An Update from Mike
Ahoy.
It’s been a minute—28 months, in fact.
I’m resuscitating my newsletter with a fresh format: four things each month that merit sharing.
- What I’m reading
- What I’m building
- What I'm listening to
- A thought-provoking data point
If that sounds good, I’d love to have you follow along and reply with your thoughts. The first dispatch continues below.
If not, no hard feelings. You may unsubscribe here.
If you pine for the days of commentary on private markets, I regret to inform you that Portico Perspectives is firmly interred.
Besides, my views have not changed materially since I penned this in the FT.
Abrazos,
Mike
1 / Reading
Mike Calvey’s Odyssey Moscow is a captivating memoir from the pioneering co-founder of Baring Vostok private equity funds.
When I first read about Mike’s arrest on specious charges, I held out hope that his view on the ability to invest and do business in Russia might be vindicated.
That independent courts would adjudicate a commercial dispute in a 'non-strategic' sector.
That he wouldn’t be locked in a cell for capricious reasons.
Alas.
Я был наивен.
This is an engaging book from a decent and courageous man, seasoned with enjoyable reminiscences and an optimal dose of fatherly sentimentality.
2 / Building
In April I co-founded Transect Ocean Ltd.
Transect leverages autonomous technologies to collect critical sub-sea data, primarily—but not exclusively—for offshore renewables developers.
It has been a whirlwind since we opened our doors in April, but we’re building traction with developers, working with cutting-edge autonomous technology companies, bidding on projects in Northern Europe, and stress-testing our thesis on whether/where/when to pre-acquire data at-risk. More to come.
I once wrote about the amplitude and frequency of entrepreneurship’s highs and lows—and that observation holds true.
But I will say it is much better to build with co-founders.
3 / Listening
Traveling through London last month for the Global Offshore Wind conference, I managed to catch Keinemusik on a majestically sunny day at Gunnersbury Park.
Truly a superb way to spend 8 hours—and stave off jet lag—straight off the JFK-LHR red-eye.
Since then, I’ve had three Keinemusik tracks in heavy rotation:
- Massh & Adam Port (feat. Ninae) – All I Got
- Reznik & Mikesh – One And Only
- Keinemusik (feat. Chuala) – Say What
4 / Number
Seagrass meadows cover 0.1% of the ocean floor but store up to 18% of the world’s oceanic carbon. (UN)
Oceans are where the battle against climate change will be won or lost.
Hit reply! I read every response.
Let me know what you’re reading, building, or listening to.