E285: The Lower Middle Market: Where Private Equity Still Generates Alpha

The podcast explores the journey of building a private equity firm focused on the lower middle market. It features an interview with Jeff, who launched Corbel in 2014, discussing his transition from a large firm to an entrepreneurial venture. Jeff highlights the opportunity he identified in providing structured capital to small businesses, a space largely vacated by traditional banks. He also shares insights on the challenges of fundraising, the strategic decision to grow the firm horizontally by focusing on different strategies within the lower middle market, and the advantages of utilizing SBIC funding. The conversation also covers Corbel's investment approach, particularly in special situations, and the importance of building trust and delivering on commitments in the distressed investing space.