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. DISCLAIMER This podcast ..read more

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. DISCLAIMER This podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Kenneth Book recorded in Febr ..read more

In this episode I speak to Matt Ober, a godfather in Data Sourcing, to discuss his history finding data in the early days of the space and his new project – Initial Data Offering. If you know of an alternative data story that needs to be heard on this podcast, please do get in touch. DISCLAIMER This podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Matt Ober recorded in January 2024. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Matt Ober and Mark Fleming-Williams and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of either CFM or any of its affiliates. The in ..read more

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. DISCLAIMER This podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Ed Lavery recorded in September 2023. The views and opinions expressed in this inter ..read more

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. DISCLAIMER This podcast is an edited recording of ..read more

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. DISCLAIMER This podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Mark Ainsworth recorded in June 2023 ..read more

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. DISCLAIMER This podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Alex Izydorczyk recorded in May 2023. The views ..read more

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. DISCLAIMER This podcast is an ..read more

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. DISCLAIMER This 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 Fl ..read more

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. DISCLAIMER This podcast is an edited recording of an interview with Gregory Robin recorded in October 2022. The views and opinions ..read more