Jan-Dirk Lueders
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Hey Jan-Dirk — similar-ish path into PE, though from different directions. been thinking a lot about proprietary origination in recurring revenue / holdco models lately. would be good to connect.
Hey Jan-Dirk, we both landed in PE though from different directions — I came through IB at CS & Greenhill in London, not through trading and venture like you. origination was always the same story for me — clear thesis, decent relationships, but no proprietary system of record. the people, tools and ideas were never really connected. every deal virtually sourced from scratch, nothing compounding over time. curious if that's still how most funds operate or if I'm behind the times? — Russ
Hey Jan-Dirk, looks like we both ended up in PE, though from pretty different angles — I came through banking at CS & Greenhill in London into growth equity, not through options trading and market making like you. the pattern I keep seeing with most funds is weirdly consistent — strong thesis, solid network, but no proprietary system of record. the people, tools and ideas are never really connected. every deal virtually sourced from scratch, nothing compounds on itself. curious if that resonates at Pondera or if you've built something different given the holdco model? — Russ
hey Jan-Dirk — no worries if the timing's off. most funds I talk to have tried some version of building origination in-house — analyst pulling from Pitchbook or Grata, maybe using ChatGPT to help qualify, dumping it into a spreadsheet. each piece kind of works, but there's no system of record tying it together. the people, tools and ideas are all disconnected, so there's tonnes of wasted energy and everything ends up out of sync. been helping a few funds like Mentmore work through that. curious if you've run into the same thing at Pondera? — Russ
totally get it if origination infrastructure isn't top of mind right now — most funds have 10 things ahead of it on the priority list. the funds I've seen crack it early just tend to compound deal flow in a way that's hard to replicate later. if it ever moves up the list, I'm easy to find. — Russ
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Prospect Research
## PROSPECT INFORMATION: Name: Jan-Dirk Lueders Title: Partner Fund: Pondera Holdings LLC Background: Jan-Dirk L. is the Co-Founder of CMT Group and a Partner at Pondera Holdings LLC, based in Chicago. His primary professional focus is on the structural evolution of digital assets, blockchain infrastructure, and venture capital investments within the crypto derivatives market. Since 1997, he has been a foundational figure at CMT Asset Management and later co-founded CMT Digital in 2017. His background is deeply rooted in traditional financial services, specifically options trading, market making, and proprietary trading. Key skills include Options, Trading Systems, Derivatives, and Hedge Funds. He currently serves as a board member or partner for several firms, including Pondera Holdings and formerly Tempel and Dash Financial. Recent activity and specific post highlights: On February 28, 2026, he shared CMT Digital's investment in STS Digital Ltd, stating: "Our investment in STS Digital Ltd reflects our core belief in the structural evolution of the crypto derivatives markets." He added that "STS Digital is building the regulated liquidity engine on which crypto derivatives will run." On November 6, 2025, he celebrated the closing of CMT Digital’s fourth fund ($136M), noting: "At CMT Digital, we’ve been fortunate to back entrepreneurs who see opportunity where others see uncertainty and who continue to push the boundaries in nascent sectors." On March 20, 2025, he congratulated the CEO of FalconX, writing: "Very grateful to have been a part of FalconX’s success from the beginning! Raghu Yarlagadda, you are crushing it!" On October 20, 2025, he shared a milestone from Whisker (formerly AutoPets), a portfolio company, regarding a new standard for connected pet care: "A new era begins 10.21... Spoiler alert: You're gonna want a cat!" On July 20, 2023, he welcomed new talent to the team, stating: "So thankful to have you strengthen our team further! Exciting times!" On January 12, 2022, he highlighted the success of Zero Hash’s Series D funding: "Very proud to be part of this success story! Huge congrats, Edward and team!" On September 23, 2021, regarding Strike’s API launch and partnership with Twitter: "History in the making!" On September 23, 2020, he mentioned a unique art investment: "Proud to be part of @robertalice_21 Portraits of a Mind, the largest work of art in BTC history. We hold BLOCK 19." Fund details: - Description: Pondera Holdings LLC is an operationally-focused holding company formed to acquire controlling interests in private, entrepreneurial businesses - Website: https://www.ponderaholdings.com - Location: - Lead qualification: Research: - Query: =Pondera Holdings LLC Jan-Dirk Lueders recent investments fund thesis - Answer: Jan-Dirk Lueders co-founded Pondera Holdings LLC, which focuses on providing finance and capital services. The firm has an AUM of $585 million as of 2025. Lueders has over 30 years of experience in venture capital, private equity, and hedge funds.