Planet MicroCap Podcast | MicroCap Investing Strategies

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I spoke with Travis Prentice, CIO of Informed Momentum Company, to break down what he’s seeing beneath the surface of today’s market—and where capital is actually flowing next. We dive into the concept of “Informed Momentum,” where price meets fundamentals, and why a faster, more disciplined approach is critical in a market increasingly driven by AI, infrastructure, and a shift back to the physical economy. Travis shares why breadth matters more than ever in capturing outsized winners, how to spot high-quality momentum versus noise, and why microcaps—after a long stretch of underperformance—may be setting up for a meaningful turn. This is a conversation focused on process, discipline, and staying aligned with what the market is doing—not what you think it should do. We mention several companies and sectors during this conversation, and I’m not a shareholder in any of them. For more information about Informed Momentum Company, please visit: https://www.informedmomentum.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Planet Micro Cap 02:33 Evolving Momentum Strategies 05:31 The Importance of Breadth in Momentum 07:21 Current Momentum Trends in Micro Caps 09:27 Understanding Momentum vs. Narrative 13:56 Challenges of Momentum in Micro Caps 16:22 AI and Structural Shifts in the Market 20:21 Comparing Current Changes to Past Disruptions 23:02 The Changing Landscape of Private Equity and Credit 28:18 Momentum Strategies in Micro Cap Investing 38:31 Navigating Trends and Exits in Momentum Investing Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. This presentation is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security referenced herein. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC (collectively, “we” or “our”) are not licensed brokers nor registered investment advisors. We, our partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, or affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned in this presentation and may trade in such securities at any time. We may have received cash compensation from one or more participants for presenting at past, present, or future events. We recommend you consult a licensed investment adviser, broker, or legal counsel before purchasing or selling any securities referenced in this presentation.

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, we dive into the Diamond Hill Micro Cap Strategy with Aaron Monroe, Tyler Ventura, and John Loesch to break down how they’re finding alpha in one of the most underfollowed parts of the market. With a concentrated, long-term approach and a “three heads are better than one” framework, they focus on simple, durable businesses with strong balance sheets and aligned management. We dig into why illiquidity and lack of coverage are features—not bugs—in microcaps, how they build positions through their “graduation model,” and why “boring but beautiful” companies can quietly compound capital over time. We mention several companies and sectors during this conversation, and I’m not a shareholder in any of them. For more information about Diamond Hill MicroCap Strategy, please visit: https://www.diamond-hill.com/investment-strategies/us-equity/micro-cap/separate-account/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Diamond Hill Microcap Team 02:31 Investor Origin Stories 07:59 Investment Philosophy in Micro Cap 12:01 Exploiting Market Inefficiencies 16:23 Identifying Misunderstood Micro Caps 22:35 Ideal Investment Setup 27:04 Managing Group Think in Investment Decisions 28:28 Understanding Conviction in Investment Strategies 31:08 Evaluating Management in Micro Cap Companies 34:03 Identifying Change Agents in Management 38:12 Structural Market Insights and Opportunities 42:27 Behavioral Changes in Investing 46:51 Position Sizing and Risk Management 51:47 Lessons Learned from Micro Cap Investing 57:11 Building a Sustainable Edge in Micro Cap Investing Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. This presentation is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security referenced herein. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC (collectively, “we” or “our”) are not licensed brokers nor registered investment advisors. We, our partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, or affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned in this presentation and may trade in such securities at any time. We may have received cash compensation from one or more participants for presenting at past, present, or future events. We recommend you consult a licensed investment adviser, broker, or legal counsel before purchasing or selling any securities referenced in this presentation.

