In this episode of Business Breakdowns, Matt Reustle interviews Sean Barrett, founder of CounterGlobal, about EQT, a thematic private markets investment manager with a strong foundation rooted in the Wallenberg family's values and Swedish corporate governance. Barrett details EQT's history, investment strategies across private equity, infrastructure, and real estate, and its unique "local with locals" approach and innovative tools like MotherBrain. The conversation covers EQT's differentiation from other alternative asset managers, its financial model, leadership transitions, regulatory environment, and fundraising strategies, highlighting its focus on thematic investing, operational expertise, and generating top-quartile returns at scale. Barrett also discusses the risks and valuation frameworks associated with EQT, emphasizing the importance of generating carry and the potential for future growth.
