Despite growing resistance from some quarters, and a rapidly changing investment landscape affected by geopolitical instability, rising interest rates and cost of living and energy security, ESG-related assets under management are rising and growing in importance. Although there is tighter ESG scrutiny, private market stakeholders acknowledge the significance of embedding ESG considerations into their investment decision making and LP scrutiny continues unabated. This shift in momentum, as well as how to address the key challenges for the private markets community in the region, will be discussed by our panel of industry leaders. 

• What are the key ESG trends emerging in 2023/24?
• Have we seen increased ESG implementation in the region? 
• What are the expectations on harmonisation of regulatory and reporting standards? 
• How to address the risks surrounding transparency and accountability?

Energy transition is viewed as the best opportunity set for private equity in a generation, with annual investment on the road to net zero expected to be in the US$ trillions for the next 20+ years. Depending on their investment mandate and competence, GPs need to decide how to approach such an opportunity and where best to build a platform and expertise. With the energy transition shift coming with its fair share of challenges, our expert panel will discuss how, where and when to invest.

• What are the energy transition opportunities in the region, and which sectors and geographies hold the most promise on the road to net zero?
• How are GPs setting and implementing net zero targets and strategies?
• Are we seeing a rise of circularity assessments impacting investment decisions?
• How to overcome the challenges of decarbonisation?

According to Morrison Foerster and AVCJ’s Asia Funds ESG Survey 2023, the economic uncertainty and the backlash against ESG, particularly in the U.S., resulted in many GPs taking a pause on rolling out new ESG policies as they digested the new regulations being adopted and implemented in many jurisdictions that impact those GPs and their portfolio companies. However, portfolio companies having a head start on reducing their carbon emissions and being prepared to respond to data requests from their customers will likely be the winners in the long term. Our panel of experts will discuss how the onslaught of new regulations will create opportunities for value creation for GPs that properly structure their ESG policies and work with their portfolio companies to ensure that they are ahead of their competitors.

• How are GPs and their portfolio companies managing the onslaught of ESG regulations and taking advantage of value creation opportunities for themselves and their portfolio companies?
• How have GPs worked with their portfolio companies to ensure that they are both reducing and accurately measuring their carbon emissions so that they are prepared for competing for business in a world where value chain due diligence will make lower carbon emissions a prerequisite to winning business?
• In Europe and North America, there is a lot of discussion about “responsible tech.” Is this a concept that applies in Asia? Will North American and European LPs and customers of portfolio companies push for its application in Asia? Does responsible tech result in value creation opportunities for GPs and their portfolio companies?
• How has the backlash against ESG impacted GPs and their portfolio companies?

In light of the global concerns around the rising cost of living and climate change, investors are broadening their thinking to scrutinise supply chain risk exposure, environmental footprint, workforce location and flexibility, and pay equality when making investment decisions. As human capital increasingly impacts corporate values, GPs need to consider transparency and social risks in their decision making as well as growing concerns around AI. In this session, leading GPs will share their thoughts on how navigating your social risks with the required transparency and accountability is a must when future proofing your business.

• What are the key social considerations this year?
• How do GPs evaluate target companies in terms of social risks?
• How to minimise risk in your supply chains?
• How the region rates in human capital and governance practices?

One of the biggest hurdles for ESG implementation is collecting and reporting quality data from portfolio companies. Difficulties in accessing relevant ESG data is partly due to the reduced level of reporting needed for private companies, as well as lack of comparable metrics across industries and geographies and continues to be a major roadblock when looking for a holistic view on fund performance and where a greater ESG focus is required. Our panel of experts will discuss and share how they overcome data challenges and leverage the data to drive value creation.

• What are the key data issues facing GPs in their ESG implementation?
• How important is data in identifying portfolio risk during due diligence and beyond?
• What role does portfolio engagement play in improving data challenges?
• How can GPs use data to propel value creation?

LPs face an increasingly complex investment landscape due to geopolitical tailwinds and growing global concerns related to ESG challenges. As LPs continue to embrace ESG, this has a monumental impact on their decision making when it comes to capital allocation and manager selection. A group of leading LPs will offer insights into their current strategies, the future requirements and how they view the region in terms of progress from ESG perspective. 

• What is the expectation of LPs in the region when it comes to ESG progress?
• What is the view on the geopolitical impact and growing backlash against ESG?
• How do LPs validate ESG claims by fund managers?
• How do LPs engage with GPs in terms of monitoring and measurement challenges?

