Looking back at the Nordic Buy Out Forum 2011-2024
Nordic Buy Out Forum is the largest annual M&A conference in the Nordic region. The conference was established in 2011 and is organised by Wiersholm, with support from the Norwegian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (NVCA). Nordic Buy Out Forum is a recognised arena for networking and knowledge sharing for the venture capital and private equity industry and others involved in the transaction market in Norway and the other Nordic countries.
Over the past 14 years, we have had a number of prominent speakers, both from the Nordic region and other countries.

Agendas 2011-2024
Welcome
- Opening Remarks // Jarle Kvam and Andreas Gustavson, Wiersholm
- State of the Nordic fundraising climate // Ellen Amalie Vold, NVCA
Part 1 | Navigating growth and value creation during turbulent market conditions
- Private equity outlook – poised for resurgence after significant reset, albeit with new rules of the game // Guillaume Rubens, BCG
- Picking the Right Startups to Invest In: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Truths // Raja Skogland, The Visionary Company
- The role of venture capital in accelerating the growth of successful next generation companies // Trond Riiber Knudsen, TRK Group From Small Shop to Nordic Leader in 4 years: A CEO’s Key Takeaways for M&A Success // Sten-Roger Karlsen, Investinor
- Achieving More // Frode Strand-Nilsen, FSN Capital
- Buy-out financing – a commodity or a forgotten superpower // Karl Dalby Skjelbred and Christel Heckmann, Danske Bank
Part 2 | Industry and sector deep dives – and strategies for success
- A Thousand and One Sector: Navigating Health Care Investing // Adina Symreng, BCG
- Navigating in the tide; Kverva’s buy and build strategy // Torgeir Svae, Kverva
- Why and how the Nordic Bond market plays/can play an active role in construction financing of critical mineral providers domestically and internationally // Hans-Arne L’Orange, Clarksons Securities
- The Schibsted story: a year of big bang transactions turning Schibsted from a media tech conglomerate to a pure play marketplace company
// Fredrik Bjørland, Schibsted
Part 3 | AI – Transforming and disrupting business landscapes
- Using AI to transform businesses // Bjørn Olstad, Microsoft
- Implementing AI in Transactions: Concrete Use Cases // Maged Helmy, Newcode
- Investing in AI businesses – key legal considerations // Theresa Schumacher Walberg, Wiersholm
Part 4 | Future outlooks and geopolitics post US elections
- Calm before the trade storm // Nora Szentivanyi, JP Morgan
- Closing Remarks // Jarle Kvam, Wiersholm
Part 1 | Market Trends & Outlooks
- Opening remarks: M&A highlights // Jarle Kvam, Wiersholm
- Private Equity in the Nordics – A Status Report // Ellen Amalie Vold, NVCA
- Where Is the World Heading? // Klas Eklund, Mannheimer Swartling
- Getting the Deal Done in a Changing M&A Environment // Henrik Bjerregaard, Deutsche Bank
Part 2 | AI – Where Are We Heading?
