The Alternative Data Podcast

In this episode I invite back Ed Lavery, to discuss his new role at Placer.AI, the US location data provider, following his previous appearance on the Similarweb episode.In our conversation, Ed and I discuss the strengths of location data, alternative data’s development and what he plans to bring with him from his previous role.Separately, I will be hosting the macro panel at Battlefin in London tomorrow, so come and say hi if you’re there. DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Ed Lavery recorded in September 2023. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Ed Lavery and Mark Fleming-Williams and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of either CFM or any of its affiliates. The information provided herein is general information only and does not constitute investment or other advice. Any statements regarding market events, future events or other similar statements constitute only subjective views, are based upon expectations or beliefs, involve inherent risks and uncertainties and should therefore not be relied on. Future evidence and actual results could differ materially from those set forth, contemplated by or underlying these statements. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that these statements are or will prove to be accurate or complete in any way.

Welcome to the Alternative Data Podcast, powered by CFM. I’m Mark Fleming-Williams.In this episode I speak to Jason DeRise, who was one of the very earliest employees of UBS’s alternative data platform, Evidence Lab, and who has recently become a very active and followed commentator on the alternative data space.In our conversation, Jason and I discuss the UBS Evidence Lab’s development, as well as Jason’s views on alternative data’s future consolidation, how banks approach the space, and the data he wishes he could have got his hands on. DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Jason DeRise recorded in August 2023. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Jason DeRise and Mark Fleming-Williams and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of either CFM or any of its affiliates. The information provided herein is general information only and does not constitute investment or other advice. Any statements regarding market events, future events or other similar statements constitute only subjective views, are based upon expectations or beliefs, involve inherent risks and uncertainties and should therefore not be relied on. Future evidence and actual results could differ materially from those set forth, contemplated by or underlying these statements. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that these statements are or will prove to be accurate or complete in any way.

In this episode I speak to Mark Ainsworth, the former head of Data Science at Schroders, a two-and-a-half-centuries-old asset manager that is notable for its use of alternative data.In this episode, Mark and I discuss what made Schroders take this unusual route, and how his work there differed from the more familiar alternative data working patterns of hedge funds.We also touch on a subject dear to Mark’s heart, which is neurodiversity and its higher propensity amongst technologists. DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Mark Ainsworth recorded in June 2023. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Mark Ainsworth and Mark Fleming-Williams and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of either CFM or any of its affiliates. The information provided herein is general information only and does not constitute investment or other advice. Any statements regarding market events, future events or other similar statements constitute only subjective views, are based upon expectations or beliefs, involve inherent risks and uncertainties and should therefore not be relied on. Future evidence and actual results could differ materially from those set forth, contemplated by or underlying these statements. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that these statements are or will prove to be accurate or complete in any way.

In this episode I speak to Alex Izydorczyk, the former head of Data Science at Coatue and now Founder of Cybersyn, the new Snowflake-backed data-as-a-service company.In this episode, Alex and I discuss the business opportunity he sees in buying up various datasets and making them available to a wide market of potential customers.Separately I am in New York this week where I will be moderating a panel at Battlefin, so I look forward to seeing many familiar and new faces there.DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Alex Izydorczyk recorded in May 2023. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Alex Izydorczyk and Mark Fleming-Williams and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of either CFM or any of its affiliates. The information provided herein is general information only and does not constitute investment or other advice. Any statements regarding market events, future events or other similar statements constitute only subjective views, are based upon expectations or beliefs, involve inherent risks and uncertainties and should therefore not be relied on. Future evidence and actual results could differ materially from those set forth, contemplated by or underlying these statements. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that these statements are or will prove to be accurate or complete in any way.