According to a 2022 industry report, 26% of private equity roles in Asia Pacific were held by women, compared to 23% in America and 21% in Europe, with 40% representation at the VP level- yet numbers dropped off to 10% at the principal level. It is clear, therefore, that whilst the conversation surrounding DEI and gender parity in the region has shown promise in the past few years, in practice, progress has been slow, especially at the top. What obstacles to diversity remain, and what needs to be done by all facets of the industry - from the investment committee level to institutional investors? Our panel of regional and global GP leaders will share updates on their individual firm’s progress, views on the industry and provide actionable insights.

• How has the conversation of diversity and inclusion moved along in the past year in APAC, and is it becoming more of a priority amongst investment committees?
• Have GPs been facing increased pressure from global and regional LPs to diversify their teams, and has there been an increased emphasis on diversity metrics/data?
• What strategies have GPs put in place to look at diversity, equity, and inclusion beyond gender, in areas such as ethnicity, cultural background, education, and unique skillsets? 
• What are senior private equity leaders doing in Asia to ensure that they are making meaningful and concrete improvements towards DEI in their respective firms?

Research has suggested that VC firms that fail to prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion may face more issues during a challenging fundraising environment. Despite increased DEI efforts globally and regionally, women and racial minority representation within VC firms remains limited, particularly at the senior level. In Asia, whilst female representation in entrepreneurship has risen, male founders disproportionally receive the bulk of VC funding. What needs to be done to ensure a more equitable playing field within the industry?  Our panel of leading regional venture capital investors and entrepreneurs will discuss and debate how the industry can move forwards.  

• Why does increased diversity in the venture capital industry lead to better returns, performance, and enhanced innovation? 
• Why is a top-down commitment to diversity necessary in the venture capital industry?
• What are some concrete examples in which the APAC VC industry has helped to foster an inclusive environment for female/minority entrepreneurs?
• What more needs to be done to drive DEI adoption within the industry, from an internal and portfolio company perspective? 

Global institutional investors continue to emphasize the importance of improving diversity within their organizations as well expecting more from their external managers. Indeed, institutional investors are increasingly asking their GPs for diversity metrics - both qualitative and quantitative - as part of their capital allocation decision making process. However, a lack of standardized reporting metrics in the industry has meant that progress has been slow. As a major influence of GP behavior in the industry, there is much more that needs to be done to move the needle. Our panel of global and regional LPs will discuss and debate best practices to enhance DEI reporting in Asia and beyond.

• How have LP conversations shifted in the past year in APAC, and how can they push for more diverse investment teams?
• Why is there a need for a standardized approach/industry benchmark towards diversity, equity and inclusion in private equity?
• What are some of the challenges LPs have faced when pushing DEI targets and initiatives in Asia?
• What have LPs been doing internally within their organizations to promote DEI? 

• What positives can be drawn from 2023 across different geographies and sectors?
• To what extent have valuations really corrected?
• How does the availability of deal financing in Asia compare to the rest of the world?
• What should GPs prioritise when looking to deliver value to investors?

Sponsored by

Intralinks

https://www.intralinks.com

Intralinks, an SS&C company, is a leading financial technology provider for the global dealmaking, alternative investments and capital markets communities. As pioneers of the virtual data room, our technology enables and secures the flow of information, empowering our customers to work more productively and with complete confidence. Intralinks facilitates strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate lending, debt sales, capital raising and investor reporting. Our solutions enhance these activities by streamlining operations, reducing risk, improving client experiences and increasing visibility. We’ve earned the trust and business of more than 99 percent of the Global Fortune 500 and have executed over $35 trillion in financial transactions on our platform.  

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• How can GPs make best use of technology and tools to deliver value?
• What constitutes best practice in worst case scenario planning?
• From carbon footprints to supply chain risks: What is top of mind for LPs on reporting?
• Where are GPs investing in value creation and how do they organise internally?

• How is the investor relations function evolving in Asia?
• What are the best ways to engage prospective LPs, before and during a fundraise?
• How should GPs go about sourcing capital from previously untapped markets?
• What are the main challenges in repositioning a manager or strategy?

• How will artificial intelligence transform due diligence?
• What tools and resources are required for effective talent assessment?
• How has geopolitical instability changed the way GPs think about risk?
• What does the consultancy crackdown mean for due diligence in China?

• Are difficult fundraising conditions encouraging structural innovation?
• In what ways are terms and conditions becoming more LP friendly?
• What are fund administrators doing to differentiate their offering?
• How can technology be utilised to make fundraising more efficient?

