New Catalyst Strategic Partners officially launched in January 2024 under founder Jason Howard, after Howard ran GCM Grosvenor’s diverse manager private equity platform, according to Private Equity Wire. New Catalyst invests in and supports the growth of emerging managers, with backing from Apollo, according to Private Equity Wire.
Launch timing and leadership background
Jason Howard is the founder of New Catalyst Strategic Partners, and he officially launched the firm in January 2024 after running GCM Grosvenor’s diverse manager private equity platform, according to Private Equity Wire. The Private Equity Wire “Alternative Views” episode discusses emerging managers and independent sponsors with Howard.
Strategy and backing
New Catalyst invests in and supports the growth of emerging managers, and the firm has backing from Apollo, according to Private Equity Wire. Private Equity Wire describes the episode as going “behind closed doors with those in the know to get the latest on private markets.”
Market conditions discussed in the episode
The conversation comes at a time when longer hold periods across private equity are pushing LPs towards emerging managers as they look for outperformance, according to Private Equity Wire. The episode also states that slow distributions are leaving some top-performers to question whether they can do better by spinning out instead of working at an established firm.
Topics covered: spinouts, first-time funds, and portfolio
Private Equity Wire lists discussion topics in the episode that include the motivations for GPs who are spinning out (1:07) and levels of outperformance in first-time funds (4:12). The episode also covers barriers which emerging managers face (6:23), what characteristics make them successful (10:25), and New Catalyst’s current portfolio (12:25), according to Private Equity Wire.
