Event category: Plenary

Founders today know one thing for sure: the “one-size-fits-all” exit doesn’t exist anymore. The smartest leaders are building their companies with optionality in mind, keeping the doors open to strategic sales- without getting boxed into one path too soon.

In this candid conversation, hear from legal and M&A experts and an exited founder where they’ll unpack the tactical decisions that can help preserve your exit options – from the way you structure your cap table and shareholder agreements to how you position for global buyers or the public markets.

Whether you’re aiming for a high-value acquisition, or just want to keep your options wide open, this session gives you the insider playbook to stay in control.

What You Will Learn:

• • Tactics for keeping multiple exit paths open

• • How to structure your company with flexibility

• • Pitfalls that lock you into one exit route

• • Strategic decisions that boost global appeal and IPO readiness

The venture capital landscape is shifting, and alongside market changes a tsunami of AI integration, including solutions to help VCs make better, faster, and smarter decisions. This session dives into how AI is being used and what you should know in the battle of brain vs bots.

What You Will Learn:

• How VCs are using AI in investment decisions
• What AI tools are impacting the venture landscape
• Risks and rewards of AI-led capital allocation
• What founders should know about fundraising in this new VC world

Exits aren’t one-size-fits-all anymore. To stay ahead in today’s tech M&A market means understanding how valuations, deal structures, and timing are evolving- and how optionality gives you leverage. With AI upending industries, market uncertainty everywhere, and buyers shifting their playbooks, this session cuts through the noise with a real-world outlook for 2026. Walk away with the trends, insights, and strategies to help your next deal- whether you’re selling, buying, or advising.

What You Will Learn:

• Key M&A trends for 2026 and beyond
• How deal structures are changing
• When and how optionality gives founders negotiating power
• How AI and global conditions are impacting buyer behaviour

Kick off the day with insights from Amar Varma, seasoned entrepreneur and tech leader.

What does it take to grow a company to exit? We take an introspective deep dive with two prominent entrepreneurs as we explore the intersection of leadership, M&A, personal exits, and mental survival. Hear first hand, the highs and lows of building successful companies, the type of exits and deal structure each founder had, sacrifices, and  personal and professional lessons learned along the way. Learn tips, tricks, and key metrics that all work together in order to see success. This session is guaranteed to offer invaluable insights from those that have gone before, are still standing and more importantly are still building.