WFS presents its seventh annual Growth and Exit Strategies event in London on November 17, 2009. 

Will Things Ever Be the Same?
Staging for the Recovery - the Future of M&A, VC, Private Equity and Public Offerings in the New Tech Landscape

Attend this conference to learn about:

• The new rules of global tech M&A
• The role of private equity in a credit-starved market
• Creative transaction structures
• The IPO window
• Raising capital in the current environment
• Finding value and opportunity in the cloud
• Acquisition multiples, VC tactics and more

And meet:

• Corporate development professionals from major acquirers
• Entrepreneurs who recently sold their companies
• Leading industry visionaries, and leaders who shape our industry
•  

Recovery follows recession, rewarding the companies who made smart strategic decisions in the downturn. We aren't out of the woods yet but the extreme volatility following the Q408 meltdown has given way to a more pragmatic market. Strategic acquirers such as Google and Microsoft have amassed huge cash warchests. Private equity funds raised money at a record pace in 2007 and are under pressure to put those funds to work. An increasingly global economy has created new opportunities and new competitive threats. Meanwhile, aggressive competitors are trying to take your market share and position themselves to be acquired. How will you respond?

The landscape has changed, impacting every aspect of your strategic plan. It is time to rethink your strategy for funding and liquidity.

Join us March 26^th for a special webinar focused on completing successful divestitures in the current environment.  Hear from experts from the fields of:

M&A:              
Current M&A market update, and tips on finding hidden buyers through a global search
Nat Burgess, Executive Vice President, Corum Group Ltd.

Private Equity: 
How financial buyers assess and value divestiture opportunities
Doug Jones, Partner, Bridgescale Partners

Corporate:         
Divesting non-core assets in a challenging environment
Veterans of recent carve-outs reveal strategies for success 

Register here

Introducing a new offering from WFS - this half-day M&A-specific event will include some of the best authorities on M&A Strategies for Software and Internet Companies. This forum will bring together CEOs and CFOs of mostly privately held software and Internet companies along with other deal participants, such as venture capital and private equity firms, M&A firms, investment banks, advisory firms and other intermediaries. The purpose of the conference is to provide these executives with the framework and understanding of what it takes to "reach the next level" when their companies reaches a particular stage in its life, including funding issues as a path to growth and ultimately an exit. Don't miss this special event to get the latest insights on how to build a leading enterprise in this sector.

Event Photos

   
           Bruce Johnston - TA Associates                                                  Ward Carter - Corum Group          
Nat Burgess - Corum Group                                                                                          

Panel 1: Exit Options – Determining What is Right for You
Maria Kussmaul - America's Growth Capital
Paul Lipson - Fidelity Equity Partners
Cherie Whitney - EMC Corporation
Bruce Johnston - TA Associates

Keynote Presentation
Art Coviello – RSA, the Security Division of EMC

Nat Burgess - Corum Group
Art Coviello - RSA, the Security Division of EMC

 “Excellent breadth of topics – wide range was great. Good quality speakers – engaging, well spoken.” Kris Barker — Express Metrix 

“Extremely valuable day with topics that are of top of mind and panelists and an audience that is eager to learn.”  
Damon Cronkey — Yahoo!

“An extremely productive day. Huge amount of content crisply covered in a single day.” 
Tony White — ICI Solutions

The WFS conference provides an unrivalled forum to hear and learn from the best authorities on growth and exit strategies specific to the software, Internet and IT sectors. Along with leading experts in the financial and partnering community, and representatives from private equity firms, investment bankers, venture capitalists and M&A specialists, you will hear from peer CEOs who have made recent headlines doing these outstanding deals and you will gain invaluable insight from those who ‘have been there.’ You will learn about negotiation techniques, deal structures, valuations and due diligence. A true ‘preparation kit’ for those considering an exit strategy now or in the next 1 to 5 years…

Don’t miss this great opportunity to attend this one-day event to learn how to maximize your wealth in today’s hot M&A environment.

Event Comments

"The mix of attendees and panelists was extremely interesting and provided a full review of the Growth Tech market from Origination to Exit." 

Alexis Weber - Portfolio Analyst, 3i Venture Capital

The San Jose WFS conference provided an unrivalled forum to hear and learn from the best authorities on growth and exit strategies specific to the software, Internet and IT sectors. We heard from leading experts in the financial and partnering community, and representatives from private equity firms, investment bankers, venture capitalists and M&A specialists, as well as peer CEOs who have made recent headlines doing these outstanding deals.

Event Comments:

“An informative and diverse event.”

Calvin Cheng, Comerica Bank 

 “Excellent breath of topics – wide range was great. Good quality speakers – engaging, well spoken. ”

Kris Barker, Express Metrix

“An extremely productive day. Huge amount of content crisply covered in a single day.”

Tony White, ICI Solutions

The World Financial Symposiums’ flagship webcast/webinar series, Market Spotlight Series, was first held in 01 March 2007. The launch event drew more than 100 participants from the U.S., Canada and Europe. CEOs and CFOs from a variety of companies heard from a faculty of industry experts on the timely subject of Software as a Service (SaaS). Key themes within this market segment drew attention to growth and exit issues in corporate strategy. In 75 minutes, these executives were able to learn what they needed to know and not have to leave their office! 

This is the one conference that has it all for software and IT executives or investors looking to take advantage of the best financial markets since 1999.  Meet and hear from leaders in investment banking, venture capital, merger and acquisitions, as well as CEOs who have made headlines doing the deals.  Share ideas and network with legal, accounting, and business modeling specialists who can help negotiate the minefield of due diligence, and economists and researchers who can show you a roadmap to the future.  There is even a “meet the VCs luncheon” and a buyers panel.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to attend this one-day event to learn how to maximize your wealth in today’s environment.

This is the one conference that has it all for software and IT executives or investors looking to take advantage of the best financial markets since 1999.  Meet and hear from leaders in investment banking, venture capital, merger and acquisitions, as well as CEOs who have made headlines doing the deals.  Share ideas and network with legal, accounting, and business modeling specialists who can help negotiate the minefield of Sarbanes Oxley, and economists and researchers who can show you a roadmap to the future.  There is even a “meet the VCs luncheon” and a buyers panel.

Never has so much been brought to bear in one two-day event to help you decide if now is the right time.

This is the one conference that has it all for software and IT executives or investors looking to take advantage of the best financial markets since 1999.  Meet and hear from leaders in investment banking, venture capital, merger and acquisitions, as well as CEOs who have made headlines doing the deals.  Share ideas and network with legal, accounting, and business modeling specialists who can help negotiate the minefield of Sarbanes Oxley, and economists and researchers who can show you a roadmap to the future.  There is even a “meet the VCs luncheon” and a buyers panel. 

Never has so much been brought to bear in one two-day event to help you decide if now is the right time.