AVCJ Private Equity Forum 2024

Asia's premier private equity & venture event for the last 37 years

location_on Four Seasons Hotel and Online, Hong Kong Map

Agenda

08.00 - 08.30
HKT

Co-host


08.15 - 09.15
HKT

Registration

09.15 - 10.15
HKT

Asian private equity and ESG: A maturing ecosystem

  • What ESG issues should be top-of-mind for GPs and their portfolio companies?
  • How is the integration of ESG frameworks progressing from a practical standpoint?
  • Are global regulations – and harmonized reporting standards – now a reality in Asia?
  • How has ESG engagement evolved over the past decade and what does the future hold? 
10.15 - 10.45
HKT

Networking Break

11.15 - 12.00
HKT

Climate change: Investors home in on net-zero

  • Are climate-resilient net-zero goals getting more traction with Asian GPs and LPs?
  • What is the key to building a robust climate lens into investment processes?
  • Where are PE firms in terms of measuring scope-three emissions at the portfolio level?
  • How are GPs approaching climate crisis adaptation beyond traditional risk assessment?
12.00 - 12.45
HKT

Data dumps: Navigating the ESG information challenge

  • What are the major bottlenecks in ESG data collection in Asia?
  • Is company-level data of sufficient quality to identify risks during due diligence?
  • To what extent are there standardised frameworks and processes for reporting?
  • What do LPs typically prioritise in their data requests?
12.45 - 13.45
HKT

Networking Lunch

13.45 - 14.30
HKT
14.30 - 15.15
HKT

Risk to reward: Driving ESG value creation

  • What evidence is there of ESG moving from risk mitigation to value creation tool?
  • Where is the low-hanging fruit in terms of ESG-driven operational improvement?
  • How do GPs think about in-sourcing and outsourcing value creation work?
  • What is the impact of increased regulation on portfolio management?
15.15 - 15.45
HKT

Networking Break

15.45 - 16.30
HKT

The growing importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in ESG frameworks

  • How are GPs pushing diversity, equity and inclusion agendas regionally?
  • How has the conversation surrounding DEI shifted in the past 12 months? Why should DEI be taken as seriously as other ESG issues such as climate change?
  • What strategies have GPs put in place to look at DEI beyond gender?
  • What more needs to be done to drive DEI adoption within the industry, from an internal and portfolio company perspective? 
17.15 - 18.45
HKT

Close of summit and cocktail reception

Agenda

08.00 - 08.50
HKT

Registration

09.30 - 10.30
HKT

Asian private equity: Boots on the ground (Joint session with the LP Summit and Venture Capital Summit)

  • Is Asian private equity moving towards the Western model?
  • What makes the region compelling as a diversity and growth play?
  • How can a thematic approach help identify quality assets in the right sectors?
  • What are the key value creation levers – add-ons, AI, ESG, cash management?
10.30 - 11.00
HKT

Networking coffee break

sponsored by 

11.00 - 11.45
HKT

Portfolio management: The long haul

  • To what extent are investments being re-underwritten given current conditions?
  • How do strategic priorities change when a holding period is longer than expected?
  • What constitutes worst-case-scenario planning from a financing perspective?
  • How can GPs be more structured in their approach to cultivating potential buyers?
11.45 - 12.30
HKT

Liquidity solutions: Crafting returns

  • Are managers being creative enough in their approaches to generating liquidity? 
  • How can GPs get traction with continuation funds in Asia?
  • What are the pros and cons of borrowing against portfolios and GP fee streams?
  • How are investors addressing conflicts of interest tied to alternative liquidity channels?
13.00 - 14.00
HKT

Networking Lunch

14.00 - 14.45
HKT

Fundraising: Looking beyond the usual suspects

  • To what extent are Asia-based managers having to recalibrate their LP bases?
  • How can GPs develop new sources of capital such as in the Middle East? 
  • Is it possible to go from new connection to commitment in a single vintage?
  • What is the key to accommodating LPs with different backgrounds and needs?
14.45 - 15.30
HKT

Structures and terms: Time to be flexible

  • In what ways are GPs prepared to compromise that they weren’t two years ago?
  • Why are certain types of LPs more aggressive on terms than others?
  • What gets discussed first – reduced fees, fund size, co-investment, or separate account?
  • Will there be a flood of deal-by-deal and fund-of-one players in Asia?
15.30 - 16.15
HKT

Investor relations: Redefining best practice

  • What is the optimal frequency and granularity of communications with LPs?
  • How should IR professionals go about breaking bad news?
  • To what extent has technology improved engagement and data transparency? 
  • Where can Asia-based GPs find the talent to build a high-quality IR team
16.15 - 16.30
HKT