• What are the biggest obstacles to the use of alternative liquidity solutions in Asia?
• How should GPs think about the risk-reward of preferred equity?
• Is now the time for NAV lending in Asia?
• What does the Silicon Valley Bank crisis mean for fund finance?

Sponsored by

Intralinks

https://www.intralinks.com

Intralinks, an SS&C company, is a leading financial technology provider for the global dealmaking, alternative investments and capital markets communities. As pioneers of the virtual data room, our technology enables and secures the flow of information, empowering our customers to work more productively and with complete confidence. Intralinks facilitates strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate lending, debt sales, capital raising and investor reporting. Our solutions enhance these activities by streamlining operations, reducing risk, improving client experiences and increasing visibility. We’ve earned the trust and business of more than 99 percent of the Global Fortune 500 and have executed over $35 trillion in financial transactions on our platform.  

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• How deep are valuation corrections across different stages and markets?
• Which business model characteristics are now a turn-off for investors?
• What can GPs do to help portfolio companies beyond burn rate management?
• Will secondaries play meaningful role in venture capital in 2023 and 2024?

• Do returns alone justify an allocation to Asia?
• How helpful are the last 10 years in assessing which GPs will deliver in the next 10?
• Is now the time for a contrarian investment thesis in Asia?
• How prevalent are ESG and DEI in allocation decisions?

• What positives can be drawn from 2023 across different geographies and sectors?
• To what extent have valuations really corrected?
• How does the availability of deal financing in Asia compare to the rest of the world?
• What should GPs prioritise when looking to deliver value to investors?

Sponsored by

Intralinks

https://www.intralinks.com

Intralinks, an SS&C company, is a leading financial technology provider for the global dealmaking, alternative investments and capital markets communities. As pioneers of the virtual data room, our technology enables and secures the flow of information, empowering our customers to work more productively and with complete confidence. Intralinks facilitates strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate lending, debt sales, capital raising and investor reporting. Our solutions enhance these activities by streamlining operations, reducing risk, improving client experiences and increasing visibility. We’ve earned the trust and business of more than 99 percent of the Global Fortune 500 and have executed over $35 trillion in financial transactions on our platform.  

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• Which markets in Asia are still open for technology IPOs?
• Is it still possible to exit via an up-round to a growth-stage investor?
• Are GPs now more inclined to take 5x today rather than wait in the hope of 50x?
• What are the options for VC in terms of alternative liquidity solutions?

• Local vs. global – does the size of the domestic market justify delaying international expansion?
• What sectors are VCs betting on – B2C, climate tech, AI, cybersecurity?
• Is the domestic technology IPO phenomenon living up to expectations?
• How meaningful is local LP support for VC and where is the money coming from?

• When will China normalise and what will the new normal look like?
• Are renminbi-denominated funds necessary to invest in certain areas?
• How has regulatory uncertainty impacted the ability to predict exit scenarios?
• Will decoupling define the future of Chinese venture capital? 

• What does being global from day one mean in different geographies?
• Are cross-border strategies only applicable to business-facing start-ups?
• What obstacles do Asian SaaS companies face when targeting new markets?
• Which is the best Asia-to-global bet: artificial intelligence, crypto, or climate tech?

• How can VCs help existing portfolio companies address the disruptive impact of AI?
• Where are the biggest generative AI-driven opportunities in Asia?
• How do investors confront the ethical dilemmas of generative AI?
• What do advances in AI mean for the internal operations of VCs firms?

Sponsored by

Intralinks

https://www.intralinks.com

Intralinks, an SS&C company, is a leading financial technology provider for the global dealmaking, alternative investments and capital markets communities. As pioneers of the virtual data room, our technology enables and secures the flow of information, empowering our customers to work more productively and with complete confidence. Intralinks facilitates strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate lending, debt sales, capital raising and investor reporting. Our solutions enhance these activities by streamlining operations, reducing risk, improving client experiences and increasing visibility. We’ve earned the trust and business of more than 99 percent of the Global Fortune 500 and have executed over $35 trillion in financial transactions on our platform.  

Close

• How deep are valuation corrections across different stages and markets?
• Which business model characteristics are now a turn-off for investors?
• What can GPs do to help portfolio companies beyond burn rate management?
• Will secondaries play meaningful role in venture capital in 2023 and 2024?

• Do returns alone justify an allocation to Asia?
• How helpful are the last 10 years in assessing which GPs will deliver in the next 10?
• Is now the time for a contrarian investment thesis in Asia?
• How prevalent are ESG and DEI in allocation decisions??

