Conference programme

Participants will be sharing real-life stories of companies that smartly expanded into unfamiliar territories. We will chat about how these businesses tackled challenges and seized opportunities, showing how strategic thinking and good leadership led to growth. From finding new customers to dealing with rules and products, these shared views will give you a down-to-earth look at how companies did it.

In the last months we have witnessed many different scenarios in terms of investment: silence in the line, absolute mismatch in valuation, booming sectors, etc. Speakers will share impressions on how this fast-changing environment affects companies and investors and what are the most common ways of funding: equity investment rounds, convertible notes and SAFEs, venture debt, warrants, traditional banking facilities, search funds, etc. and which are best solutions for each of these situations.

Achieving a good corporate governance is a major issue for closely-held companies. Although there is no one formula and the ultimate governance structure depends on the company’s unique circumstances, there are common driving forces and challenges, especially in what concerns family-run businesses. We will have the opportunity to share experiences, views and best practices of our speakers with the participants, with emphasis on crucial topics such as professional managerial structures, ideal succession planning and suitable mechanisms to align shareholders’ interests.

We will discuss how companies have smartly gotten bigger and better, digging into how strategic and legal considerations play an essential role in companies’ growth. The discussion will cover sellers and buyers’ relevant themes and also differences between strategic acquisitions and opportunistic deals including distress targets. In this sense, classical topics like due diligence, mirrored representations and warranties, payment in shares, earn outs and post covenants will be assessed.

The session will cover market participants views on this type of insurance in M&A transactions. Speakers will cover key matters such as:

• When is the appropriate time to engage a broker

• How relevant is the brand of the due diligence provider to the terms and condition of the policy

• How to treat the disclosures and specific indemnities in the agreements of the transaction and of course

• Will they pay in the future?

We will hold two consecutive and interactive workshops.

Delegates will work in roundtable groups to discuss the following corporate governance topics, which will be debated interactively :

1. Family matters: Opening to new members and investors

2. Technology Governance: addressing AI and automation in corporate decision-making; cybersecurity threats and the role of the board/ management in AI oversight

3. ESG: board and management. climate change; diversity and inclusion; human capital

4. Executive compensation: aligning incentives with long-term shareholder value.

5. Shareholder activism and proxy battles: trends and tactics in corporate governance.

6. Politics and business: how are boards affected by political uncertainty and unstable global environment?

In the second part of the workshop, delegates will share and debate their conclusions interactively.

Founders, investors and advisors will discuss smart capital. In particular, the pros and cons of having a corporate investor vs. traditional financial or sectorial VCs. We will talk about what it means to have these corporate backers holding shares in your business and if big companies on your side can boost your business. On the contrary, are they agile enough? We will see.

The New Now: Building resilience in a world where change is the only constant

Women Lawyers Committee breakfast and keynote speech. The breakfast is open to all delegates.

In the first part of the workshop, delegates will work in roundtable groups to discuss financing and other topics relevant for closely held companies, including:

1. Artificial Intelligence and big data

2. Blockchain technology and digital assets

3. ESG

4. FDI controls

5. Hot sectors: digital health; energy/renewables; fintech; others?

6. Trends in PE and VC: search funds; open banking; embedded finance; others?

In the second part of the workshop, the themes and results of the breakout groups will be presented.

Step into the strategic mindset of distinguished general counsels and in-house lawyers as they share invaluable insights into safeguarding business operations in overseas markets. This session will offer a roadmap for legal professionals to proactively support and protect their organisations. Contractual considerations, compliance frameworks, corporate requirements, governance issues, different standards etc. would need to be considered. Learn how legal strategies can effectively hedge risks, ensuring a robust legal framework that fosters success in the international field.