Independent Sponsors & Capital Providers Dealmakers Meeting — Boston

Independent sponsors are everywhere, but only a few thrive. With deal competition doubling in five years, winning is no longer about speed; it is about strategy. Guiding questions: • With over 1,500 sponsors competing, how do you identify and secure the right deals before others? • What structural or operational advantages separate the top 20% of high-performing sponsors? • Are there sectors where independent sponsors still have an edge due to less competition?

The deal is won in the structure. Smart partnership terms, anticipated pitfalls, and disciplined regulatory navigation separate the deals that close from the ones that stall. Guiding questions: • How are sponsors structuring partnerships with investor partners and targets to align interests and protect value? • Which M&A and deal-related pitfalls most often derail transactions between signing and close? • What regulatory dynamics across health services, technology, defense, energy, and life sciences are reshaping deal structures in 2026?

Successful exits demand foresight. Planning, positioning, and operational rigor separate winners from the rest. Guiding questions: • How can sponsors identify the optimal exit window for maximum return? • Which operational improvements create the biggest value lift for buyers? • How do you position a deal to attract competitive bidding even in a tight market?

Earnings tell the story, operations reveal the potential. While QofE confirms historical results, QofO provides a roadmap to future value creation, showing where improvements, cost efficiencies, or growth initiatives can materially increase returns. Guiding questions: • Which operational levers create the biggest impact post-acquisition? • How can QofO findings influence purchase price or negotiation leverage? • What processes reliably reveal hidden value and risks before closing?

The first three months are make-or-break. Early missteps can erase years of value creation. Guiding questions: • Which board and management alignment practices accelerate results? • What KPIs matter most in the early months post-acquisition? • How can sponsors prevent early operational missteps from escalating?