Private equity rethought: what successful investors do differently
This episode was recorded in German.
From entrepreneur to investor: how data and courage shape investment strategies
In this episode of "Hope Is Not a Strategy," Christian Underwood talks with Nico Zeifang, co-founder of Team Internet and partner at Penguin Capital. The conversation covers the move from entrepreneur to investor, building investment structures in the lower mid market, and how to reconcile data with gut instinct.
From startup to investment firm
Nico Zeifang looks back on an entrepreneurial career that began in the Web 1.0 era. Early experiments with domains grew into a successful business model that was later sold. That exit marked his turning point toward the investment world. Today, he and his team invest specifically in mid-sized companies that are often too small for large capital providers but offer enormous potential for growth and transformation.
Data-driven investments, and their limits
Data is central to his work. Over the years, Penguin Capital has built its own system that processes millions of data points and uses machine learning to support investment decisions. But for all the technology, Nico Zeifang stresses that the human dimension remains decisive in private equity too: diversification, the quality of leadership teams, and the right feel for market opportunities ultimately determine success.
Entrepreneurial courage as a success factor
Another key topic is the courage to act decisively at pivotal moments. Companies regularly face opportunities that can fundamentally change their course, driven by technological shifts, new markets, or competitors dropping out. Nico Zeifang argues for recognizing these moments and seizing them with conviction, even when they carry risk. His advice: listen to your gut and double down at the right moment.
This episode shows how closely data, strategy, and entrepreneurial courage are linked, and why successful investments always take more than Excel models.
👉 Listen now and find out how entrepreneurship turns into investment strategy!
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