In this episode I speak to Or Lenchner, the CEO of Bright Data, a web-scraping alternative data provider.As well as being one of the largest web-scraping companies in the world, Bright Data is currently embroiled in a lawsuit with Meta that might shape the future of web-scraping as a business. Or and I discuss the history of Bright Data and the state of play with the court case.Separately for any Japanese listeners, I will be in Tokyo during the week of April 17th and would be delighted to meet any data-related people while I’m there, so please do reach out.DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Or Lenchner recorded in March 2023. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Or Lenchner and Mark Fleming-Williams and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of either CFM or any of its affiliates. The information provided herein is general information only and does not constitute investment or other advice. Any statements regarding market events, future events or other similar statements constitute only subjective views, are based upon expectations or beliefs, involve inherent risks and uncertainties and should therefore not be relied on. Future evidence and actual results could differ materially from those set forth, contemplated by or underlying these statements. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that these statements are or will prove to be accurate or complete in any way.

In this episode I speak to Francesco Cricchio and Matteo Campellone of BRAIN, the provider of alternative data signals.After successful careers in physics research, Francesco and Matteo decided to join forces to create products to help investors in the markets. If you have a dataset that might be of interest for the podcast, please get in touch. DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Francesco Cricchio and Matteo Campellone recorded in October 2022. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Francesco Cricchio, Matteo Campellone and Mark Fleming-Williams and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of either CFM or any of its affiliates. The information provided herein is general information only and does not constitute investment or other advice. Any statements regarding market events, future events or other similar statements constitute only subjective views, are based upon expectations or beliefs, involve inherent risks and uncertainties and should therefore not be relied on. Future evidence and actual results could differ materially from those set forth, contemplated by or underlying these statements. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that these statements are or will prove to be accurate or complete in any way.

In this episode I speak to Greg Robin of Random Walk, the provider of retailer coupon and sale data.For several years, Random Walk has been gathering data around the messaging and offers used by major retailers in their sales strategies. This data can be used to compare changes in these strategies, revealing retailer urgency. Greg and I recorded our conversation back in October.If you have a dataset that might be of interest for the podcast, please get in touch. DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Gregory Robin recorded in October 2022. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Gregory Robin and Mark Fleming-Williams and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of either CFM or any of its affiliates. The information provided herein is general information only and does not constitute investment or other advice. Any statements regarding market events, future events or other similar statements constitute only subjective views, are based upon expectations or beliefs, involve inherent risks and uncertainties and should therefore not be relied on. Future evidence and actual results could differ materially from those set forth, contemplated by or underlying these statements. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that these statements are or will prove to be accurate or complete in any way.

In this episode I speak to Omri Shtayer, founder of Lagoon, the alternative data investment platform.With Lagoon now reaching the end of its story in its current form, Omri and I talk through the lifecycle of the company, from founding and growth through to the moment it became clear the firm could not continue.If you have a dataset that might be of interest for the podcast, please get in touch. DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Omri Shtayer recorded in December 2022. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Omri Shtayer and Mark Fleming-Williams and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of either CFM or any of its affiliates. The information provided herein is general information only and does not constitute investment or other advice. Any statements regarding market events, future events or other similar statements constitute only subjective views, are based upon expectations or beliefs, involve inherent risks and uncertainties and should therefore not be relied on. Future evidence and actual results could differ materially from those set forth, contemplated by or underlying these statements. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that these statements are or will prove to be accurate or complete in any way.

In this episode I speak to Marco Jean Aboav of Etna Research, the provider of indices that rolls together data scouting and quantitative signals creation.In our conversation, Marco and I get to grips with Etna Research’s product, and the type of investor who might be interested in it.If you have a dataset that might be of interest for the podcast, please get in touch. DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Marco Jean Aboav recorded in September 2022. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Marco Jean Aboav and Mark Fleming-Williams and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of either CFM or any of its affiliates. The information provided herein is general information only and does not constitute investment or other advice. Any statements regarding market events, future events or other similar statements constitute only subjective views, are based upon expectations or beliefs, involve inherent risks and uncertainties and should therefore not be relied on. Future evidence and actual results could differ materially from those set forth, contemplated by or underlying these statements. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that these statements are or will prove to be accurate or complete in any way.