Berend Yntema, managing partner at Clairfield International, served as moderator and panelist at the February 15^th 0100Conference, an event for the private equity industry. Fitting to its location in Vienna, the conference had a theme of “Where Western and Eastern European Investors Meet” and the panelists discussed unicorn creators, fundraising, value creation, and responsible investment with the special considerations of this geography. The 0100 conference was attended by over 300 professionals from the finance industry.

Berend Yntema moderated the closing panel on private equity in CEE and DACH. The discussion centered on the latest trends, current deal flow, and differences in deal sourcing in DACH versus CEE, topics that Berend is very comfortable with after 25 years as a high-profile dealmaker in the region. The panel had highly informed and lively participation from private equity specialists including representatives from EQT, CEE Equity, MCI Capital, and 3TS Capital, who noted important characteristics of the CEE private equity arena. In the CEE it is possible to operate as a general fund whereas in Western Europe and DACH you need a dedicated sector approach, said Jan Stypulkowski, investment director of EQT. Tomasz Czechowicz of MCI explained that his firms adds value to portfolio companies by developing local champions into regional players via organic and non-organic growth. The deal-flow in CEE is very promising and there are less funds to compete with, noted Bill Fawkner-Corbett of CEE Equity, who will soon close its next EUR 800 million fund for the region. Pekka Mäki of 3TS told industry colleagues to take a long-term view on the business, keep calm in times of high peak valuations, and stay cautious with amount of leverage applied to investments.

“This was my second time serving as a moderator at this conference,” says Berend. “I always come away with new insights as it is very interesting as a dealmaker to hear what is being noted from the financial-investor perspective.”