PROGRAMME AGENDA  –  2 June 2026, Metropol Palace, Belgrade

The topics listed below are for general guidance only and will form the basis of the final agenda.

09:00 – 09:30 | Registration & Networking Coffee

Chairwoman Opening Remarks

Mirna Marovic – President, CVCA, Managing Director, VentureXchange

SESSION 1

CAPITAL GETS SELECTIVE: WHAT WINS IN SEE’S NEXT DEAL CYCLE

As private equity and strategic capital in SEE becomes more selective, scale, execution capability, and platform potential are increasingly decisive. This session examines why standalone assets struggle to attract premium valuations, how buy-and-build has become the preferred strategy in fragmented, family-owned markets, and how investors assess integration risk versus speed of execution. Panellists will also explore what drives exit premiums today—and why regional platforms are outperforming even strong local champions.

SESSION 2

CROSS-BORDER EXPANSION AND THE STRATEGIC BUYER ADVANTAGE

Corporate buyers are increasingly shaping SEE M&A, using regional expansion and operational synergies to outpace traditional private equity. This panel will explore how strategic acquisitions create value, the challenges of cross-border integration, and the competitive edge that corporate investors bring to today’s market. Attendees will gain actionable insights into deal execution, structuring, and driving growth across borders.

11:30 – 12:00 | Networking Break

SESSION 3

EXITS, NOT JUST ENTRIES

With SEE deal activity on the rise, understanding exit routes has never been more critical. This panel will explore the full spectrum of exit strategies — from IPOs and trade sales to secondary PE transactions — highlighting what works, what doesn’t, and the lessons from recent regional exits. Attendees will gain practical insights into preparing assets for sale, navigating valuation gaps, and maximizing returns in today’s competitive SEE market

SESSION 4

FUNDING SEE DEALS: FROM LPs TO DEBT PROVIDERS

 This panel explores how private equity fundraising, co-investments, and deal financing come together to drive M&A in SEE. Panelists will share insights from fund managers, LPs, banks, and corporate finance leaders on structuring transactions, optimizing leverage, and securing capital for complex deals. Attendees will gain practical lessons on navigating cross-border finance, meeting investor expectations, and executing deals in today’s competitive SEE market.

SESSION 5

REGIONAL CHAMPIONS IN THE MAKING: THE RACE TO BUILD SEE MARKET LEADERS

A clear shift from local champions to regional category leaders is visible across sectors. This session explores why scale is now a prerequisite for premium valuations in SEE, which sectors can produce regional champions, when expansion multiplies—or destroys—value, and how PE and strategic investors approach regionalisation differently.

16:00 – 16:05 | Closing Remarks

Mirna Marovic – President, CVCA, Managing Director, VentureXchange

16:05 – 17:00 | Networking Drink Reception