Networking coffee break

sponsored by

17.45 - 18.00
HKT

Close of summit

18.00 - 19.00
HKT

Cocktail reception

Agenda

08.00 - 08.50
HKT

Registration

09.30 - 10.30
HKT

Asian private equity: Boots on the ground

  • Is Asian private equity moving towards the Western model?
  • What makes the region compelling as a diversity and growth play?
  • How can a thematic approach help identify quality assets in the right sectors?
  • What are the key value creation levers – add-ons, AI, ESG, cash management?
10.30 - 11.00
HKT

Networking coffee break

sponsored by

11.00 - 11.45
HKT

Portfolio management: Venture style

  • How are GPs adapting to longer hold periods and revised growth projections?
  • Is it possible to get too hands-on in VC value creation?
  • What role do functional experts play in operational improvement?
  • How do GPs build consensus among founders and fellow investors?
11.45 - 12.30
HKT

Artificial intelligence: Pushing boundaries

  • Which practical AI applications have the most promise from an investment perspective?
  • What can be done to navigate the potential pitfalls of an AI bubble?
  •  How are regulations in areas like data privacy influencing approaches to AI in Asia?
  • Moonshots vs quick wins – how do GPs balance AI ambition and investment horizons? 
13.00 - 14.00
HKT

Networking Lunch

14.00 - 14.45
HKT

India: Sustaining the ‘bright spot’ momentum

  • What are the relative merits of B2B and B2C business models?
  • Must Indian start-ups go global to justify heady valuations?
  • Is the domestic IPO market providing sufficient liquidity and what are the alternatives?
  • How significant a role can local LPs play in Indian venture capital?
14.45 - 15.30
HKT

The LP angle: Sticking with Asia for the right reasons

  • What is the biggest issue impacting allocation decisions?
  • How do LPs of different types and from different geographies perceive China?
  • Where do investors expect to find the next wave of hidden gems in Asia?
  • How do multi-geography generalist strategies stack up vs single purpose strategies?
15.30 - 16.15
HKT

Ending the drought: VCs seek pathways to exit

  • What is the outlook for distributions from Asia over the next 12 months?
  • Where are the most attractive IPO destinations and what is the key to preparation?
  • What are the pros and cons of venture capital secondaries in Asia?
  • How do investors balance need for liquidity vs the desire for a ‘perfect’ exit?
16.15 - 16.30
HKT

Networking coffee break

sponsored by

17.45 - 18.00
HKT

Close of summit

18.00 - 19.00
HKT

Cocktail reception

Agenda

08.00 - 08.50
HKT

Registration (Closed-door LP sessions, by invitation only )

09.30 - 10.30
HKT

Asian private equity: Boots on the ground

  • Is Asian private equity moving towards the Western model?
  • What makes the region compelling as a diversity and growth play?
  • How can a thematic approach help identify quality assets in the right sectors?
  • What are the key value creation levers – add-ons, AI, ESG, cash management?
10.30 - 11.00
HKT

Networking coffee break

sponsored by

11.00 - 11.45
HKT

Portfolio construction: Asia risks vs Asia opportunities

  • How do portfolio managers make the case for Asia to investment committees?
  • To what extent is it less China, more Japan and India?
  • Do pan-regional funds represent the best risk-reward?
  • Are GPs being too creative or not creative enough in the pursuit of liquidity?
11.45 - 12.30
HKT

Asset allocation: Identifying the best mix

  • How have allocation priorities shifted globally in the past 12 months?
  • What is the outlook for private equity distributions and how will this impact budgets?
  • Is re-calibration to the middle-market the preference for most LPs?
  • How is technology being leveraged to support decision making and monitoring?
13.00 - 14.00
HKT

Networking lunch

14.30 - 15.30
HKT

Limited partners’ interactive roundtable

An exclusive interactive session in which LPs can share their experiences of private markets investment – across multiple geographies, using third-party managers or going direct, and leveraging advisory relationships. Attendance is limited to investors with active alternatives programs as well as to those currently not allocating but who wish to find out more about the industry. The session will cover topics including: 

  • How do you gain influence on investment committees?
  • How are portfolios fairing in the current downturn?
  • How do you evaluate the merits and downfalls of various liquidity solutions?
  • Are GPs still addressing ESG, impact, and decarbonisation priorities?
  • How are regulations impacting total portfolio construction?
  • How can you access co-investment and be a value-added partner?
  • What are the implications of a slowdown in exits and distributions?
16.00 - 16.30
HKT

Networking coffee break

sponsored by

18.00 - 19.00
HKT

Cocktail reception

Agenda

08.00 - 08.50
HKT

Registration

09.30 - 10.30
HKT

Global leaders: Searching for momentum

  • Has 2024 underdelivered or overdelivered on expectations?
  • How are macro, political, and regulatory issues impacting dealmaking?
  • Is diversification or specialisation the foundation of a resilient portfolio?
  • What will the private markets landscape look like in 10 years?
10.30 - 11.00
HKT

