As macroeconomic forces create challenging headwinds across the investment landscape, venture capital firms are eyeing segments such as cleantech and biotech in addition to emerging markets. But cross-border deals present unique challenges, while the regulatory environment offers other hurdles as well. Still, there are opportunities in the market as companies aim for second-, third- and fourth- rounds of funding as young start-ups also prowl for a piece of the pie.

As a result, themes of the conference include, but are not limited to:

• M&A Trends: Recent Transactions, Challenges and Outlook

• Alternative Sources of Financing in the Post-Credit Crunch Environment

• Secondary Markets

• Sovereign Wealth Funds - Friend or Foe?

• FASB 157 - What You Need to Know About Valuations?

• Infrastructure Investing Opportunities

• Cleantech Plays for Private Equity Industry

• Developing Industry-wide Compliance Standards: Views of Regulators and LPs

• Raising Your Next Fund

• SPAC Life Cycle: Raising the Fund, Searching for Targets, Completing the Deal

• Cross-border Transactions: Capturing Growth of the Global Economy

• Private Equity Opportunities in Emerging Markets

• Post-Merger Integration Challenges: IT, Human Capital and Operations

• Leveraged ESOP Buyouts 101