The recovery of M&A activity toward the end of 2020 continues to accelerate in 2021, and as valuations remain high, we see targets coming from a growing pool of sellers. Paused deals have re-emerged, private equity still has record amounts of dry powder to deploy, and companies that were hit hard during the pandemic are reassessing strategies and noncore assets. What sectors will see opportunity during the recovery? What obstacles may affect deal flow? How will the new presidential administration’s laws and regulations on tax, trade, healthcare and the environment change the landscape? What role will M&A play in the overall global economic recovery?

Moderator: Steve Gelsi, Senior Editor, The Deal

Panelist: Tiffany Kosch, Managing Director, CenterGate Capital

Panelist: Justin Noznesky, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, AtriCure Inc.

Panelist: Renny Sie, Vice President, Boyne Capital

Panelist: Matt Wiener, Managing Director, Aon

With deal prices climbing, especially in competitive processes, proprietary transactions sourced outside of a normal process are more crucial than ever. But PE executives have had to navigate a difficult patchwork of video calls and digital introductions to keep the pipeline robust. How are PE firms allocating resources to source fresh M&A deals during the pandemic?

Moderator: Chris Nolter, Senior Reporter, The Deal

Panelist: Joshua Adams, Managing Director, Global Head of Business Development, OpenGate Capital

Panelist: Marilyn Adler, Managing Partner, Mizzen Capital

Panelist: Jeff Magny, Founder and Managing Partner, Lincoln Road

Panelist: Adrianne Shapira, Managing Director, Eurazeo Brands

Private equity remains in a strong position as the opportunities for investors and firms looking to deploy capital continue to evolve. Will the recovery bring back larger deals? Will the market for more exits via SPACs and IPOs stay robust? Will a rising nationalistic sentiment and a post-Covid focus on reliable and resilient supply chains lead to a more local bias in sectors such as healthcare, clean energy and green infrastructure? What are investor expectations for the rest of 2021?

Moderator: Steve Gelsi, Senior Editor, The Deal

Panelist: Mike Bego, Managing Partner, Kline Hill Partners

Panelist: Jennifer Lee, Principal, Edison Partners

Panelist: Stephen Master, Principal, GTCR

Panelist: Neal Reenan, Partner, Latham & Watkins

Panelist: Jeffrey Stevenson, Managing Partner, VSS

SPACs (special purpose acquisition companies) are shell companies created for the sole purpose of taking a private company public and have been playing a significant role in the M&A market, as capital flows at a staggering rate into these “blank check” companies. For sellers, SPACs expand the investor pool and provide a way to access capital that otherwise might not have been available and may be more desirable than an outright sale to another corporate or PE buyer. Will we see the SPAC frenzy continue, and what nuances do investors and companies need to be aware of?

Moderator: Bill Meagher, Senior Reporter, The Deal

Panelist: Brendan Carroll, Senior Partner and Co-Founder, Victory Park Capital

Panelist: Aditya Humad, Co-Founder & CFO, KICVentures Group

Panelist: Pat McHugh, Founder, Senior Managing Director, Okapi Partners

Founded in 1999, ICV Partners is a leading private investment firm that supports management leaders of strong lower middle market companies in pursuing growth. The principals of ICV have crafted a strong track record of helping companies expand their footprint and improve performance. Co-Founder, President and Managing Director Willie Woods will discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion in private equity, effects on performance because of Covid-19, the types of deals ICV Partners looks for and strategies to avoid overpaying in today’s heated market.

Interviewer: Steve Gelsi, Senior Editor, The Deal

Speaker: Willie Woods, President and Managing Director, ICV Partners

International M&A activity declined in 2020 as Covid-19 only added to the uncertainty created from global geopolitical tensions, Brexit, the U.S. presidential election and continued regulatory scrutiny. International targets, however, remain a focus for dealmakers seeking to increase scale and bolster global supply chains. With Brexit now complete, an EU-U.K. trade deal in place and a new U.S. administration in power, will we see a return to cross-border deals, particularly in Europe? Are there other jurisdictions that are ripe for U.S. cross-border activity?

Moderator: David Hatch, Senior Reporter, The Deal

Panelist: Robert Carlon, Director, Corporate Development, Smiths Group

Panelist: Andrew Olinick, Partner, Managing Director, 3i

Panelist: Eric Sondag, Managing Director, Eurazeo Capital