Networking coffee break

sponsored by

11.00 - 12.00
HKT

Asia buyouts: At a tipping point

  • Which markets and transaction types are most attractive right now?
  • What are the bottlenecks for large-cap deal flow in Asia?
  • How have managers responded to calls for increased distributions?
  • Will more pan-regional GPs launch continuation vehicles? 
13.00 - 14.00
HKT

Networking lunch

14.00 - 15.00
HKT

Track 1: China: Uncovering new opportunities

  • What kind of support do companies need in a changing economic environment?
  • Is it now a buyer’s market for buyout strategies?
  • What is the outlook for exits and which channels should see the most activity?
  • Which LP types are willing to engage or reengage on China commitments?
14.00 - 15.00
HKT

Track 2: Global venture capital: Accessing innovation

  • Should investors jettison entire strategies to focus on AI?
  • Will the most robust returns come from seed-stage investments? 
  • How has the industry responded to calls for more liquidity? 
  • To what extent has there been a reset in fundraising?
15.00 - 15.30
HKT

Networking coffee break

sponsored by

15.30 - 16.30
HKT

Track 2: Asian private credit: Untapped potential

  • In which markets is private credit making the biggest inroads into bank dominance?
  • What is the best way to pitch performing credit solutions to Asian entrepreneurs?
  • How are macro conditions impacting special situations and distress opportunities?
  • Why is the barrier to entry for private credit managers so high?
16.30 - 17.30
HKT

Institutional investors: The balance of power

  • To what extent – and where – are GPs more willing to compromise on fund terms?
  • Is there more reason to be positive about distributions than 12 months ago?
  • Will more investors gravitate towards a total portfolio approach? 
  • How have LPs responded to ESG’s apparent fall from favour? 
17.45 - 19.00
HKT

Gala cocktail reception

sponsored by

19.00 - 21.00
HKT

Gala Dinner

sponsored by

Agenda

09.30 - 10.30
HKT

Value creation: Diving even deeper

  • What are the main portfolio management challenges given current macro conditions?
  • How does the value creation playbook change as holding periods lengthen?
  • Are GPs placing enough emphasis on cost controls?
  • What role can generative AI play in operational improvement?   
10.30 - 11.00
HKT

Networking coffee break

sponsored by

11.00 - 11.45
HKT

Track 1: Japan: A reliable choice

  • What makes Japan so appealing in the current environment?
  • Are take-privates rivalling carve-outs and succession as sources of deal flow?
  • How do managers position themselves as differentiated?
  • Are LPs right to be concerned about escalating mid-market fund sizes?
11.00 - 11.45
HKT

Track 2: Southeast Asia: Finding its groove

  • What are the most attractive avenues for deal sourcing?
  • How do GPs forge partnerships and navigate the nuances of multiple local markets?
  • What are the challenges of cross-border expansion within Southeast Asia?
  • Which exit channels will be most prolific?


11.45 - 12.30
HKT

Track 1: Global credit: Moment of reckoning

  • Will private credit continue its bull run or are banks regaining lost ground?
  • How do credit players turn complexity into a competitive advantage?
  • What skills and scale are required to navigate more volatile market conditions?
  • Is there room for more entrants or is the space poised for consolidation?
11.45 - 12.30
HKT

Track 2: Secondaries: The sky's the limit

  • Has the bid-ask spread narrowed enough to facilitate more deal activity in Asia?
  • Which markets are most conducive to single-asset continuation vehicles?
  • Under what circumstances would global secondary players invest in China?
  • How frequently are Asian LPs are selling portfolios and for what reasons?
12.30 - 13.15
HKT

Track 1: Exits: Right timing, right channel

  • Outside of India, where is there scope for more private equity-backed IPOs?
  • Are trade sales and PE-to-PE sales being hampered by valuation mismatches?
  • What are the optimal conditions for cross-fund deals and continuation vehicles?
  • Is NAV financing an amenable and accessible source of liquidity in Asia?
12.30 - 13.15
HKT

Track 2: Infrastructure: Global Themes, Local Impact

  • How are mega trends like digitalisation and decarbonisation influencing investment? 
  • What is the impact of increased competition in core-plus infrastructure?
  • Which areas of renewables – and greenfield or brownfield – offer the best returns?
  • What is the appetite for emerging technology risk in energy transition? 
13.15 - 14.15
HKT

Networking Lunch

14.15 - 15.00
HKT

Technology: Disruptive potential

  • Has valuation normalisation encouraged growth equity investors to return?
  • To what extent is the technology buyout opportunity gaining momentum?
  • Is the notion of mapping trends in Western markets to Asia still applicable?
  • Which segment wins out – big data, commerce, cybersecurity, or enterprise software?
15.00 - 15.45
HKT

Investor perspective: Building the private wealth channel

  • Why do alternatives make sense in a higher interest rate environment?
  • How should advisors convey the value of private markets in a model portfolio?
  • What are the main obstacles in devising the optimal allocation plan?
  • As a private wealth channel, what key metrics do you use to determine your product marketing plan, and what support do you need from the GP?