- ChatG(PE) and ChatGP(E): AI and Machine Learning for Private Equity and ESG // Andrew Ang, BlackRock
- EQT’s Journey: Building an AI-Literate Investment Organization // Alexandra Lutz, EQT
Part 3 | Private Equity and the Challenges in Value Creation Strategy Execution
- Value Creation in Turbulent Times // Hugo Maurstad, Monte Rosa Capital
- Tech Investing in the New Normal // Rolf Torsøe, Nordic Capital
- Building Companies in a Perfect Storm // Martin Schütt, Askeladden & Co
Part 4 | Grow the Pie
- How Great Companies Deliver Both Purpose and Profit // Alex Edmans, London Business School
- Beyond Compliance – ESG for Long-Term Value Creation // Kai Jordahl, Longship
- The Changing Regulatory Landscape for M&A // Karsten Kreiling and Elisabeth Lian Haugsdal, Wiersholm
- What Is a Continuation Vehicle Transaction and Why Does It Matter? // Reidun Tysseland and Johan Nord, Cubera
- Closing Remarks // Jarle Kvam, Wiersholm
Part 1 | M&A Trends and Outlook
- Opening remarks: M&A highlights // Jarle Kvam, Wiersholm
- What is on the other side, and the impact on Nordic M&A activity // Kristian B. Fyksen and Bengt Jonassen, ABG Sundal Collier
- Private equity at work – value creation and employment through a time of crisis // Ellen Amalie Vold, NVCA
Part 2 | Investing in Turbulent Times
- Corporate venture: How to invest strategically and find the next winners? // Kjersti Reinsnos and Børre Stokholm, Equinor Ventures
- Corporate carve-outs, family and entrepreneur businesses: How to unlock a PE deal in turbulent times // Mark Taylor and Marius Østlie, Exponent Private Equity
- Scandinavian capitalism – our approach to sustainability and value creation // Christian Sinding, EQT
- High yield bonds – flexible funding for private equity owned companies // Christian Jomaas and Lisa Karlsen, Pareto Securities
- Opportunities in industrial green transition // Tom Jovik, Altor Equity Partners
Part 3 | Energy Crisis and Energy Transition
- Energy transition and complex adaptive systems – identifying new niches and investment opportunities // Anne Maria Eikeset, Norges Bank Investment Management
- The energy crises and consequences for the energy transition and energy M&A // Jarand Rystad, Rystad Energy
- Energy investments in transition // Ove Gusevik, HitecVision
- Infrastructure opportunity in a changing market environments: energy transition, inflation and digitalization // Daniel von der Schulenburg, Ardian
Part 4 | Tech Sector Turmoil – What’s Next?
- Carve-out transactions: Who owns the data and important considerations to make // Kristian Elvestad Ottesen, Wiersholm
- From local hero to international star: How do you scale B2B software companies? // Erik Fjellvær Hagen, Viking Venture
- 8 digital trends which will impact private equity investments // Stefan C. Heilmann, IEG Investment Banking Group
- Closing remarks // Jarle Kvam, Wiersholm
Market Overview
- Opening remarks: Looking back – looking forward // Jarle Kvam, Wiersholm
- Trends and developments in M&A: How will the future differ from the past? // Are Andersen and Knut Brundtland, ABG Sundal Collier
Part 1 | Climate Change and the Road to Net Zero
- EU towards net zero and potential implications for M&A // Christer Tryggestad, McKinsey & Company
- Boom and bust, and boom again: What the next decade of cleantech investment will bring // Kristin Aamodt and Tom Rand, ArcTern Ventures
- Opportunities of the green energy transition – from an investor perspective // Christian Skakkebæk, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners
- Take-overs on Euronext Growth // Svein-Helge Hanken and Anne Lise E. Gryte, Wiersholm
Part 2 | Next Stage of the Information Revolution
- HG – a new model of PE ownership // Mikael Männik, HG Capital
- Digitally enabled consumption – a driver of increased emissions or part of the sustainability solution? // Bjarne Lie, Verdane
Part 3 | Road Ahead for PE
- Transformations at scale – and on steroids // Halvor Meyer Horten, Bain Capital
- Can Private Equity save capitalism? // Reynir Indahl, Summa Equity
- ESG efforts in Private Equity // Ellen Amalie Vold, NVCA
- Our commercial approach to ESG and net zero // Frode Strand-Nielsen and Rebecca Svensøy, FSN Capital
- Direction of travel for the PE industry the next 10 years – implications for Nordic buyout and PE market // Grete Rød, Bain & Co
- Closing remarks // Jarle Kvam, Wiersholm
Market Overview
- Welcome and Introduction with Jarle Kvam, Wiersholm
Part 1 | Private Equity during Corona – what trends do we see?
