"The Best Time to Invest": How AI Disruption is Reshaping Software Valuations | Ben Topor | Titan Capital Partners

This episode is sponsored by Pictet Asset Management and its AI-enhanced equity ETFs. Pictet AI Enhanced US Equity ETF (PQUS): https://etf.am.pictet.com/pqus/?utm_campaign=usetf&cid=2826077237&utm_source=jfmv&utm_content=pquslp&utm_medium=podcast_02&utm_term=noterm Pictet AI Enhanced International Equity ETF (PQNT): https://etf.am.pictet.com/pqnt/?utm_campaign=usetf&cid=2715538577&utm_source=jfmv&utm_content=pqnt&utm_medium=podcast_02&utm_term=noterm Max Wiethe sits down with Ben Topor, founder of Titan Capital Partners and author of Decoding the Software Landscape, to unpack the seismic shifts happening in the tech investment world. Topor explains how AI is commoditizing the software application layer and shares why the recent correction in software valuations makes this a prime time to invest. The conversation also delves into the booming secondary market, the structural differences between US and Israeli tech hubs, and how startups can build unbreachable AI-proof moats through distribution and proprietary data. Finally, Topor reveals the strategic tactics founders use to outmaneuver tech giants by moving in silence and misdirecting competitors. Follow Ben Topor: https://x.com/ben_topor Follow Max on X: https://x.com/maxwiethe Follow Other People’s Money on: Apple Podcast https://bit.ly/4e7QJ1M Spotify https://bit.ly/3Yhaazi YouTube https://bit.ly/3C63VXR X https://x.com/opmpod Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:10 Mapping the Software Landscape 03:45 What AI Changes in Software 09:13 AI Led M&A Wave 13:36 Valuations and Timing 15:34 Secondaries Liquidity Thesis 17:33 Pictet AI-Enhanced Equity ETFs 19:08 How Titan Buys Secondaries 21:07 Why Companies Stay Private 23:00 Finding Category Leaders 26:47 Reading Financial Symptoms 28:37 Mispriced Gems or Turnarounds? 31:25 Exit Paths Today 35:17 Investing in Israel 38:16 Cybersecurity Edge 41:08 Too Much Capital 43:38 AI Proof Moats 45:17 What Counts as Data 46:40 Private Credit Risks 50:36 Down Rounds Reframed 53:51 Titan’s Value Add 57:18 Competitive Maneuvering 01:02:37 Conclusion