Since its launch in 2010, the Baltic M&A and Private Equity Forum has garnered an excellent reputation among private equity and venture capital funds, investment bankers, lawyers, and other advisers, as well as company managers and shareholders. The forum attracts over 200 participants each year, offering a platform for establishing new contacts, discovering business opportunities, sharing experiences, and networking with peers.
This year we will hear market dissection by key Baltic PE funds, investor views on DefTech, the anatomy of exits in today’s toughening environment, and a selection of landmark case studies. A keynote on European growth financing will be given by Garri Jones, Global Head of Venture & Growth Banking at Lazard, a 175-year-old firm providing financial advice and investment solutions.
DATE: 22nd of April, 2025
TIME: 9.15 – 17.30 (Baltic M&A and Private Equity Awards ceremony and reception until 20.00)
PLACE: Noblessner Foundry, Tallinn, Estonia (Peetri 10, 10415 Tallinn, Estonia)
THE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Don’t miss the opportunity to register your participation at the best price!
EARLY BIRD* price for one person for participation in person or online: EUR 419 + VAT (the price is available until February 17th only)
Price for three or more participants from one company: EUR 369 + VAT per person (the price is available until March 7th only)
*full price EUR 560 + VAT
CLICK HERE or SCROLL DOWN TO REGISTER
More about the event:
SANTA BUTĀNE
Dienas Bizness | project manager
+371 26132470| santa.butane@db.lv
09:15 – 10:00 Arrival and morning coffee
10:00 – 10:10 Welcome words
MEELIS MANDEL, Editor-in-Chief of Äripäev
TOOMAS PRANGLI, Partner at Sorainen
10:10 – 10:20 TBA
10:20 – 10:55 KEYNOTE. Market outlook – European growth financing – a global perspective
Lazard’s Global Head of Venture & Growth Banking joins us to discuss::
– the outlook for fundraising in the private market
– the outlook for exits whether via secondary sale, acquisition or IPO
– how the European and US markets are developing
GARRI JONES, Managing Director and Global Co-Head of Venture & Growth Banking at Lazard (UK)
10:55 – 11:25 Panel discussion. What to expect in 2025 and beyond in the transactional market: Will deal flow continue to accelerate and what drives the market?
As Europe and the Baltics appear to be emerging from the market recession, the transactional market may have undergone significant long-term changes due to various macroeconomic and geopolitical crises. The traditional transaction advisers’ panel will shed light on key global and regional trends in the M&A and private equity landscape, provide insights into the future of cross-border activities, and address current challenges and opportunities in deal-making.
Moderated by: JUHAN LANG, Head of Investment Department at AS Äripäev
Panelists:
GARRI JONES, Managing Director and Global Co-Head of Venture & Growth Banking at Lazard (UK)
VALERIA KIISK, Partner of Redgate group of companies
LAURIS BALGA, Partner at Superia
JULIJUS GRIGALIUNAS, Managing Partner at Porta Finance
11:25 – 11:55 Coffee and networking break
11:55 – 12:25 Fundraising in focus: fireside chat with PE funds’ views on raising capital
Participants:
DEIMANTĖ KORSAKAITĖ, Managing Partner of INVL Baltic Sea Growth Fund and INVL Private Equity Fund II
ERNESTS BORDĀNS, Investment Partner at Livonia Partners
12:25 – 13:00 Panel discussion. LP’s view: How are evolving standards shaping future expectations for the performance and governance of funds?
With a growing emphasis on performance as well as corporate governance, LPs’ expectations when working with PE/VC funds are evolving. We will explore how these standards shape the Baltic investment ecosystem and identify opportunities for progress.
Panelists:
KRISS SPULIS, Senior Head of Unit, Energy Infrastructure Investments at European Investment Fund
VAHUR VALLISTU, CEO of LHV Asset Management
ENE ÕUNMAA, Swedbank Pension Funds Senior Portfolio Manager
13:00 – 14:15 Lunch
14:15 – 14:35 Case Study TBA
14:35 – 15:10 Panel discussion. Exits under the spotlight: Lessons from 2024 and expectations for 2025
What is the anatomy of exits for investment funds in today’s environment? We will delve into the successes and challenges of sales processes, along with key strategies and lessons learned.
Panelists:
MAARJA PÄRS, Investment Director at Livonia Partners
NERIJUS DROBAVIČIUS, Partner at INVL Baltic Sea Growth Fund
15:10 – 15:40 Case Study TBA
15:40 – 16:10 Networking break
16:10 – 16:30 From Vision to Reality: Key Drivers in Defense Technology Investment
EDVINAS KERZA, Managing Partner of ScaleWolf
In this presentation, Edvinas will share how ScaleWolf finds and invests in promising defense technology companies. Their investment process focuses on four key steps: scouting, teaching, learning, and proving. The defense technology market is changing fast, and understanding exact client needs is crucial. He will use real examples to show how they identify good opportunities and handle challenges in this dynamic field.
16:30 – 17:00 Panel discussion. Inside Defense Tech: Investor insight on risks and rewards
What key factors do investors consider when making Defense Tech investments? What constraints do they face? How does the changing context of war impact the sector’s attractiveness to investors?
Moderated by: KAUPO LEPASEPP, Country Managing Partner at Sorainen Estonia
Panelists:
EDVINAS KERZA, Managing Partner of ScaleWolf
PHILIP JUNGEN, Co-founder of Darkstar
ALEKSANDER DOBRZYNIECKI, General Partner at VC fund Balnord (PL)
17:00 – 17:25 TBA
17:25 – 17:30 Closing remarks
17:30 – 18:00 Refreshing drinks and networking before celebrating the deals of the year
18:00 – 20:00 Baltic M&A and Private Equity Awards ceremony and reception
Party time! Networking reception to celebrate milestone Baltic transactions.
Location: Proto Invention Factory, Peetri 10, Tallinn, Estonia