- The Age of Private Capital with Johan Öberg, BCG
- Lock Down Experiences & Key Take Aways for Private Equity going forward with Frode Strand-Nielsen, FSN Capital
- The New Normal or Trend Deviation – backing Online Disruptors through Turbulent Times with Bjarne Kveim Lie, Verdane
Part 2 | Today’s Capital Markets – bubble to burst
- Merkur Market/Euronext Growth Market – Intro and Facts with Anne Lise E. Gryte, Wiersholm
- Reflections on Market Development with Alexaner Opstad, DNB Markets, and Ketil Gjerstad BCG
- NVCA Status Summary with Ellen Amalie Vold, NVCA
Part 3 | ESG, Climate Change and Capitalism
- Private Equity 4.0 – Integrating ESG in Value Creation with Reynir Indahl, Summa Equity
- The Case for Climate Capitalism – Can Capitalism stop Climate Change? with Kristin Aamodt and Tom Rand, ArcTern Ventures
- Reflections on ESG and Climate Change with Reynir Indahl, Bjarne Kveim Lie and Frode Strand-Nielsen
Opening Remarks
- Welcome and Introduction with Jarle Kvam, Wiersholm
- Private Equity in Norway – A Status Report with Rikke Eckhoff Høvding, NVCA
Part 1 | Changing the World – Impact Investments
- How to Address Global Challanges by Enabling Impact Unicorns with Erik Engellau-Nilsson and Tove Rådelius, Norrsken Foundation
- The S**t Revolution with Trond Lund, N2 Applied
- The Social Capital Continuum, from ESG, to Impact, to the Power of Positive Equity with Marina Ergatoude and Pete Witte, EY
- Headless Chickens or Professional Investors? Three Deadly Sins of the Capital Ecosystem Today with Martin Schütt and Linn Nærup Børke, Askeladden & Co
Part 2 | We Have the Money – Where Are the (Good) Targets?
- Supporting European and Nordic Tech Software Platforms to Go Global with Roland Pezzutto, Marlin Equity Partners
- From Nedre Vats to the Pinnacle of Global Automation with Magnus Tornling, EQT Partners
- Finding and Creating Value in The Nordic Tech through Sector Specialization with Rolf Torsøe, Nordic Capital
Part 3 | Food for Thought…and Future Prospects
- Perspectives on Private Equity with Ulrik Smith, FSN Capital
- Exit – How Lawyers Add Value with Ingjerd Røynås, Wiersholm
- Our View on the Current M&A Market and how to Strucutre for Success with Jo Isaksen and Magnus Berning, DNB Markets
- Economic Outlook in an Era og De-Globalization with Øystein Dørum, NHO
Market Overview
- Welcome and Introduction with Jarle Kvam, Wiersholm
- Gravity’s Rainbow – the 2018 Market Overview with Jim Strang, Hamilton Lane
Part 1 | The Changing Worlds of Start-ups and Venture Capital
- Pushing the boundaries of imagination and technology within the Energy industry with Kristin Aamodt, Equinor Technology Ventures
- How a corporate giant successfully works with start-ups with Audun Abelsnes, Techstars, and Jens Festervoll, Equinor
- Rising North – the promise of Nordic venture market with Rikke Eckhoff Høvding, NVCA
Part 2 | Private Equity Investments int Times of Red Hot Competition
- “Your margin is my profit” – what will the pending Amazon entry mean for Nordic (e)retail? with Bjarne Lie, Verdane
- Long Durration Investing – a growing asset class with Lubna Qunash annd Karthic Jayaraman, Carlyle Group
- End of a bull market? How we invest while we wait… with Halvor Meyer Horten, Bain Capital
- Management incentives – flexibility vs. cost with Kristian martin Lind, Wiersholm
Part 3 | Social Responsible Investments – and Other Hot Topics
- Private Equity investing in public minority stakes with Maria Tallaksen, Altor
- Investing to solve global challenges with Hannah G. Jacobsen, Summa Equity
- IFRS 16 impact on key financing terms with Heidi Willumsen, DNB
- The current government’s view of PE and investment funds with Sigbjørn Aanes, First House
Market Overview
- Welcome and Introduction with Jarle Kvam, Wiersholm
Part 1 | Technology and investments
- Status of the PE og VC industries with Rikke Eckhoff Høvding, NVCA
- Disruption with Anders Borg, KKR
- The technology takeover with Ketil Gjerstad, BCG
- How blockchain technology can be used to establish direct contact between companies and how this can revolutionise the financial sector with Richard Tynan, TradelX
- New legislation – in arrears of the technological development with Rune Opdahl, Wiersholm
Part 2 | Investments in Norway and Europe, and Trends and Outlooks for 2018
- The geopolitical uncertainty with Jan Petter Collier and Are Andersen, ABG Sundal Collier
- About the advisory role and the importance of the transaction process itself in creating added value for clients with Jarle Kvam, Wiersholm
- Forecasts for the acquisition market with John Arbuckle, BofA Merrill Lynch
Part 3 | Artificial Intelligence – a tool or a threat?
