This week, in a special edition of the SPACInsider Podcast, we speak with David Cote, Executive Chairman of Vertiv, and Tom Knott, who was previously Head of Permanent Capital at Goldman Sachs. Both joined forces in 2019 on GS Acquisition Holdings Corp., which combined with Vertiv (NYSE:VRT) in what has become the most successful SPAC deal of all time.
We discuss what were the critical ingredients to the transaction’s success and what is needed to achieve solid returns in SPAC deals under the current conditions.
However, it wasn’t all roses from the start, with the deal closing right as the pandemic shocks were beginning to hit the system. But, the two explain how their team weathered the storm with both preparation and a plan for the company’s post-transaction future.
Give it a listen.


AI Infrastructure (NASDAQ:AIIAU) has filed for a $100 million IPO to be the latest crossover of a team from being a SPAC target to a SPAC sponsor. This SPAC offers investors one right to a 1/5 share in each unit and a potential first redemption opportunity at 18 months. The SPAC may automatically extend this...
At the SPAC of Dawn This week has been partially defined by market reactions to the core PPI inflation numbers that came out yesterday, but today’s session will receive fresh inputs on US retail, manufacturing and industrial production figures. SPACs also have to contend with public market reactions to new issuance that has not been...
Viking Acquisition Corp. I (NASDAQ:VACIU) has filed for a $200 million SPAC with strong terms led by international Deutsche Bank alumni. We are only halfway through the month of August, but teams have already filed S-1s for 12 new SPACs, matching July’s total. Cohen & Company has largely been the engine for this surge as...
Bleichroeder I (NASDAQ:BACQ) has entered into a definitive agreement to combine with defense contractor Merlin Labs at a pro forma enterprise value of $1 billion. Merlin is developing the technology for autonomously piloting aircraft in defense and civil applications. The combined company is expected to trade on the Nasdaq once the deal is completed in...
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