 📊 The firm's debt load has surged to a whopping $2.5B, with $1.1B in loans maturing this year alone. 💸 The pandemic has hit the commercial real estate market hard, causing defaults to skyrocket. RFR Holding is no exception, with defaults on several properties, including the $200M mortgage on the Seagram Building. 📉 🗣️ "The pandemic has created a perfect storm for commercial real estate," said one industry expert. "Companies like RFR Holding are facing unprecedented challenges as they navigate this difficult time." 🌪️ 🔜 So, what's next for RFR Holding? The company is reportedly exploring options to refinance its debt and avoid further defaults. 💡 With the commercial real estate market showing signs of recovery, there's hope that RFR Holding can weather this storm. 🌞 Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story! 📰🔔 #RFRHolding #CommercialRealEstate #Debt #Defaults #NYCRealEstate

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The Silver Tsunami is upon us, and it's reshaping the mergers and acquisitions landscape like never before. With an estimated $10 trillion in assets set to change hands over the next decade, driven by baby boomers retiring, the opportunity for savvy investors and entrepreneurs is immense. Currently, around 30,000 businesses sell annually, but with more than 8 million baby boomer-owned businesses expected to transition, the volume of transactions could increase tenfold. This is a monumental shift that smart buyers are already preparing for. You don't need to be a Wall Street titan to benefit from this trend; many of these businesses will transition to local entrepreneurs and small business owners. Are you ready to seize a piece of this $10 trillion wealth transfer? Position yourself strategically to take advantage of this unprecedented wave of opportunities. Engage with fellow professionals and explore how you can be part of this transformation. Not sure how? Let's talk about it! #SilverTsunami #MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessOpportunities

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As carbon markets grow, the individual default risk of each product gets dampened by the industry sheer size. Lower volatility linked to larger volumes across broader geographies is making this asset class increasingly attractive. Insightful post by Takehiko Serai, CFA

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I really enjoyed recording this episode of The Digital Industrial Podcast with Ty Findley. We talked about common misconceptions for deep tech, the "Why Now" for the category, and differences between investor diligence for deep tech and traditional tech. https://lnkd.in/eKtwjauu

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Led by Anduril, defense tech funding sets a new record this year | TechCrunch https://buff.ly/4129kts Anduril, a leader in defense technology, has driven defense tech funding to an unprecedented high this year. Investments in this sector have surged, reflecting a growing interest in advanced military solutions and cutting-edge innovations. This milestone underscores the increasing importance of tech-driven defense initiatives in modern security strategies. As global tensions rise, there's a notable shift towards integrating AI, robotics, and autonomous systems into defense operations. The record-breaking funding highlights the critical role technology plays in national and international security landscapes. #DefenseTech #InnovationInSecurity

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THE 2025 Planet43 NAVIGATOR / MENTOR / EIR REALITY CHECK (Because what gets measured shapes what we build next) Part 1: Your Delivery Truth - Hard numbers only - no fluff: - Scorecards completed: ___ - Founder meetings held: ___ vs required - Investment memo submitted: ___ required Average response time to founder emergencies: ___ hours Part 2: The Value Exchange Let's get uncomfortably specific: - Number of meaningful intros made (that replied): ___ - Deals in active discussion from your network: $___ - Technical roadblocks you actually solved: ___ - Hours spent in deep work vs. casual chats: / Part 3: The Mirror Moment - Raw truth time - rate yourself 1-5: - Showed up fully prepared: ___ - Delivered on promises made: ___ - Opened your real network: ___ - Added more value than friction: ___ Part 4: The Founder Impact For each founder you worked with: - Startup A: - Critical problems solved: ___ - Opportunities unlocked: $___ - Time to first value-add: ___ days - Would they want you as an investor? Y/N Startup B: [Repeat above] Startup C: [Repeat above] Part 5: The Gut Check Complete these sentences with brutal honesty: - "I could have delivered more value if..." - "The program would work better if..." - "The founder I failed most was... because..." - "My real value to Planet43 was..." The Redemption Corner - What would you do differently if we ran this again? Be specific. Sometimes the best feedback comes from making people uncomfortable with their own metrics. Remember: This isn't about feeling good - it's about building better. Each question should make an EIR/NAVIGATOR/MENTOR pause and really think about their contribution to the ecosystem we're building. Remember: The real magic of acceleration often happens 6-18 months after a program ends.  Reflections like this provide both immediate actionable insights and data points we can track over time to measure true impact. Together, we rise!