- EQT’s strategies and how we digitalise to realise the opportunities in each company with Anders Misund og Sven Törnkvist, EQT
- How to face a digitalized world with Nina Olufsen, Norrøna
- How technology and artificial intelligence may help us solve issues that might otherwise be difficult for humanity to handle with Hannes Sjöblad, Epicenter Stockholm
Market Overview
- Welcome and Introduction with Jarle Kvam, Wiersholm
Part 1 | The Art of Dealmaking
- Introduction to Guhan Subramanian – A Lawyer’s Perspective with Harald Hellebust, Wiersholm
- Deal Process Design – Auctions, Negotiations & “Negotiauctions” in PE Dealmaking with Guhan Subramanian, Harvard Law School/Harvard Business School
- Q&A moderated by Harald Hellebust
Part 2 | Value Creation in the Digital Age
- Acquiring in the Digital Age – Assessing Technology Debt and Properties vs. Financial DD with Øystein Moan, Visma
- Digital Innovation and Disruption within the Buy Out Industry with Frode Strand-Nielsen, FSN Capital
Part 3 | Investments in the Nordics
- Private Equity 2016 – The Global Perspective with Jim Strang, Hamilton Lane
- Investing in the Nordics – An External Perspective on the Region and Lessons from other Markets with Graeme Gunn, SL Capital Partners
- Investing in a Volatile and Low Growth Environment with Reynir Indahl, Summa Equity
- Q&A moderated by Reynir Indahl
Part 4 | Market Developments and Trends
- Market Report, Beyond Alpha – How Private Equity adds Value with Rikke Eckhoff Høvding, NVCA
- Economic and Capital Market Outlooks with Harald Magnus Andreassen, Swedbank
Market Overview
- Welcome and Introduction with Jarle Kvam, Wiersholm
Part 1 | Challanges and Possibilities when Investing in TECH/DIGITAL Companies in a Fast Shifting Tech World
- Investing in the digital space with Bjørn Stray, NorthZone
- Scaling early stage technology investment with Philipp Moehring, AngelList
- A buyout perspective on investment in the digital space with Sverre Flåskjer, Herkules Capital
- Your Strategy Needs a Strategy? with Knut Haanæs and Knut Olav Rød, BCG
Part 2 | Framework for Private Equity and Venture firms
- The future of Private Equity as an Asset Class with Knut Kjær, FSN Capital
- The “Herkules ruling”– What are the consequences? with Morten Goller, Wiersholm
- Panel discussion with
- Erling Maartman-Moe, Partner, Alliance Venture
- Else-May Botten, MP, Arbeiderpartiet
- Rikke Eckhoff Høvding, CEO, NVCA
- Anders Mjåset, Founder, MESH
- Kathrine Myhre, CEO, Oslo MedTech
- Kristin Vinje, MP, Høyre
Part 3 | Trends and Outlooks for 2016
- Low for longer with Thina Margrethe Saltvedt, Nordea
- Economic Outlook for 2016 with Kjetil Olsen, Nordea
Market Overview
- Welcome and Introduction with Jarle Kvam, Wiersholm
Part 1 | The Future of Private Equity
- What are the Key Success Factors and what are the main challenges for Private Equity as an asset class going forward? with Guy Frasor-Sampson, Cass Business School
- Panel discussion with
- Anders Misund, Partner, EQT Partners
- Patrik Bø Egeland, Partner, Herkules Capital AS
- Ola Nordquist, Head of Nordic, Permira Advisers
Part 2 | M&A in the Nordics
- Building global leadership within online classifieds with Rolv Erik Ryssdal and Jacob Møller, Schibsted
- Growth strategies in Nordic Service Companies with Fredrik Korterud, Norvestor Equity
- M&A insurances – key takeaways and pitfalls with Harald Hellebust, Wiersholm
Part 3 | Private Equity as Owners
- Building Investor Mindset with Frode Strand-Nielsen, FSN Capital Partners
