Episodes

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 sides. He discusses how his legal background helps clients draft st...

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 funding rounds, and most importantly a management team that can perf...

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 with major U.S. funds earlier in his career, Claudius shares h...

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 became a powerful mechanism to help portfolio companies go publ...

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 chemistry between advisors, auditors, and legal counsel — particularly t...

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 Cayman legal counsel plays in coordinating with U.S. counsel an...

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 environment. He highlights the importance of independent directors, r...

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 transition to public markets, allowing sponsors to leverage differe...

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, he has been involved in more than 10 SPACs, raising over $2 billion in ...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Patrick Sturgeon, Managing Partner at Brookline Capital Markets, explains why many private companies ultimately choose to go public. He highlights how listing on exchanges like the NYSE or NASDAQ can provide existing shareholders with liquidity, attract new types of investors, and expand access to capital. Patrick also discusses how being public can increase transparency, research coverage, and visibility in the capital markets — making it a natural progress...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Patrick Sturgeon, Managing Partner at Brookline Capital Markets, introduces his background and shares his experience navigating the SPAC landscape. With a career spanning investment banking and hands-on leadership as CFO of three SPACs that each completed acquisitions, Patrick has gained valuable insights from both the advisory and principal sides of the market. Patrick highlights how Brookline Capital Markets, a boutique New York-based investment bank, focu...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, host Mike Blankenship is joined by Derek from Centri to walk through what really happens behind the scenes of a SPAC transaction. From the importance of early-stage capital markets readiness to preparing pro forma financials and navigating the SEC comment process, this conversation covers the critical technical and strategic steps in a successful de-SPAC. Derek shares why early involvement is essential—helping both SPAC sponsors and target companies align th...

In this SPAC Podcast Spotlight, Candice Beaumont, Chief Investment Officer of L Investments, shares the key fundamentals she evaluates when assessing SPAC sponsors. She explains why a proven track record in the SPAC space is critical, and why partnering with experienced operators — such as the Cohens — can make a significant difference in execution. Candice also highlights the importance of selecting the right service providers and legal teams, emphasizing that timing and efficiency are essenti...

In this SPAC Podcast Spotlight, Managing Director Dimitre Genov of Brookline Capital Markets highlights the growth areas and global demand shaping SPAC activity in the coming months. He points to high-growth industries such as AI, nuclear energy, rare earths, digital assets, quantum computing, fintech, and digital health as sectors where SPACs could play an important role. Dimitre also discusses how traditional industrial businesses with steady cash flow, corporate spinoffs, and international c...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, we welcome Dimitre Genov, Managing Director at Brookline Capital Markets. Dimitre brings over 25 years of investment banking and buy-side experience, including time at Lazard, JP Morgan, Julius Baer, Magnetar, and Balyasny. Having become one of the most prolific investors in the SPAC market, he now uses his expertise and network to help sponsors identify and secure high-quality targets. From his early years on Wall Street to his current role advising sponsor...

In this SPAC Podcast Spotlight, Chaz Churchwell, President of The Churchwell Agency, explains how he helps clients determine the right level of D&O insurance coverage. Rather than relying on vague estimates, Chaz emphasizes a data-driven approach, leveraging sources such as Stanford Law Review, Cornerstone Research, and peer analytics to assess litigation trends and coverage benchmarks. He describes how factors like market cap, industry segment, and peer data can guide companies—especially thos...

In this SPAC Podcast Spotlight, Nick Morgan, President and Founder of the Investor Choice Advocates Network (ICAN), shares his perspective on how the SEC approaches SPAC enforcement. Drawing on past enforcement activity and rulemaking debates, he explains why Commissioner Hester Peirce’s dissents may offer insight into how the Commission views SPACs today. Nick also references the SEC’s first SPAC-related enforcement action in 2021 and notes how Commissioner commentary has influenced the policy...

In this SPAC Guest Spotlight, Nick Morgan introduces himself and shares his journey from serving as a Senior Trial Counsel at the SEC to founding the Investor Choice Advocates Network (ICAN). As President of ICAN, Nick leads a unique pro bono defense organization focused on SEC investigations and litigation, offering services at no cost to those who need representation. With a career spanning the SEC and big law, Nick now uses his experience to advocate for fairness and investor choice in secur...

What’s behind the renewed interest in SPAC IPOs? In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, hosts Michael Blankenship and Joshua Bruce Wilson sit down with Cayman Islands attorney Alexandra Low to explore the current SPAC IPO landscape. Ali shares insights from the front lines—discussing sponsor behavior, timing considerations, and the growing momentum among repeat and first-time SPAC sponsors. From the role of private equity to the influence of political sentiment, this conversation breaks down the ...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Mike Blankenship and Derek discuss how target companies can effectively prepare for a SPAC transaction—and what often gets overlooked. Derek highlights the importance of completing a capital markets readiness assessment, a structured evaluation that helps management understand what’s required to become a public company. This assessment typically includes finance, accounting, IT, tax, HR, and operational systems. It helps companies identify which issues need ...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, James Graf, CEO of Graf Global Corp., shares his perspective on how backend deal costs and promote economics are evolving for SPAC sponsors and founders. With over a decade of experience leading multiple SPACs and a background in investment banking at Deutsche Bank and Merrill Lynch, James brings a seasoned view on what’s driving competitive changes in the market. From the traditional three-and-a-half to four percent deferred IPO fee structure to today’s env...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, legal scholar Daniele D’Alvia joins Michael Blankenship to break down one of the most pressing topics in the market today: regulation. Daniele explains that the biggest regulatory issue SPACs now face is ensuring proper disclosure and investor protection. He walks through how new SEC rules have shifted SPACs closer to traditional IPO standards—particularly around due diligence, projections, and sponsor incentives. These reforms aim to close gaps that once al...

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, legal scholar Daniele D’Alvia joins Michael Blankenship to break down one of the most pressing topics in the market today: regulation. Daniele explains that the biggest regulatory issue SPACs now face is ensuring proper disclosure and investor protection. He walks through how new SEC rules have shifted SPACs closer to traditional IPO standards—particularly around due diligence, projections, and sponsor incentives. These reforms aim to close gaps that once al...

What really happens behind the scenes when a SPAC deal closes? In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, we speak with Seth Farbman, Chairman of Vstock Transfer, about how legal teams, underwriters, sponsors, and custodians coordinate during the final stages of a SPAC transaction. Seth shares how relationship management, trust, and experience come together in a “final call” where everything converges—documents, escrow instructions, and last-minute logistics. If you’ve ever wondered how these complex...