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!
Entrance fee for one person for participation in person or online: EUR 509 + VAT (the price is available until April 15th only*)
Price for three or more participants from one company: EUR 409 + VAT per person (the price is available until April 15th 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 – 10:15 Welcome words
MEELIS MANDEL, Editor-in-Chief of Äripäev
TOOMAS PRANGLI, Partner at Sorainen
10:15 – 10:45 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, Lazard’s Venture Growth Banking Managing Director
10:45 – 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, Lazard’s Venture Growth Banking Managing Director
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
Moderated by: INGA MILIAUSKIENĖ, Head of Private Banking and Investment Department at SEB Bank
Participants:
DEIMANTĖ KORSAKAITĖ, Managing Partner of INVL Baltic Sea Growth Fund and INVL Private Equity Fund II
KAIDO VESKE, Founding 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.
Moderated by: SILLE PETTAI, CEO of SmartCap
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
TOMAS KAIRYS, EBRD Head of Baltic States
13:05 – 14:20 Lunch
14:20 – 14:35 Unlocking new value: Navigating innovative business models in private capital
Private capital investors are increasingly investing – especially in growth and tech – in business models that break out of the typical strategic tradeoff of lower cost position vs differentiated product or route to market. Such network-driven and ecosystem-driven business models are more dynamic and complex and therefore require investors to take a different lens to them to understand their true value potential and build real conviction. We will explore what makes them different and what the practical implications for investors are.
Dr. YURI ROMANENKOV, Partner at Claria Strategy Partners and Strategy Lecturer at London Business School
14:35 – 15:05 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.
Moderated by: HEIKKI KÄLLU, Partner at Oaklins Estonia
Panelists:
MAARJA PÄRS, Investment Director at Livonia Partners
NERIJUS DROBAVIČIUS, Partner at INVL Baltic Sea Growth Fund
PIOTR SADOWSKI, Partner at Accession Capital Partners, Head of Baltic Region
15:05 – 15:35 Investing in uncertain times: Managing political risks in the Baltics
In today’s shifting geopolitical landscape, political risks pose a growing challenge for investors in the Baltics and beyond. Projects are being delayed or cancelled due to uncertainty, but Political Risk Insurance (PRI) offers a solution. Sorainen partner Indrė Peledaitė will interview Marina Cottaris, Senior Client Advisor in Political Risk and Structured Credit at Marsh, to explore what PRI covers, how it protects businesses from risks like expropriation and political violence, and its financial benefits beyond indemnification. We’ll also discuss real cases, increasing demand in the region, and how investors can leverage PRI to safeguard their assets and balance sheets.
MARINA COTTARIS, Senior Client Advisor – Political Risks & Structured Credit, Credit Specialties at Marsh
INDRĖ PELĖDAITĖ, partner at Sorainen
15:35 – 16:05 Networking break
16:05 – 16:25 Darkstar: Pioneering defence innovation for global security
Join us for an insightful overview of Darkstar’s vision and mission, and discover how this coalition revolutionises defence technology to enhance national security and preparedness for NATO and its allies. Ragnar Sass will share insights into a transformative approach that bridges modern warfare challenges with cutting-edge solutions, fosters collaboration, and builds a thriving ecosystem to shape the future of defence.
RAGNAR SASS, Co-Founder of Darkstar
16:25 – 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:
PHILIP JUNGEN, Co-founder of Darkstar
ALEKSANDER DOBRZYNIECKI, General Partner at VC fund Balnord (PL)
17:00 – 17:30 AI – your new business partner or future overlord?
Indrek Seppo delivers an engaging speech covering his learnings from working on and with artificial intelligence for the last ten years. Why did we arrive here now, what can AI do currently, why will you initially fail while implementing it and what might the future hold.
INDREK SEPPO, Intelligent artificial intelligence consultant
17:30 – 17:35 Closing remarks
17:35 – 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