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I’m joined by Andrew Pogue, Founder of the Underlying Value Substack, to break down his differentiated approach to microcap investing that blends deep fundamental work with an operator’s mindset and the use of AI. Andrew walks us through how he evaluates businesses with a sharp focus on management quality and capital allocation, why he sees massive opportunity outside the U.S. in the Nordics, South Africa, Canada and Australia, and how he leverages AI as a high-powered research assistant to uncover overlooked ideas globally. We also dive into his disciplined approach to position sizing, identifying real catalysts, spotting red flags like “consulting-speak,” and why the ability to talk yourself out of an investment may be one of the most important skills for long-term success in microcaps. We mention several companies and sectors during this conversation, and I’m not a shareholder in any of them. For more information about the Underlying Value Substack, please visit: https://underlyingvalue.substack.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Diving into Micro Cap Investments 02:50 Understanding the Micro Cap Ecosystem 05:35 Investment Discovery Process 08:44 Catalysts for Investment Opportunities 11:37 Exploring International Markets: Focus on South Africa 16:45 Exploring South Africa's Investment Landscape 17:58 Navigating Investor Psychology and Promotional Cycles 20:28 Understanding Value and Catalysts in Investing 23:28 Lessons from Microcap Investing Experiences 26:41 Evaluating Management and Company Insights 30:41 Strategies for Selling and Position Management 35:14 Key Lessons from Business Ownership 37:58 Advice for New Investors in Microcaps Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. This presentation is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security referenced herein. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC (collectively, “we” or “our”) are not licensed brokers nor registered investment advisors. We, our partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, or affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned in this presentation and may trade in such securities at any time. We may have received cash compensation from one or more participants for presenting at past, present, or future events. We recommend you consult a licensed investment adviser, broker, or legal counsel before purchasing or selling any securities referenced in this presentation.

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I spoke with John Petrides, Portfolio Manager at Tocqueville Asset Management. We take a step back and examine the broader market landscape—from record concentration in mega-cap tech to the evolving AI investment thesis and the growing geopolitical and fiscal risks shaping today’s capital markets. We discuss why the S&P 500’s historic concentration may be creating hidden risks for passive investors, how the AI story is shifting from infrastructure providers to real-world adopters across industries, and why geopolitical flashpoints like Taiwan could represent the market’s most significant systemic risk. We also explore the implications of rising U.S. deficits and higher interest rates for fixed income investors, and why the growing valuation gap between large-cap tech and the rest of the market may be setting the stage for renewed opportunity in small and micro-cap stocks—particularly those with strong balance sheets and exposure to hard assets like energy and critical minerals. We mention several companies and sectors during this conversation, and I’m not a shareholder in any of them. For more information about Tocqueville Asset Management, please visit: https://tocqueville.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Market Landscape Overview 01:00 Market Surprises Since Spring 2023 02:09 Impact of AI Spending and Geopolitical Risks 03:10 Market Concentration and Sector Valuations 04:07 Opportunities in Healthcare and Small Caps 05:08 Portfolio Construction Amid Macro Uncertainty 06:05 International Diversification and Valuation Dispersion 07:02 Market Narrative Cycles and Signal Filtering 07:59 Long-Term Investing Principles and Market History 09:03 Market Structure and Price Discovery Risks 10:07 Key Market Mispricings and Sector Disconnects 11:06 Government Involvement and Sector Evaluation 12:04 Opportunities in Undervalued Sectors and Small Caps 13:02 Discipline and Focus in Rapid Information Environments 13:56 Fundamental Signals for Microcap Investment 15:07 Institutional Ownership and Market Movements 16:05 Impact of Government Actions on Market Sectors 17:04 Risks in Geopolitics and Long-Term Bonds 18:00 Microcap Market Inefficiencies and Opportunities 18:59 Market Disconnects and Investor Attention 19:57 AI Spending and Geopolitical Risks Revisited 20:53 Valuation Opportunities in Low-Margin Businesses 21:54 Underappreciated Risks: Taiwan and Capital Flows 23:06 Macro Trends and CapEx Quality Concerns 24:04 Microchip Supply Chain and Geopolitical Tensions 25:02 Interest Rates, Deficits, and Fiscal Risks 26:03 Active Bond Strategies and Long-Term Risks 26:59 Underestimated Geopolitical and Market Risks 27:46 AI CapEx and Cost Structure Risks 29:05 Microcap Liquidity and Institutional Flows 30:06 Signals of Institutional Interest in Microcaps 31:03 Fundamental Analysis for Microcap Selection 31:59 Emerging Themes in Microcap Space 32:49 Building Resilient Portfolios in Volatile Markets 34:10 Sector Opportunities in Rare Earths and Energy 34:52 Market Discipline and Investor Focus 35:52 Staying True to Investment Principles 37:04 Lessons from Market Crises and Capital Preservation 38:04 Aligning Portfolio with Investor Goals 39:00 Key Principles for Navigating Market Uncertainty 40:05 Final Thoughts and Contact Information Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. The purpose of this conversation is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC are not registered investment advisors. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC, MicroCapClub LLC, its partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, and affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned on this program and may trade in such securities at any time. Do your own due diligence and seek counsel from a registered investment advisor before trading in any security.

