The Alternative Data Podcast

In this episode I am delighted to welcome back Abraham Thomas, the co-founder of Quandl and now angel investor and haver of interesting thoughts.In our conversation, we dig into the varios impacts of AI and LLMs specifically on the alternative data and hedge fund worlds, exploring the winners, losers and potential futures that might come out of this technological breakthrough.Separately, I will be speaking at the Quant Strats event in London this Tuesday so do say hi if you happen to be there too.DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Abraham Thomas recorded in October 2024. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Abraham Thomas 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 Tim Baker, a familiar face in the community with a long and storied history in various data and markets roles.In our conversation of two halves, Tim and I start by discussing a court case in which Tim is taking a deep interest, around the fate of the CUSIP identifier. We then discuss Tim’s recent coup in which he swooped to buy the assets of the IEX Cloud platform from his former employer, we discuss what he now plans to do with it. DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Tim Baker recorded in September 2024. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Tim Baker 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 Brian Peltonen, longtime Director of Data Analytics at Fidelity and recent co-founder of his new startup, Parcosm.In our conversation, Brian and I talk about his development from computer game programmer to alternative data guru, and how the types of data that is available have changed over the years, as pricing trends and achievable alpha have also shifted.We also discuss the vision for Parcosm.DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Brian Peltonen recorded in August 2024. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Brian Peltonen 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 Mathias Dail, Co-founder and CEO at Exorde a data provider that ‘tells you what the world thinks in real time’.In our conversation, we talk about the benefits of starting a company in Lyon, and Mathias’s achievements in building out his vision for a crowd-sourced exhaustive social media dataset that is perfectly point in time thanks to blockchain technology.One mistake correction – in the episode when I talk about pigeons, I actually mean sparrows.DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Mathias Dail recorded in July 2024. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Mathias Dail 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 Neufeld of ValueStream Ventures, a venture capital fund that invests in data-rich companies.In our conversation, we discuss ValueStream’s relationship with alternative data companies, why Greg is interested in ‘data flywheel’ companies, and how a professional might make the jump into VC.DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Greg Neufeld recorded in May 2024. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Greg Neufeld 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 Darren Voges, one of various people who might claim to be a godfather of alternative data. Darren was the man who brought probably the most influential dataset in alt data’s history to the market – the Yodlee credit card dataset. In our conversation we talk through the story of how the dataset was launched, and how it came to change the whole scene.Separately, I will be in New York for the Neudata conference in the first week of June, I look forward to catching up with people while I’m there.DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Darren Voges recorded in May 2024. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Darren Voges 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 Qaisar Hasan, Founder of Maiden Century, a platform that distils the value of alternative data for buyside customers. In our conversation we talk through Qaisar’s experience at Point 72 back at the formational period for Alternative Data, and discuss Maiden Century’s evolution and Qaisar’s view on the future of investing using data.Separately, I am speaking at Eagle Alpha in London on Thursday 16th May, so make sure to say hi if you’re there.DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Qaisar Hasan recorded in May 2024. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Qaisar Hasan 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 Don D’Amico, formerly of Neudata and now the CEO and Founder of Glacier Network, a new company that helps data buyers manage the legal considerations in their data chain.In our conversation we track the evolving alternative data regulation conversation, and talk about the kinds of pitfalls that can blow up a data provider or hurt a buyer that has not written their contracts with enough care.Separately, I am in Singapore for Battlefin next week so if you are in that direction and want to talk about an interesting dataset, do get in touch.DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Don D’Amico recorded in March 2024. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Don D’Amico 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 Ken Book, the CEO and Founder of Fluid Markets, a new company that is trying to make KPIs tradeable by investors.In our conversation we walk through Ken’s founder story, from a summer at Goldman Sachs through Y Combinator on the path to realising his vision, which when achieved will make the relationship between alternative data and the markets a great deal tighter. If you know of an alternative data story that needs to be heard on this podcast, please do get in touch.DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Kenneth Book recorded in February 2024. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Kenneth Book 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.