The Alternative Data Podcast

In this episode I speak to Christina Qi, founder and CEO of challenger market data provider Databento and former founder of HFT hedge fund Domeyard.In our conversation, we discuss the challenges of starting an HFT hedge fund, how Databento differentiates itself in the market data space, how AI labs are using market data and the hazards of being based remotely in Utah.As we mention in the episode, we will be on stage together at Quantvision on Thursday, and I will be at Eagle Alpha on Wednesday. I look forward to catching up with familiar faces in New York.DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Christina Qi recorded in March 2026. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Christina Qi 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 Charles-Albert Lehalle, a professor at Ecole Polytechnique formerly of ADIA and CFM.In our conversation, we discuss Yann LeCun’s theory of AI world models, the differences between working for banks, hedge funds and sovereign wealth funds, how to diagnose why performance is bad, and the dream alpha-generating dataset. More broadly, I never hear any feedback on the podcast so if you have any, please find me on LinkedIn and let me know.

In this episode I speak to Evan Reich, a veteran of the alt data space who has worked at Millennium, SAC Capital, Quandl and most recently Verition in various data roles.In our conversation Evan and I discuss a wide range of topics from how to hire a good data sourcer, to which data types are overrated, to whether exclusivity is a thing in the data market, to which jobs AI will erase first in our space.In the podcast we mention Evan’s excellent conversation on Matei Zatreanu’s System2 podcast, which you should also check out if you like this one. DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Evan Reich recorded in February 2026. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Evan Reich 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 Natalya Dmitriyeva, former senior data strategy executive at Two Sigma and Schonfeld.In our conversation, Natalya and I discuss her career evolution as it tracked that of the whole alternative data sector. She opines on what makes a dataset valuable and the latest buzz out of Battlefin Miami last month.In other news, I will be hunting for interesting datasets in Japan during the week of February 9th, so please do reach out if you know of any, either there or indeed anywhere else. DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Natalya Dmitriyeva recorded in January 2026. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Natalya Dmitriyeva 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 Conor Taggart, an alternative data veteran who is now in charge of Data Monetization at Eagle Alpha.In our conversation, Conor and I discuss his progress from selling indexes at LSEG, through joining Nasdaq in time for the Quandl acquisition, to a successful four years heading up equities data sourcing at Millennium, to his resting place in his current role.In other news, I will be on the data panel at QuantMinds in London on November 19th, I look forward to seeing familiar faces there. DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Conor Taggart recorded in November 2025. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Conor Taggart 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 Vlad Johnson, who works in systematic futures at Eisler Capital, a hedge fund.In our conversation, Vlad and I discuss the technological gap between baseball analytics and Wall Street, how he is able to use weather data without being a weather man, whether AI can replace him and what a data provider should bear in mind about their product.In other news, I will be hosting a panel at Battle of the Quants in London next week, I look forward to seeing familiar friends there.DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Vlad Johnson recorded in October 2025. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Vlad Johnson 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 Mohsen Chitsaz, Portfolio Manager at Eisler Capital, a hedge fund.In our conversation, Mohsen and I discuss uses of news data, satellite data, LLM developments, differences between working on the buyside and sellside, and why physicists make good quants.DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Mohsen Chitsaz recorded in October 2025. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Mohsen Chitsaz 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 Paul White, CEO and co-founder of Quantbot, a quantitative hedge fund.In our conversation, Paul and I talk about the challenges of launching a new hedge fund in 2009 and how they would be different now, and where he sees the opportunities and risks in today’s environment.

In this episode I speak to James Griffiths, General Manager of Flywheel Alternative Data, a provider of e-commerce data.In our conversation, James and I talk about the advantages and challenges of creating an alternative data provider from within a large established corporation, Flywheel’s development through time and changes in the alternative data space overall.Separately, I will be in Hong Kong during the first week of June, so any interesting data providers there please do reach out. Also check out my appearance on the JP Morgan Making Sense podcast if you’re interested in hearing about my role at CFM and more of my views on alt data.DISCLAIMERThis podcast is an edited recording of an interview with James Griffiths recorded in May 2025. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of James Griffiths 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.