A closed-door, buy-side exchange for senior dealmakers on closing entry pricing gaps. Participants will discuss the structures currently winning deals: negotiating earn-out triggers, structuring fixed deferred consideration, using vendor notes and setting red lines to preserve operational alignment.

An off-the-record, workshop-style exchange on deploying custom AI agents and structured prompts for pre-deal execution. Participants will test live workflows for automated target screening, sector mapping and evaluating target company tech stacks, with downloadable prompt frameworks provided after the session.

Setting the tone for PE Live 2027, this opening address confronts the immediate operational reality of gridlocked execution and delayed exit timelines. Our keynote speaker will detail the core mandates driving returns when traditional leverage is constrained: building proprietary deal pipelines away from auctions, driving operational transformation to increase portfolio EBITDA and deploying practical AI tools to expand margins across traditional, non-tech portfolio assets.

Built directly on pre-event registration data, this live problem-solving exchange will tackle the top two operational friction points identified by attending GPs. Two GPs will brief pre-selected sponsor specialists on stage for three minutes each on a specific execution bottleneck. The service providers must then deliver direct, technical, evidence-based solutions detailing exact implementation workflows, timelines and value-creation metrics.

A straightforward discussion addressing the cost, speed and execution trade-offs of in-house operating partners versus external advisors. The session will cover team structuring, advisor cost-to-value ratios and portfolio intervention.

A practitioner-led session focusing on bypassing auctions to originate off-market deals. The conversation will encompass intent data, automated target mapping, multi-year relationship workflows and pre-empting processes through thesis-driven conviction.

A direct exchange detailing credit negotiations in tight refinancing markets. The group will examine amend-and-extend terms, managing technical covenant breaches, executing liability management strategies and negotiating debt-to-equity conversions.

A candid look at assets acquired at valuation peaks facing flat growth or debt pressures. Speakers leading the conversation will share execution strategies for managing trapped capital, debt restructuring and resetting exit timelines.

A dedicated networking break accompanied by three concurrent, invitation-only sector strategy lunches co-hosted by recognised sector specialists. Each roundtable will gather domain experts to discuss domain specialisation versus generalist strategies, interrogate sub-sector valuation trends and share thesis-driven origination and exit tactics under Chatham House rules.Invitation-only sector strategy roundtable lunches:TMT and B2B servicesIndustrials and energy transitionHealthcare and life scien …

Returning to the main room after lunch, the audience will split into small, moderator-led discussion tables covering topics including:Automating the deal pipelineExecuting non-standard deal structuresManaging junior talent in the age of automationEvaluating cyber and tech risks in target companies

Moving back into breakout discussions for an expert-led exchange which will strip away the generic tech hype. The session will discuss how GPs evaluate proprietary AI against white-labelled software, deploying autonomous agents across portfolio companies to expand EBITDA margins.

Providing an unvarnished assessment of continuation vehicles and secondaries. Participants will share approaches to navigating LPAC conflict management, transfer pricing, fairness opinions and securing stapled primary capital.

A candid exchange on bridging buyer-seller valuation gaps in suppressed exit markets. Our expert speakers will lead the discussion on structured earn-outs, vendor notes and strategic M&A positioning to achieve liquidity.

Returning to the main room for a high-energy, fast-paced synthesis of the day’s core learnings. Four leading dealmakers will have 60 seconds each to pitch their biggest takeaway or controversial market prediction. The audience will vote live on whether they agree or disagree, opening up to direct, unfiltered debates on the true state of the European midmarket.

Closing the day, we will feature a candid keynote address from a scale-up founder or CEO. Leaning into the entrepreneurial spirit that unites private equity professionals, this talk will provide a frontline perspective on what it takes to build operational resilience, integrate emerging technologies and drive enterprise value in today’s complex macroeconomic landscape.