In this special episode, Sean Mooney examines how private equity is evolving to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. From proactive due diligence to transformative value creation, modern firm operations, and corporate citizenship, Sean explores the key trends shaping the future of the industry and highlights the firms leading the charge. Whether you're a private equity practitioner, portfolio company leader, or aspiring partner, tune in to gain actionable insights into the future of the asset class. Episode Highlights:

• 1:16 - Sean introduces four key trends in private equity: proactive due diligence, transformative value creation, modern firm operations, and corporate citizenship.
• 3:54 - The shift from confirmatory to proactive due diligence: How specialists, value creation plans, and detailed insights are helping PE firms bend the supply and demand curve to generate superior outcomes.
• 7:23 - Transformative value creation: Leading PE firms are accelerating change by leveraging internal ops teams, expert third parties, and aligned strategies to drive rapid business transformation.
• 10:17 - Modernizing PE firm operations: How firms are now run like their portfolio companies, with robust BD teams, human capital investments, advanced analytics, and emerging AI tools.
• 15:50 - Corporate citizenship in PE: Examples of firms like KKR, Alpine, and Hidden Harbor leveraging employee ownership, volunteering, and safety nets to create value beyond financial returns.
• 18:01 - Sean introduces BluWave’s Top Private Equity Innovators program, highlighting firms that exemplify innovation and success across the key themes shaping the industry.

For more information, and to see the list of the 2025 Top Private Equity Innovators, go to https://www.bluwave.net/awards. To listen to more episodes of the Karma School of Business Podcast, go to https://www.bluwave.net/podcasts.