- An Owner of Today with Susanna Campbell, Ratos
- Reflections by with Guy Frasor-Sampson, Cass Business School
Part 4 | Trends & Outlooks for 2015
- Trends and issues: can you predict the private equity of tomorrow? with Joachim Høegh-Krohn, Argentum Asset Management
- Debt Market, Financing and Macroeconomic Outlooks with Frank Jullum and Erlend Sigve Angelfoss, Danske Bank
- Conclusion with Knut Traaseth, NVCA
Market Overview
- Welcome and Introduction with Jarle Kvam, Wiersholm
Part 1 | Value Creation
- Renewable energy – investing for the future with Jens Ulltveit-Moe, Umoe
- How private equity investors create sustainable value with Michel Eriksson and Pål Brun, EY
- Is there a pattern to value creation? with Adam Ikdal and Ketil Gjerstad, The Boston Consulting Group
- Engaging Stakeholders through Private Equity with Frederic Sicre, The Abraaj Group
- Creating improved Shareholder Value through Shared Value with Reynir K. Indahl, Altor Equity Partners
- KKR’s approach to value creation in a post crisis world with Henrik Kraft, KKR & Co.
Part 2 | Trends & Outlooks for 2014
- Acquisitions without bank funding – a future scenario even without new crises? with Knut Bergo, Wiersholm
- Outlook for 2014 with Ole Petter Kjerkreit, ABG Sundal Collier
- After the political election – what happens now? with Morten A. Meyer, First House
- Conclusion with Knut T. Traaseth, NVCA
Part 1 | Data Security and the Threat Landscape
- The national ICT threat landscape with Torgeir Vidnes, Norwegian National Security Authority
- Electronic data storage and the threat landscape of international technological innovation at a furious pace – do businesses have control? with Stig Alstedt, Hewlett Packard Norway
- Shielding of technology and information security for listed companies with Lars Idland, Statoil ASA
Part 2 | Strategy and Value-creation in a Turbulent Market
- How to create value in a low growth environment? with Mikko Moilanen, Access Capital Partners, Finland
- M&A as a tool to realise industrial strategies with Gustaf S. Christensen, Orkla
- The new frontier for Private Equity – the endeavors into public sector, culture and creative industries with Kai Jordahl, CapMan Buyout
- Private Equity – Time to Lift the Veil with Christian Sindling and Anders Misund, EQT
Part 3 | Trends & Outlooks for 2013
- Trends int he UK and the European market with Mark Florman, The British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA)
- Macroeconomic outlook for 2013 with Stein Bruun, SEB Norway
- Future political prospects – which opportunities and threats should investors include in their plans? with Tor Mikkel Wara, First House
Part 1 | Lecture
- How to establish long-term and competitive businesses in Norway – what are the challenges? With our unique economic strength and our stable political environment, are we able to build a sustainable platform for the business community for the benefit of future generations in Norway?
- What part does PE play in that context – is PE only a positive contribution to creating added value in industrial development – if not – what are the pitfalls and which lessons may we essentially draw?
Part 2 | Panel discussion
- The Nordic private equity market – challenges and opportunities in an unstable market
Part 3 | Lecture and discussion
- PE vs. industrial owners; experiences and most important lessons learned by management; how to create success?
Part four: Lecture
- The macroeconomic landscape in 2012 – and how it is assumed to affect the buy-out segment in the future.