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.

Underlying Value with Andrew Pogue, Founder of Underlying Value Substack