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Water is easily one of the biggest challenges facing the golf industry. Courses overwater to maintain conditioning because they don’t have an accurate view of moisture levels below the surface. That’s now changing… Our latest investment, TerraRad is helping courses solve this problem via advanced sensor technology monitoring moisture to root depth and arming agronomy teams with actionable data. Saving water AND improving course conditions ✔️ See the announcement👇🏼 Old Tom Capital

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The results are in. Emerging managers and especially sub-$25MM funds are out-performing their larger counterparts, even in a sub-optimal market. TVPI metrics for 2017 vintage was 3.8x versus 2.7x for a $100MM+ fund. Even a 2022 vintage is seeing a 1.1x vs a 1x TVPI. I'm personally working with a top-quartile sub $50MM fund that has delivered a 1.6x TVPI from a 2020 vintage with gains of over 100% for it's LPs (and no it's not pre-seed). Another solo-GP has averaged 60x MOIC. Smaller funds are more nimble, have more skin in the game and are quicker to react. Whilst it's predominantly smaller bets at an earlier stage (i.e. more risk), it also means a larger, more diversified portfolio where it only takes 1 to 2 wins to return all the capital to LPs = earlier upside. Add to that a much more favorable cost-structure, it's a relative no-brainer. A bit like startups, this segment is in it's infancy, so I expect we'll see much more data in coming years. (P.S- as I'm seeing some fantastic new operators come to the market, and we still have so much to learn, share and exchange about emerging managers, make sure to sign-up to upcoming newsletter! I'll be sharing much more in-depth insights, fund launches and interviews with GPs and LPs to create a vibrant and meaningful community- link in comments).

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Beta Technologies has raised $318 million in Series C equity capital. QIA led the raise and several of BETA’s largest investors, including Fidelity Management & Research Company and TPG Rise Climate increased their ownership in BETA. Longtime customer United Therapeutics has also joined this round as an investor. The financing round was priced at an increased valuation relative to prior equity capital raises and was meaningfully oversubscribed. To date, BETA has raised more than $1 billion in equity capital. BETA TECHNOLOGIES Qatar Investment Authority Fidelity Investments Kyle Clark https://lnkd.in/eGa6VqTD #aviation #AviationNews #50skyshades #DailyNew  #raises #300M #additional #equity #capital #fund #growth #commercialization #TPGRiseClimate #ElectricAviation #safety #reliability #aircraft #chargers #eVTOL #ALIA #growing #infrastructure #network

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The tide is turning. Companies that understand RISK is the only certainty are prioritizing #reshoring to diversify their manufacturing value chains. https://lnkd.in/eEyC--ED

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Fun session with Silas Mähner 🔍🌎 Hopefully non controversial takes on how we think about adaptation and resilience Third Sphere. Also weighed in on thinking about engagement with Big Oil. Absolutely not possible to generalize here. TLDR on one end of the spectrum is Norway, generating substantial GDP from oil, but leading the way across multiple climate efforts, like EVs and heatpumps. On the other end are some state actors that have worked to undermine organizations like COP and sew broader chaos, very, very likely as a way to shift resources away from energy transition (likely very, very hard to spend on defense and green transition at the same time in the US and EU, for example).

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Your last weekly space news round-up of 2024 🚀 Featuring stories: 💰 ICEYE closed a $65M extension to the existing growth funding round for a total of $158M raised in 2024 - the funding round extension included participation from funds managed by Solidium Oy, BlackRock, Seraphim, Plio Limited, and Christo Georgiev. 🌡️ SatVu, a global leader in climate technology, has secured £20 million in strategic funding, to expand high-resolution thermal imaging. 🛰️ SpaceX’s satellite internet service Starlink is projected to reach $11.8 billion in revenue next year, driven by strong consumer demand and growing U.S. military contracts. 📈 Space Markets: The Year in Review from Payload 👉 Of the 15 largest space startup funding deals this year, five came from US startups, five were Chinese companies, four were European firms, and one was from an Australian business. 🌌 Commercial space station developer Vast has signed a deal with SpaceX for two private astronaut missions to the International Space Station, pending NASA approval. https://lnkd.in/evUcpr92

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How does a brand distinguish itself in an increasingly crowded market? This question was thoughtfully explored in a recent podcast featuring Eric Bandholz, founder of Beardbrand. He emphasizes that success isn't merely about revenue; it's about forging authentic connections with your customers. Bandholz champions storytelling as a vital tool for independent brands, allowing them to resonate deeply with their audience—something big retailers often overlook. Moreover, he shares insights from his journey, highlighting the balance between business growth and maintaining personal freedom. Both ambition and values shape a company's path—harnessing authentic experiences rather than succumbing to growth for growth's sake. Given the current economic climate, understanding these concepts becomes even more crucial for entrepreneurs and investors alike. As we navigate through opportunities and challenges, reflecting on the cultural aspects of business can provide a vital edge. What strategies have you implemented in your business to connect with your audience on a deeper level? #Entrepreneurship #BrandStrategy #CustomerEngagement #Storytelling #FinancialConsulting #Beardbrand https://lnkd.in/gVTF6-_X

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