Paris, 17th September 2024. IPEM, the premier relationship broker for the global private capital industry, wrapped up its second Paris edition at the Palais des Congrès last week. The global private capital industry came together in the French capital and left with a sense of progress and opportunity. Over three days, key discussions took place on navigating uncertain markets, innovative investment strategies, and fostering relationships in the ever-evolving financial landscape.

There was an impressive turnout with the event’s growing global appeal underlined. Across the three days, the key stats included:

🟠 5,500 Participants

🟠 2,220 Firms Including 775 Fund Managers

🟠 1,200 Limited Partners (LPs)

🟠 60% International Firms represented

🟠 320 Speakers sharing insights across various industry-focused topics

🟠 Representation from 55 countries

On the opening day, LPs were in the spotlight at the exclusive “LP-Only” sessions, where 300 participants from 50 countries gathered to explore the evolving private equity landscape. The focus was on addressing key challenges, such as lower distribution rates, higher interest rates, and the widening gap in returns. Despite these hurdles, LPs remain committed to private markets, with many anticipating increased allocations over the next 24 months, particularly in mid-market growth and buyout strategies. The rise of continuation funds and secondaries offers liquidity solutions, while transparency, co-investment rights, and governance remain top priorities for LPs.

On day 2, attendees were treated to a wide range of panels providing critical insights into the current state and future trends of private markets. Overall, the sessions painted a picture of an industry adapting to technological advancements and environmental challenges while remaining cautiously optimistic about future growth opportunities.

Key topics included:

🟠 How macroeconomics and geopolitics are affecting deal flow and Private Equity

🟠 Private Equity in its post booming years

🟠 The return of mega deals

🟠 Private credit and its role in the global financial system

🟠Venture and Growth Equity revealed a competitive landscape for quality deals, with regulatory compliance and AI-driven healthcare software emerging as prime opportunities

🟠DeepTech showed resilience, while digital infrastructure and decarbonization efforts gained prominence

🟠 The growing role of AI in investment strategies

🟠The importance of management incentivization in infrastructure assets

🟠 The crucial need for private capital in Europe’s energy transition

The last day of IPEM Paris 2024 at the Palais des Congrès, Paris, was once again buzzing with active conversations, networking and sharing ideas as industry peers from across the globe prepared for another packed schedule. The focus of the main conference agenda shifted to the LP community, under the title, “Keeping capital confident: Where and how LPs will allocate in 2025”.

To set the scene, Nicolas Beaugrand, Partner and Managing Director, AlixPartners, shared with the audience some fantastic market intelligence from the latest IPEM 2025 Allocation and Fundraising Report. Approximately $110 billion of LP allocations were expected at IPEM based on the data provided by over 1,000 LPs who participated in the research.

Key topics on the day across the conference included:

🟠 Ethical GP partnerships

🟠 Innovative new liquidity options, such as continuation vehicles

🟠 Interest Rates and the “new normal”

🟠 The future of sports investing

🟠 Private credit and the long runway

🟠 Asia Pacific Region

🟠 Women in Private Markets