• What positives can be drawn from 2023 across different geographies and sectors?
• To what extent have valuations really corrected?
• How does the availability of deal financing in Asia compare to the rest of the world?
• What should GPs prioritise when looking to deliver value to investors?

Sponsored by

Intralinks

https://www.intralinks.com

Intralinks, an SS&C company, is a leading financial technology provider for the global dealmaking, alternative investments and capital markets communities. As pioneers of the virtual data room, our technology enables and secures the flow of information, empowering our customers to work more productively and with complete confidence. Intralinks facilitates strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate lending, debt sales, capital raising and investor reporting. Our solutions enhance these activities by streamlining operations, reducing risk, improving client experiences and increasing visibility. We’ve earned the trust and business of more than 99 percent of the Global Fortune 500 and have executed over $35 trillion in financial transactions on our platform.  

Close

• Does Asia represent an attractive risk-return proposition?
• What makes exposure to Asia important from a portfolio diversification perspective?
• Is now the time to consolidate GP relationships in the region?
• Which is preferable: broad pan-regional coverage or sector specialist managers?

• What do rising interest rates mean for target returns from private markets? 
• How have asset allocation priorities changed in the last 12 months?
• What evidence is there that the current and coming vintages will deliver strong returns?
• Where are the bright spots in a bleak investment environment?

1. The evolution of ESG: From compliance to value creation
2. Secondaries: Beyond the bid-ask spread
3. Sector specialists vs diversified managers: Who has the edge?
4. The diversity debate: What LPs want from GPs

Sponsored by

Intralinks

https://www.intralinks.com

Intralinks, an SS&C company, is a leading financial technology provider for the global dealmaking, alternative investments and capital markets communities. As pioneers of the virtual data room, our technology enables and secures the flow of information, empowering our customers to work more productively and with complete confidence. Intralinks facilitates strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate lending, debt sales, capital raising and investor reporting. Our solutions enhance these activities by streamlining operations, reducing risk, improving client experiences and increasing visibility. We’ve earned the trust and business of more than 99 percent of the Global Fortune 500 and have executed over $35 trillion in financial transactions on our platform.  

Close

• How deep are valuation corrections across different stages and markets?
• Which business model characteristics are now a turn-off for investors?
• What can GPs do to help portfolio companies beyond burn rate management?
• Will secondaries play meaningful role in venture capital in 2023 and 2024?

• Do returns alone justify an allocation to Asia?
• How helpful are the last 10 years in assessing which GPs will deliver in the next 10?
• Is now the time for a contrarian investment thesis in Asia?
• How prevalent are ESG and DEI in allocation decisions?

• Are private markets on the cusp of a long-term structural shift?
• What will define success over the next 10 years?
• Is sector specialisation the key to effective differentiation?
• What are the main challenges facing the industry today?

Sponsored by

Intralinks

https://www.intralinks.com

Intralinks, an SS&C company, is a leading financial technology provider for the global dealmaking, alternative investments and capital markets communities. As pioneers of the virtual data room, our technology enables and secures the flow of information, empowering our customers to work more productively and with complete confidence. Intralinks facilitates strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate lending, debt sales, capital raising and investor reporting. Our solutions enhance these activities by streamlining operations, reducing risk, improving client experiences and increasing visibility. We’ve earned the trust and business of more than 99 percent of the Global Fortune 500 and have executed over $35 trillion in financial transactions on our platform.  

Close

• How do GPs build conviction around large-cap opportunities in Asia?
• Does Asia need to become more innovative on deal financing?
• How are GPs thinking about extended holding periods and liquidity needs?
• Is technology changing approaches to sourcing and due diligence?

• To what extent do global and geopolitical macro forces impact deal flow?
• Are there particular deal types or industry categories that are more compelling?
• If the middle market is the most compelling, why would managers leave it?
• What has the pan-regional decline in IPOs and trade sales meant for exits?

• What opportunities are being created by China uncertainty?
• Are small to mid-cap tech-enabled companies the most attractive entry point?
• What kinds of businesses can truly be pan-Southeast Asian?
• How should managers position themselves to get most traction with LPs?

• In which areas is the valuation correction most keenly felt?
• How wide-ranging is the generative AI investment opportunity?
• What are the prospects for growth-stage technology investors?
• Why should Asia-based LPs look at venture capital in the US and Europe?