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I’m joined by Artem Fokin, Founder and Portfolio Manager of Caro-Kann Capital, to reflect on more than a decade of running a concentrated small- and micro-cap strategy focused on finding multibagger opportunities. Artem shares how his bottoms-up approach centers on deeply understanding a handful of businesses, engaging thoughtfully with management teams while maintaining the discipline to stay objective—what he calls being “friendly, but not friends.” We also discuss why due diligence should extend beyond the CEO to the entire leadership bench, why microcaps remain one of the best training grounds for investors despite structural market changes, and how avoiding intellectual rigidity—while embracing tools like AI for research—can help investors continuously adapt and improve their decision-making. We mention several companies and sectors during this conversation, and I’m not a shareholder in any of them. For more information about Caro-Kann Capital, please visit: https://caro-kann-capital.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:06 Investment Philosophy and Strategy 06:19 Engaging with Management Teams 09:06 Reflections on 2025 12:09 Building Relationships with Management 14:04 Best Practices for Engaging Management 16:58 Evaluating Management Teams 17:59 Diligence and Fair Game Questions 24:26 Leveraging LinkedIn for Management Insights 25:43 Understanding Investment Edge 31:11 The Importance of Execution in Investing 32:31 The Value of Microcaps in Investment Training 40:07 Fears of Intellectual Rigidity in Investing 46:53 Lessons Learned Over 11 Years 48:45 Looking Ahead: The Future of Investing Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. The purpose of this conversation is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC are not registered investment advisors. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC, MicroCapClub LLC, its partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, and affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned on this program and may trade in such securities at any time. Do your own due diligence and seek counsel from a registered investment advisor before trading in any security.

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I’m joined by Jim Zimmerman, Founder & Fund Manager, and Abby Zimmerman, Research Analyst, of Lowell Capital Management to talk about their disciplined small-cap strategy built around what they call the “Fort Knox” balance sheet. At its core, it’s about owning resilient, cash-generative businesses with little to no debt—companies that can not only survive volatility but use it to their advantage. We dive into why they focus on operating cash flow over EBITDA, how they hunt for overlooked “boring” niche leaders trading at value prices, what they look for in management teams, and why constant re-underwriting—“buy and homework,” not just buy and hold—is critical to long-term compounding in microcaps. We mention several companies and sectors during this conversation, and I’m not a shareholder in any of them. For more information about Lowell Capital Management, please visit: https://www.lowellcapitalmgmt.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Lowell Capital Management 04:45 Jim Zimmerman's Investment Journey 09:52 Abby Zimmerman's Perspective on Investing 14:54 Core Investment Philosophy and Strategy 19:39 Engaging with Management and Assessing Companies 22:42 Evaluating Company Fundamentals 26:51 Avoiding Value Traps 29:37 Idea Generation and Networking 33:49 Learning from Investment Experiences 39:38 Evolving Investment Strategies Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. The purpose of this conversation is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC are not registered investment advisors. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC, MicroCapClub LLC, its partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, and affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned on this program and may trade in such securities at any time. Do your own due diligence and seek counsel from a registered investment advisor before trading in any security.

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I’m joined by Luis Sanchez, Founder of LVS Advisory, to discuss his firm’s differentiated event-driven and global growth strategies, and why he sees compelling opportunities emerging outside the crowded large-cap tech trade. Luis walks us through his high-conviction “Power Thesis,” which identifies a massive structural shortage in U.S. electricity driven by AI and data center demand, and highlights key beneficiaries across nuclear, LNG, and energy infrastructure. We also explore why LVS is optimistic about merger arbitrage and corporate restructurings in 2026, how he’s positioning around global dislocations and misunderstood compounders, and why today’s concentrated market environment may be creating one of the most attractive opportunity sets for disciplined, catalyst-driven investors. We mention a number of companies and sectors during this conversation, and I’m not a shareholder in any of them. For more information about LVS Advisory, please visit: https://lvsadvisory.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:45 Investment Strategies Overview 06:01 Event-Driven Investing Insights 09:10 Merger Arbitrage Opportunities 11:50 Market Outlook for 2026 15:11 Catalysts vs. Quality Businesses 18:02 Case Study: Talon Energy 20:54 Power Thesis and Macro Insights 24:08 Characteristics of Quality Investments 30:47 The Role of LNG in Global Energy Markets 39:05 Investing in Microcap Energy Companies 47:44 Exploring Nuclear Energy Opportunities 50:42 Future Trends in Housing and Media Investments Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. The purpose of this conversation is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC are not registered investment advisors. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC, MicroCapClub LLC, its partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, and affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned on this program and may trade in such securities at any time. Do your own due diligence and seek counsel from a registered investment advisor before trading in any security.

