May 25, 2017 – The Hungarian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (HVCA) is pleased to announce that Michael Ignatieff, President and Rector of Central European University (CEU), and commentator on democracy, human rights, and governance, will be the keynote speaker at its 2017 conference on Private Equity, Venture Capital and Corporate Finance in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), which will take place on June 1. at the Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge Hotel, Budapest. Mr. Ignatieff will speak about “The dynamic relationship between business and academia.”
The HVCA’s annual conference is the premier event for leaders from business, political, and legal communities to interact and discuss the state of private equity, venture capital, and corporate finance in CEE/SEE. Other important topics on the agenda include Júlia Király, Professor of IBS Budapest, on the transformation of the European financial system, and Brexit, Magdalena Magnuszewska, Partner at Innova Capital, and other prominent female business leaders discussing women in the PE sector, as well as other discussions on key issues such as the transformation of private equity in Hungary and CEE/SEE, and the influence of state funds on the VC market in the region. All this comes after a year that, according to data from MergerMarket, saw the highest ever value for private equity investment, with more than EUR11.3 billion invested in 103 deals, while major CEE M&A transactions such as the EUR7.3 billion acquisition by Asahi of AB Inbev’s CEE assets put the region on the deal map as never before.
“We are glad to welcome Mr. Ignatieff for his global reputation and his understanding of the important role of academic research and a culture of innovation in economic development,” Levente Zsembery, HVCA Chairman and CEO of X-Ventures, said. “His broad experience and policy pedigree give him deep insights into the conditions needed to foster a venture-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem. Such insights are essential for investors to understand the factors that push an economy up the value chain.”
“Women in leadership roles have a positive impact on a company’s ability to innovate, navigate disruption and improve its bottom line,“ added Margaret Dezse, Leading Partner Transaction Advisory Service, EY, on women in PE. “Closing this gender gap requires board members to step up and consider how to deliver a more diverse and more successful workforce.”
Anikó Kircsi, Head of Corporate, M&A and Private Equity, CMS, commented on the transformation of private equity theme: “The private equity industry has gone through a rapid evolution in the region, with private equity funds serving as a significant source of capital, contributing to the overall economic success of those counties and helping to shape the investment climate as we know it today.”
“Private equity and M&A activity in CEE/SEE has gone from strength to strength,” concluded Hugh Owen, Partner at Allen & Overy, a key supporter of the conference. “We see every sign that this trend will continue into 2017, supporting sustained investment across the entire region.”
There are still opportunities to book delegate places at the HVCA 19th Annual Conference, with details and registration online at: http://www.hvca.hu/conference/.
For further information and press opportunities, please contact: Capital Communications, Szilvia Hegyi, Phone: +36 1 266 0199. Fax: 36 1 318 0613. E-mail: Hegyisz@capital.hu.
About the Hungarian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (HVCA)
The Hungarian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (HVCA) represents the interests of the private equity and venture capital industry in Hungary by supporting its members and promoting adherence to the highest possible professional and ethical standards. The HVCA was established in 1991. Currently, the HVCA is known as one of the most dynamic and active professional organisations in the CEE region. The HVCA represents virtually every major player of the private equity and venture capital industry in Hungary and is dedicated to promoting the private equity and venture capital industry for the benefit of funds, entrepreneurs, private equity professionals and the economy as a whole.
