The SPAC Podcast

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, James outlines what makes the “ideal” SPAC target and why it’s often more about strategic fit and synergies than sector.

For James, public-company-ready management is the non-negotiable starting point. But beyond that, he describes scenarios where SPACs create unique value:

• A company like William Scotsman, with $120M EBITDA and a bolt-on acquisition opportunity that could only be executed via ...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Nick Morgan, Partner at Paul Hastings LLP and co-founder of ICAN (Investor Choice Advocates Network), critiques the SEC’s practice of regulating by enforcement.

Nick cites the Momentus Stable Road case (2021) as a prime example, echoing Commissioner Hester Peirce’s concerns that enforcement actions have been used to make policy in the SPAC space.

Instead of case-by-case precedents, Nick argues tha...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Caitlyn Van Valin, Vice President at Odyssey Trust, shares her outlook for the SPAC market over the remainder of the year.

With Odyssey working on half of all active SPACs, Caitlyn provides a unique perspective on the pipeline. She notes that while SEC turnaround times have created a temporary bottleneck, the backlog of filed S-1s points to a very active Q3 and Q4.

Her forecast? September and Octo...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Patrick Sturgeon, Managing Partner at Brookline Capital Markets, shares his advice for private company CEOs considering a SPAC merger. He stresses the importance of conducting due diligence on the sponsor team, while also being honest about whether the company is truly prepared to operate as a public entity.

Patrick outlines the additional requirements that come with going public — from audited f...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Patrick Sturgeon, Managing Partner at Brookline Capital Markets, explains why some companies may choose a SPAC over a traditional IPO or direct listing. While SPACs are not always the best option, Patrick highlights the unique flexibility they offer for certain situations.

He discusses how SPACs allow companies to phase in capital raising through mechanisms like PIPEs or private placements and to...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, we hear from Caitlyn Van Valin, Vice President at Odyssey Trust, on how her team is redefining what it means to be a responsive, scalable partner in the SPAC ecosystem.

Caitlyn shares how Odyssey has grown into one of the most trusted firms in the space handling over half of all new SPAC listings in 2024. With roots in both transfer agent and trust services, Odyssey has built custom operational s...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Adeel Rouf dives into two of his highest-conviction sectors for upcoming SPAC activity: healthcare (specifically biotech) and FinTech. While AI and crypto dominate the headlines, Adeel makes the case for why some of the most overlooked, and deeply discounted, opportunities exist in these quieter corners of the market.

Biotech, he notes, has been heavily discounted since the market cooled in 2021–...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, we sit down with Louis Camhi, who shares the unexpected path that led him from covering fintech at major hedge funds to becoming a focused SPAC investor and fund manager. His story starts in 2014, when a call from a friend working on a SPAC deal sparked his curiosity. What followed was a deep dive into SPAC structures from units and warrants to downside protection and ultimately, a shift in his ...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Adeel Rouf opens up about the biggest lessons he’s learned across more than 10 SPAC transactions. Rather than highlighting wins, Adeel shares candid stories of missteps that taught him what truly matters in successful SPAC sponsorship.

From rushing private companies to public markets before they were ready, to underestimating the pressure of quarterly reporting, Adeel emphasizes the importance of...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Louis Camhi tackles one of the most pressing questions in the capital markets today: What are the biggest misperceptions about SPACs and how do we correct the record?

Louis explains the crucial difference between a SPAC and a de-SPAC, outlining why the redemption feature makes pre-deal SPACs more like convertible bonds with downside protection, while post-deal de-SPACs behave like traditional equ...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Machua “Motsch” Millett, Chief Innovation Officer at Lockton Companies, shares his journey from Harvard-trained securities lawyer to leading expert in management and professional liability insurance for companies transitioning from private to public.

With over 15 years as a broker, and prior experience defending insurers in federal and state court, Machua has seen the risk landscape from all side...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Adeel Rouf shares what he looks for in an ideal SPAC target and why many companies miss the mark. Drawing from experience across more than 10 SPACs, Adeel explains the key characteristics that indicate a company is truly public-ready.

According to Adeel, it’s not just about industry leadership or revenue growth. A solid SPAC target needs to have audited financials, seasoned investors, prior fundi...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Claudius Tsang, CEO of A SPAC Holdings Group Corp, discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of raising capital in the U.S. as an Asian SPAC sponsor. Claudius explains the importance of educating U.S.-based investors on the credibility and track record of emerging market sponsors especially when those investors may be unfamiliar with Asian-led SPAC teams.

Drawing on his experience working...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, we spotlight Claudius Tsang, CEO of A SPAC Holdings Group Corp, and one of the most active SPAC sponsors in Asia. Claudius shares how he transitioned from private equity into the SPAC world, and what motivated him to launch seven Nasdaq-listed SPACs between 2021 and today.

With over two decades of experience in private equity across Greater China and Emerging Markets, Claudius explains how SPACs ...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Mohammad Hasham, Partner and West Region Leader for Capital Markets & IPO at CohnReznick, shares best practices for sponsors and management teams preparing for a SPAC transaction. He explains why engaging experienced advisors early in the process is critical, and how cutting corners can create costly problems later during audits.

Mohammad also highlights the importance of strong working chemi...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, co-hosts Michael Blankenship and Joshua Bruce Wilson are joined by Cayman Islands attorney Alexandra Low for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of De-SPAC structures.

Alexandra shares her on-the-ground experience advising on a wide range of SPAC transactions—from TopCo listings and cross-border mergers to deregistration strategies and post-merger tax planning. She outlines the critical role ...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, hosts Michael Blankenship and Joshua Wilson sit down with Dr. Daniele D’Alvia, a renowned lecturer in Banking and Finance Law at Queen Mary University of London, to unpack the critical role of governance in the success—or failure—of SPAC deals.

Dr. D’Alvia explains how law and corporate governance provide the structural integrity needed for SPACs to succeed in today’s heightened regulatory enviro...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Adeel Rouf, CEO of Voyager Acquisition Corp. and President & CFO of Titan Acquisition Corp., explains what makes SPACs so unique and exciting. Unlike hedge funds or private equity firms that manage portfolios of companies, SPACs focus on one transaction at a time — giving full attention to a single deal and industry.

He also highlights how SPACs combine elements of private investing with the ...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Adeel Rouf, CEO and President of Voyager Acquisition Corp. and President & CFO of Titan Acquisition Corp., shares his background and journey into the SPAC world. From his early career in investment banking at Sumitomo Mitsui and J.P. Morgan to learning the nuances of SPACs at Cohen & Company, Adeel has built extensive experience as a sponsor and leader in the capital markets.

Since 2020, ...