Investment forums provide a platform for investors, finance professionals, and companies to come together and discuss the latest trends, opportunities, and challenges in the investment landscape. As we approach 2020, various forums focused on areas like private equity, venture capital, real estate, etc. are being organized across cities worldwide. These forums feature industry experts sharing their insights on markets, asset classes, regulations, deal flows, exits, fundraising, etc. Participation in such events helps attendees expand their knowledge, network with peers and spot potential investment opportunities.
Emergence of new high growth sectors
Many industry forums in 2020 had sessions exploring the growth potential of emerging sectors like fintech, edtech, healthtech, etc. Speakers highlighted the rapid digitization and industry disruption being driven by startups in these areas. The ability of these companies to scale rapidly on the back of technology and access growth capital from investors is creating huge interest. Attendees got insights into sub-sectors like insurtech, wealthtech, proptech etc. and the associated investment opportunities.
Evolution of startup funding sources
Another key discussion theme was evolution of funding sources for startups beyond traditional VC/PE. Speakers discussed the rise of alternative sources like crowdfunding platforms, corporate venture capital arms, university endowments, family offices, hedge funds and sovereign wealth funds. Each of these sources come with their own approach to startup investments, return expectations, time horizons and risk appetite. The forums provided perspectives into how startup founders can tap these channels.
Focus on sustainable and impact investing
Multiple sessions highlighted the growing appetite of limited partners towards sustainable and impact investing. These are investments made into companies or funds with an intention to generate measurable environmental or social impact alongside financial return. Speakers discussed trends like concessionary rate of returns, innovative fund structures, benchmarking impact performance, etc. that are shaping this segment.
Technology usage in investment processes
Speakers also deliberated extensively on how technology is enhancing efficiencies and enabling new business models across the investment value chain. Areas like data analytics to spot trends and patterns, online deal sourcing platforms, digital process automation, blockchain-enabled fund administration and smartphone-based investor interactions are seeing higher adoption. Industry veterans shared tips for attendees on addressing cyber risks, avoiding data privacy issues and selecting the right tools.
The city-based investing forums in 2020 provided unique opportunities for investors and industry practitioners to expand their perspective on markets, sectors, and asset classes. Participants were able to spot new high-growth opportunities in areas like fintech and identify latest trends related to startup funding sources, sustainable investing, and technology adoption in investment processes.