Global Finance Leaders to Gather in Switzerland for Private Markets Summit

Leading academics, institutional investors and industry practitioners are set to gather in Switzerland for the 8th Annual Private Markets Research Conference, as the private capital industry continues to expand in scale and complexity.

The two-day conference, scheduled for June 26–27, 2025, will take place at the University of Lausanne and is jointly organized by EDHEC Business School, HEC Lausanne, Université Paris-Dauphine and Tilburg University.

The event has established itself as a prominent global forum for examining developments in private markets, bringing together academic research and practitioner insights to address evolving challenges across private equity, private debt and alternative assets.

Focus on Research and Industry Collaboration

Organizers said the conference aims to bridge the gap between academic theory and industry practice, with sessions designed to explore both empirical research and real-world applications in private markets.

Over the two days, participants will engage in keynote speeches, academic presentations and practitioner-led panels, alongside networking sessions involving leading asset managers and institutional investors.

Representatives from major firms including KKR, Blackstone, Partners Group, Pictet and Carlyle are expected to participate in discussions, reflecting strong industry engagement with academic research.

Key Themes Shaping Private Markets

The conference will cover a broad range of topics central to the evolution of private capital markets. These include valuation methodologies for private equity and private debt, performance measurement frameworks and strategic asset allocation in changing macroeconomic conditions.

Additional sessions will address liquidity challenges, alternative exit strategies and the role of private markets in diversified portfolios.

Other areas of focus include ESG integration, governance structures within private funds, venture capital contracting and regulatory oversight—topics that have gained increasing importance as private markets expand and attract a wider investor base.

Keynote Speakers and Academic Contributions

The conference will feature keynote addresses from Gregory Brown of the University of North Carolina and Russ Wermers of the University of Maryland, both recognized for their research in asset management and investment performance.

Academic sessions will present research on issues such as valuation discipline in private credit, investor behavior in private equity and the role of regulatory disclosure in private markets, highlighting the growing depth of scholarship in the field.

Industry Panels Address Structural Shifts

Practitioner-led panels will focus on structural changes within private markets, including the democratization of private market instruments and the increasing role of private equity in strategic asset allocation.

Discussions will also examine benchmarking practices and the implications of shifting monetary conditions for private capital investments.

These themes reflect broader industry trends, including the expansion of private markets into new investor segments and the growing importance of liquidity solutions and performance transparency.

Growing Importance of Private Markets

The conference comes at a time when private markets are playing an increasingly central role in global finance. Institutional investors continue to increase allocations to private equity, private credit and real assets, seeking diversification and higher returns amid volatile public markets.

At the same time, the industry faces challenges related to valuation, liquidity and regulatory scrutiny, making forums such as this conference critical for advancing research and dialogue.

Outlook

As private markets continue to evolve, collaboration between academia and industry is expected to play a key role in shaping best practices and improving transparency.

The 8th Annual Private Markets Research Conference is likely to provide valuable insights into the future direction of the industry, particularly as investors navigate a more complex and interconnected financial landscape.

With participation from leading academics and global asset managers, the event underscores the growing importance of research-driven analysis in understanding and managing private capital markets.

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