Ideas
Fresh thinking on global private markets
Incisive commentary and insightful analysis for forward-leaning entrepreneurs and investors.
The Portico Podcast
Listen to our latest episodes and learn more about each interview.
Episode List
Howard French on “Born in Blackness”
An interview Howard French, author of the urgent and essential book “Born in Blackness.”
Nnennia Ejebe on the Art of Control Deals in Africa
An interview with Nnennia Ejebe, Partner at Adenia.
Karim Hussein on Egypt’s Vibrant Venture Landscape
An interview with Karim Hussein, Managing Partner of Algebra Ventures.
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Our Thinking
Peruse previous editions of Portico Perspectives and read our research studies.
Is EM PE Dead?
When Portico launched four years ago, I asked “Is Emerging Markets Private Equity Dying?” There’s no need to ask the question anymore. It’s dead. You…
Stonks
The digitization of assets and investor psychology. Also: Ludovic Phalippou; The SEC; Beach Reading; David Bromwich.
Image and Reality
The illusion of prosperity amidst economic destruction. Marc Andreessen’s “It’s Time to Build.” Actis and KKR. Barbara Tuchman.
Questions During Quarantine
Thoughts on EM Special Situations; (Asset) price stability; Corporate + state interests; Goodbye globalization?; Autarky under anarchy; Thucydides
Social Distancing 🦠
Let’s look out for one another.
Persistence
The fine line between stamina and stupidity. Also: J.P. Morgan; Hony Capital; Bia, Part II; The Cost of Being Too Patient; The Porticos of Bologna; Arrian.
An Index for EM Private Assets?
Who wants to build an index for EM private markets? Also: should endowments index? Coller’s Barometer; The Tree Where Man Was Born.
Chasing Profits
Is the institutionalization of asset management leading to less innovation? Also: WeWork + SoftBank; European Buyouts; China; Fund Terms; Governance; Henry Adams.
Active Management
Does active management pay in emerging markets? Leveraged buyouts, be gone; FX; T.S. Eliot.
King Dollar?
Will the next global reserve currency be digital? Otis; U.S. Pensions; Ray Dalio on China; My Friend Wrote a Book: An Update; The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Pressing Pause
Wrapping up year three as an entrepreneurial venture. Also: African Startups; ILPA Principles; Bia; Food for Thought; Beach Reading; Vasily Grossman.
China
China’s big and has grown rapidly — so what? The Economist. SoftBank in São Paulo. Grab Bag. The Ancien Régime and the Revolution.
Trillions
Trillions to deliver impact *at scale,* nickels for the mid-market; Governance; Due Diligence; Private Credit; Bridgewater on Diversification; Herbert Butterfield
Impact Investing
Everybody’s kicking impact investing while it’s down; Manager selection; Winds of Change at CDC; My friend wrote a book; The Press
The Great Wall of Capital
Asia has subsumed everything; very bad news; China’s private sector; Factfulness; Lucretius.