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Mergers, Acquisitions & Buyouts Conference 2023

Driving business growth through M&A

14 February 2023
9.30 AM – 9.30 PM (GMT +02:00)
MeetDistrict Ghelamco Ghent
Young graduate, Professional, Alumni, Student, Current participant
€ 420
This event has passed.
14 February 2023
9.30 AM – 9.30 PM (GMT +02:00)
MeetDistrict Ghelamco Ghent
Young graduate, Professional, Alumni, Student, Current participant
€ 420
Corporate event

Want to be better prepared for an upcoming merger, acquisition or sale? Join us for our 2023 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 more than 2,000 participants. So why not come and be a part of it?

We’re still finalising the programme details, so stay tuned for updates.

Mergers and acquisitions conference brochure visual

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
  • Track 2: M&A as an accelerator for growth
  • Track 3: Ownership management and SME transition

Pre-conference meet-ups and workshops

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 journey. Check the website for the list of experts who will be attending.

You can also take part in four workshops that each tackle a key question:

  • How do you identify an M&A target?
  • How should you value an M&A target?
  • What are the different finance options available?
  • Which legal documents do you need for an M&A transaction?

Keynote talks

TOP-NOTCH KEYNOTE TALKS

Koen Schoors

Koen Schoors

Professor of Economics, Ghent University

The great transition

We are facing a fundamental shift to a new world order, both economically and politically. Relative prices – especially energy prices – will change drastically. We’ll transition from a global to a more regional world. We’ll move to a circular economy, with less young talent. And we’ll have to come to terms with the good and the bad of machine learning and AI. In the face of this great transition, resilience will become much more important – with more emphasis on compartmentalisation, redundancy and agility, rather than blind optimisation.

Annick Desmecht

Annick Desmecht

Private Equity Operational Advisor, Investcorp

From barbarians to smooth operators: How private equity practices are reshaping the world of business

Private equity was born in the 1980s – making it a relatively new asset class. From an obscure set of tactics developed by greedy investment bankers, it’s evolved into a respected asset class which is growing year on year. Private equity uses specific strategies to create value for the companies they own – and these practices have earned the best players superior returns. So it’s not surprising that they’re in demand among executives in other companies, both listed and private – and that they’ve begun to influence what’s considered ‘good management’. We’ll discuss the practices that are most appropriate for different ownership contexts.

Jos De Vuyst

Jos De Vuyst

Chief Executive Officer, Stow Group

Transforming into a technology company: The organic and inorganic growth strategy of Stow

How did we transform a small, West Flemish industrial company into a leading global player in high-tech material handling equipment? By thinking big! This is a fascinating journey, touching on how to guide a company through different stages of ownership, how to transform from an industrial company to a tech/software company – and how to manage organic and inorganic growth.

Speakers

Mathieu Luypaert

Mathieu Luypaert

Professor of Corporate Finance

Mathieu Luypaert explains how insights into financial figures and decisions can lead to value creation.

Miguel Meuleman

Miguel Meuleman

Professor of Entrepreneurship

Miguel Meuleman is passionate about the process, people and investors behind new venture ideas.

Hans Vanoorbeek

Hans Vanoorbeek

Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship

An expert in private equity, Hans Vanoorbeek shares his passion for entrepreneurial buyouts.

Sophie Manigart

Sophie Manigart

Professor of Corporate Finance

Sophie Manigart is an experienced teacher, researcher and advisor in entrepreneurial finance, venture capital and private equity.

PROGRAMME

PRE-CONFERENCE

Kick-start your M&A career
9.30
1 PM
Schedule private meet-ups with brokers, investors, bankers and advisors
Workshops
10.00
10.30 AM
A primer on how to search for an M&A target (Vlerick Business School)
10.30
11.00 AM
A primer on how to value an M&A target (BDO)
11.00
11.30 AM
A primer on funding options when buying a company (Bank Van Breda)
11.30
12.00 PM
A primer on the legal documents in an M&A transaction (Van Olmen & Wynant
12.00
12.30 PM
Open Q&A with the experts

Practical information

Location: Meetdistrict Ghelamco Arena, Ottergemsesteenweg Zuid 808, 9000 Ghent

Pricing:

  • Pre-conference events and conference: €420 (excl. 21% VAT)
  • Conference only: €380 (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.

Vlerick Learning Festival 2019

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

Bank Van Breda logo
BDO logo
Van Olmen & Wynant logo

Get in touch!

Cloé De Moor

Cloé De Moor

Coordinator & Team Assistant