Episode 70: From Toronto Private Equity to Launching His Own Fund with Eugene Polevoy

Synopsis

Episode 70. In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Eugene Polovy, co-founder of Blue C Capital, a private equity firm focused on investing in service-based businesses.

Eugene shares his career journey from being an automotive mechanic to starting his own private equity fund. They discuss Eugene’s early days in investment banking at BMO, his extensive experience in private equity at ONCAP and Imperial Capital, and his strategic approach to investing in service-based businesses.

Eugene highlights the importance of having a unique angle, leveraging digital marketing skills, and making data-driven decisions. He also talks about the challenges he faced and the factors that led him to establish his own firm.

• 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

• 01:11 Eugene's Current Role and Focus

• 03:25 Early Career and Background

• 07:05 Transition to Private Equity

• 11:16 Learning and Growing in Private Equity

• 14:49 Insights on Investment Banking

• 19:10 Developing Investment Strategies

• 22:52 Balancing Fund Mandates and Flexibility

• 25:38 Leveraging Digital Marketing in Business Growth

• 27:22 Transition from ONCAP and New Opportunities

• 27:53 Exploring the Auto Aftermarket and Housing Industries

• 30:46 Challenges and Decisions in Private Equity

• 33:15 Building Frontier and Entrepreneurial Ventures

• 38:55 Raising Capital and Investment Strategies

• 46:35 Finding Your Niche in Service-Based Industries

• 50:27 Conclusion and Contact Information

Background and Key Links

• Eugene started his career in law before an early pivot to investment banking working at BMO Capital Markets. He then worked in private equity at ONCAP and Imperial Capital before leaving to start his own.

• Founded the private equity fund Blue C Capital

• Find Eugene on Linked-In