Sponsored by

Intralinks

https://www.intralinks.com

Intralinks, an SS&C company, is a leading financial technology provider for the global dealmaking, alternative investments and capital markets communities. As pioneers of the virtual data room, our technology enables and secures the flow of information, empowering our customers to work more productively and with complete confidence. Intralinks facilitates strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate lending, debt sales, capital raising and investor reporting. Our solutions enhance these activities by streamlining operations, reducing risk, improving client experiences and increasing visibility. We’ve earned the trust and business of more than 99 percent of the Global Fortune 500 and have executed over $35 trillion in financial transactions on our platform.  

Close

• Is the valuation drop-off large enough to stimulate investment?
• Which sectors exhibit the most resilience or growth potential?
• How are heightened risk factors influencing investment decision-making?
• What can GPs do about the tougher exit environment?

• To what extent are there signs of distress in Asia?
• Are potential returns enough to offset greater emerging markets risk?
• What structural solutions are used to turn somewhat investable into investable?
• Which niche strategies or overlooked sectors are getting most traction?

• Are private markets less favoured by investment committees than before?
• What do consistently higher interest rates mean for portfolio construction?
• Have terms and conditions re-aligned to the benefit of LPs?
• How is global uncertainty impacting appetite for co-investment?

Sponsored by

Affinity Equity Partners

http://www.affinityequity.com/

Affinity Equity Partners is an independently owned private equity fund managers established in March 2004 following the spin-off of the UBS Capital Asia Pacific team, the successful private equity arm of UBS AG in the region. Affinity raised its fourth external fund of US$6.0 billion in December 2017. Affinity Equity Partners currently advises and manages more than US$14 billion of funds and assets, with offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, Sydney and Beijing. Since inception, Affinity Equity Partners has completed over 50 landmark transactions in eleven countries across various industries and sectors with aggregate transaction value of US$22 billion. Our Firm invests in businesses with an established track record, strong market positions, demonstrable earnings momentum and growth ambitions.

Close

• How are macro conditions prompting greater proactivity in portfolio management?
• Are GPs more focused on cost controls than they were before?
• What represents best-in-class in terms of internal operational capabilities?
• To what extent are ESG strategies being used as a value driver?

Sponsored by

Intralinks

https://www.intralinks.com

Intralinks, an SS&C company, is a leading financial technology provider for the global dealmaking, alternative investments and capital markets communities. As pioneers of the virtual data room, our technology enables and secures the flow of information, empowering our customers to work more productively and with complete confidence. Intralinks facilitates strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate lending, debt sales, capital raising and investor reporting. Our solutions enhance these activities by streamlining operations, reducing risk, improving client experiences and increasing visibility. We’ve earned the trust and business of more than 99 percent of the Global Fortune 500 and have executed over $35 trillion in financial transactions on our platform.  

Close

• Is Japan more resilient to external pressures than other Asian markets?
• Are carve-outs and succession being joined by other sources of deal flow? 
• Is Japan in danger of running into an exits overhang?
• Should currency deprecation more challenge or opportunity?

• Are Inda’s fundamentals strong enough to ride out global macro concerns?
• Which sectors are the most compelling in terms of valuations and growth?
• What can GPs do to leverage cross-border expansion potential?
• How transformative is increased local LP participation for the asset class?

• What sort of returns can investors expect from private credit?
• Where are the best direct lending opportunities to be found?
• How are managers balancing rising demand with increased focus on downside risk?
• Is now the time to raise a dedicated Asia credit fund? 

• Does Asia follow global trends in terms of secondaries activity?
• What are the key motivating factors behind sales of LP positions?
• How is the bid-ask spread across different markets holding back GP-led deals?
• To what extent can subordination of economics facilitate transactions?

• What is the outlook for PE-backed IPOs across different markets?
• Can GPs secure favourable exit outcomes through more targeted sale processes?
• In what circumstances does a single-asset continuation fund make sense?
• Are traditionally defensive sectors still commanding premiums?

• Which geographies and strategies should thrive amid geopolitical adversity?
• What is the outlook for storage technologies and grid reliability in renewables?
• Where and how will investors generate liquidity? 
• What are the key factors in the evolving definition of infrastructure?

• Could healthcare – or certain sub-sectors of it – be considered recession-proof?
• How can investors tap into Asia’s need for better healthcare infrastructure?
• What was the impact of the correction in biotech valuations?
• How is artificial intelligence changing healthcare?

• Where are the persistent pain point in targeting high net worth capital?
• What is being done in terms of education and expectations management?
• Are semi-liquid products a long-term solution for mainstream access to PE?
• What is the trade-off between technology enablement and human touch?