Mergers, Acquisitions & Buyouts Conference 2026
Driving business growth through M&A
Want to be better prepared for an upcoming merger, acquisition or sale? Join us for our 2026 conference, and you’ll get the knowledge and tools you need for success. Learn about the steps you need to take, get expert advice – and reflect on your own ambitions. Our Mergers, Acquisitions & Buyouts conferences have already transformed the entrepreneurial thinking of almost 3,000 participants. So why not come and be a part of it?
Discover our speaker preview below and keep an eye on our website to view the full programme soon.
Main conference programme - Three tracks, one unique event
Get inspiration from successful entrepreneurs, learn best practice from academics and experts – and discover your next steps. Choose from three tracks:
- Track 1: Buy your own company
- Designed for those looking to become owner-managers or entrepreneurs through management buyouts and/or buy-ins.
- Track 2: M&A as an accelerator for growth
- Designed for corporate M&A teams, business owners, corporate decision makers, investors and advisors
- Track 3: Ownership management and SME transition
- Designed for SME owners and entrepreneurs
Pre-conference meet-ups and workshops
If you are an entrepreneur or just getting started on your M&A journey, then our pre-conference programme is for you. This is your chance to have a private session with brokers, investors, financial advisors and banks – so you can get the support you need to kickstart your M&A trajectory.
You can also take part in our primers, with several workshops that introduce tools, concepts and tackle key questions on M&A.
Keynote talks
Scott Moeller
Professor in the Practice of Finance, Director M&A Research Centre - Bayes Business School
Gert Bervoets
CEO at Essers
Mieke Verstraeten
Managing Director/Chief of Staff at Group Induver
Sjarel De Bondt
President at Group Induver
Speakers
Yves Regniers
CFO at What's Cooking Group
Greet Van Laecke
New Business Development Director at What's Cooking Group
Christophe Timmermans
co-CEO/Owner at Alfa Fish
Nicholas De Nil
CEO & Co-Founder at Bizzcontrol
Jan De Vleeschauwer
CEO & Founder at Flow Group
Lotte Van de Mierop
Founder & Partner at Roots Transition Partners
Roel Caers
CEO at Guardsquare
Femke Helon
Owner at 3Motion
Joris Vrancken
Owner/CEO at P&V Panels Group of companies
Rakhal Van Orshoven
Managing Director at Ebbinge & Company
Hans Vanoorbeek
Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship
An expert in private equity, Hans Vanoorbeek shares his passion for entrepreneurial buyouts.
Pieter Casneuf
Entrepreneur in Residence
Pieter Casneuf is an entrepreneurial veteran – and a source of insight and experience for aspiring entrepreneurs at Vlerick.
Practical information
Pricing
- Pre-conference events and conference: €480 (excl. 21% VAT)
- Conference only: €420 (excl. 21% VAT)
- Discount for Vlerick alumni (of long-term programmes): 10%
Swapcard: personalised info at your fingertips
We've partnered with SwapCard, an app designed to make your conference experience more meaningful and impactful. It sends your personalised programme straight to your phone – and is a valuable tool for connecting with your fellow attendees.
Ready to learn more about mergers, acquisitions and buyouts? Come and join us.
Vlerick’s Centre for Mergers, Acquisitions & Buyouts develops and collates insights and best practice from across the M&A field – covering everything from the end-to-end deal process to financing and integration. The Centre brings its research and knowledge together to share with anyone involved in mergers, acquisitions or sales.
Prime Foundation Partners
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