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I spoke with Ryan Telford, Head of Evidence-Based Research at MicroCapClub, where he breaks down why headline profitability and earnings beats can be misleading, and how investors should instead focus on quality of earnings—cash flow support, reinvestment discipline, and earnings stability—along with dilution risk as the true predictors of performance. We discuss the data showing how high-quality earners significantly outperform low-quality peers globally, why many profitable microcaps still underperform after strong quarters, and how looming equity raises can act as a hidden “tax” on shareholder returns. We mention a number of companies and sectors during this conversation, and I’m not a shareholder in any of them. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Microcap Investing and Research 03:46 Understanding Quality of Earnings in Microcaps 08:49 The Quality of Earnings Scorecard Explained 13:43 Analyzing Low vs. High Quality Earnings 18:34 Modernizing the Quality of Earnings Framework 23:38 Transitioning to Dilution Risk in Microcaps 27:39 Market Reactions and Equity-Debt Ratios 31:02 Dilution Trends in Micro Caps 32:14 Understanding Dilution Risk Scorecard 38:09 Correlation Between Earnings Quality and Dilution Risk 46:40 Returns Based on Dilution Risk 50:23 Indicators of Potential Dilution Risk For more information about MicroCapClub, please visit: https://microcapclub.com/ Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. The purpose of this conversation is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC are not registered investment advisors. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC, MicroCapClub LLC, its partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, and affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned on this program and may trade in such securities at any time. Do your own due diligence and seek counsel from a registered investment advisor before trading in any security.

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I'm joined by Chris Marlett, Co-Founder and CEO of MDB Capital Holdings (NASDAQ: MDBH), to unpack the firm’s differentiated “public venture” model and why he believes the traditional venture capital and private equity ecosystem is breaking down. Chris explains how MDB operates as a hands-on merchant bank—building and taking early-stage, big-idea companies public as an alternative to VC—while addressing the shrinking U.S. microcap universe, the misperceptions around the cost of being public, and the opportunity created by a severe shortage of high-quality public companies. We also discuss MDB’s focus on category leaders with billion-dollar potential, its equity-aligned business model, and why public markets can offer founders a more attractive path to scale, liquidity, and long-term value creation. We mention a number of companies and sectors during this conversation, and I’m not a shareholder in any of them. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to MDB Capital Holdings 01:40 Chris Marlett's Journey in Microcap Financing 03:19 Founding MDB Capital Holdings 08:22 Understanding Public Venture vs. Big Ideas 10:55 The Cost of Going Public 15:31 The Shift in Private Equity and Venture Capital 20:26 Why Now is the Time for MDB Capital 26:42 Identifying the Sweet Spot for IPOs 27:18 The Importance of Unique IP in Deep Tech 28:34 Navigating the Public Venture Ecosystem 29:51 Differentiating in a Competitive Market 30:50 The Challenges of Investment Banking 33:16 The Future of Microcap Investment 36:28 Sourcing Profitable Companies 39:19 Expanding Focus Beyond Deep Tech 41:09 Engaging with Institutional Investors 43:24 The Need for Follow-On Financing 46:02 Upcoming Opportunities in the Pipeline 50:11 Determining Ideal IPO Sizes For more information about MDB Capital Holdings, please visit: https://www.mdb.com/ Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. The purpose of this conversation is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC are not registered investment advisors. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC, MicroCapClub LLC, its partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, and affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned on this program and may trade in such securities at any time. Do your own due diligence and seek counsel from a registered investment advisor before trading in any security.