James Graf
CEO
James Graf is CEO of Graf Global Corp., his eighth SPAC as CEO, CFO and/or active director since 2011. He also serves as Interim CFO of NKGen Biotech, his last SPAC target. Previous closed transactions include Global Eagle, Videocon d2h, Williams Scotsman, Target Hospitality, Velodyne Lidar, Crown LNG and NKGen.Prior to SPAC life, Jim was an investment banker for two decades, including roles as President of Deutsche Bank’s investment bank in Hong Kong and managing director at Merrill Lynch. He later founded enterprise software company Praedea Solutions and served as a financial consultant to MGM Studios.
Oct. 20, 2025
Why PIPEs Aren’t Dead, But Very Different Now
James Campanella on how PIPEs have changed since the 2020 boom, why they now take time, trust, and careful structuring, and the terms that derailed recent deals.
Guest: James Graf
Oct. 9, 2025
How the Investor Base for De-SPACs Is Evolving
James Campanella on why de-SPAC sponsors must attract long-term fundamental investors, and how institutional anchors helped some of his deals close with minimal redemptions.
Guest: James Graf
Sept. 26, 2025
What Makes an Ideal SPAC Target
James Campanella on what makes an ideal SPAC target: public-ready management first, then strategic fit, synergies, and consolidation plays only a SPAC can unlock.
Guest: James Graf
Aug. 14, 2025
The Shift in SPAC Deal Fee Structures
Graf Global CEO James Graf on how backend deal costs and promote economics are changing, and how reputable sponsors now negotiate below traditional deferred fees.
Guest: James Graf
Aug. 5, 2025
SPAC Sponsors Face Tougher Roads Ahead — Here’s Why
Veteran sponsor James Graf on why even strong private companies hesitate to go public via SPAC: redemptions, weak aftermarket support, and failed de-SPACs.
Guest: James Graf
July 28, 2025
What Role Do Retail Investors Play in SPAC Deals Today?
James Graf on how retail investor participation in SPACs swung from scarce before COVID to meme-driven dominance, and the volatility it brought.
Guest: James Graf
July 21, 2025
What is a Serial SPAC Sponsor?
James Graf, a SPAC sponsor for 14+ years, on why lasting sponsors treat SPACs as a repeatable business and build institutional platforms.
Guest: James Graf
July 18, 2025
SPAC Guest Spotlight: James Graf
Graf Global CEO James Graf on moving from investment banking into SPACs, eight deals as sponsor or director, and first seeing SPACs at MGM Studios.
Guest: James Graf