Capital flows and connections grow at SuperReturn in Miami

From AI hype to Latin America’s private market boom, SuperReturn North America 2025 brought serious dealmakers to Miami’s expanding financial frontier.

By Riley Kaminer

Can you feel all the deals being done in Downtown?

SuperReturn North America took over the InterContinental Miami this week, drawing over 700 private capital professionals, including Limited Partners (LPs), General Partners (GPs), and other key players in private equity.

Across three days of panels, discussions, and networking events, attendees examined the state of the industry, investment trends, and how shifting market conditions are shaping strategies.

Market realities and investor caution

The turbulence of public markets loomed large at the event, including one of the first panels. This “State of the Market” panel tackled broad economic factors influencing private capital.

Jeff Ransdell, Managing Director of Fuel VC, reflected on Miami’s transformation over the past 24 years, noting its growth as an investment hub. While the city has attracted significant capital and talent, he cautioned against the tendency to chase trends.

“We all have to be careful about what we’re running into,” Ransdell said, pointing to AI as a sector where investors need to apply scrutiny. He compared the current excitement around AI to the internet boom of the late ‘90s, with many companies branding themselves as AI-driven despite lacking meaningful innovation. To avoid hype-driven investments, his firm has brought on a team of 11 technology due diligence specialists. “At the end of the day, our job is to return value to investors,” said Ransdell [pictured above, at right].

Latin America’s expanding investment landscape

A panel on Latin America’s growth story explored investment opportunities in the region. Moderators David Enriquez of Clipway and Yennifer Frascone of General Atlantic led a discussion on the regulatory landscape, investor priorities, and cross-border capital flows.

“People think LatAm is small, but the combined GDP is $6.5 trillion – the same as Germany,” noted Alessandro Silvestro of Lemanik Asset Management. The panelists highlighted the rise of pension funds, family offices, and alternative asset managers in the region, with Mexico’s alternative investment bucket projected to double to $120 billion in the next five years.

Investors also discussed the challenges of operating in Latin America, where each country has distinct regulations and risk factors. Panelists stressed the importance of local expertise in navigating these complexities, particularly as pension reforms in countries like Colombia and Chile reshape capital allocation.

Play ball! Private equity’s role in sports

SuperReturn also dove into how private equity is reshaping professional sports. Miami Dolphins CEO Tom Garfinkel and Ares Management’s Mark Affolter discussed increasing investor interest in teams, stadiums, and media rights.

The panel also addressed the rising value of women’s sports, with leagues like the WNBA and NWSL seeing greater investment and fan engagement. “There’s serious money to be made here,” Garfinkel said.

Mike McDaniel on leadership and adaptability

Miami Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel [pictured below, at left] brought a different perspective to the event in a keynote conversation with Prosek Partners’ Jon Schwartz. Known for his unconventional coaching approach, McDaniel spoke about leadership, adaptability, and resilience – qualities that resonate in both sports and business.

“If you told me five years ago I’d be talking finance with a room full of investors, I’d have called you crazy,” McDaniel said. “But hey, here we are.”

A place for deals and connections

Beyond the panels, SuperReturn provided ample networking opportunities, from structured LP-GP matchmaking to informal gatherings like a casino-themed reception.

Colorado-based Mike Conover, CEO of AI research platform Brightwave, noted Miami’s growing appeal. “Miami is more vibrant than I knew,” he told Refresh Miami. “SuperReturn has been a fantastic opportunity to connect with tech-forward asset managers who are serious about making serious bets in markets as well as with their tech stack.”

Conover, whose company has raised $21 million in 20 months, pointed to the city’s concentration of capital and expanding investor network.

“There’s a culture that makes the heart sing – what more do you want as a founder?” he said.

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Riley Kaminer

I am a Miami-based technology researcher and writer with a passion for sharing stories about the South Florida tech ecosystem. I particularly enjoy learning about GovTech startups, cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence, and innovators that leverage technology to transform society for the better. Always open for pitches via Twitter @rileywk or www.RileyKaminer.com.